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Weather & Climate in San Clemente, CA

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

San Clemente enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 56°F in January while summers reach 70°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 12.7 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 243 feet.

Temperature

56°F Jan (14°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average63.1°F
17% above US avg
January Average56°F (14°C)
July Average70°F (21°C)
Sunny Days330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation243 ft (74 m)
Area19.1 sq mi (49.5 km²)
Population Density3,459/sq mi
Coordinates33.4491°N, 117.6131°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyOrange County County
Nearest AirportJohn Wayne/Orange County (SNA)
21 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 12.7"
67% below US avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Jan) 2.56"
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

9,763 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.3.

Jun 28, 1992 The 1992 Landers, California Earthquake M7.3 137 km 0 km
Jan 17, 1994 Northridge, California, earthquake M6.7 120 km 18 km
Jun 28, 1992 The 1992 Big Bear, California Earthquake M6.3 111 km 4 km
Apr 23, 1992 The 1992 Joshua Tree, California Earthquake M6.1 133 km 12 km
Jan 17, 1994 1km ENE of Granada Hills, California M5.9 123 km 5 km
Jun 28, 1991 The 1991 Sierra Madre, California Earthquake M5.8 98 km 8 km
Jun 28, 1992 3km NE of Yucca Valley, California M5.8 135 km -1 km
Jun 28, 1992 2km SSW of Joshua Tree, California M5.7 141 km 6 km
Jun 29, 1992 3km ESE of Yucca Valley, California M5.7 134 km 10 km
Oct 16, 1999 7km ENE of Running Springs, CA M5.6 103 km 6 km
Jan 17, 1994 7km NNE of Simi Valley, California M5.6 140 km 9 km
Jun 28, 1992 11km SSE of Big Bear Lake, California M5.5 106 km 10 km
Feb 28, 1990 The 1990 Upland, California Earthquake M5.5 78 km 3 km
Jun 28, 1992 0km E of Yucca Valley, CA M5.5 132 km 8 km
Jul 7, 2010 20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA M5.4 106 km 12 km
Jun 28, 1992 26km NNW of Yucca Valley, CA M5.4 142 km 4 km
Jul 1, 1992 24km N of Yucca Valley, California M5.3 144 km 5 km
Nov 27, 1992 10km NNW of Big Bear City, California M5.3 119 km 0 km
Jun 28, 1992 1km N of Big Bear Lake, California M5.3 111 km 7 km
Dec 4, 1992 10km SE of Lucerne Valley, California M5.3 122 km 1 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

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

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
May 22, 2008 EF2 59 km 2.8 mi 0
Mar 1, 1983 EF2 92 km 3.5 mi 0
Nov 9, 1982 EF2 66 km 10.0 mi 0
Nov 7, 1966 EF2 80 km 10.3 mi 0
Nov 7, 1966 EF2 36 km 0.2 mi 0
Nov 7, 1966 EF2 81 km 0.1 mi 0
Mar 22, 2023 EF1 77 km 0.5 mi 0
Jan 19, 2010 EF1 56 km 4.6 mi 0
Feb 19, 2005 EF1 41 km 2.8 mi 0
Nov 10, 2000 EF1 78 km 0.4 mi 0
Jan 29, 1998 EF1 53 km 0.5 mi 0
Jan 9, 1998 EF1 63 km 1.5 mi 0
Dec 21, 1997 EF1 44 km 1.0 mi 0
Nov 11, 1997 EF1 32 km 0.2 mi 0
Dec 22, 1996 EF1 93 km 0.1 mi 0
Jan 14, 1993 EF1 57 km 1.0 mi 0
Dec 7, 1992 EF1 51 km 0.1 mi 0
Dec 7, 1992 EF1 49 km 0.1 mi 0
Mar 20, 1992 EF1 89 km 0.2 mi 0
Mar 27, 1991 EF1 53 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 1 115 km
1862 S. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake 1.2 m — 92 km
1994 WEST COAST, USA Earthquake 0.1 m 57 120 km
1855 S. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake — — 85 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Salton Buttes (188 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Salton Buttes Lava dome(s) -40 m (-131 ft) 210 188 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 97 km
2007 WITCH 167,551 89 km
2003 OLD 90,180 94 km
2003 PARADISE 55,995 70 km
2003 GRAND PRIX 50,799 83 km
2007 POOMACHA 47,496 67 km
2006 ESPERANZA 40,566 82 km
2002 WILLIAMS 37,505 84 km
2016 BLUE CUT 36,856 98 km
2008 YELLOW 33,232 16 km
2020 APPLE 32,374 95 km
2008 FREEWAY COMPLEX 29,350 54 km
2022 FAIRVIEW 28,680 73 km
2013 MOUNTAIN 28,202 96 km
2007 SANTIAGO 27,605 30 km
1998 EDNA 27,561 76 km
2020 INDIA 24,193 18 km
1993 CALIFORNIA 23,899 58 km
2018 HOLY 22,845 31 km
2020 EL DORADO 22,300 93 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 56°F (14°C) 2.6 in Wettest
February 56°F (13°C) 2.5 in
March 56°F (13°C) 2.4 in
April 59°F (15°C) 0.9 in
May 62°F (17°C) 0.2 in
June 66°F (19°C) 0.1 in
July 70°F (21°C) 0.0 in Driest
August 72°F (22°C) 0.1 in Warmest
September 70°F (21°C) 0.4 in
October 66°F (19°C) 0.3 in
November 60°F (15°C) 1.4 in
December 55°F (13°C) 1.9 in Coldest

San Clemente has a seasonal temperature swing of 16°F / from 55°F in December to 72°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 12.8 inches, with January being the wettest month (2.6") and July the driest (0.0").

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