Weather & Climate in Lake Riverside, CA

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

Lake Riverside enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 66°F (19°C). Winters average 55°F in January while summers reach 80°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 11.8 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 3,365 feet.

Temperature

55°F Jan (13°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)

Annual Average	66.3°F
	23% above US avg
January Average	55°F (13°C)
July Average	80°F (27°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	3,365 ft (1,026 m)
Area	7.3 sq mi (18.9 km²)
Population Density	198/sq mi
Coordinates	33.5187°N, 116.8121°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	San Diego County County
Nearest Airport	Palm Springs International (PSP) 28 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 11.8"

69% below US avg

Snowfall 0.0"

Wettest Month (Feb) 3.07"

Driest Month (Jun) 0.08"

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

13,731 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.3.

Jun 28, 1992	The 1992 Landers, California Earthquake	M7.3	83 km	0 km
Oct 16, 1999	The 1999 Hector Mine, California Earthquake	M7.1	131 km	14 km
Jun 28, 1992	The 1992 Big Bear, California Earthquake	M6.3	76 km	4 km
Apr 23, 1992	The 1992 Joshua Tree, California Earthquake	M6.1	67 km	12 km
Jun 28, 1991	The 1991 Sierra Madre, California Earthquake	M5.8	137 km	8 km
Oct 16, 1999	13km WSW of Ludlow, CA	M5.8	138 km	14 km
Jun 28, 1992	3km NE of Yucca Valley, California	M5.8	78 km	-1 km
Jun 15, 2010	8km ESE of Ocotillo, CA	M5.7	123 km	9 km
Jun 28, 1992	2km SSW of Joshua Tree, California	M5.7	81 km	6 km
Jun 29, 1992	3km ESE of Yucca Valley, California	M5.7	75 km	10 km
Oct 16, 1999	7km ENE of Running Springs, CA	M5.6	83 km	6 km
Jun 28, 1992	11km SSE of Big Bear Lake, California	M5.5	72 km	10 km
Feb 28, 1990	The 1990 Upland, California Earthquake	M5.5	107 km	3 km
Jun 28, 1992	0km E of Yucca Valley, CA	M5.5	75 km	8 km
Jul 7, 2010	20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA	M5.4	33 km	12 km
Jul 5, 1992	21km SW of Ludlow, California	M5.4	127 km	5 km
Aug 26, 2012	4km NNW of Brawley, CA	M5.4	131 km	8 km
Jun 28, 1992	26km NNW of Yucca Valley, CA	M5.4	96 km	4 km
Oct 16, 1999	32km SSW of Ludlow, California	M5.4	115 km	1 km
Jul 1, 1992	24km N of Yucca Valley, California	M5.3	96 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

69 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 19 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Feb 9, 1978	EF3	97 km	2.0 mi	0
May 22, 2008	EF2	57 km	2.8 mi	0
Sep 7, 1982	EF2	89 km	0.5 mi	0
Aug 6, 2015	EF1	66 km	4.0 mi	0
Aug 4, 2008	EF1	95 km	1.1 mi	0
Feb 19, 2005	EF1	34 km	2.8 mi	0
Nov 10, 2000	EF1	66 km	0.4 mi	0
Jan 29, 1998	EF1	69 km	0.5 mi	0
Nov 11, 1997	EF1	95 km	0.2 mi	0
Dec 22, 1996	EF1	45 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 27, 1991	EF1	53 km	0.2 mi	0
Mar 19, 1991	EF1	90 km	1.0 mi	0
Nov 9, 1982	EF1	80 km	0.2 mi	0
Feb 20, 1980	EF1	90 km	0.1 mi	0
Dec 18, 1978	EF1	64 km	0.8 mi	0
Oct 22, 1974	EF1	84 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 20, 1974	EF1	29 km	1.0 mi	0
Nov 7, 1966	EF1	100 km	0.5 mi	0
Oct 8, 1961	EF1	63 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 1, 1958	EF1	89 km	0.5 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Tsunami History

2 tsunamis 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	—	98 km
1855	S. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	—	—	135 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Salton Buttes (117 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Salton Buttes	Lava dome(s)	-40 m (-131 ft)	210	117 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	65 km
2007	WITCH	167,551	49 km
2007	HARRIS	90,443	97 km
2003	OLD	90,180	92 km
2006	MILLARD	86,585	69 km
2002	PINES	65,407	47 km
1999	WILLOW	63,525	96 km
2003	PARADISE	55,995	36 km
2003	GRAND PRIX	50,799	96 km
2007	POOMACHA	47,496	26 km
2006	ESPERANZA	40,566	39 km
2003	MINE/OTAY	37,232	100 km
2008	YELLOW	33,232	61 km
2020	APPLE	32,374	57 km
2015	LAKE	30,421	70 km
2008	FREEWAY COMPLEX	29,350	98 km
2022	FAIRVIEW	28,680	18 km
2013	MOUNTAIN	28,202	29 km
2007	SANTIAGO	27,605	82 km
1998	EDNA	27,561	45 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	55°F (13°C)	3.0 in
February	47°F (8°C)	3.1 in	Wettest
March	48°F (9°C)	3.0 in
April	53°F (12°C)	1.3 in
May	59°F (15°C)	0.5 in
June	67°F (19°C)	0.1 in	Driest
July	80°F (27°C)	0.4 in	Warmest
August	74°F (24°C)	0.7 in
September	70°F (21°C)	0.8 in
October	62°F (16°C)	0.6 in
November	52°F (11°C)	2.0 in
December	46°F (8°C)	2.6 in	Coldest

Lake Riverside has a seasonal temperature swing of 34°F / from 46°F in December to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 18.0 inches, with February being the wettest month (3.1") and June the driest (0.1").

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