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Weather & Climate in La Mesa, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
La Mesa enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 57°F in January while summers reach 72°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 11.0 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 535 feet.
Temperature
57°F Jan (14°C)
72°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 64.1°F |
| 19% above US avg | |
| January Average | 57°F (14°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 535 ft (163 m) |
| Area | 9.1 sq mi (23.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 6,693/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 32.7695°N, 117.0219°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | San Diego County County |
| Nearest Airport | San Diego International (SAN) 10 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
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
8,242 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.1.
| Apr 23, 1992 | The 1992 Joshua Tree, California Earthquake | M6.1 | 148 km | 12 km |
| Jun 15, 2010 | 8km ESE of Ocotillo, CA | M5.7 | 104 km | 9 km |
| Jul 7, 2010 | 20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA | M5.4 | 88 km | 12 km |
| Aug 26, 2012 | 4km NNW of Brawley, CA | M5.4 | 141 km | 8 km |
| Aug 26, 2012 | 5km NNW of Brawley, CA | M5.3 | 140 km | 8 km |
| Mar 23, 1994 | 35km E of Maneadero, B.C., MX | M5.3 | 139 km | 5 km |
| Apr 4, 2010 | 15km SSW of Progreso, B.C., MX | M5.3 | 135 km | 10 km |
| Jun 5, 2021 | 11km W of Calipatria, CA | M5.3 | 136 km | 6 km |
| Apr 14, 2025 | 5 km S of Julian, CA | M5.2 | 50 km | 14 km |
| Jun 12, 2005 | 10km ESE of Anza, CA | M5.2 | 95 km | 13 km |
| Jun 10, 2016 | 20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA | M5.2 | 91 km | 12 km |
| Oct 31, 2001 | 16km ESE of Anza, CA | M5.0 | 95 km | 14 km |
| Jun 30, 1992 | 14km ENE of Desert Hot Springs, CA | M5.0 | 150 km | 1 km |
| Jun 15, 2004 | 67km SE of San Clemente Is. (SE tip), CA | M5.0 | 96 km | 10 km |
| May 4, 1992 | 16km NNE of Thousand Palms, California | M5.0 | 146 km | 12 km |
| May 18, 1992 | 15km E of Desert Hot Springs, California | M5.0 | 146 km | 6 km |
| Apr 5, 2010 | 20km ESE of Ocotillo, CA | M5.0 | 115 km | 1 km |
| Jul 24, 1992 | 13km NE of Thousand Palms, California | M5.0 | 143 km | 7 km |
| Aug 27, 2012 | 5km NNE of Brawley, CA | M4.9 | 143 km | 4 km |
| Apr 5, 2010 | 19km ESE of Ocotillo, CA | M4.9 | 114 km | 14 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
30 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1. Total: 4 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Feb 19, 2005 | EF1 | 80 km | 2.8 mi | 0 |
| Nov 10, 2000 | EF1 | 20 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Jan 29, 1998 | EF1 | 41 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 1991 | EF1 | 45 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 19, 1991 | EF1 | 8 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 20, 1980 | EF1 | 17 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Dec 18, 1978 | EF1 | 58 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Oct 8, 1961 | EF1 | 54 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 13, 1956 | EF1 | 16 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 16, 2018 | EF0 | 94 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 22, 2007 | EF0 | 37 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 11, 2006 | EF0 | 38 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 10, 2006 | EF0 | 41 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Feb 23, 2005 | EF0 | 16 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Feb 19, 2005 | EF0 | 73 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
| Feb 19, 2005 | EF0 | 69 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 17, 2004 | EF0 | 58 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 12, 1999 | EF0 | 61 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Feb 8, 1998 | EF0 | 38 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1997 | EF0 | 88 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 | — | 18 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Salton Buttes (140 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Salton Buttes | Lava dome(s) | -40 m (-131 ft) | 210 | 140 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 | 30 km |
| 2007 | WITCH | 167,551 | 42 km |
| 2007 | HARRIS | 90,443 | 27 km |
| 2002 | PINES | 65,407 | 59 km |
| 2003 | PARADISE | 55,995 | 49 km |
| 2007 | POOMACHA | 47,496 | 60 km |
| 2003 | MINE/OTAY | 37,232 | 23 km |
| 2008 | YELLOW | 33,232 | 80 km |
| 2020 | INDIA | 24,193 | 80 km |
| 1993 | CALIFORNIA | 23,899 | 96 km |
| 2003 | COYOTE | 19,215 | 80 km |
| 2007 | AMMO FIRE | 19,213 | 76 km |
| 1993 | GUEJITO | 17,141 | 40 km |
| 2006 | HORSE | 16,659 | 38 km |
| 2020 | VALLEY | 16,517 | 31 km |
| 1986 | UNNAMED | 16,390 | 84 km |
| 1989 | VAIL | 15,632 | 73 km |
| 2014 | PULGAS | 14,937 | 70 km |
| 2011 | EAGLE | 14,743 | 79 km |
| 1989 | MATEO | 13,280 | 92 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 57°F (14°C) | 2.3 in | Coldest |
| February | 58°F (15°C) | 2.2 in | |
| March | 59°F (15°C) | 2.4 in | Wettest |
| April | 62°F (17°C) | 0.9 in | |
| May | 65°F (18°C) | 0.2 in | |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 0.1 in | |
| July | 72°F (22°C) | 0.0 in | Driest |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 0.1 in | Warmest |
| September | 72°F (22°C) | 0.2 in | |
| October | 68°F (20°C) | 0.4 in | |
| November | 62°F (17°C) | 1.3 in | |
| December | 57°F (14°C) | 1.5 in |
La Mesa has a seasonal temperature swing of 17°F / from 57°F in January to 74°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 11.9 inches, with March being the wettest month (2.4") and July the driest (0.0").