Weather & Climate in Orange, CA

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

Orange enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 54°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 331 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 27.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Moderate with a median AQI of 54. 33% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 174 feet.

Temperature

54°F Jan (12°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)

Annual Average	62.9°F
	16% above US avg
January Average	54°F (12°C)
July Average	72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days	331 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	174 ft (53 m)
Area	25.7 sq mi (66.5 km²)
Population Density	5,404/sq mi
Coordinates	33.7870°N, 117.8613°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Orange County County
Nearest Airport	John Wayne/Orange County (SNA) 8 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 27.5"

28% below US avg

Snowfall 0.0"

Wettest Month (Jan) 2.91"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.04"

Air Quality

AQI Median	54.0
Rating	Moderate
Good Days %	32.5%
Unhealthy Days	16

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very High
Risk Score	99.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability	24.9 / 100
Community Resilience	16.3 / 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

10,289 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.3.

Jun 28, 1992	The 1992 Landers, California Earthquake	M7.3	139 km	0 km
Jan 17, 1994	Northridge, California, earthquake	M6.7	78 km	18 km
Jun 28, 1992	The 1992 Big Bear, California Earthquake	M6.3	106 km	4 km
Apr 23, 1992	The 1992 Joshua Tree, California Earthquake	M6.1	144 km	12 km
Jan 17, 1994	1km ENE of Granada Hills, California	M5.9	80 km	5 km
Jun 28, 1991	The 1991 Sierra Madre, California Earthquake	M5.8	55 km	8 km
Jun 28, 1992	3km NE of Yucca Valley, California	M5.8	139 km	-1 km
Jun 28, 1992	2km SSW of Joshua Tree, California	M5.7	147 km	6 km
Jun 29, 1992	3km ESE of Yucca Valley, California	M5.7	139 km	10 km
Oct 16, 1999	7km ENE of Running Springs, CA	M5.6	91 km	6 km
Jan 17, 1994	7km NNE of Simi Valley, California	M5.6	98 km	9 km
Jun 28, 1992	11km SSE of Big Bear Lake, California	M5.5	102 km	10 km
Feb 28, 1990	The 1990 Upland, California Earthquake	M5.5	43 km	3 km
Jun 28, 1992	0km E of Yucca Valley, CA	M5.5	137 km	8 km
Jul 7, 2010	20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA	M5.4	135 km	12 km
Jun 28, 1992	26km NNW of Yucca Valley, CA	M5.4	139 km	4 km
Jul 1, 1992	24km N of Yucca Valley, California	M5.3	142 km	5 km
Nov 27, 1992	10km NNW of Big Bear City, California	M5.3	108 km	0 km
Dec 4, 1992	10km SE of Lucerne Valley, California	M5.3	110 km	1 km
Jun 28, 1992	1km N of Big Bear Lake, California	M5.3	102 km	7 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

119 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 58 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 22, 2008	EF2	57 km	2.8 mi	0
Mar 1, 1983	EF2	52 km	3.5 mi	0
Nov 9, 1982	EF2	70 km	1.0 mi	0
Nov 9, 1982	EF2	31 km	10.0 mi	0
Nov 7, 1966	EF2	16 km	0.2 mi	0
Nov 7, 1966	EF2	42 km	0.1 mi	0
Nov 7, 1966	EF2	44 km	10.3 mi	0
Mar 22, 2023	EF1	34 km	0.5 mi	0
Jan 19, 2010	EF1	26 km	4.6 mi	0
Feb 19, 2005	EF1	73 km	2.8 mi	0
Jan 29, 1998	EF1	97 km	0.5 mi	0
Jan 9, 1998	EF1	29 km	1.5 mi	0
Dec 21, 1997	EF1	18 km	1.0 mi	0
Nov 11, 1997	EF1	13 km	0.2 mi	0
Jan 14, 1993	EF1	13 km	1.0 mi	0
Dec 7, 1992	EF1	14 km	0.1 mi	0
Dec 7, 1992	EF1	7 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 20, 1992	EF1	46 km	0.2 mi	0
Mar 27, 1991	EF1	96 km	0.2 mi	0
Mar 27, 1991	EF1	18 km	3.0 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Tsunami History

4 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	77 km
1862	S. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	1.2 m	—	136 km
1994	WEST COAST, USA	Earthquake	0.1 m	57	78 km
1855	S. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	—	—	41 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

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	65 km
2020	BOBCAT	115,728	60 km
2018	WOOLSEY	97,962	96 km
2003	OLD	90,180	74 km
1999	WILLOW	63,525	93 km
2003	GRAND PRIX	50,799	57 km
2016	SAND	41,561	81 km
2007	BUCKWEED	41,332	97 km
2006	ESPERANZA	40,566	91 km
2002	WILLIAMS	37,505	46 km
2016	BLUE CUT	36,856	68 km
2008	YELLOW	33,232	58 km
2020	APPLE	32,374	96 km
2008	FREEWAY COMPLEX	29,350	18 km
2022	FAIRVIEW	28,680	93 km
2007	SANTIAGO	27,605	20 km
1998	EDNA	27,561	81 km
2020	INDIA	24,193	59 km
2005	TOPANGA	24,133	91 km
1993	CALIFORNIA	23,899	79 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	54°F (12°C)	2.9 in	Coldest, Wettest
February	58°F (15°C)	2.9 in
March	59°F (15°C)	2.6 in
April	62°F (17°C)	0.8 in
May	65°F (18°C)	0.2 in
June	69°F (21°C)	0.1 in
July	72°F (22°C)	0.0 in	Driest
August	74°F (23°C)	0.1 in	Warmest
September	72°F (22°C)	0.3 in
October	68°F (20°C)	0.4 in
November	62°F (16°C)	1.3 in
December	57°F (14°C)	1.9 in

Orange has a seasonal temperature swing of 20°F / from 54°F in January to 74°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 13.5 inches, with January being the wettest month (2.9") and July the driest (0.0").

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