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Weather & Climate in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
San Juan Capistrano 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 125 feet.
Temperature
56°F Jan (14°C)
70°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 63.1°F |
| 17% above US avg | |
| January Average | 56°F (14°C) |
| July Average | 70°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 125 ft (38 m) |
| Area | 14.3 sq mi (37.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,425/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 33.5009°N, 117.6544°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Orange County County |
| Nearest Airport | John Wayne/Orange County (SNA) 17 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 48.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very High |
| Risk Score | 99.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 24.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 16.3 / 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
9,765 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 | 114 km | 18 km |
| Jun 28, 1992 | The 1992 Big Bear, California Earthquake | M6.3 | 109 km | 4 km |
| Apr 23, 1992 | The 1992 Joshua Tree, California Earthquake | M6.1 | 134 km | 12 km |
| Jan 17, 1994 | 1km ENE of Granada Hills, California | M5.9 | 116 km | 5 km |
| Jun 28, 1991 | The 1991 Sierra Madre, California Earthquake | M5.8 | 91 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 | 100 km | 6 km |
| Jan 17, 1994 | 7km NNE of Simi Valley, California | M5.6 | 133 km | 9 km |
| Jun 28, 1992 | 11km SSE of Big Bear Lake, California | M5.5 | 104 km | 10 km |
| Feb 28, 1990 | The 1990 Upland, California Earthquake | M5.5 | 72 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 | 110 km | 12 km |
| Jun 28, 1992 | 26km NNW of Yucca Valley, CA | M5.4 | 141 km | 4 km |
| Jul 1, 1992 | 24km N of Yucca Valley, California | M5.3 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Nov 27, 1992 | 10km NNW of Big Bear City, California | M5.3 | 116 km | 0 km |
| Jun 28, 1992 | 1km N of Big Bear Lake, California | M5.3 | 108 km | 7 km |
| Dec 4, 1992 | 10km SE of Lucerne Valley, California | M5.3 | 119 km | 1 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
113 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 58 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 22, 2008 | EF2 | 56 km | 2.8 mi | 0 |
| Mar 1, 1983 | EF2 | 85 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Nov 9, 1982 | EF2 | 59 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 7, 1966 | EF2 | 74 km | 10.3 mi | 0 |
| Nov 7, 1966 | EF2 | 30 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Nov 7, 1966 | EF2 | 74 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 22, 2023 | EF1 | 70 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jan 19, 2010 | EF1 | 50 km | 4.6 mi | 0 |
| Feb 19, 2005 | EF1 | 45 km | 2.8 mi | 0 |
| Nov 10, 2000 | EF1 | 85 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Jan 29, 1998 | EF1 | 60 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jan 9, 1998 | EF1 | 57 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 21, 1997 | EF1 | 37 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 11, 1997 | EF1 | 25 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Dec 22, 1996 | EF1 | 93 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jan 14, 1993 | EF1 | 50 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 7, 1992 | EF1 | 44 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Dec 7, 1992 | EF1 | 42 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 20, 1992 | EF1 | 82 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 1991 | EF1 | 60 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 | 109 km |
| 1862 | S. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | 1.2 m | — | 99 km |
| 1994 | WEST COAST, USA | Earthquake | 0.1 m | 57 | 114 km |
| 1855 | S. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | — | — | 78 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Salton Buttes (192 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Salton Buttes | Lava dome(s) | -40 m (-131 ft) | 210 | 192 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 | 95 km |
| 2020 | BOBCAT | 115,728 | 95 km |
| 2003 | OLD | 90,180 | 90 km |
| 2003 | PARADISE | 55,995 | 76 km |
| 2003 | GRAND PRIX | 50,799 | 78 km |
| 2007 | POOMACHA | 47,496 | 72 km |
| 2006 | ESPERANZA | 40,566 | 82 km |
| 2002 | WILLIAMS | 37,505 | 78 km |
| 2016 | BLUE CUT | 36,856 | 93 km |
| 2008 | YELLOW | 33,232 | 22 km |
| 2020 | APPLE | 32,374 | 94 km |
| 2008 | FREEWAY COMPLEX | 29,350 | 47 km |
| 2022 | FAIRVIEW | 28,680 | 75 km |
| 2013 | MOUNTAIN | 28,202 | 98 km |
| 2007 | SANTIAGO | 27,605 | 24 km |
| 1998 | EDNA | 27,561 | 75 km |
| 2020 | INDIA | 24,193 | 24 km |
| 1993 | CALIFORNIA | 23,899 | 60 km |
| 2018 | HOLY | 22,845 | 28 km |
| 2020 | EL DORADO | 22,300 | 91 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 56°F (14°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 | 70°F (21°C) | 0.0 in | Driest |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 0.1 in | Warmest |
| 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 |
San Juan Capistrano has a seasonal temperature swing of 19°F / from 55°F in December to 74°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 14.3 inches, with February being the wettest month (2.9") and July the driest (0.0").