All Countries
Weather & Climate in La Cresta, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
La Cresta enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F (18°C). Winters average 49°F in January while summers reach 84°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). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 523 feet.
Temperature
49°F Jan (9°C)
84°F Jul (29°C)
| Annual Average | 65.1°F |
| 21% above US avg | |
| January Average | 49°F (9°C) |
| July Average | 84°F (29°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 523 ft (159 m) |
| Area | 1.1 sq mi (2.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 8,150/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.3972°N, 118.9893°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Kern County County |
| Nearest Airport | Santa Barbara Municipal (SBA) 83 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 48.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 98.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 61.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 6.5 / 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
8,315 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.1.
| Jul 6, 2019 | Ridgecrest Earthquake Sequence | M7.1 | 132 km | 8 km |
| Jan 17, 1994 | Northridge, California, earthquake | M6.7 | 138 km | 18 km |
| Jul 4, 2019 | Ridgecrest Earthquake Sequence | M6.4 | 139 km | 11 km |
| Sep 28, 2004 | 2004 Parkfield, California Earthquake | M6.0 | 133 km | 8 km |
| Jan 17, 1994 | 1km ENE of Granada Hills, California | M5.9 | 133 km | 5 km |
| Jun 24, 2020 | 18km SSE of Lone Pine, CA | M5.8 | 148 km | 5 km |
| Sep 20, 1995 | 16km NNE of Ridgecrest, California | M5.8 | 129 km | 5 km |
| Jul 11, 1992 | 12km NW of California City, California | M5.7 | 86 km | 10 km |
| Jan 17, 1994 | 7km NNE of Simi Valley, California | M5.6 | 122 km | 9 km |
| Jun 4, 2020 | 17km S of Searles Valley, CA | M5.5 | 143 km | 8 km |
| Jul 6, 2019 | 15km ESE of Little Lake, CA | M5.5 | 125 km | 5 km |
| Jul 6, 2019 | 20km E of Little Lake, CA | M5.4 | 131 km | 7 km |
| Jul 5, 2019 | 16km W of Searles Valley, CA | M5.4 | 134 km | 7 km |
| Aug 17, 1995 | 17km N of Ridgecrest, California | M5.4 | 127 km | 5 km |
| Nov 27, 1996 | 27km E of Coso Junction, California | M5.3 | 143 km | 0 km |
| Jan 18, 1994 | 10km ESE of Piru, California | M5.2 | 117 km | 11 km |
| Mar 20, 1994 | 3km WNW of Panorama City, California | M5.2 | 138 km | 12 km |
| Mar 6, 1998 | 28km E of Coso Junction, California | M5.2 | 143 km | 0 km |
| Aug 7, 2024 | 24 km SW of Lamont, CA | M5.2 | 34 km | 12 km |
| Jan 17, 1994 | 9km N of Chatsworth, California | M5.2 | 122 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
16 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 17, 1991 | EF1 | 54 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 1, 1964 | EF1 | 72 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 2019 | EF0 | 23 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Feb 23, 2015 | EF0 | 73 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Nov 9, 2012 | EF0 | 84 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Feb 27, 2010 | EF0 | 28 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 1, 2007 | EF0 | 94 km | 13.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1999 | EF0 | 6 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 22, 1997 | EF0 | 49 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Feb 17, 1997 | EF0 | 3 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Nov 22, 1996 | EF0 | 13 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 1, 1996 | EF0 | 91 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| May 13, 1995 | EF0 | 66 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Feb 23, 1993 | EF0 | 38 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Feb 19, 1993 | EF0 | 81 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 20, 1988 | EF0 | 49 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 0.1 m (0 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1994 | WEST COAST, USA | Earthquake | 0.1 m | 57 | 138 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Golden Trout Creek (123 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Golden Trout Creek | Volcanic field | 2,886 m (9,469 ft) | -5550 | 123 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ZACA (241,846 acres, 2007).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2007 | ZACA | 241,846 | 99 km |
| 2006 | DAY | 159,713 | 87 km |
| 2002 | MCNALLY | 146,540 | 92 km |
| 2021 | WINDY | 97,831 | 73 km |
| 2000 | MANTER | 76,158 | 94 km |
| 2016 | ERSKINE | 48,066 | 62 km |
| 1997 | LOKERN | 46,139 | 47 km |
| 2017 | PIER | 36,626 | 85 km |
| 2008 | PIUTE | 36,251 | 60 km |
| 2013 | POWERHOUSE | 32,329 | 95 km |
| 2020 | LAKE | 30,971 | 88 km |
| 2016 | CEDAR | 29,191 | 58 km |
| 2021 | FRENCH | 27,331 | 51 km |
| 2011 | BRECKENRIDGE COMPLEX | 27,229 | 26 km |
| 2011 | COMANCHE | 25,965 | 38 km |
| 1984 | BODFISH | 23,189 | 58 km |
| 1990 | STORMY | 23,157 | 62 km |
| 2002 | WOLF | 21,097 | 92 km |
| 1996 | MARPLE | 20,416 | 95 km |
| 2004 | PINE | 18,309 | 81 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 49°F (9°C) | 1.2 in | |
| February | 53°F (12°C) | 1.3 in | |
| March | 57°F (14°C) | 1.5 in | Wettest |
| April | 63°F (17°C) | 0.7 in | |
| May | 71°F (22°C) | 0.2 in | |
| June | 78°F (26°C) | 0.1 in | |
| July | 84°F (29°C) | 0.0 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 83°F (28°C) | 0.1 in | |
| September | 77°F (25°C) | 0.2 in | |
| October | 68°F (20°C) | 0.4 in | |
| November | 56°F (13°C) | 0.9 in | |
| December | 48°F (9°C) | 0.9 in | Coldest |
La Cresta has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 48°F in December to 84°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 7.4 inches, with March being the wettest month (1.5") and July the driest (0.0").