Weather & Climate in Pumpkin Center, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Pumpkin Center enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 66°F (19°C). Winters average 50°F in January while summers reach 85°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 6.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Moderate with a median AQI of 72 / residents may notice occasional air quality concerns. 21% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 345 feet.
Temperature
50°F Jan (10°C)
85°F Jul (29°C)
| Annual Average | 66.2°F |
| 23% above US avg | |
| January Average | 50°F (10°C) |
| July Average | 85°F (29°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 345 ft (105 m) |
| Area | 0.5 sq mi (1.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,087/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.2653°N, 119.0324°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Kern County County |
| Nearest Airport | Santa Barbara Municipal (SBA) 74 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 72.0 |
| Rating | Moderate |
| Good Days % | 20.8% |
| Unhealthy Days | 94 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 98.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 61.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 6.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively High |
| Wildfire | Relatively High |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively High |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively High |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
7,601 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.1.
| Jul 6, 2019 | Ridgecrest Earthquake Sequence | M7.1 | 141 km | 8 km |
| Jan 17, 1994 | Northridge, California, earthquake | M6.7 | 126 km | 18 km |
| Jul 4, 2019 | Ridgecrest Earthquake Sequence | M6.4 | 147 km | 11 km |
| Sep 28, 2004 | 2004 Parkfield, California Earthquake | M6.0 | 135 km | 8 km |
| Jan 17, 1994 | 1km ENE of Granada Hills, California | M5.9 | 121 km | 5 km |
| Jun 28, 1991 | The 1991 Sierra Madre, California Earthquake | M5.8 | 146 km | 8 km |
| Sep 20, 1995 | 16km NNE of Ridgecrest, California | M5.8 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Jul 11, 1992 | 12km NW of California City, California | M5.7 | 88 km | 10 km |
| Jan 17, 1994 | 7km NNE of Simi Valley, California | M5.6 | 109 km | 9 km |
| Jul 6, 2019 | 15km ESE of Little Lake, CA | M5.5 | 136 km | 5 km |
| Jul 6, 2019 | 20km E of Little Lake, CA | M5.4 | 141 km | 7 km |
| Jul 5, 2019 | 16km W of Searles Valley, CA | M5.4 | 143 km | 7 km |
| Aug 17, 1995 | 17km N of Ridgecrest, California | M5.4 | 136 km | 5 km |
| Jan 18, 1994 | 10km ESE of Piru, California | M5.2 | 103 km | 11 km |
| Mar 20, 1994 | 3km WNW of Panorama City, California | M5.2 | 126 km | 12 km |
| Aug 7, 2024 | 24 km SW of Lamont, CA | M5.2 | 18 km | 12 km |
| Jan 17, 1994 | 9km N of Chatsworth, California | M5.2 | 110 km | 5 km |
| May 28, 1993 | 21km SW of Lamont, California | M5.2 | 15 km | 21 km |
| Jul 17, 2001 | 7km ESE of Coso Junction, CA | M5.2 | 134 km | 2 km |
| Jan 7, 1996 | 16km N of Ridgecrest, California | M5.2 | 137 km | 3 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
15 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 17, 1991 | EF1 | 43 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 1, 1964 | EF1 | 81 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 2019 | EF0 | 26 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Feb 23, 2015 | EF0 | 73 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Nov 9, 2012 | EF0 | 97 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Feb 27, 2010 | EF0 | 22 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 1, 2007 | EF0 | 89 km | 13.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1999 | EF0 | 11 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 22, 1997 | EF0 | 57 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Feb 17, 1997 | EF0 | 12 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Nov 22, 1996 | EF0 | 24 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 13, 1995 | EF0 | 80 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Feb 23, 1993 | EF0 | 50 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Feb 19, 1993 | EF0 | 93 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 20, 1988 | EF0 | 43 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Tsunami History
3 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 3.4 m (11 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1812 | S. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | 3.4 m | 1 | 143 km |
| 1930 | S. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | 3.1 m | 1 | 142 km |
| 1994 | WEST COAST, USA | Earthquake | 0.1 m | 57 | 126 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Golden Trout Creek (137 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Golden Trout Creek | Volcanic field | 2,886 m (9,469 ft) | -5550 | 137 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: THOMAS (281,982 acres, 2017).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2017 | THOMAS | 281,982 | 93 km |
| 2007 | ZACA | 241,846 | 85 km |
| 2006 | DAY | 159,713 | 73 km |
| 1985 | WHEELER 2 | 126,854 | 89 km |
| 2021 | WINDY | 97,831 | 88 km |
| 2009 | LA BREA | 84,213 | 98 km |
| 2003 | PIRU | 63,920 | 89 km |
| 1997 | LOGAN | 49,627 | 99 km |
| 2016 | ERSKINE | 48,066 | 72 km |
| 1985 | FERNDALE | 46,724 | 95 km |
| 1997 | LOKERN | 46,139 | 43 km |
| 2007 | BUCKWEED | 41,332 | 99 km |
| 2007 | RANCH | 37,009 | 88 km |
| 2017 | PIER | 36,626 | 100 km |
| 2008 | PIUTE | 36,251 | 68 km |
| 2016 | REY | 33,323 | 98 km |
| 2013 | POWERHOUSE | 32,329 | 85 km |
| 2020 | LAKE | 30,971 | 77 km |
| 2016 | CEDAR | 29,191 | 72 km |
| 2021 | FRENCH | 27,331 | 64 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 50°F (10°C) | 1.2 in | Wettest |
| February | 54°F (12°C) | 1.2 in | |
| March | 59°F (15°C) | 1.2 in | |
| April | 63°F (17°C) | 0.6 in | |
| May | 71°F (22°C) | 0.3 in | |
| June | 79°F (26°C) | 0.1 in | |
| July | 85°F (29°C) | 0.0 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 83°F (29°C) | 0.0 in | |
| September | 78°F (26°C) | 0.1 in | |
| October | 68°F (20°C) | 0.3 in | |
| November | 56°F (14°C) | 0.5 in | |
| December | 49°F (10°C) | 1.1 in | Coldest |
Pumpkin Center has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 49°F in December to 85°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 6.4 inches, with January being the wettest month (1.2") and July the driest (0.0").