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Weather & Climate in Ocotillo, CA

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

Ocotillo experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 71°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 17.6 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 425 feet.

Temperature

42°F Jan (5°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average54.4°F
1% above US avg
January Average42°F (5°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation425 ft (130 m)
Area8.9 sq mi (22.9 km²)
Population Density18/sq mi
Coordinates32.7431°N, 116.0019°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyImperial County County
Nearest AirportCalexico International (CXL)
29 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 17.6"
54% below US avg
Wettest Month (Feb) 1.18"
Driest Month (May) 0.08"

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively High
Risk Score96.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability85.2 / 100
Community Resilience2.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Hurricane Very Low
Earthquake Relatively High
Wildfire Relatively Low
Flood Relatively High
Hail Very Low
Strong Wind Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather Very Low
Lightning Very Low
Drought Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave No Rating
Landslide Very Low
Volcano Relatively Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

13,074 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.2.

Apr 4, 2010 The 2010 Sierra El Mayor, B.C., Mexico Earthquake M7.2 84 km 10 km
Apr 23, 1992 The 1992 Joshua Tree, California Earthquake M6.1 138 km 12 km
Dec 30, 2009 12km N of Delta, B.C., MX M5.8 82 km 6 km
Jun 15, 2010 8km ESE of Ocotillo, CA M5.7 10 km 9 km
Dec 8, 2001 22km S of Estacion Coahuila, B.C., MX M5.7 125 km 7 km
Feb 22, 2002 13km WSW of Delta, B.C., MX M5.7 79 km 7 km
Apr 4, 2010 12km SSW of Estacion Coahuila, B.C., MX M5.7 115 km 10 km
Apr 4, 2010 9km SW of Delta, B.C., MX M5.4 85 km 10 km
Jul 7, 2010 20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA M5.4 87 km 12 km
Aug 26, 2012 4km NNW of Brawley, CA M5.4 53 km 8 km
Apr 4, 2010 12km WNW of Alberto Oviedo Mota, B.C., MX M5.4 85 km 10 km
May 24, 2006 6km SSW of Delta, B.C., MX M5.4 87 km 6 km
Dec 3, 1991 71km E of Maneadero, B.C., MX M5.3 111 km 6 km
Aug 26, 2012 5km NNW of Brawley, CA M5.3 52 km 8 km
Apr 8, 2010 12km SW of Alberto Oviedo Mota, B.C., MX M5.3 94 km 10 km
Mar 23, 1994 35km E of Maneadero, B.C., MX M5.3 114 km 5 km
Apr 4, 2010 15km SSW of Progreso, B.C., MX M5.3 47 km 10 km
Jun 5, 2021 11km W of Calipatria, CA M5.3 56 km 6 km
Apr 5, 2010 27km SSW of Estacion Coahuila, B.C., MX M5.2 118 km 10 km
Apr 14, 2025 5 km S of Julian, CA M5.2 64 km 14 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

11 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1. Total: 2 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Aug 6, 2015 EF1 92 km 4.0 mi 0
Nov 10, 2000 EF1 98 km 0.4 mi 0
Aug 29, 1993 EF1 42 km 0.1 mi 0
Mar 11, 2006 EF0 95 km 2.0 mi 0
Aug 30, 2000 EF0 92 km 3.0 mi 0
Jul 12, 1999 EF0 58 km 0.1 mi 0
Sep 24, 1997 EF0 31 km 1.5 mi 0
May 20, 1997 EF0 62 km 0.1 mi 0
May 5, 1992 EF0 42 km 0.2 mi 0
Sep 18, 1985 EF0 87 km 0.1 mi 0
Feb 23, 1971 EF0 95 km 0.1 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Tsunami History

1 tsunami 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 — 112 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Salton Buttes (62 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Salton Buttes Lava dome(s) -40 m (-131 ft) 210 62 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 75 km
2007 WITCH 167,551 81 km
2007 HARRIS 90,443 73 km
2002 PINES 65,407 70 km
2003 PARADISE 55,995 100 km
2003 MINE/OTAY 37,232 80 km
2003 COYOTE 19,215 90 km
1993 GUEJITO 17,141 98 km
2006 HORSE 16,659 58 km
2020 VALLEY 16,517 64 km
2011 EAGLE 14,743 78 km
1996 OTAY 322 12,238 83 km
2012 WILSON 12,048 66 km
2001 VIEJAS 10,942 69 km
1995 SYCAMORE 9,626 70 km
2012 STEWART 9,501 64 km
2004 MATAGUAY 9,087 80 km
1995 EL MONTE 8,482 75 km
2016 BORDER 3 7,958 55 km
1985 MILLER 7,809 87 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 42°F (5°C) 1.1 in Coldest
February 56°F (13°C) 1.2 in Wettest
March 59°F (15°C) 0.9 in
April 64°F (18°C) 0.4 in
May 71°F (21°C) 0.1 in Driest
June 79°F (26°C) 0.1 in
July 71°F (22°C) 0.2 in
August 86°F (30°C) 0.4 in Warmest
September 81°F (27°C) 0.4 in
October 72°F (22°C) 0.4 in
November 61°F (16°C) 0.6 in
December 54°F (12°C) 0.9 in

Ocotillo has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 42°F in January to 86°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 6.5 inches, with February being the wettest month (1.2") and May the driest (0.1").

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