Weather & Climate in Joshua Tree, CA

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

Joshua Tree enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 66°F (19°C). Winters average 49°F in January while summers reach 86°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 4.4 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 2,925 feet.

Temperature

49°F Jan (10°C) 86°F Jul (30°C)

Annual Average	65.5°F
	21% above US avg
January Average	49°F (10°C)
July Average	86°F (30°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,925 ft (892 m)
Area	36.1 sq mi (93.5 km²)
Population Density	188/sq mi
Coordinates	34.1236°N, 116.3129°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	San Bernardino County County
Nearest Airport	Palm Springs International (PSP) 23 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 4.4"

88% below US avg

Snowfall 0.8"

Wettest Month (Jan) 1.54"

Driest Month (Jun) 0.04"

Air Quality

AQI Median	48.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very High
Risk Score	99.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability	33.2 / 100
Community Resilience	20.1 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Moderate
Hurricane	No Rating
Earthquake	Very High
Wildfire	Very High
Flood	Very High
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Relatively High
Heat Wave	Relatively High
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Relatively High
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Very High
Volcano	Very Low
Avalanche	Relatively Low

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

Earthquake History

12,752 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.3.

Jun 28, 1992	The 1992 Landers, California Earthquake	M7.3	14 km	0 km
Oct 16, 1999	The 1999 Hector Mine, California Earthquake	M7.1	54 km	14 km
Jun 28, 1992	The 1992 Big Bear, California Earthquake	M6.3	48 km	4 km
Apr 23, 1992	The 1992 Joshua Tree, California Earthquake	M6.1	18 km	12 km
Jun 28, 1992	3km NE of Yucca Valley, California	M5.8	9 km	-1 km
Oct 16, 1999	13km WSW of Ludlow, CA	M5.8	62 km	14 km
Jun 28, 1992	2km SSW of Joshua Tree, California	M5.7	1 km	6 km
Jun 29, 1992	3km ESE of Yucca Valley, California	M5.7	9 km	10 km
Oct 16, 1999	7km ENE of Running Springs, CA	M5.6	68 km	6 km
Jun 28, 1992	11km SSE of Big Bear Lake, California	M5.5	50 km	10 km
Feb 28, 1990	The 1990 Upland, California Earthquake	M5.5	127 km	3 km
Jun 28, 1992	0km E of Yucca Valley, CA	M5.5	11 km	8 km
Jul 7, 2010	20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA	M5.4	80 km	12 km
Jul 5, 1992	21km SW of Ludlow, California	M5.4	51 km	5 km
Aug 26, 2012	4km NNW of Brawley, CA	M5.4	142 km	8 km
Jun 28, 1992	26km NNW of Yucca Valley, CA	M5.4	30 km	4 km
Oct 16, 1999	32km SSW of Ludlow, California	M5.4	36 km	1 km
Jul 1, 1992	24km N of Yucca Valley, California	M5.3	27 km	5 km
Aug 26, 2012	5km NNW of Brawley, CA	M5.3	142 km	8 km
Nov 27, 1992	10km NNW of Big Bear City, California	M5.3	59 km	0 km

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

Tornado History

38 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	91 km	2.8 mi	0
Sep 7, 1982	EF2	13 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 25, 1954	EF2	99 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 6, 2015	EF1	65 km	4.0 mi	0
Aug 4, 2008	EF1	36 km	1.1 mi	0
May 18, 1997	EF1	96 km	9.0 mi	0
May 11, 1997	EF1	93 km	0.2 mi	0
Dec 22, 1996	EF1	49 km	0.1 mi	0
Oct 22, 1974	EF1	8 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 20, 1974	EF1	72 km	1.0 mi	0
Oct 8, 2022	EF0	96 km	1.6 mi	0
Aug 16, 2018	EF0	71 km	0.2 mi	0
Oct 17, 2015	EF0	90 km	0.0 mi	0
Jul 19, 2015	EF0	21 km	0.2 mi	0
Apr 21, 2015	EF0	92 km	10.0 mi	0
Sep 9, 2012	EF0	93 km	0.0 mi	0
Aug 12, 2012	EF0	91 km	0.5 mi	0
May 22, 2008	EF0	90 km	0.9 mi	0
May 22, 2008	EF0	93 km	1.0 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Salton Buttes (122 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Salton Buttes	Lava dome(s)	-40 m (-131 ft)	210	122 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: OLD (90,180 acres, 2003).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2003	OLD	90,180	90 km
2006	MILLARD	86,585	28 km
1999	WILLOW	63,525	77 km
2006	ESPERANZA	40,566	60 km
2020	APPLE	32,374	52 km
2015	LAKE	30,421	41 km
2022	FAIRVIEW	28,680	72 km
2013	MOUNTAIN	28,202	53 km
1998	EDNA	27,561	68 km
1993	CALIFORNIA	23,899	85 km
2020	EL DORADO	22,300	60 km
1995	VERBENIA	21,601	36 km
1994	PALM	21,040	57 km
2013	SILVER	20,863	53 km
2003	COYOTE	19,215	86 km
1989	VAIL	15,632	98 km
2011	EAGLE	14,743	91 km
2007	BUTLER 2	14,661	65 km
1985	CABANZO	14,091	41 km
1999	JUNIPER COMPLEX (FIRE #3)	13,479	14 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	49°F (10°C)	1.5 in	Wettest
February	49°F (9°C)	1.4 in
March	52°F (11°C)	1.4 in
April	58°F (15°C)	0.6 in
May	66°F (19°C)	0.3 in
June	75°F (24°C)	0.0 in	Driest
July	86°F (30°C)	0.6 in	Warmest
August	80°F (27°C)	0.9 in
September	74°F (24°C)	0.7 in
October	64°F (18°C)	0.5 in
November	53°F (11°C)	1.0 in
December	45°F (7°C)	1.4 in	Coldest

Joshua Tree has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 45°F in December to 86°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 10.3 inches, with January being the wettest month (1.5") and June the driest (0.0").

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