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Weather & Climate in Johannesburg, CA

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

Johannesburg enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 47°F in January while summers reach 85°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 6.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 2.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 3,573 feet.

Temperature

47°F Jan (8°C) 85°F Jul (29°C)
Annual Average64.2°F
19% above US avg
January Average47°F (8°C)
July Average85°F (29°C)
Sunny Days330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation3,573 ft (1,089 m)
Area2.4 sq mi (6.2 km²)
Population Density31/sq mi
Coordinates35.3719°N, 117.6418°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyKern County County
Nearest AirportBob Hope (BUR)
91 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 6.7"
82% below US avg
Snowfall 2.2"
Wettest Month (Jan) 0.98"
Driest Month (Jun) 0.04"

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively High
Risk Score98.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability61.1 / 100
Community Resilience6.5 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Earthquake History

12,401 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.1.

Jul 6, 2019 Ridgecrest Earthquake Sequence M7.1 44 km 8 km
Jul 4, 2019 Ridgecrest Earthquake Sequence M6.4 39 km 11 km
Jun 28, 1992 The 1992 Big Bear, California Earthquake M6.3 150 km 4 km
Jan 17, 1994 1km ENE of Granada Hills, California M5.9 145 km 5 km
Jun 28, 1991 The 1991 Sierra Madre, California Earthquake M5.8 127 km 8 km
Jun 24, 2020 18km SSE of Lone Pine, CA M5.8 123 km 5 km
Oct 16, 1999 13km WSW of Ludlow, CA M5.8 145 km 14 km
Sep 20, 1995 16km NNE of Ridgecrest, California M5.8 43 km 5 km
Jul 11, 1992 12km NW of California City, California M5.7 43 km 10 km
Oct 16, 1999 7km ENE of Running Springs, CA M5.6 137 km 6 km
Jun 4, 2020 17km S of Searles Valley, CA M5.5 33 km 8 km
Feb 28, 1990 The 1990 Upland, California Earthquake M5.5 137 km 3 km
Jul 6, 2019 15km ESE of Little Lake, CA M5.5 60 km 5 km
Jul 6, 2019 20km E of Little Lake, CA M5.4 60 km 7 km
Jul 5, 1992 21km SW of Ludlow, California M5.4 149 km 5 km
Jul 5, 2019 16km W of Searles Valley, CA M5.4 44 km 7 km
Aug 17, 1995 17km N of Ridgecrest, California M5.4 45 km 5 km
Nov 27, 1996 27km E of Coso Junction, California M5.3 78 km 0 km
Nov 27, 1992 10km NNW of Big Bear City, California M5.3 133 km 0 km
Jun 28, 1992 1km N of Big Bear Lake, California M5.3 141 km 7 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: EF2.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Jun 25, 1954 EF2 92 km 0.1 mi 0
May 18, 1997 EF1 96 km 9.0 mi 0
May 18, 1997 EF1 91 km 3.5 mi 0
Sep 4, 1976 EF1 84 km 0.1 mi 0
Sep 9, 2021 EF0 95 km 1.8 mi 0
Apr 16, 2019 EF0 27 km 1.6 mi 0
May 7, 2017 EF0 87 km 0.0 mi 0
Aug 18, 2013 EF0 75 km 1.0 mi 0
Sep 1, 2007 EF0 79 km 13.1 mi 0
Sep 1, 2007 EF0 91 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 15, 2005 EF0 79 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 28, 2000 EF0 96 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 21, 1997 EF0 98 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 26, 1995 EF0 53 km 2.0 mi 0
Mar 26, 1991 EF0 29 km 0.1 mi 0
Mar 25, 1991 EF0 34 km 0.2 mi 0
Sep 29, 1990 EF0 90 km 0.2 mi 0
Aug 14, 1990 EF0 93 km 0.1 mi 0
Apr 20, 1988 EF0 96 km 0.2 mi 0
Jun 5, 1987 EF0 92 km 0.2 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Tsunami History

1 tsunami recorded within 500 km.

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
1855 S. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake — — 148 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

2 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Golden Trout Creek (126 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Golden Trout Creek Volcanic field 2,886 m (9,469 ft) -5550 126 km
Ubehebe Craters Maar(s) 752 m (2,467 ft) -150 184 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: MANTER (76,158 acres, 2000).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2000 MANTER 76,158 79 km
2016 ERSKINE 48,066 66 km
2020 COLES FLAT 41,143 78 km
2008 PIUTE 36,251 65 km
2016 CEDAR 29,191 96 km
2021 FRENCH 27,331 91 km
2011 BRECKENRIDGE COMPLEX 27,229 96 km
1984 BODFISH 23,189 71 km
1990 STORMY 23,157 93 km
2010 BULL 17,238 88 km
2008 CLOVER 14,778 94 km
2011 CANYON 14,707 79 km
2012 JAWBONE COMPLEX 12,211 54 km
2007 WHITE 11,784 84 km
2010 CANYON 11,064 84 km
1987 FAY 10,177 73 km
2005 CHINA LAKE 10,165 63 km
2020 JUNCTION RANCH 9,337 74 km
1994 LUCAS COMPLEX 9,181 96 km
2005 UNNAMED 9,044 71 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 47°F (8°C) 1.0 in Wettest
February 49°F (9°C) 0.9 in
March 53°F (12°C) 0.8 in
April 59°F (15°C) 0.3 in
May 68°F (20°C) 0.1 in
June 78°F (25°C) 0.0 in Driest
July 85°F (29°C) 0.2 in Warmest
August 82°F (28°C) 0.3 in
September 75°F (24°C) 0.2 in
October 65°F (18°C) 0.2 in
November 52°F (11°C) 0.6 in
December 45°F (7°C) 0.7 in Coldest

Johannesburg has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 45°F in December to 85°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 5.4 inches, with January being the wettest month (1.0") and June the driest (0.0").

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