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Weather & Climate in Poway, CA

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

Poway enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 57°F in January while summers reach 72°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 11.5 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 741 feet.

Temperature

57°F Jan (14°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average64.2°F
19% above US avg
January Average57°F (14°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation741 ft (226 m)
Area39.2 sq mi (101.5 km²)
Population Density1,241/sq mi
Coordinates32.9877°N, 117.0218°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountySan Diego County County
Nearest AirportSan Diego International (SAN)
20 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 11.5"
70% below US avg
Wettest Month (Jan) 2.72"
Driest Month (Jul) 0.04"

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

10,837 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.3.

Jun 28, 1992 The 1992 Landers, California Earthquake M7.3 145 km 0 km
Jun 28, 1992 The 1992 Big Bear, California Earthquake M6.3 136 km 4 km
Apr 23, 1992 The 1992 Joshua Tree, California Earthquake M6.1 126 km 12 km
Jun 28, 1992 3km NE of Yucca Valley, California M5.8 139 km -1 km
Jun 15, 2010 8km ESE of Ocotillo, CA M5.7 108 km 9 km
Jun 28, 1992 2km SSW of Joshua Tree, California M5.7 142 km 6 km
Jun 29, 1992 3km ESE of Yucca Valley, California M5.7 137 km 10 km
Oct 16, 1999 7km ENE of Running Springs, CA M5.6 139 km 6 km
Jun 28, 1992 11km SSE of Big Bear Lake, California M5.5 132 km 10 km
Feb 28, 1990 The 1990 Upland, California Earthquake M5.5 143 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 70 km 12 km
Aug 26, 2012 4km NNW of Brawley, CA M5.4 138 km 8 km
Aug 26, 2012 5km NNW of Brawley, CA M5.3 137 km 8 km
Sep 15, 1992 9km SE of Yucca Valley, California M5.3 134 km 7 km
Jun 28, 1992 1km N of Big Bear Lake, California M5.3 141 km 7 km
Apr 4, 2010 15km SSW of Progreso, B.C., MX M5.3 143 km 10 km
Jun 5, 2021 11km W of Calipatria, CA M5.3 130 km 6 km
Aug 17, 1992 7km SE of Big Bear Lake, California M5.2 135 km 9 km
Apr 14, 2025 5 km S of Julian, CA M5.2 40 km 14 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

46 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1. Total: 5 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Feb 19, 2005 EF1 57 km 2.8 mi 0
Nov 10, 2000 EF1 4 km 0.4 mi 0
Jan 29, 1998 EF1 27 km 0.5 mi 0
Mar 27, 1991 EF1 23 km 0.2 mi 0
Mar 19, 1991 EF1 27 km 1.0 mi 0
Nov 9, 1982 EF1 89 km 0.2 mi 0
Feb 20, 1980 EF1 29 km 0.1 mi 0
Dec 18, 1978 EF1 41 km 0.8 mi 0
Jul 20, 1974 EF1 85 km 1.0 mi 0
Oct 8, 1961 EF1 37 km 0.1 mi 0
Apr 1, 1958 EF1 91 km 0.5 mi 0
Apr 13, 1956 EF1 40 km 0.1 mi 0
Oct 8, 2022 EF0 81 km 1.6 mi 0
Aug 16, 2018 EF0 71 km 0.2 mi 0
Oct 17, 2015 EF0 80 km 0.0 mi 0
Sep 9, 2012 EF0 90 km 0.0 mi 0
Aug 12, 2012 EF0 88 km 0.5 mi 0
May 22, 2008 EF0 95 km 0.4 mi 0
May 22, 2008 EF0 97 km 0.9 mi 0
Sep 22, 2007 EF0 25 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 - 36 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Salton Buttes (133 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Salton Buttes Lava dome(s) -40 m (-131 ft) 210 133 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 25 km
2007 WITCH 167,551 26 km
2007 HARRIS 90,443 45 km
2002 PINES 65,407 45 km
2003 PARADISE 55,995 26 km
2007 POOMACHA 47,496 36 km
2006 ESPERANZA 40,566 98 km
2003 MINE/OTAY 37,232 44 km
2008 YELLOW 33,232 60 km
2022 FAIRVIEW 28,680 78 km
2013 MOUNTAIN 28,202 90 km
2020 INDIA 24,193 60 km
1993 CALIFORNIA 23,899 72 km
2018 HOLY 22,845 90 km
1994 PALM 21,040 86 km
1993 ORTEGA 20,912 79 km
2003 COYOTE 19,215 61 km
2007 AMMO FIRE 19,213 57 km
2004 CERRITO 18,605 91 km
1993 GUEJITO 17,141 16 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 57°F (14°C) 2.4 in
March 58°F (14°C) 2.5 in
April 61°F (16°C) 1.1 in
May 64°F (18°C) 0.3 in
June 68°F (20°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 61°F (16°C) 1.6 in
December 56°F (13°C) 1.8 in Coldest

Poway has a seasonal temperature swing of 18°F / from 56°F in December to 74°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 13.4 inches, with January being the wettest month (2.7") and July the driest (0.0").

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