Weather & Climate in Imperial Beach, CA

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

Imperial Beach enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 57°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 330 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 8.6 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 23 feet.

Temperature

57°F Jan (14°C) 69°F Jul (20°C)

Annual Average	62.3°F
	15% above US avg
January Average	57°F (14°C)
July Average	69°F (20°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	23 ft (7 m)
Area	4.5 sq mi (11.6 km²)
Population Density	6,037/sq mi
Coordinates	32.5691°N, 117.1149°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	San Diego County County
Nearest Airport	San Diego International (SAN) 12 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 8.6"

77% below US avg

Wettest Month (Mar) 2.17"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.04"

Air Quality

AQI Median	48.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very High
Risk Score	99.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability	24.8 / 100
Community Resilience	8.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Hurricane	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively High
Wildfire	Very High
Flood	Very High
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave	Relatively High
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Very Low
Landslide	Relatively High
Coastal Flood	Relatively Moderate
Tsunami	Relatively Low
Volcano	Very Low
Avalanche	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

5,573 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.7.

Jun 15, 2010	8km ESE of Ocotillo, CA	M5.7	114 km	9 km
Jul 7, 2010	20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA	M5.4	112 km	12 km
Mar 23, 1994	35km E of Maneadero, B.C., MX	M5.3	127 km	5 km
Apr 4, 2010	15km SSW of Progreso, B.C., MX	M5.3	140 km	10 km
Apr 14, 2025	5 km S of Julian, CA	M5.2	71 km	14 km
Jun 12, 2005	10km ESE of Anza, CA	M5.2	119 km	13 km
Jun 10, 2016	20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA	M5.2	115 km	12 km
Oct 31, 2001	16km ESE of Anza, CA	M5.0	119 km	14 km
Jun 15, 2004	67km SE of San Clemente Is. (SE tip), CA	M5.0	79 km	10 km
Apr 5, 2010	20km ESE of Ocotillo, CA	M5.0	123 km	1 km
Apr 5, 2010	19km ESE of Ocotillo, CA	M4.9	123 km	14 km
May 22, 2010	17km WNW of Progreso, B.C., MX	M4.9	127 km	8 km
Jul 26, 1997	16km N of Borrego Springs, California	M4.9	117 km	11 km
Apr 4, 2020	17km ESE of Anza, CA	M4.9	117 km	10 km
Feb 12, 2024	3 km NNW of El Centro, CA	M4.8	147 km	18 km
May 8, 2010	19km ESE of Ocotillo, CA	M4.8	124 km	6 km
Jun 20, 1997	27km SE of San Clemente Is. (SE tip), California	M4.8	94 km	6 km
Apr 5, 2010	21km ESE of Ocotillo, CA	M4.7	123 km	0 km
Apr 4, 2010	13km S of Progreso, B.C., MX	M4.7	143 km	10 km
Mar 11, 2013	21km ESE of Anza, CA	M4.7	120 km	11 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

25 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1. Total: 4 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Nov 10, 2000	EF1	43 km	0.4 mi	0
Jan 29, 1998	EF1	56 km	0.5 mi	0
Mar 27, 1991	EF1	65 km	0.2 mi	0
Mar 19, 1991	EF1	20 km	1.0 mi	0
Feb 20, 1980	EF1	25 km	0.1 mi	0
Dec 18, 1978	EF1	74 km	0.8 mi	0
Oct 8, 1961	EF1	70 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 13, 1956	EF1	8 km	0.1 mi	0
Sep 22, 2007	EF0	53 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 11, 2006	EF0	62 km	2.0 mi	0
Mar 10, 2006	EF0	56 km	0.2 mi	0
Feb 23, 2005	EF0	8 km	0.1 mi	0
Feb 19, 2005	EF0	88 km	2.5 mi	0
Feb 19, 2005	EF0	95 km	2.2 mi	0
Oct 17, 2004	EF0	74 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 12, 1999	EF0	82 km	0.1 mi	0
Feb 8, 1998	EF0	54 km	3.0 mi	0
Dec 7, 1992	EF0	70 km	0.1 mi	0
Feb 15, 1992	EF0	86 km	0.5 mi	0
Jan 14, 1990	EF0	20 km	0.1 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Tsunami History

1 tsunami recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 1.2 m (4 ft).

Year	Location	Cause	Max Wave	Deaths	Distance
1862	S. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	1.2 m	—	17 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Salton Buttes (156 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Salton Buttes	Lava dome(s)	-40 m (-131 ft)	210	156 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CEDAR (268,362 acres, 2003).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2003	CEDAR	268,362	53 km
2007	WITCH	167,551	65 km
2007	HARRIS	90,443	33 km
2002	PINES	65,407	82 km
2003	PARADISE	55,995	73 km
2007	POOMACHA	47,496	83 km
2003	MINE/OTAY	37,232	26 km
2008	YELLOW	33,232	97 km
2020	INDIA	24,193	97 km
2007	AMMO FIRE	19,213	92 km
1993	GUEJITO	17,141	63 km
2006	HORSE	16,659	49 km
2020	VALLEY	16,517	44 km
1989	VAIL	15,632	96 km
2014	PULGAS	14,937	87 km
1996	OTAY 322	12,238	23 km
2012	WILSON	12,048	92 km
2000	PECHANGA	11,879	95 km
2001	VIEJAS	10,942	44 km
1987	PALOMAR	10,256	88 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	57°F (14°C)	2.1 in
February	58°F (14°C)	2.1 in
March	59°F (15°C)	2.2 in	Wettest
April	62°F (16°C)	0.7 in
May	64°F (18°C)	0.2 in
June	67°F (20°C)	0.1 in
July	69°F (20°C)	0.0 in	Driest
August	73°F (23°C)	0.1 in	Warmest
September	71°F (22°C)	0.2 in
October	67°F (20°C)	0.4 in
November	61°F (16°C)	1.1 in
December	57°F (14°C)	1.4 in	Coldest

Imperial Beach has a seasonal temperature swing of 16°F / from 57°F in December to 73°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 10.5 inches, with March being the wettest month (2.2") and July the driest (0.0").

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