Weather & Climate in San Diego, CA

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

San Diego enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 53°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 328 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 22.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Moderate with a median AQI of 71 / residents may notice occasional air quality concerns. 13% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 420 feet.

Temperature

53°F Jan (12°C) 69°F Jul (21°C)

Annual Average	61.0°F
	13% above US avg
January Average	53°F (12°C)
July Average	69°F (21°C)
Sunny Days	328 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	420 ft (128 m)
Area	372.4 sq mi (964.5 km²)
Population Density	4,247/sq mi
Coordinates	32.8150°N, 117.1356°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	San Diego County County
Nearest Airport	San Diego International (SAN) 6 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 22.1"

42% below US avg

Snowfall 0.0"

Wettest Month (Mar) 2.40"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.04"

Air Quality

AQI Median	71.0
Rating	Moderate
Good Days %	12.8%
Unhealthy Days	52

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very High
Risk Score	99.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability	24.8 / 100
Community Resilience	8.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Hurricane	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively High
Wildfire	Very High
Flood	Very High
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave	Relatively High
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Very Low
Landslide	Relatively High
Coastal Flood	Relatively Moderate
Tsunami	Relatively Low
Volcano	Very Low
Avalanche	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

7,550 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.1.

Apr 23, 1992	The 1992 Joshua Tree, California Earthquake	M6.1	148 km	12 km
Jun 15, 2010	8km ESE of Ocotillo, CA	M5.7	115 km	9 km
Jul 7, 2010	20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA	M5.4	91 km	12 km
Aug 26, 2012	5km NNW of Brawley, CA	M5.3	149 km	8 km
Mar 23, 1994	35km E of Maneadero, B.C., MX	M5.3	149 km	5 km
Apr 4, 2010	15km SSW of Progreso, B.C., MX	M5.3	146 km	10 km
Jun 5, 2021	11km W of Calipatria, CA	M5.3	145 km	6 km
Apr 14, 2025	5 km S of Julian, CA	M5.2	56 km	14 km
Jun 12, 2005	10km ESE of Anza, CA	M5.2	96 km	13 km
Jun 10, 2016	20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA	M5.2	94 km	12 km
Mar 29, 2014	2km NW of Brea, CA	M5.1	144 km	5 km
Oct 31, 2001	16km ESE of Anza, CA	M5.0	96 km	14 km
Jun 30, 1992	14km ENE of Desert Hot Springs, CA	M5.0	150 km	1 km
May 4, 1992	16km NNE of Thousand Palms, California	M5.0	147 km	12 km
Jun 15, 2004	67km SE of San Clemente Is. (SE tip), CA	M5.0	90 km	10 km
May 18, 1992	15km E of Desert Hot Springs, California	M5.0	147 km	6 km
Apr 5, 2010	20km ESE of Ocotillo, CA	M5.0	126 km	1 km
Jul 24, 1992	13km NE of Thousand Palms, California	M5.0	144 km	7 km
Apr 5, 2010	19km ESE of Ocotillo, CA	M4.9	125 km	14 km
May 22, 2010	17km WNW of Progreso, B.C., MX	M4.9	131 km	8 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

36 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1. Total: 4 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Feb 19, 2005	EF1	74 km	2.8 mi	0
Nov 10, 2000	EF1	19 km	0.4 mi	0
Jan 29, 1998	EF1	30 km	0.5 mi	0
Mar 27, 1991	EF1	37 km	0.2 mi	0
Mar 19, 1991	EF1	8 km	1.0 mi	0
Nov 9, 1982	EF1	99 km	0.2 mi	0
Feb 20, 1980	EF1	7 km	0.1 mi	0
Dec 18, 1978	EF1	49 km	0.8 mi	0
Oct 8, 1961	EF1	44 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 1, 1958	EF1	98 km	0.5 mi	0
Apr 13, 1956	EF1	21 km	0.1 mi	0
Oct 8, 2022	EF0	99 km	1.6 mi	0
Aug 16, 2018	EF0	93 km	0.2 mi	0
Oct 17, 2015	EF0	98 km	0.0 mi	0
Sep 22, 2007	EF0	27 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 11, 2006	EF0	37 km	2.0 mi	0
Mar 10, 2006	EF0	30 km	0.2 mi	0
Feb 26, 2005	EF0	100 km	2.0 mi	0
Feb 23, 2005	EF0	21 km	0.1 mi	0
Feb 19, 2005	EF0	67 km	2.2 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Tsunami History

1 tsunami recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 1.2 m (4 ft).

Year	Location	Cause	Max Wave	Deaths	Distance
1862	S. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	1.2 m	—	14 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Salton Buttes (148 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Salton Buttes	Lava dome(s)	-40 m (-131 ft)	210	148 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	37 km
2007	WITCH	167,551	45 km
2007	HARRIS	90,443	39 km
2002	PINES	65,407	64 km
2003	PARADISE	55,995	48 km
2007	POOMACHA	47,496	58 km
2003	MINE/OTAY	37,232	34 km
2008	YELLOW	33,232	71 km
2022	FAIRVIEW	28,680	99 km
2020	INDIA	24,193	71 km
1993	CALIFORNIA	23,899	92 km
1993	ORTEGA	20,912	92 km
2003	COYOTE	19,215	82 km
2007	AMMO FIRE	19,213	66 km
1993	GUEJITO	17,141	38 km
2006	HORSE	16,659	49 km
2020	VALLEY	16,517	43 km
1986	UNNAMED	16,390	75 km
1989	VAIL	15,632	70 km
2014	PULGAS	14,937	61 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	53°F (12°C)	2.3 in	Coldest
February	58°F (15°C)	2.2 in
March	59°F (15°C)	2.4 in	Wettest
April	62°F (17°C)	0.9 in
May	65°F (18°C)	0.2 in
June	68°F (20°C)	0.1 in
July	69°F (21°C)	0.0 in	Driest
August	74°F (23°C)	0.1 in	Warmest
September	72°F (22°C)	0.2 in
October	68°F (20°C)	0.4 in
November	62°F (17°C)	1.3 in
December	57°F (14°C)	1.5 in

San Diego has a seasonal temperature swing of 21°F / from 53°F in January to 74°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 11.9 inches, with March being the wettest month (2.4") and July the driest (0.0").

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