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Weather & Climate in Placentia, CA

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

Placentia enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 68°F (20°C). Winters average 60°F in January while summers reach 76°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 13.5 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 285 feet.

Temperature

60°F Jan (16°C) 76°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average67.7°F
25% above US avg
January Average60°F (16°C)
July Average76°F (25°C)
Sunny Days330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation285 ft (87 m)
Area6.6 sq mi (17.0 km²)
Population Density7,784/sq mi
Coordinates33.8812°N, 117.8548°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyOrange County County
Nearest AirportJohn Wayne/Orange County (SNA)
14 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 13.5"
64% below US avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Feb) 3.46"
Driest Month (Jul) 0.04"

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

10,996 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.3.

Jun 28, 1992 The 1992 Landers, California Earthquake M7.3 135 km 0 km
Jan 17, 1994 Northridge, California, earthquake M6.7 73 km 18 km
Jun 28, 1992 The 1992 Big Bear, California Earthquake M6.3 101 km 4 km
Apr 23, 1992 The 1992 Joshua Tree, California Earthquake M6.1 142 km 12 km
Jan 17, 1994 1km ENE of Granada Hills, California M5.9 73 km 5 km
Jun 28, 1991 The 1991 Sierra Madre, California Earthquake M5.8 45 km 8 km
Jun 28, 1992 3km NE of Yucca Valley, California M5.8 136 km -1 km
Jun 28, 1992 2km SSW of Joshua Tree, California M5.7 144 km 6 km
Jun 29, 1992 3km ESE of Yucca Valley, California M5.7 136 km 10 km
Jul 11, 1992 12km NW of California City, California M5.7 149 km 10 km
Oct 16, 1999 7km ENE of Running Springs, CA M5.6 85 km 6 km
Jan 17, 1994 7km NNE of Simi Valley, California M5.6 92 km 9 km
Jun 28, 1992 11km SSE of Big Bear Lake, California M5.5 98 km 10 km
Feb 28, 1990 The 1990 Upland, California Earthquake M5.5 33 km 3 km
Jun 28, 1992 0km E of Yucca Valley, CA M5.5 134 km 8 km
Jul 7, 2010 20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA M5.4 138 km 12 km
Jun 28, 1992 26km NNW of Yucca Valley, CA M5.4 134 km 4 km
Jul 1, 1992 24km N of Yucca Valley, California M5.3 137 km 5 km
Nov 27, 1992 10km NNW of Big Bear City, California M5.3 102 km 0 km
Dec 4, 1992 10km SE of Lucerne Valley, California M5.3 103 km 1 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 56 km 2.8 mi 0
Mar 1, 1983 EF2 49 km 3.5 mi 0
Nov 9, 1982 EF2 34 km 10.0 mi 0
Nov 9, 1982 EF2 64 km 1.0 mi 0
Nov 7, 1966 EF2 44 km 10.3 mi 0
Nov 7, 1966 EF2 26 km 0.2 mi 0
Nov 7, 1966 EF2 41 km 0.1 mi 0
Mar 22, 2023 EF1 28 km 0.5 mi 0
Jan 19, 2010 EF1 31 km 4.6 mi 0
Feb 19, 2005 EF1 78 km 2.8 mi 0
Jan 9, 1998 EF1 31 km 1.5 mi 0
Dec 21, 1997 EF1 27 km 1.0 mi 0
Nov 11, 1997 EF1 23 km 0.2 mi 0
May 11, 1997 EF1 93 km 0.2 mi 0
Dec 22, 1996 EF1 99 km 0.1 mi 0
Jan 14, 1993 EF1 9 km 1.0 mi 0
Dec 7, 1992 EF1 20 km 0.1 mi 0
Dec 7, 1992 EF1 8 km 0.1 mi 0
Mar 20, 1992 EF1 39 km 0.2 mi 0
Mar 27, 1991 EF1 27 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 75 km
1862 S. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake 1.2 m — 145 km
1994 WEST COAST, USA Earthquake 0.1 m 57 73 km
1855 S. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake — — 33 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 56 km
2020 BOBCAT 115,728 50 km
2003 SIMI 107,756 100 km
2018 WOOLSEY 97,962 93 km
2003 OLD 90,180 67 km
1999 WILLOW 63,525 86 km
2003 GRAND PRIX 50,799 49 km
2016 SAND 41,561 73 km
2007 BUCKWEED 41,332 89 km
2006 ESPERANZA 40,566 90 km
2002 WILLIAMS 37,505 36 km
2016 BLUE CUT 36,856 59 km
2008 YELLOW 33,232 66 km
2020 APPLE 32,374 93 km
2008 FREEWAY COMPLEX 29,350 10 km
2022 FAIRVIEW 28,680 94 km
2007 SANTIAGO 27,605 25 km
1998 EDNA 27,561 79 km
2020 INDIA 24,193 66 km
2005 TOPANGA 24,133 86 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 60°F (16°C) 3.4 in
February 58°F (14°C) 3.5 in Wettest
March 59°F (15°C) 3.0 in
April 62°F (17°C) 0.9 in
May 65°F (18°C) 0.2 in
June 70°F (21°C) 0.1 in
July 76°F (25°C) 0.0 in Warmest, Driest
August 75°F (24°C) 0.1 in
September 73°F (23°C) 0.3 in
October 68°F (20°C) 0.5 in
November 61°F (16°C) 1.6 in
December 56°F (13°C) 2.1 in Coldest

Placentia has a seasonal temperature swing of 20°F / from 56°F in December to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.7 inches, with February being the wettest month (3.5") and July the driest (0.0").

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