Sign In Register

Weather & Climate in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

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

Rancho Santa Margarita enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 67°F (19°C). Winters average 59°F in January while summers reach 75°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 13.1 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 925 feet.

Temperature

59°F Jan (15°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average66.7°F
24% above US avg
January Average59°F (15°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation925 ft (282 m)
Area12.9 sq mi (33.5 km²)
Population Density3,655/sq mi
Coordinates33.6323°N, 117.5990°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyOrange County County
Nearest AirportJohn Wayne/Orange County (SNA)
16 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 13.1"
66% below US avg
Wettest Month (Feb) 2.87"
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

10,823 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.3.

Jun 28, 1992 The 1992 Landers, California Earthquake M7.3 124 km 0 km
Jan 17, 1994 Northridge, California, earthquake M6.7 108 km 18 km
Jun 28, 1992 The 1992 Big Bear, California Earthquake M6.3 95 km 4 km
Apr 23, 1992 The 1992 Joshua Tree, California Earthquake M6.1 124 km 12 km
Jan 17, 1994 1km ENE of Granada Hills, California M5.9 109 km 5 km
Jun 28, 1991 The 1991 Sierra Madre, California Earthquake M5.8 80 km 8 km
Jun 28, 1992 3km NE of Yucca Valley, California M5.8 123 km -1 km
Jun 28, 1992 2km SSW of Joshua Tree, California M5.7 130 km 6 km
Jun 29, 1992 3km ESE of Yucca Valley, California M5.7 122 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 M5.6 127 km 9 km
Jun 28, 1992 11km SSE of Big Bear Lake, California M5.5 91 km 10 km
Feb 28, 1990 The 1990 Upland, California Earthquake M5.5 58 km 3 km
Jun 28, 1992 0km E of Yucca Valley, CA M5.5 121 km 8 km
Jul 7, 2010 20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA M5.4 107 km 12 km
Jun 28, 1992 26km NNW of Yucca Valley, CA M5.4 128 km 4 km
Jul 1, 1992 24km N of Yucca Valley, California M5.3 130 km 5 km
Nov 27, 1992 10km NNW of Big Bear City, California M5.3 102 km 0 km
Sep 15, 1992 9km SE of Yucca Valley, California M5.3 124 km 7 km
Jun 28, 1992 1km N of Big Bear Lake, California M5.3 94 km 7 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

112 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 58 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
May 22, 2008 EF2 42 km 2.8 mi 0
Mar 1, 1983 EF2 81 km 3.5 mi 0
Nov 9, 1982 EF2 58 km 10.0 mi 0
Nov 9, 1982 EF2 99 km 1.0 mi 0
Nov 7, 1966 EF2 71 km 0.1 mi 0
Nov 7, 1966 EF2 72 km 10.3 mi 0
Nov 7, 1966 EF2 30 km 0.2 mi 0
Mar 22, 2023 EF1 63 km 0.5 mi 0
Jan 19, 2010 EF1 50 km 4.6 mi 0
Feb 19, 2005 EF1 43 km 2.8 mi 0
Nov 10, 2000 EF1 93 km 0.4 mi 0
Jan 29, 1998 EF1 71 km 0.5 mi 0
Jan 9, 1998 EF1 55 km 1.5 mi 0
Dec 21, 1997 EF1 37 km 1.0 mi 0
Nov 11, 1997 EF1 21 km 0.2 mi 0
Dec 22, 1996 EF1 82 km 0.1 mi 0
Jan 14, 1993 EF1 43 km 1.0 mi 0
Dec 7, 1992 EF1 37 km 0.1 mi 0
Dec 7, 1992 EF1 39 km 0.1 mi 0
Mar 20, 1992 EF1 75 km 0.2 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 1 106 km
1862 S. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake 1.2 m — 110 km
1994 WEST COAST, USA Earthquake 0.1 m 57 108 km
1855 S. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake — — 70 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Salton Buttes (190 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Salton Buttes Lava dome(s) -40 m (-131 ft) 210 190 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: WITCH (167,551 acres, 2007).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2007 WITCH 167,551 99 km
2009 STATION 165,368 92 km
2020 BOBCAT 115,728 83 km
2003 OLD 90,180 74 km
1999 WILLOW 63,525 91 km
2003 PARADISE 55,995 79 km
2003 GRAND PRIX 50,799 63 km
2007 POOMACHA 47,496 73 km
2006 ESPERANZA 40,566 71 km
2002 WILLIAMS 37,505 65 km
2016 BLUE CUT 36,856 77 km
2008 YELLOW 33,232 30 km
2020 APPLE 32,374 81 km
2015 LAKE 30,421 96 km
2008 FREEWAY COMPLEX 29,350 35 km
2022 FAIRVIEW 28,680 68 km
2013 MOUNTAIN 28,202 90 km
2007 SANTIAGO 27,605 11 km
1998 EDNA 27,561 63 km
2020 INDIA 24,193 30 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 59°F (15°C) 2.8 in
February 55°F (13°C) 2.9 in Wettest
March 56°F (13°C) 2.7 in
April 59°F (15°C) 1.0 in
May 62°F (17°C) 0.3 in
June 67°F (19°C) 0.1 in
July 75°F (24°C) 0.0 in Warmest, Driest
August 74°F (23°C) 0.1 in
September 72°F (22°C) 0.4 in
October 67°F (19°C) 0.4 in
November 60°F (15°C) 1.5 in
December 55°F (13°C) 2.1 in Coldest

Rancho Santa Margarita has a seasonal temperature swing of 20°F / from 55°F in December to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 14.3 inches, with February being the wettest month (2.9") and July the driest (0.0").

View full profile of Rancho Santa Margarita, CA →