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Weather & Climate in La Palma, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
La Palma enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F (18°C). Winters average 57°F in January while summers reach 73°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 12.0 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 51 feet.
Temperature
57°F Jan (14°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 64.9°F |
| 20% above US avg | |
| January Average | 57°F (14°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 51 ft (16 m) |
| Area | 1.8 sq mi (4.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 8,638/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 33.8506°N, 118.0396°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Orange County County |
| Nearest Airport | John Wayne/Orange County (SNA) 16 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 48.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very High |
| Risk Score | 99.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 24.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 16.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| Earthquake | Very High |
| Wildfire | Relatively High |
| Flood | Very High |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively High |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | No Rating |
| Landslide | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively High |
| Tsunami | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
6,215 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.7.
| Jan 17, 1994 | Northridge, California, earthquake | M6.7 | 61 km | 18 km |
| Jun 28, 1992 | The 1992 Big Bear, California Earthquake | M6.3 | 118 km | 4 km |
| Jan 17, 1994 | 1km ENE of Granada Hills, California | M5.9 | 63 km | 5 km |
| Jun 28, 1991 | The 1991 Sierra Madre, California Earthquake | M5.8 | 47 km | 8 km |
| Oct 16, 1999 | 7km ENE of Running Springs, CA | M5.6 | 102 km | 6 km |
| Jan 17, 1994 | 7km NNE of Simi Valley, California | M5.6 | 80 km | 9 km |
| Jun 28, 1992 | 11km SSE of Big Bear Lake, California | M5.5 | 115 km | 10 km |
| Feb 28, 1990 | The 1990 Upland, California Earthquake | M5.5 | 45 km | 3 km |
| Nov 27, 1992 | 10km NNW of Big Bear City, California | M5.3 | 118 km | 0 km |
| Dec 4, 1992 | 10km SE of Lucerne Valley, California | M5.3 | 120 km | 1 km |
| Jun 28, 1992 | 1km N of Big Bear Lake, California | M5.3 | 113 km | 7 km |
| Mar 20, 1994 | 3km WNW of Panorama City, California | M5.2 | 58 km | 12 km |
| Jan 18, 1994 | 10km ESE of Piru, California | M5.2 | 84 km | 11 km |
| Aug 17, 1992 | 7km SE of Big Bear Lake, California | M5.2 | 115 km | 9 km |
| Jan 17, 1994 | 9km N of Chatsworth, California | M5.2 | 76 km | 5 km |
| Jun 12, 2005 | 10km ESE of Anza, CA | M5.2 | 141 km | 13 km |
| Mar 29, 2014 | 2km NW of Brea, CA | M5.1 | 15 km | 5 km |
| Aug 20, 2023 | 7 km SE of Ojai, CA | M5.1 | 123 km | 5 km |
| Jan 19, 1994 | 10km SSW of Valencia, California | M5.1 | 79 km | 11 km |
| Apr 26, 1997 | 12km ESE of Piru, California | M5.1 | 82 km | 16 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
113 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 57 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 22, 2008 | EF2 | 73 km | 2.8 mi | 0 |
| Mar 1, 1983 | EF2 | 34 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Nov 9, 1982 | EF2 | 53 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 9, 1982 | EF2 | 17 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 7, 1966 | EF2 | 27 km | 10.3 mi | 0 |
| Nov 7, 1966 | EF2 | 25 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 7, 1966 | EF2 | 25 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 22, 2023 | EF1 | 18 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jan 19, 2010 | EF1 | 17 km | 4.6 mi | 0 |
| Feb 19, 2005 | EF1 | 90 km | 2.8 mi | 0 |
| Jan 9, 1998 | EF1 | 14 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 21, 1997 | EF1 | 20 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 11, 1997 | EF1 | 28 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jan 14, 1993 | EF1 | 9 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 7, 1992 | EF1 | 12 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Dec 7, 1992 | EF1 | 11 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 20, 1992 | EF1 | 31 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 1991 | EF1 | 20 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 16, 1986 | EF1 | 11 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| Oct 1, 1983 | EF1 | 30 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
4 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 3.1 m (10 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1930 | S. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | 3.1 m | 1 | 59 km |
| 1862 | S. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | 1.2 m | — | 150 km |
| 1994 | WEST COAST, USA | Earthquake | 0.1 m | 57 | 61 km |
| 1855 | S. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | — | — | 28 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: STATION (165,368 acres, 2009).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2009 | STATION | 165,368 | 54 km |
| 2020 | BOBCAT | 115,728 | 54 km |
| 2003 | SIMI | 107,756 | 88 km |
| 2018 | WOOLSEY | 97,962 | 79 km |
| 2003 | OLD | 90,180 | 82 km |
| 2003 | GRAND PRIX | 50,799 | 64 km |
| 2016 | SAND | 41,561 | 67 km |
| 2007 | BUCKWEED | 41,332 | 83 km |
| 1993 | GREEN MEADOWS | 38,115 | 91 km |
| 2002 | WILLIAMS | 37,505 | 45 km |
| 2007 | RANCH | 37,009 | 97 km |
| 2016 | BLUE CUT | 36,856 | 72 km |
| 2008 | YELLOW | 33,232 | 74 km |
| 2013 | POWERHOUSE | 32,329 | 99 km |
| 2008 | FREEWAY COMPLEX | 29,350 | 28 km |
| 2007 | SANTIAGO | 27,605 | 38 km |
| 1998 | EDNA | 27,561 | 97 km |
| 2020 | INDIA | 24,193 | 76 km |
| 2005 | TOPANGA | 24,133 | 73 km |
| 1997 | HOPPER | 24,072 | 100 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 57°F (14°C) | 3.2 in | |
| February | 59°F (15°C) | 3.3 in | Wettest |
| March | 60°F (16°C) | 2.8 in | |
| April | 63°F (17°C) | 0.8 in | |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 0.2 in | |
| June | 70°F (21°C) | 0.1 in | |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 0.0 in | Driest |
| August | 75°F (24°C) | 0.1 in | Warmest |
| September | 73°F (23°C) | 0.3 in | |
| October | 69°F (20°C) | 0.4 in | |
| November | 62°F (17°C) | 1.4 in | |
| December | 57°F (14°C) | 2.0 in | Coldest |
La Palma has a seasonal temperature swing of 18°F / from 57°F in December to 75°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 14.6 inches, with February being the wettest month (3.3") and July the driest (0.0").