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Weather & Climate in Mountain Center, CA

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

Mountain Center experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. The area gets 328 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 24.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 30.7 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 4,600 feet.

Temperature

43°F Jan (6°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average54.5°F
1% above US avg
January Average43°F (6°C)
July Average70°F (21°C)
Sunny Days328 days/yr

Geography

Elevation4,600 ft (1,402 m)
Area1.9 sq mi (4.9 km²)
Population Density27/sq mi
Coordinates33.7107°N, 116.7233°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyRiverside County County
Nearest AirportPalm Springs International (PSP)
15 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 24.5"
36% below US avg
Snowfall 30.7"
Wettest Month (Jan) 3.90"
Driest Month (Jun) 0.12"

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery High
Risk Score99.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability33.3 / 100
Community Resilience13.0 / 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

14,249 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.3.

Jun 28, 1992 The 1992 Landers, California Earthquake M7.3 61 km 0 km
Oct 16, 1999 The 1999 Hector Mine, California Earthquake M7.1 108 km 14 km
Jun 28, 1992 The 1992 Big Bear, California Earthquake M6.3 56 km 4 km
Apr 23, 1992 The 1992 Joshua Tree, California Earthquake M6.1 47 km 12 km
Jun 28, 1991 The 1991 Sierra Madre, California Earthquake M5.8 133 km 8 km
Jun 28, 1992 3km NE of Yucca Valley, California M5.8 55 km -1 km
Oct 16, 1999 13km WSW of Ludlow, CA M5.8 115 km 14 km
Jun 15, 2010 8km ESE of Ocotillo, CA M5.7 135 km 9 km
Jun 28, 1992 2km SSW of Joshua Tree, California M5.7 59 km 6 km
Jun 29, 1992 3km ESE of Yucca Valley, California M5.7 53 km 10 km
Oct 16, 1999 7km ENE of Running Springs, CA M5.6 66 km 6 km
Jun 28, 1992 11km SSE of Big Bear Lake, California M5.5 52 km 10 km
Feb 28, 1990 The 1990 Upland, California Earthquake M5.5 102 km 3 km
Jun 28, 1992 0km E of Yucca Valley, CA M5.5 53 km 8 km
Jul 5, 1992 21km SW of Ludlow, California M5.4 104 km 5 km
Jul 7, 2010 20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA M5.4 40 km 12 km
Aug 26, 2012 4km NNW of Brawley, CA M5.4 134 km 8 km
Jun 28, 1992 26km NNW of Yucca Valley, CA M5.4 73 km 4 km
Oct 16, 1999 32km SSW of Ludlow, California M5.4 92 km 1 km
Jul 1, 1992 24km N of Yucca Valley, California M5.3 73 km 5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

60 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 17 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Feb 9, 1978 EF3 87 km 2.0 mi 0
May 22, 2008 EF2 52 km 2.8 mi 0
Sep 7, 1982 EF2 66 km 0.5 mi 0
Aug 6, 2015 EF1 59 km 4.0 mi 0
Aug 4, 2008 EF1 72 km 1.1 mi 0
Feb 19, 2005 EF1 49 km 2.8 mi 0
Nov 10, 2000 EF1 89 km 0.4 mi 0
Jan 29, 1998 EF1 91 km 0.5 mi 0
Dec 22, 1996 EF1 24 km 0.1 mi 0
Mar 27, 1991 EF1 75 km 0.2 mi 0
Nov 9, 1982 EF1 89 km 0.2 mi 0
Dec 18, 1978 EF1 83 km 0.8 mi 0
Oct 22, 1974 EF1 62 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 20, 1974 EF1 21 km 1.0 mi 0
Oct 8, 1961 EF1 84 km 0.1 mi 0
Apr 1, 1958 EF1 99 km 0.5 mi 0
Oct 8, 2022 EF0 45 km 1.6 mi 0
Aug 16, 2018 EF0 17 km 0.2 mi 0
Oct 17, 2015 EF0 38 km 0.0 mi 0
Jul 19, 2015 EF0 72 km 0.2 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 — 121 km
1855 S. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake — — 134 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Salton Buttes (118 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Salton Buttes Lava dome(s) -40 m (-131 ft) 210 118 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 86 km
2007 WITCH 167,551 70 km
2003 OLD 90,180 79 km
2006 MILLARD 86,585 46 km
2002 PINES 65,407 64 km
1999 WILLOW 63,525 79 km
2003 PARADISE 55,995 59 km
2003 GRAND PRIX 50,799 87 km
2007 POOMACHA 47,496 49 km
2006 ESPERANZA 40,566 22 km
2016 BLUE CUT 36,856 99 km
2008 YELLOW 33,232 77 km
2020 APPLE 32,374 38 km
2015 LAKE 30,421 49 km
2008 FREEWAY COMPLEX 29,350 98 km
2022 FAIRVIEW 28,680 14 km
2013 MOUNTAIN 28,202 9 km
2007 SANTIAGO 27,605 87 km
1998 EDNA 27,561 33 km
2020 INDIA 24,193 73 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 43°F (6°C) 3.9 in Coldest, Wettest
February 43°F (6°C) 3.9 in
March 45°F (7°C) 3.7 in
April 50°F (10°C) 1.7 in
May 56°F (13°C) 0.6 in
June 64°F (18°C) 0.1 in Driest
July 70°F (21°C) 0.5 in
August 71°F (22°C) 0.9 in Warmest
September 66°F (19°C) 0.9 in
October 58°F (15°C) 0.8 in
November 49°F (10°C) 2.7 in
December 44°F (7°C) 3.4 in

Mountain Center has a seasonal temperature swing of 28°F / from 43°F in January to 71°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 23.1 inches, with January being the wettest month (3.9") and June the driest (0.1").

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