Weather & Climate in Garnet, CA

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Garnet has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 76°F (24°C). Winters average 59°F in January while summers reach 94°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 4.6 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Moderate with a median AQI of 87 / residents may notice occasional air quality concerns. 12% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 839 feet.

Temperature

59°F Jan (15°C) 94°F Jul (34°C)
Annual Average75.6°F
40% above US avg
January Average59°F (15°C)
July Average94°F (34°C)

Geography

Elevation839 ft (256 m)
Area7.9 sq mi (20.4 km²)
Population Density886/sq mi
Coordinates33.9179°N, 116.4796°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyRiverside County County
Nearest AirportPalm Springs International (PSP)
6 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 4.6"
88% below US avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Jan) 1.14"
Driest Month (May) 0.02"

Air Quality

AQI Median87.0
RatingModerate
Good Days %11.7%
Unhealthy Days147

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery High
Risk Score99.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability33.3 / 100
Community Resilience13.0 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Moderate
Hurricane Very Low
Earthquake Very High
Wildfire Very High
Flood Very High
Hail Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave Relatively High
Winter Weather Relatively Moderate
Lightning Relatively Moderate
Drought Relatively Low
Cold Wave Very Low
Landslide Relatively High
Volcano Very Low
Avalanche Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

13,547 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.3.

Jun 28, 1992 The 1992 Landers, California Earthquake M7.3 32 km 0 km
Oct 16, 1999 The 1999 Hector Mine, California Earthquake M7.1 79 km 14 km
Jun 28, 1992 The 1992 Big Bear, California Earthquake M6.3 45 km 4 km
Apr 23, 1992 The 1992 Joshua Tree, California Earthquake M6.1 16 km 12 km
Jun 28, 1991 The 1991 Sierra Madre, California Earthquake M5.8 145 km 8 km
Jun 28, 1992 3km NE of Yucca Valley, California M5.8 25 km -1 km
Oct 16, 1999 13km WSW of Ludlow, CA M5.8 86 km 14 km
Jun 15, 2010 8km ESE of Ocotillo, CA M5.7 145 km 9 km
Jun 28, 1992 2km SSW of Joshua Tree, California M5.7 27 km 6 km
Jun 29, 1992 3km ESE of Yucca Valley, California M5.7 22 km 10 km
Oct 16, 1999 7km ENE of Running Springs, CA M5.6 63 km 6 km
Jun 28, 1992 11km SSE of Big Bear Lake, California M5.5 44 km 10 km
Feb 28, 1990 The 1990 Upland, California Earthquake M5.5 115 km 3 km
Jun 28, 1992 0km E of Yucca Valley, CA M5.5 23 km 8 km
Jul 5, 1992 21km SW of Ludlow, California M5.4 75 km 5 km
Jul 7, 2010 20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA M5.4 56 km 12 km
Jun 28, 1992 26km NNW of Yucca Valley, CA M5.4 47 km 4 km
Aug 26, 2012 4km NNW of Brawley, CA M5.4 133 km 8 km
Oct 16, 1999 32km SSW of Ludlow, California M5.4 62 km 1 km
Jul 1, 1992 24km N of Yucca Valley, California M5.3 46 km 5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

42 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 13 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Feb 9, 1978 EF3 70 km 2.0 mi 0
May 22, 2008 EF2 71 km 2.8 mi 0
Sep 7, 1982 EF2 36 km 0.5 mi 0
Aug 6, 2015 EF1 52 km 4.0 mi 0
Aug 4, 2008 EF1 49 km 1.1 mi 0
Feb 19, 2005 EF1 80 km 2.8 mi 0
May 18, 1997 EF1 100 km 9.0 mi 0
May 11, 1997 EF1 94 km 0.2 mi 0
Dec 22, 1996 EF1 28 km 0.1 mi 0
Oct 22, 1974 EF1 31 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 20, 1974 EF1 47 km 1.0 mi 0
Oct 8, 2022 EF0 72 km 1.6 mi 0
Aug 16, 2018 EF0 44 km 0.2 mi 0
Oct 17, 2015 EF0 65 km 0.0 mi 0
Jul 19, 2015 EF0 43 km 0.2 mi 0
Sep 9, 2012 EF0 71 km 0.0 mi 0
Aug 12, 2012 EF0 68 km 0.5 mi 0
May 22, 2008 EF0 70 km 0.9 mi 0
May 22, 2008 EF0 73 km 1.0 mi 0
May 22, 2008 EF0 81 km 0.4 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Salton Buttes (113 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Salton Buttes Lava dome(s) -40 m (-131 ft) 210 113 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: WITCH (167,551 acres, 2007).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2007 WITCH 167,551 97 km
2003 OLD 90,180 83 km
2006 MILLARD 86,585 25 km
2002 PINES 65,407 86 km
1999 WILLOW 63,525 75 km
2003 PARADISE 55,995 89 km
2003 GRAND PRIX 50,799 96 km
2007 POOMACHA 47,496 80 km
2006 ESPERANZA 40,566 37 km
2020 APPLE 32,374 38 km
2015 LAKE 30,421 36 km
2022 FAIRVIEW 28,680 45 km
2013 MOUNTAIN 28,202 25 km
1998 EDNA 27,561 48 km
1993 CALIFORNIA 23,899 60 km
2018 HOLY 22,845 94 km
2020 EL DORADO 22,300 48 km
1995 VERBENIA 21,601 20 km
1994 PALM 21,040 31 km
2013 SILVER 20,863 30 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 59°F (15°C) 1.1 in Wettest
February 62°F (17°C) 1.1 in
March 68°F (20°C) 0.5 in
April 73°F (23°C) 0.1 in
May 80°F (27°C) 0.0 in
June 88°F (31°C) 0.0 in Driest
July 94°F (34°C) 0.3 in Warmest
August 94°F (34°C) 0.1 in
September 88°F (31°C) 0.2 in
October 78°F (25°C) 0.2 in
November 66°F (19°C) 0.2 in
December 58°F (14°C) 0.7 in Coldest

Garnet has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 58°F in December to 94°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 4.6 inches, with January being the wettest month (1.1") and June the driest (0.0").

View full profile of Garnet, CA →