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Weather & Climate in Lake Arrowhead, CA

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

Lake Arrowhead experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. The area gets 320 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 37.7 inches. The area receives 22.4 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 5,199 feet.

Temperature

37°F Jan (3°C) 69°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average51.1°F
5% below US avg
January Average37°F (3°C)
July Average69°F (21°C)
Sunny Days320 days/yr

Geography

Elevation5,199 ft (1,585 m)
Area19.0 sq mi (49.1 km²)
Population Density608/sq mi
Coordinates34.2540°N, 117.1781°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyOrange County County
Nearest AirportSan Bernardino International (SBD)
11 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 37.7"
1% below US avg
Snowfall 22.4"
Wettest Month (Jan) 4.21"
Driest Month (Jun) 0.08"

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery High
Risk Score99.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability24.9 / 100
Community Resilience16.3 / 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

13,574 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.3.

Jun 28, 1992 The 1992 Landers, California Earthquake M7.3 68 km 0 km
Oct 16, 1999 The 1999 Hector Mine, California Earthquake M7.1 92 km 14 km
Jan 17, 1994 Northridge, California, earthquake M6.7 125 km 18 km
Jun 28, 1992 The 1992 Big Bear, California Earthquake M6.3 33 km 4 km
Apr 23, 1992 The 1992 Joshua Tree, California Earthquake M6.1 86 km 12 km
Jan 17, 1994 1km ENE of Granada Hills, California M5.9 121 km 5 km
Jun 28, 1991 The 1991 Sierra Madre, California Earthquake M5.8 75 km 8 km
Oct 16, 1999 13km WSW of Ludlow, CA M5.8 94 km 14 km
Jun 28, 1992 3km NE of Yucca Valley, California M5.8 72 km -1 km
Jun 28, 1992 2km SSW of Joshua Tree, California M5.7 80 km 6 km
Jun 29, 1992 3km ESE of Yucca Valley, California M5.7 73 km 10 km
Jul 11, 1992 12km NW of California City, California M5.7 134 km 10 km
Oct 16, 1999 7km ENE of Running Springs, CA M5.6 13 km 6 km
Jan 17, 1994 7km NNE of Simi Valley, California M5.6 140 km 9 km
Jun 28, 1992 11km SSE of Big Bear Lake, California M5.5 32 km 10 km
Feb 28, 1990 The 1990 Upland, California Earthquake M5.5 49 km 3 km
Jun 28, 1992 0km E of Yucca Valley, CA M5.5 71 km 8 km
Jul 7, 2010 20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA M5.4 114 km 12 km
Jul 5, 1992 21km SW of Ludlow, California M5.4 87 km 5 km
Jun 28, 1992 26km NNW of Yucca Valley, CA M5.4 62 km 4 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

98 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 14 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
May 22, 2008 EF2 42 km 2.8 mi 0
Sep 7, 1982 EF2 74 km 0.5 mi 0
Nov 7, 1966 EF2 96 km 0.2 mi 0
Jun 25, 1954 EF2 42 km 0.1 mi 0
Mar 22, 2023 EF1 92 km 0.5 mi 0
Aug 4, 2008 EF1 55 km 1.1 mi 0
Feb 19, 2005 EF1 86 km 2.8 mi 0
Dec 21, 1997 EF1 100 km 1.0 mi 0
Nov 11, 1997 EF1 87 km 0.2 mi 0
May 18, 1997 EF1 39 km 9.0 mi 0
May 18, 1997 EF1 42 km 3.5 mi 0
May 11, 1997 EF1 30 km 0.2 mi 0
Dec 22, 1996 EF1 52 km 0.1 mi 0
Jan 14, 1993 EF1 82 km 1.0 mi 0
Dec 7, 1992 EF1 83 km 0.1 mi 0
Dec 7, 1992 EF1 94 km 0.1 mi 0
Mar 20, 1992 EF1 94 km 0.2 mi 0
Mar 27, 1991 EF1 100 km 3.0 mi 0
Mar 16, 1986 EF1 83 km 1.2 mi 0
Nov 9, 1982 EF1 88 km 0.2 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).

Tsunami History

3 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 1 137 km
1994 WEST COAST, USA Earthquake 0.1 m 57 125 km
1855 S. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake - - 87 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Salton Buttes (186 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Salton Buttes Lava dome(s) -40 m (-131 ft) 210 186 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

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 88 km
2020 BOBCAT 115,728 70 km
2003 OLD 90,180 10 km
2006 MILLARD 86,585 54 km
1999 WILLOW 63,525 12 km
2003 GRAND PRIX 50,799 28 km
2006 ESPERANZA 40,566 52 km
2002 WILLIAMS 37,505 56 km
2016 BLUE CUT 36,856 31 km
2008 YELLOW 33,232 99 km
2020 APPLE 32,374 38 km
2015 LAKE 30,421 40 km
2008 FREEWAY COMPLEX 29,350 65 km
2022 FAIRVIEW 28,680 70 km
2013 MOUNTAIN 28,202 77 km
2007 SANTIAGO 27,605 74 km
1998 EDNA 27,561 43 km
2020 INDIA 24,193 97 km
1993 CALIFORNIA 23,899 70 km
2018 HOLY 22,845 67 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 37°F (3°C) 4.2 in Coldest, Wettest
February 46°F (8°C) 4.2 in
March 48°F (9°C) 4.0 in
April 53°F (12°C) 1.9 in
May 59°F (15°C) 0.7 in
June 68°F (20°C) 0.1 in Driest
July 69°F (21°C) 0.2 in
August 74°F (23°C) 0.4 in Warmest
September 69°F (21°C) 0.7 in
October 60°F (16°C) 0.8 in
November 52°F (11°C) 2.7 in
December 45°F (7°C) 3.3 in

Lake Arrowhead has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 37°F in January to 74°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 23.2 inches, with January being the wettest month (4.2") and June the driest (0.1").

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