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Weather & Climate in Pala, CA

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

Pala enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F (18°C). Winters average 57°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. 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 15.3 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 398 feet.

Temperature

57°F Jan (14°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average65.1°F
21% above US avg
January Average57°F (14°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation398 ft (121 m)
Area5.6 sq mi (14.5 km²)
Population Density166/sq mi
Coordinates33.3639°N, 117.0678°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyOrange County County
Nearest AirportSan Diego International (SAN)
44 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 15.3"
60% below US avg
Wettest Month (Jan) 2.72"
Driest Month (Jun) 0.08"

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

12,472 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.3.

Jun 28, 1992 The 1992 Landers, California Earthquake M7.3 110 km 0 km
Jun 28, 1992 The 1992 Big Bear, California Earthquake M6.3 96 km 4 km
Apr 23, 1992 The 1992 Joshua Tree, California Earthquake M6.1 96 km 12 km
Jun 28, 1991 The 1991 Sierra Madre, California Earthquake M5.8 132 km 8 km
Jun 28, 1992 3km NE of Yucca Valley, California M5.8 105 km -1 km
Jun 15, 2010 8km ESE of Ocotillo, CA M5.7 130 km 9 km
Jun 28, 1992 2km SSW of Joshua Tree, California M5.7 109 km 6 km
Jun 29, 1992 3km ESE of Yucca Valley, California M5.7 103 km 10 km
Oct 16, 1999 7km ENE of Running Springs, CA M5.6 97 km 6 km
Jun 28, 1992 11km SSE of Big Bear Lake, California M5.5 91 km 10 km
Feb 28, 1990 The 1990 Upland, California Earthquake M5.5 104 km 3 km
Jun 28, 1992 0km E of Yucca Valley, CA M5.5 102 km 8 km
Jul 7, 2010 20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA M5.4 55 km 12 km
Aug 26, 2012 4km NNW of Brawley, CA M5.4 147 km 8 km
Jun 28, 1992 26km NNW of Yucca Valley, CA M5.4 120 km 4 km
Oct 16, 1999 32km SSW of Ludlow, California M5.4 142 km 1 km
Jul 1, 1992 24km N of Yucca Valley, California M5.3 121 km 5 km
Aug 26, 2012 5km NNW of Brawley, CA M5.3 146 km 8 km
Nov 27, 1992 10km NNW of Big Bear City, California M5.3 110 km 0 km
Sep 15, 1992 9km SE of Yucca Valley, California M5.3 102 km 7 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

79 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 11 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
May 22, 2008 EF2 60 km 2.8 mi 0
Nov 7, 1966 EF2 85 km 0.2 mi 0
Aug 6, 2015 EF1 92 km 4.0 mi 0
Feb 19, 2005 EF1 16 km 2.8 mi 0
Nov 10, 2000 EF1 46 km 0.4 mi 0
Jan 29, 1998 EF1 41 km 0.5 mi 0
Dec 21, 1997 EF1 93 km 1.0 mi 0
Nov 11, 1997 EF1 78 km 0.2 mi 0
Dec 22, 1996 EF1 67 km 0.1 mi 0
Jan 14, 1993 EF1 100 km 1.0 mi 0
Dec 7, 1992 EF1 94 km 0.1 mi 0
Dec 7, 1992 EF1 97 km 0.1 mi 0
Mar 27, 1991 EF1 93 km 3.0 mi 0
Mar 27, 1991 EF1 26 km 0.2 mi 0
Mar 19, 1991 EF1 68 km 1.0 mi 0
Mar 16, 1986 EF1 94 km 1.2 mi 0
Nov 9, 1982 EF1 61 km 0.2 mi 0
Feb 20, 1980 EF1 66 km 0.1 mi 0
Jan 31, 1979 EF1 87 km 2.0 mi 0
Dec 18, 1978 EF1 34 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 — 75 km
1855 S. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake — — 126 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Salton Buttes (136 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Salton Buttes Lava dome(s) -40 m (-131 ft) 210 136 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 55 km
2007 WITCH 167,551 42 km
2007 HARRIS 90,443 85 km
2006 MILLARD 86,585 93 km
2002 PINES 65,407 52 km
2003 PARADISE 55,995 23 km
2003 GRAND PRIX 50,799 99 km
2007 POOMACHA 47,496 16 km
2006 ESPERANZA 40,566 58 km
2003 MINE/OTAY 37,232 85 km
2008 YELLOW 33,232 36 km
2020 APPLE 32,374 77 km
2015 LAKE 30,421 92 km
2008 FREEWAY COMPLEX 29,350 89 km
2022 FAIRVIEW 28,680 39 km
2013 MOUNTAIN 28,202 58 km
2007 SANTIAGO 27,605 68 km
1998 EDNA 27,561 60 km
2020 INDIA 24,193 33 km
1993 CALIFORNIA 23,899 31 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 57°F (14°C) 2.7 in Wettest
February 54°F (12°C) 2.6 in
March 55°F (13°C) 2.4 in
April 59°F (15°C) 1.1 in
May 63°F (17°C) 0.4 in
June 69°F (20°C) 0.1 in Driest
July 74°F (23°C) 0.1 in
August 77°F (25°C) 0.2 in Warmest
September 73°F (23°C) 0.5 in
October 67°F (19°C) 0.4 in
November 59°F (15°C) 1.7 in
December 53°F (12°C) 2.0 in Coldest

Pala has a seasonal temperature swing of 24°F / from 53°F in December to 77°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 13.9 inches, with January being the wettest month (2.7") and June the driest (0.1").

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