Weather & Climate in Palm Springs, CA

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

Palm Springs has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 75°F (24°C). Winters average 59°F in January while summers reach 93°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 5.1 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 436 feet.

Temperature

59°F Jan (15°C) 93°F Jul (34°C)

Annual Average	75.2°F
	39% above US avg
January Average	59°F (15°C)
July Average	93°F (34°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	436 ft (133 m)
Area	95.0 sq mi (246.0 km²)
Population Density	476/sq mi
Coordinates	33.8034°N, 116.5383°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Riverside County County
Nearest Airport	Palm Springs International (PSP) 3 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 5.1"

87% below US avg

Snowfall 0.0"

Wettest Month (Jan) 2.83"

Driest Month (Jun) 0.08"

Air Quality

AQI Median	48.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very High
Risk Score	99.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability	33.3 / 100
Community Resilience	13.0 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Moderate
Hurricane	Very Low
Earthquake	Very High
Wildfire	Very High
Flood	Very High
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave	Relatively High
Winter Weather	Relatively Moderate
Lightning	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Very Low
Landslide	Relatively High
Volcano	Very Low
Avalanche	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

14,286 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.3.

Jun 28, 1992	The 1992 Landers, California Earthquake	M7.3	45 km	0 km
Oct 16, 1999	The 1999 Hector Mine, California Earthquake	M7.1	92 km	14 km
Jun 28, 1992	The 1992 Big Bear, California Earthquake	M6.3	52 km	4 km
Apr 23, 1992	The 1992 Joshua Tree, California Earthquake	M6.1	27 km	12 km
Jun 28, 1991	The 1991 Sierra Madre, California Earthquake	M5.8	144 km	8 km
Oct 16, 1999	13km WSW of Ludlow, CA	M5.8	100 km	14 km
Jun 28, 1992	3km NE of Yucca Valley, California	M5.8	38 km	-1 km
Jun 15, 2010	8km ESE of Ocotillo, CA	M5.7	135 km	9 km
Jun 28, 1992	2km SSW of Joshua Tree, California	M5.7	40 km	6 km
Jun 29, 1992	3km ESE of Yucca Valley, California	M5.7	36 km	10 km
Oct 16, 1999	7km ENE of Running Springs, CA	M5.6	67 km	6 km
Jun 28, 1992	11km SSE of Big Bear Lake, California	M5.5	49 km	10 km
Feb 28, 1990	The 1990 Upland, California Earthquake	M5.5	113 km	3 km
Jun 28, 1992	0km E of Yucca Valley, CA	M5.5	36 km	8 km
Jul 7, 2010	20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA	M5.4	43 km	12 km
Jul 5, 1992	21km SW of Ludlow, California	M5.4	89 km	5 km
Jun 28, 1992	26km NNW of Yucca Valley, CA	M5.4	60 km	4 km
Aug 26, 2012	4km NNW of Brawley, CA	M5.4	127 km	8 km
Oct 16, 1999	32km SSW of Ludlow, California	M5.4	76 km	1 km
Jul 1, 1992	24km N of Yucca Valley, California	M5.3	59 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

42 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 13 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Feb 9, 1978	EF3	72 km	2.0 mi	0
May 22, 2008	EF2	66 km	2.8 mi	0
Sep 7, 1982	EF2	50 km	0.5 mi	0
Aug 6, 2015	EF1	48 km	4.0 mi	0
Aug 4, 2008	EF1	61 km	1.1 mi	0
Feb 19, 2005	EF1	69 km	2.8 mi	0
Dec 22, 1996	EF1	26 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 27, 1991	EF1	93 km	0.2 mi	0
Oct 22, 1974	EF1	45 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 20, 1974	EF1	39 km	1.0 mi	0
Oct 8, 2022	EF0	63 km	1.6 mi	0
Aug 16, 2018	EF0	30 km	0.2 mi	0
Oct 17, 2015	EF0	56 km	0.0 mi	0
Jul 19, 2015	EF0	57 km	0.2 mi	0
Sep 9, 2012	EF0	64 km	0.0 mi	0
Aug 12, 2012	EF0	61 km	0.5 mi	0
May 22, 2008	EF0	74 km	0.4 mi	0
May 22, 2008	EF0	68 km	1.0 mi	0
May 22, 2008	EF0	64 km	0.9 mi	0
Jul 23, 2006	EF0	57 km	1.0 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	—	137 km
1855	S. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	—	—	148 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Salton Buttes (109 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Salton Buttes	Lava dome(s)	-40 m (-131 ft)	210	109 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	98 km
2007	WITCH	167,551	83 km
2003	OLD	90,180	85 km
2006	MILLARD	86,585	35 km
2002	PINES	65,407	73 km
1999	WILLOW	63,525	80 km
2003	PARADISE	55,995	75 km
2003	GRAND PRIX	50,799	96 km
2007	POOMACHA	47,496	66 km
2006	ESPERANZA	40,566	32 km
2008	YELLOW	33,232	96 km
2020	APPLE	32,374	40 km
2015	LAKE	30,421	43 km
2022	FAIRVIEW	28,680	34 km
2013	MOUNTAIN	28,202	12 km
1998	EDNA	27,561	43 km
2020	INDIA	24,193	93 km
1993	CALIFORNIA	23,899	49 km
2018	HOLY	22,845	87 km
2020	EL DORADO	22,300	50 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	59°F (15°C)	2.8 in	Wettest
February	48°F (9°C)	2.7 in
March	51°F (11°C)	2.5 in
April	56°F (13°C)	1.1 in
May	63°F (17°C)	0.4 in
June	72°F (22°C)	0.1 in	Driest
July	93°F (34°C)	0.4 in	Warmest
August	78°F (25°C)	0.8 in
September	73°F (23°C)	0.8 in
October	64°F (18°C)	0.6 in
November	54°F (12°C)	1.9 in
December	47°F (8°C)	2.4 in	Coldest

Palm Springs has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 47°F in December to 93°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.6 inches, with January being the wettest month (2.8") and June the driest (0.1").

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