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Weather & Climate in Oceanside, CA

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

Oceanside enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F (16°C). Winters average 52°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 326 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 29.0 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 223 feet.

Temperature

52°F Jan (11°C) 69°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average60.3°F
12% above US avg
January Average52°F (11°C)
July Average69°F (21°C)
Sunny Days326 days/yr

Geography

Elevation223 ft (68 m)
Area42.2 sq mi (109.2 km²)
Population Density4,181/sq mi
Coordinates33.2246°N, 117.3063°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyOrange County County
Nearest AirportSan Diego International (SAN)
35 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 29.0"
24% below US avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Jan) 2.48"
Driest Month (Jul) 0.04"

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

9,137 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.3.

Jun 28, 1992 The 1992 Landers, California Earthquake M7.3 135 km 0 km
Jun 28, 1992 The 1992 Big Bear, California Earthquake M6.3 118 km 4 km
Apr 23, 1992 The 1992 Joshua Tree, California Earthquake M6.1 123 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 M5.8 131 km -1 km
Jun 15, 2010 8km ESE of Ocotillo, CA M5.7 142 km 9 km
Jun 28, 1992 2km SSW of Joshua Tree, California M5.7 135 km 6 km
Jun 29, 1992 3km ESE of Yucca Valley, California M5.7 129 km 10 km
Oct 16, 1999 7km ENE of Running Springs, CA M5.6 116 km 6 km
Jun 28, 1992 11km SSE of Big Bear Lake, California M5.5 112 km 10 km
Feb 28, 1990 The 1990 Upland, California Earthquake M5.5 108 km 3 km
Jun 28, 1992 0km E of Yucca Valley, CA M5.5 128 km 8 km
Jul 7, 2010 20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA M5.4 80 km 12 km
Jun 28, 1992 26km NNW of Yucca Valley, CA M5.4 144 km 4 km
Jul 1, 1992 24km N of Yucca Valley, California M5.3 146 km 5 km
Nov 27, 1992 10km NNW of Big Bear City, California M5.3 130 km 0 km
Dec 4, 1992 10km SE of Lucerne Valley, California M5.3 133 km 1 km
Jun 28, 1992 1km N of Big Bear Lake, California M5.3 120 km 7 km
Sep 15, 1992 9km SE of Yucca Valley, California M5.3 128 km 7 km
Aug 17, 1992 7km SE of Big Bear Lake, California M5.2 115 km 9 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

80 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 13 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
May 22, 2008 EF2 73 km 2.8 mi 0
Nov 7, 1966 EF2 74 km 0.2 mi 0
Jan 19, 2010 EF1 94 km 4.6 mi 0
Feb 19, 2005 EF1 31 km 2.8 mi 0
Nov 10, 2000 EF1 41 km 0.4 mi 0
Jan 29, 1998 EF1 19 km 0.5 mi 0
Dec 21, 1997 EF1 81 km 1.0 mi 0
Nov 11, 1997 EF1 70 km 0.2 mi 0
Dec 22, 1996 EF1 91 km 0.1 mi 0
Jan 14, 1993 EF1 94 km 1.0 mi 0
Dec 7, 1992 EF1 88 km 0.1 mi 0
Dec 7, 1992 EF1 87 km 0.1 mi 0
Mar 27, 1991 EF1 81 km 3.0 mi 0
Mar 27, 1991 EF1 15 km 0.2 mi 0
Mar 19, 1991 EF1 56 km 1.0 mi 0
Mar 16, 1986 EF1 88 km 1.2 mi 0
Nov 9, 1982 EF1 52 km 0.2 mi 0
Feb 20, 1980 EF1 50 km 0.1 mi 0
Jan 31, 1979 EF1 79 km 2.0 mi 0
Dec 18, 1978 EF1 7 km 0.8 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 — 59 km
1855 S. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake — — 122 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Salton Buttes (157 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Salton Buttes Lava dome(s) -40 m (-131 ft) 210 157 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 60 km
2007 WITCH 167,551 53 km
2007 HARRIS 90,443 82 km
2002 PINES 65,407 69 km
2003 PARADISE 55,995 36 km
2007 POOMACHA 47,496 37 km
2006 ESPERANZA 40,566 81 km
2003 MINE/OTAY 37,232 80 km
2008 YELLOW 33,232 23 km
2020 APPLE 32,374 99 km
2008 FREEWAY COMPLEX 29,350 88 km
2022 FAIRVIEW 28,680 65 km
2013 MOUNTAIN 28,202 84 km
2007 SANTIAGO 27,605 64 km
1998 EDNA 27,561 80 km
2020 INDIA 24,193 23 km
1993 CALIFORNIA 23,899 53 km
2018 HOLY 22,845 55 km
1994 PALM 21,040 86 km
1993 ORTEGA 20,912 43 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 52°F (11°C) 2.5 in Coldest, Wettest
February 56°F (13°C) 2.3 in
March 57°F (14°C) 2.2 in
April 60°F (16°C) 1.1 in
May 63°F (17°C) 0.3 in
June 67°F (20°C) 0.1 in
July 69°F (21°C) 0.0 in Driest
August 73°F (23°C) 0.1 in Warmest
September 72°F (22°C) 0.4 in
October 67°F (19°C) 0.4 in
November 60°F (16°C) 1.5 in
December 55°F (13°C) 1.8 in

Oceanside has a seasonal temperature swing of 21°F / from 52°F in January to 73°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 12.6 inches, with January being the wettest month (2.5") and July the driest (0.0").

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