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Weather & Climate in Ridgecrest, LA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Ridgecrest enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. The area gets 313 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 60.1 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42. The city sits at an elevation of 56 feet.
Temperature
46°F Jan (8°C)
80°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 64.2°F |
| 19% above US avg | |
| January Average | 46°F (8°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 313 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 56 ft (17 m) |
| Area | 0.2 sq mi (0.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,670/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 31.6018°N, 91.5304°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Concordia Parish County |
| Nearest Airport | Esler Regional (ESF) 47 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 42.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 31.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 89.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 39.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | No Rating |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1 earthquake (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.0.
| Aug 2, 2010 | 16 km ESE of Clinton, Louisiana | M3.0 | 109 km | 0 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
18 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 4.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2024 | Francine | Category 2 | 104 mph | 231 km |
| 2021 | Ida | Category 4 | 150 mph | 131 km |
| 2020 | Laura | Category 4 | 150 mph | 155 km |
| 2020 | Zeta | Category 3 | 115 mph | 220 km |
| 2020 | Delta | Category 2 | 98 mph | 212 km |
| 2019 | Barry | Category 1 | 75 mph | 232 km |
| 2017 | Nate | Category 1 | 86 mph | 276 km |
| 2012 | Isaac | Category 1 | 81 mph | 264 km |
| 2008 | Gustav | Category 2 | 104 mph | 149 km |
| 2007 | Humberto | Category 1 | 92 mph | 245 km |
| 2005 | Rita | Category 3 | 115 mph | 274 km |
| 2005 | Katrina | Category 3 | 127 mph | 192 km |
| 2002 | Lili | Category 1 | 92 mph | 193 km |
| 1998 | Georges | Category 2 | 109 mph | 274 km |
| 1992 | Andrew | Category 4 | 138 mph | 124 km |
| 1985 | Elena | Category 3 | 115 mph | 193 km |
| 1985 | Danny | Category 1 | 92 mph | 210 km |
| 1985 | Juan | Category 1 | 86 mph | 224 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
529 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 98 fatalities, 1,309 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Feb 21, 1971 | EF5 | 87 km | 109.2 mi | 47 |
| Apr 24, 2010 | EF4 | 92 km | 149.0 mi | 10 |
| Mar 29, 1976 | EF4 | 86 km | 126.5 mi | 0 |
| Jan 23, 1969 | EF4 | 46 km | 117.8 mi | 32 |
| Dec 28, 2024 | EF3 | 68 km | 26.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 29, 2022 | EF3 | 65 km | 7.9 mi | 0 |
| Dec 16, 2019 | EF3 | 76 km | 29.3 mi | 0 |
| Sep 24, 2005 | EF3 | 13 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 23, 2004 | EF3 | 75 km | 15.0 mi | 1 |
| Nov 23, 2004 | EF3 | 34 km | 18.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 21, 1999 | EF3 | 42 km | 22.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 21, 1992 | EF3 | 25 km | 38.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 21, 1992 | EF3 | 23 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 21, 1990 | EF3 | 22 km | 18.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 19, 1983 | EF3 | 99 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1983 | EF3 | 85 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1983 | EF3 | 79 km | 12.0 mi | 1 |
| May 19, 1983 | EF3 | 77 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 1983 | EF3 | 87 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 1983 | EF3 | 56 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (4,768 acres, 2013).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 4,768 | 64 km |
| 2022 | HOMOCHITTO BB51 | 4,411 | 56 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 4,022 | 66 km |
| 2010 | HOMOCHITTO BURN BLOCK 18 | 3,826 | 67 km |
| 2010 | HOMOCHITTO BURN BLOCK 25 | 3,676 | 56 km |
| 2024 | RX CAT C-40-41-42 | 3,635 | 95 km |
| 2021 | HOMOCHITTO - BB 7 | 3,028 | 72 km |
| 2010 | COMPARTMENT 100 PBURN | 2,890 | 82 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 2,860 | 93 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 2,802 | 72 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 2,677 | 90 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 2,666 | 45 km |
| 2022 | C-32/33/34 | 2,580 | 87 km |
| 2020 | UNNAMED | 2,539 | 96 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 2,523 | 96 km |
| 2024 | RX CAT C-8-9 | 2,513 | 92 km |
| 2024 | RX C-52 53 54 | 2,489 | 86 km |
| 2022 | HOMOCHITTO BB24 | 2,458 | 65 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 2,444 | 74 km |
| 2010 | HOMOCHITTO BURN BLOCK 48 | 2,394 | 63 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 46°F (8°C) | 6.1 in | Coldest |
| February | 51°F (11°C) | 5.0 in | |
| March | 59°F (15°C) | 6.3 in | Wettest |
| April | 66°F (19°C) | 5.5 in | |
| May | 74°F (23°C) | 5.5 in | |
| June | 80°F (26°C) | 4.5 in | |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 4.1 in | |
| August | 82°F (28°C) | 3.7 in | Warmest, Driest |
| September | 77°F (25°C) | 3.8 in | |
| October | 67°F (19°C) | 4.1 in | |
| November | 57°F (14°C) | 5.4 in | |
| December | 50°F (10°C) | 6.3 in |
Ridgecrest has a seasonal temperature swing of 35°F / from 46°F in January to 82°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 60.3 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.3") and August the driest (3.7").