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Weather & Climate in Imperial, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Imperial has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 74°F (23°C). Winters average 56°F in January while summers reach 93°F in July. 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 2.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Moderate with a median AQI of 63 / residents may notice occasional air quality concerns. 23% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of -59 feet.
Temperature
56°F Jan (13°C)
93°F Jul (34°C)
| Annual Average | 73.7°F |
| 36% above US avg | |
| January Average | 56°F (13°C) |
| July Average | 93°F (34°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | -59 ft (-18 m) |
| Area | 5.9 sq mi (15.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 3,319/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 32.8388°N, 115.5720°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Imperial County County |
| Nearest Airport | Calexico International (CXL) 12 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 63.0 |
| Rating | Moderate |
| Good Days % | 22.7% |
| Unhealthy Days | 50 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 96.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 85.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 2.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively High |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | No Rating |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Volcano | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
12,503 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.2.
| Apr 4, 2010 | The 2010 Sierra El Mayor, B.C., Mexico Earthquake | M7.2 | 67 km | 10 km |
| Apr 23, 1992 | The 1992 Joshua Tree, California Earthquake | M6.1 | 143 km | 12 km |
| Dec 30, 2009 | 12km N of Delta, B.C., MX | M5.8 | 55 km | 6 km |
| Jun 15, 2010 | 8km ESE of Ocotillo, CA | M5.7 | 35 km | 9 km |
| Feb 22, 2002 | 13km WSW of Delta, B.C., MX | M5.7 | 62 km | 7 km |
| Apr 4, 2010 | 12km SSW of Estacion Coahuila, B.C., MX | M5.7 | 96 km | 10 km |
| Dec 8, 2001 | 22km S of Estacion Coahuila, B.C., MX | M5.7 | 108 km | 7 km |
| Apr 4, 2010 | 9km SW of Delta, B.C., MX | M5.4 | 67 km | 10 km |
| Jul 7, 2010 | 20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA | M5.4 | 106 km | 12 km |
| Aug 26, 2012 | 4km NNW of Brawley, CA | M5.4 | 20 km | 8 km |
| Apr 4, 2010 | 12km WNW of Alberto Oviedo Mota, B.C., MX | M5.4 | 69 km | 10 km |
| May 24, 2006 | 6km SSW of Delta, B.C., MX | M5.4 | 67 km | 6 km |
| Aug 26, 2012 | 5km NNW of Brawley, CA | M5.3 | 20 km | 8 km |
| Dec 3, 1991 | 71km E of Maneadero, B.C., MX | M5.3 | 122 km | 6 km |
| Apr 8, 2010 | 12km SW of Alberto Oviedo Mota, B.C., MX | M5.3 | 80 km | 10 km |
| Mar 23, 1994 | 35km E of Maneadero, B.C., MX | M5.3 | 136 km | 5 km |
| Apr 4, 2010 | 15km SSW of Progreso, B.C., MX | M5.3 | 43 km | 10 km |
| Jun 5, 2021 | 11km W of Calipatria, CA | M5.3 | 34 km | 6 km |
| Apr 5, 2010 | 27km SSW of Estacion Coahuila, B.C., MX | M5.2 | 104 km | 10 km |
| Apr 14, 2025 | 5 km S of Julian, CA | M5.2 | 98 km | 14 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
14 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 8 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Feb 9, 1978 | EF3 | 94 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 6, 2015 | EF1 | 95 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 29, 1993 | EF1 | 1 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 22, 1987 | EF1 | 98 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 13, 1966 | EF1 | 85 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 5, 1965 | EF1 | 89 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 30, 2000 | EF0 | 50 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 12, 1999 | EF0 | 89 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 24, 1997 | EF0 | 11 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1997 | EF0 | 80 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1992 | EF0 | 1 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 18, 1985 | EF0 | 83 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1972 | EF0 | 71 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 5, 1965 | EF0 | 70 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Salton Buttes (40 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Salton Buttes | Lava dome(s) | -40 m (-131 ft) | 210 | 40 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: PINES (65,407 acres, 2002).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2002 | PINES | 65,407 | 100 km |
| 2006 | HORSE | 16,659 | 99 km |
| 2011 | EAGLE | 14,743 | 100 km |
| 2012 | WILSON | 12,048 | 92 km |
| 2012 | STEWART | 9,501 | 92 km |
| 2016 | BORDER 3 | 7,958 | 97 km |
| 2013 | CHARIOT | 7,250 | 83 km |
| 1995 | BUTTERFIELD | 7,165 | 81 km |
| 2021 | SOUTHERN | 5,525 | 85 km |
| 2012 | BANNER | 5,371 | 85 km |
| 2012 | BORDER 6 | 5,301 | 71 km |
| 2007 | INKOPAH | 5,037 | 52 km |
| 2006 | CIBOLA | 4,703 | 97 km |
| 1989 | THING 2 | 4,650 | 76 km |
| 1999 | LAGUNA 100 | 4,586 | 78 km |
| 2011 | THREE SLASHES | 4,581 | 94 km |
| 2001 | BELL | 3,700 | 100 km |
| 1999 | SHOCKEY | 3,522 | 82 km |
| 2013 | FELIPE | 2,961 | 96 km |
| 2012 | SHOCKEY | 2,667 | 76 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 56°F (13°C) | 0.4 in | Wettest |
| February | 60°F (15°C) | 0.4 in | |
| March | 64°F (18°C) | 0.4 in | |
| April | 70°F (21°C) | 0.1 in | |
| May | 77°F (25°C) | 0.0 in | Driest |
| June | 86°F (30°C) | 0.0 in | |
| July | 93°F (34°C) | 0.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 91°F (33°C) | 0.4 in | |
| September | 86°F (30°C) | 0.3 in | |
| October | 75°F (24°C) | 0.2 in | |
| November | 63°F (17°C) | 0.2 in | |
| December | 55°F (13°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest |
Imperial has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 55°F in December to 93°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 2.9 inches, with January being the wettest month (0.4") and May the driest (0.0").