Weather & Climate in La Quinta, CA

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

La Quinta has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 76°F (24°C). Winters average 59°F in January while summers reach 94°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 2.9 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 7 feet.

Temperature

59°F Jan (15°C) 94°F Jul (35°C)

Annual Average	76.0°F
	41% above US avg
January Average	59°F (15°C)
July Average	94°F (35°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	7 ft (2 m)
Area	35.6 sq mi (92.1 km²)
Population Density	1,085/sq mi
Coordinates	33.6461°N, 116.2753°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Riverside County County
Nearest Airport	Jacqueline Cochran Regional (TRM) 7 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 2.9"

92% below US avg

Snowfall 0.0"

Wettest Month (Jan) 1.10"

Driest Month (Jun) 0.04"

Air Quality

AQI Median	48.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very High
Risk Score	99.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability	33.3 / 100
Community Resilience	13.0 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Moderate
Hurricane	Very Low
Earthquake	Very High
Wildfire	Very High
Flood	Very High
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave	Relatively High
Winter Weather	Relatively Moderate
Lightning	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Very Low
Landslide	Relatively High
Volcano	Very Low
Avalanche	Very Low

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

Earthquake History

13,989 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.3.

Jun 28, 1992	The 1992 Landers, California Earthquake	M7.3	63 km	0 km
Oct 16, 1999	The 1999 Hector Mine, California Earthquake	M7.1	106 km	14 km
Jun 28, 1992	The 1992 Big Bear, California Earthquake	M6.3	80 km	4 km
Apr 23, 1992	The 1992 Joshua Tree, California Earthquake	M6.1	35 km	12 km
Oct 16, 1999	13km WSW of Ludlow, CA	M5.8	115 km	14 km
Jun 28, 1992	3km NE of Yucca Valley, California	M5.8	55 km	-1 km
Jun 15, 2010	8km ESE of Ocotillo, CA	M5.7	110 km	9 km
Jun 28, 1992	2km SSW of Joshua Tree, California	M5.7	53 km	6 km
Jun 29, 1992	3km ESE of Yucca Valley, California	M5.7	52 km	10 km
Oct 16, 1999	7km ENE of Running Springs, CA	M5.6	97 km	6 km
Jun 28, 1992	11km SSE of Big Bear Lake, California	M5.5	78 km	10 km
Feb 28, 1990	The 1990 Upland, California Earthquake	M5.5	142 km	3 km
Jun 28, 1992	0km E of Yucca Valley, CA	M5.5	54 km	8 km
Jul 7, 2010	20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA	M5.4	31 km	12 km
Jul 5, 1992	21km SW of Ludlow, California	M5.4	104 km	5 km
Aug 26, 2012	4km NNW of Brawley, CA	M5.4	98 km	8 km
Jun 28, 1992	26km NNW of Yucca Valley, CA	M5.4	80 km	4 km
Oct 16, 1999	32km SSW of Ludlow, California	M5.4	89 km	1 km
Jul 1, 1992	24km N of Yucca Valley, California	M5.3	78 km	5 km
Aug 26, 2012	5km NNW of Brawley, CA	M5.3	97 km	8 km

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

Tornado History

37 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 13 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Feb 9, 1978	EF3	46 km	2.0 mi	0
May 22, 2008	EF2	94 km	2.8 mi	0
Sep 7, 1982	EF2	66 km	0.5 mi	0
Aug 6, 2015	EF1	18 km	4.0 mi	0
Aug 4, 2008	EF1	84 km	1.1 mi	0
Feb 19, 2005	EF1	85 km	2.8 mi	0
Dec 22, 1996	EF1	56 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 27, 1991	EF1	100 km	0.2 mi	0
Oct 22, 1974	EF1	60 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 20, 1974	EF1	64 km	1.0 mi	0
Oct 8, 2022	EF0	87 km	1.6 mi	0
Aug 16, 2018	EF0	39 km	0.2 mi	0
Oct 17, 2015	EF0	80 km	0.0 mi	0
Jul 19, 2015	EF0	74 km	0.2 mi	0
Apr 21, 2015	EF0	83 km	10.0 mi	0
Sep 9, 2012	EF0	90 km	0.0 mi	0
Aug 12, 2012	EF0	86 km	0.5 mi	0
May 22, 2008	EF0	95 km	1.0 mi	0
May 22, 2008	EF0	91 km	0.9 mi	0
May 22, 2008	EF0	100 km	0.4 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	—	136 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Salton Buttes (79 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Salton Buttes	Lava dome(s)	-40 m (-131 ft)	210	79 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	91 km
2007	WITCH	167,551	78 km
2006	MILLARD	86,585	61 km
2002	PINES	65,407	62 km
2003	PARADISE	55,995	77 km
2007	POOMACHA	47,496	71 km
2006	ESPERANZA	40,566	61 km
2020	APPLE	32,374	70 km
2015	LAKE	30,421	72 km
2022	FAIRVIEW	28,680	55 km
2013	MOUNTAIN	28,202	35 km
1998	EDNA	27,561	72 km
1993	CALIFORNIA	23,899	70 km
2020	EL DORADO	22,300	79 km
1995	VERBENIA	21,601	54 km
1994	PALM	21,040	23 km
2013	SILVER	20,863	55 km
2003	COYOTE	19,215	40 km
1993	GUEJITO	17,141	86 km
1989	VAIL	15,632	67 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	59°F (15°C)	1.1 in	Wettest
February	57°F (14°C)	0.9 in
March	61°F (16°C)	0.8 in
April	67°F (20°C)	0.2 in
May	74°F (24°C)	0.1 in
June	83°F (28°C)	0.0 in	Driest
July	94°F (35°C)	0.2 in	Warmest
August	88°F (31°C)	0.4 in
September	83°F (28°C)	0.4 in
October	73°F (23°C)	0.2 in
November	61°F (16°C)	0.6 in
December	53°F (12°C)	0.8 in	Coldest

La Quinta has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 53°F in December to 94°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 5.8 inches, with January being the wettest month (1.1") and June the driest (0.0").

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