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Weather & Climate in Lancaster, CA

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

Lancaster enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (16°C). Winters average 45°F in January while summers reach 86°F in July. The area gets 344 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 13.9 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 7.7 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 2,333 feet.

Temperature

45°F Jan (7°C) 86°F Jul (30°C)
Annual Average61.6°F
14% above US avg
January Average45°F (7°C)
July Average86°F (30°C)
Sunny Days344 days/yr

Geography

Elevation2,333 ft (711 m)
Area94.6 sq mi (244.9 km²)
Population Density1,803/sq mi
Coordinates34.6936°N, 118.1753°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyLos Angeles County County
Nearest AirportBob Hope (BUR)
36 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 13.9"
63% below US avg
Snowfall 7.7"
Wettest Month (Feb) 1.85"
Driest Month (Jun) 0.04"

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery High
Risk Score100.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability55.4 / 100
Community Resilience13.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively High
Hurricane No Rating
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 Very High
Drought Relatively Low
Cold Wave Very Low
Landslide Relatively High
Coastal Flood Relatively High
Tsunami Relatively Low
Avalanche Relatively High
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

11,155 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.1.

Jul 6, 2019 Ridgecrest Earthquake Sequence M7.1 131 km 8 km
Jan 17, 1994 Northridge, California, earthquake M6.7 63 km 18 km
Jul 4, 2019 Ridgecrest Earthquake Sequence M6.4 128 km 11 km
Jun 28, 1992 The 1992 Big Bear, California Earthquake M6.3 135 km 4 km
Jan 17, 1994 1km ENE of Granada Hills, California M5.9 55 km 5 km
Jun 28, 1991 The 1991 Sierra Madre, California Earthquake M5.8 50 km 8 km
Sep 20, 1995 16km NNE of Ridgecrest, California M5.8 128 km 5 km
Jul 11, 1992 12km NW of California City, California M5.7 58 km 10 km
Oct 16, 1999 7km ENE of Running Springs, CA M5.6 116 km 6 km
Jan 17, 1994 7km NNE of Simi Valley, California M5.6 63 km 9 km
Jun 28, 1992 11km SSE of Big Bear Lake, California M5.5 135 km 10 km
Jun 4, 2020 17km S of Searles Valley, CA M5.5 123 km 8 km
Feb 28, 1990 The 1990 Upland, California Earthquake M5.5 75 km 3 km
Jul 6, 2019 15km ESE of Little Lake, CA M5.5 140 km 5 km
Jul 6, 2019 20km E of Little Lake, CA M5.4 142 km 7 km
Jul 5, 2019 16km W of Searles Valley, CA M5.4 131 km 7 km
Aug 17, 1995 17km N of Ridgecrest, California M5.4 129 km 5 km
Nov 27, 1992 10km NNW of Big Bear City, California M5.3 123 km 0 km
Dec 4, 1992 10km SE of Lucerne Valley, California M5.3 122 km 1 km
Jun 28, 1992 1km N of Big Bear Lake, California M5.3 126 km 7 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

72 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 49 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Mar 1, 1983 EF2 81 km 3.5 mi 0
Nov 9, 1982 EF2 62 km 1.0 mi 0
Nov 7, 1966 EF2 89 km 0.1 mi 0
Nov 7, 1966 EF2 95 km 10.3 mi 0
Jun 25, 1954 EF2 90 km 0.1 mi 0
Mar 22, 2023 EF1 78 km 0.5 mi 0
May 18, 1997 EF1 92 km 9.0 mi 0
May 18, 1997 EF1 87 km 3.5 mi 0
May 11, 1997 EF1 91 km 0.2 mi 0
Jan 14, 1993 EF1 93 km 1.0 mi 0
Dec 7, 1992 EF1 99 km 0.1 mi 0
Mar 20, 1992 EF1 66 km 0.2 mi 0
Mar 16, 1986 EF1 99 km 1.2 mi 0
Oct 1, 1983 EF1 88 km 0.3 mi 0
Nov 9, 1982 EF1 87 km 0.2 mi 0
Mar 29, 1982 EF1 69 km 2.0 mi 0
Jan 31, 1979 EF1 61 km 0.1 mi 0
Mar 16, 1977 EF1 95 km 10.9 mi 0
Sep 4, 1976 EF1 53 km 0.1 mi 0
Nov 25, 1965 EF1 74 km 2.0 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 85 km
1994 WEST COAST, USA Earthquake 0.1 m 57 63 km
1855 S. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake — — 66 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Golden Trout Creek (186 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Golden Trout Creek Volcanic field 2,886 m (9,469 ft) -5550 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 41 km
2006 DAY 159,713 73 km
2020 BOBCAT 115,728 47 km
2003 SIMI 107,756 69 km
2018 WOOLSEY 97,962 87 km
2003 OLD 90,180 96 km
2003 PIRU 63,920 67 km
2003 GRAND PRIX 50,799 86 km
2016 ERSKINE 48,066 98 km
1985 FERNDALE 46,724 95 km
2016 SAND 41,561 37 km
2007 BUCKWEED 41,332 32 km
1993 GREEN MEADOWS 38,115 98 km
2002 WILLIAMS 37,505 66 km
2007 RANCH 37,009 54 km
2016 BLUE CUT 36,856 74 km
2008 PIUTE 36,251 90 km
2013 POWERHOUSE 32,329 26 km
2020 LAKE 30,971 35 km
2008 FREEWAY COMPLEX 29,350 95 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 45°F (7°C) 1.8 in
February 49°F (10°C) 1.9 in Wettest
March 53°F (12°C) 1.5 in
April 59°F (15°C) 0.5 in
May 67°F (19°C) 0.2 in
June 75°F (24°C) 0.0 in Driest
July 86°F (30°C) 0.0 in Warmest
August 80°F (27°C) 0.2 in
September 74°F (24°C) 0.2 in
October 64°F (18°C) 0.3 in
November 52°F (11°C) 1.1 in
December 45°F (7°C) 1.2 in Coldest

Lancaster has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 45°F in December to 86°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 9.0 inches, with February being the wettest month (1.9") and June the driest (0.0").

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