Weather & Climate in Ocotillo, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Ocotillo has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 74°F (23°C). Winters average 56°F in January while summers reach 92°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 3.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Moderate with a median AQI of 63 / residents may notice occasional air quality concerns. 23% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 425 feet.
Temperature
56°F Jan (13°C)
92°F Jul (33°C)
| Annual Average | 73.6°F |
| 36% above US avg | |
| January Average | 56°F (13°C) |
| July Average | 92°F (33°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 425 ft (130 m) |
| Area | 8.9 sq mi (22.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 18/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 32.7431°N, 116.0019°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Imperial County County |
| Nearest Airport | Calexico International (CXL) 29 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 63.0 |
| Rating | Moderate |
| Good Days % | 22.7% |
| Unhealthy Days | 50 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 96.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 85.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 2.4 / 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 | 56°F (13°C) | 0.7 in | Wettest |
| February | 60°F (16°C) | 0.5 in | |
| March | 66°F (19°C) | 0.2 in | |
| April | 71°F (22°C) | 0.0 in | Driest |
| May | 78°F (26°C) | 0.0 in | |
| June | 86°F (30°C) | 0.0 in | |
| July | 92°F (33°C) | 0.3 in | |
| August | 93°F (34°C) | 0.5 in | Warmest |
| September | 87°F (31°C) | 0.2 in | |
| October | 75°F (24°C) | 0.3 in | |
| November | 64°F (18°C) | 0.3 in | |
| December | 55°F (13°C) | 0.5 in | Coldest |
Ocotillo has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 55°F in December to 93°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 3.5 inches, with January being the wettest month (0.7") and April the driest (0.0").