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Weather & Climate in Ridgecrest, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Ridgecrest enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F (19°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 88°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 4.7 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 2,287 feet.
Temperature
46°F Jan (8°C)
88°F Jul (31°C)
| Annual Average | 65.3°F |
| 21% above US avg | |
| January Average | 46°F (8°C) |
| July Average | 88°F (31°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,287 ft (697 m) |
| Area | 21.4 sq mi (55.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,349/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.6285°N, 117.6640°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Kern County County |
| Nearest Airport | Bob Hope (BUR) 106 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 48.0 |
| Rating | Good |
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
8,387 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.1.
| Jul 6, 2019 | Ridgecrest Earthquake Sequence | M7.1 | 17 km | 8 km |
| Jul 4, 2019 | Ridgecrest Earthquake Sequence | M6.4 | 17 km | 11 km |
| Jun 24, 2020 | 18km SSE of Lone Pine, CA | M5.8 | 95 km | 5 km |
| Sep 20, 1995 | 16km NNE of Ridgecrest, California | M5.8 | 15 km | 5 km |
| Jul 11, 1992 | 12km NW of California City, California | M5.7 | 59 km | 10 km |
| Jun 4, 2020 | 17km S of Searles Valley, CA | M5.5 | 21 km | 8 km |
| Jul 6, 2019 | 15km ESE of Little Lake, CA | M5.5 | 31 km | 5 km |
| Jul 6, 2019 | 20km E of Little Lake, CA | M5.4 | 31 km | 7 km |
| Jul 5, 2019 | 16km W of Searles Valley, CA | M5.4 | 17 km | 7 km |
| Aug 17, 1995 | 17km N of Ridgecrest, California | M5.4 | 16 km | 5 km |
| Nov 27, 1996 | 27km E of Coso Junction, California | M5.3 | 50 km | 0 km |
| Mar 18, 1997 | 20km ENE of Barstow, California | M5.3 | 106 km | 1 km |
| Mar 6, 1998 | 28km E of Coso Junction, California | M5.2 | 49 km | 0 km |
| Aug 7, 2024 | 24 km SW of Lamont, CA | M5.2 | 142 km | 12 km |
| May 28, 1993 | 21km SW of Lamont, California | M5.2 | 141 km | 21 km |
| Oct 3, 2009 | 18km NE of Olancha, CA | M5.2 | 87 km | -2 km |
| Jul 17, 2001 | 7km ESE of Coso Junction, CA | M5.2 | 47 km | 2 km |
| Jan 7, 1996 | 16km N of Ridgecrest, California | M5.2 | 15 km | 3 km |
| Mar 7, 1998 | 30km E of Coso Junction, California | M5.0 | 50 km | 0 km |
| Sep 29, 2004 | 25km SSW of Bodfish, California | M5.0 | 91 km | 3 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
4 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF0.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 16, 2019 | EF0 | 3 km | 1.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 26, 1995 | EF0 | 77 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 26, 1991 | EF0 | 2 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 25, 1991 | EF0 | 6 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
2 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Golden Trout Creek (100 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Golden Trout Creek | Volcanic field | 2,886 m (9,469 ft) | -5550 | 100 km |
| Ubehebe Craters | Maar(s) | 752 m (2,467 ft) | -150 | 156 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: MCNALLY (146,540 acres, 2002).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2002 | MCNALLY | 146,540 | 82 km |
| 2021 | WINDY | 97,831 | 93 km |
| 2000 | MANTER | 76,158 | 58 km |
| 2016 | ERSKINE | 48,066 | 61 km |
| 2020 | COLES FLAT | 41,143 | 50 km |
| 2008 | PIUTE | 36,251 | 63 km |
| 2016 | CEDAR | 29,191 | 84 km |
| 2021 | FRENCH | 27,331 | 82 km |
| 2011 | BRECKENRIDGE COMPLEX | 27,229 | 97 km |
| 1984 | BODFISH | 23,189 | 66 km |
| 1990 | STORMY | 23,157 | 80 km |
| 2010 | BULL | 17,238 | 74 km |
| 2017 | SCHAEFFER | 16,100 | 82 km |
| 2008 | CLOVER | 14,778 | 68 km |
| 2011 | CANYON | 14,707 | 95 km |
| 2012 | JAWBONE COMPLEX | 12,211 | 64 km |
| 2007 | WHITE | 11,784 | 100 km |
| 2010 | CANYON | 11,064 | 80 km |
| 1987 | FAY | 10,177 | 58 km |
| 2005 | CHINA LAKE | 10,165 | 37 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 46°F (8°C) | 0.7 in | Wettest |
| February | 50°F (10°C) | 0.7 in | |
| March | 55°F (13°C) | 0.4 in | |
| April | 62°F (16°C) | 0.2 in | |
| May | 71°F (21°C) | 0.0 in | Driest |
| June | 80°F (27°C) | 0.0 in | |
| July | 88°F (31°C) | 0.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 84°F (29°C) | 0.3 in | |
| September | 77°F (25°C) | 0.2 in | |
| October | 66°F (19°C) | 0.1 in | |
| November | 53°F (12°C) | 0.4 in | |
| December | 45°F (7°C) | 0.5 in | Coldest |
Ridgecrest has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 45°F in December to 88°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 3.7 inches, with January being the wettest month (0.7") and May the driest (0.0").