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Weather & Climate in Potrero, CA

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

Potrero enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 53°F in January while summers reach 73°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 16.1 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 2,423 feet.

Temperature

53°F Jan (12°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average62.6°F
16% above US avg
January Average53°F (12°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation2,423 ft (739 m)
Area3.2 sq mi (8.2 km²)
Population Density134/sq mi
Coordinates32.6131°N, 116.6068°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountySan Diego County County
Nearest AirportSan Diego International (SAN)
35 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 16.1"
58% below US avg
Wettest Month (Jan) 2.76"
Driest Month (Jun) 0.08"

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery High
Risk Score99.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability24.8 / 100
Community Resilience8.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Low
Hurricane Very Low
Earthquake Relatively High
Wildfire Very High
Flood Very High
Hail Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave Relatively High
Winter Weather Relatively Low
Lightning Relatively Moderate
Drought Relatively Low
Cold Wave Very Low
Landslide Relatively High
Coastal Flood Relatively Moderate
Tsunami Relatively Low
Volcano Very Low
Avalanche Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

11,177 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 M7.2 128 km 10 km
Dec 30, 2009 12km N of Delta, B.C., MX M5.8 134 km 6 km
Jun 15, 2010 8km ESE of Ocotillo, CA M5.7 66 km 9 km
Feb 22, 2002 13km WSW of Delta, B.C., MX M5.7 125 km 7 km
Apr 4, 2010 9km SW of Delta, B.C., MX M5.4 131 km 10 km
Jul 7, 2010 20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA M5.4 90 km 12 km
Aug 26, 2012 4km NNW of Brawley, CA M5.4 109 km 8 km
Apr 4, 2010 12km WNW of Alberto Oviedo Mota, B.C., MX M5.4 129 km 10 km
May 24, 2006 6km SSW of Delta, B.C., MX M5.4 134 km 6 km
Dec 3, 1991 71km E of Maneadero, B.C., MX M5.3 120 km 6 km
Aug 26, 2012 5km NNW of Brawley, CA M5.3 108 km 8 km
Apr 8, 2010 12km SW of Alberto Oviedo Mota, B.C., MX M5.3 135 km 10 km
Mar 23, 1994 35km E of Maneadero, B.C., MX M5.3 105 km 5 km
Apr 4, 2010 15km SSW of Progreso, B.C., MX M5.3 93 km 10 km
Jun 5, 2021 11km W of Calipatria, CA M5.3 108 km 6 km
Apr 14, 2025 5 km S of Julian, CA M5.2 47 km 14 km
Jun 12, 2005 10km ESE of Anza, CA M5.2 102 km 13 km
Jun 10, 2016 20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA M5.2 92 km 12 km
Feb 9, 2008 8km W of Delta, B.C., MX M5.1 128 km 6 km
Feb 11, 2008 7km WSW of Delta, B.C., MX M5.1 131 km 6 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

24 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1. Total: 4 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Nov 10, 2000 EF1 54 km 0.4 mi 0
Jan 29, 1998 EF1 81 km 0.5 mi 0
Mar 27, 1991 EF1 80 km 0.2 mi 0
Mar 19, 1991 EF1 49 km 1.0 mi 0
Feb 20, 1980 EF1 59 km 0.1 mi 0
Dec 18, 1978 EF1 97 km 0.8 mi 0
Oct 8, 1961 EF1 93 km 0.1 mi 0
Apr 13, 1956 EF1 44 km 0.1 mi 0
Sep 22, 2007 EF0 78 km 0.1 mi 0
Mar 11, 2006 EF0 62 km 2.0 mi 0
Mar 10, 2006 EF0 81 km 0.2 mi 0
Feb 23, 2005 EF0 44 km 0.1 mi 0
Oct 17, 2004 EF0 97 km 0.2 mi 0
Jul 12, 1999 EF0 53 km 0.1 mi 0
Feb 8, 1998 EF0 78 km 3.0 mi 0
Sep 24, 1997 EF0 90 km 1.5 mi 0
May 20, 1997 EF0 78 km 0.1 mi 0
Dec 7, 1992 EF0 93 km 0.1 mi 0
Jan 14, 1990 EF0 49 km 0.1 mi 0
Feb 4, 1985 EF0 51 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 - 56 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Salton Buttes (113 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Salton Buttes Lava dome(s) -40 m (-131 ft) 210 113 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 39 km
2007 WITCH 167,551 54 km
2007 HARRIS 90,443 16 km
2002 PINES 65,407 59 km
2003 PARADISE 55,995 72 km
2007 POOMACHA 47,496 82 km
2003 MINE/OTAY 37,232 23 km
2003 COYOTE 19,215 86 km
1993 GUEJITO 17,141 65 km
2006 HORSE 16,659 12 km
2020 VALLEY 16,517 16 km
1989 VAIL 15,632 95 km
2011 EAGLE 14,743 79 km
1996 OTAY 322 12,238 25 km
2012 WILSON 12,048 66 km
2000 PECHANGA 11,879 97 km
2001 VIEJAS 10,942 24 km
1987 PALOMAR 10,256 87 km
1995 SYCAMORE 9,626 11 km
2012 STEWART 9,501 59 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 53°F (12°C) 2.8 in Wettest
February 52°F (11°C) 2.6 in
March 53°F (12°C) 2.7 in
April 57°F (14°C) 1.2 in
May 61°F (16°C) 0.4 in
June 69°F (20°C) 0.1 in Driest
July 73°F (23°C) 0.3 in
August 76°F (24°C) 0.4 in Warmest
September 72°F (22°C) 0.4 in
October 65°F (18°C) 0.6 in
November 57°F (14°C) 1.7 in
December 51°F (11°C) 2.2 in Coldest

Potrero has a seasonal temperature swing of 25°F / from 51°F in December to 76°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 15.4 inches, with January being the wettest month (2.8") and June the driest (0.1").

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