All Countries
Weather & Climate in Searles Valley, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Searles Valley enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 68°F (20°C). Winters average 47°F in January while summers reach 91°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 3.6 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 1,863 feet.
Temperature
47°F Jan (9°C)
91°F Jul (33°C)
| Annual Average | 68.4°F |
| 27% above US avg | |
| January Average | 47°F (9°C) |
| July Average | 91°F (33°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,863 ft (568 m) |
| Area | 10.5 sq mi (27.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 162/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.7700°N, 117.3967°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Inyo County County |
| Nearest Airport | San Bernardino International (SBD) 116 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 48.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 79.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 83.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 25.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively High |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
8,527 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.1.
| Jul 6, 2019 | Ridgecrest Earthquake Sequence | M7.1 | 18 km | 8 km |
| Jul 4, 2019 | Ridgecrest Earthquake Sequence | M6.4 | 12 km | 11 km |
| Jun 24, 2020 | 18km SSE of Lone Pine, CA | M5.8 | 92 km | 5 km |
| Jun 29, 1992 | 47 km ESE of Beatty, Nevada | M5.8 | 144 km | 9 km |
| Sep 20, 1995 | 16km NNE of Ridgecrest, California | M5.8 | 22 km | 5 km |
| Jul 11, 1992 | 12km NW of California City, California | M5.7 | 87 km | 10 km |
| Jun 4, 2020 | 17km S of Searles Valley, CA | M5.5 | 18 km | 8 km |
| Jul 6, 2019 | 15km ESE of Little Lake, CA | M5.5 | 35 km | 5 km |
| Jul 6, 2019 | 20km E of Little Lake, CA | M5.4 | 30 km | 7 km |
| Jul 5, 2019 | 16km W of Searles Valley, CA | M5.4 | 16 km | 7 km |
| Aug 17, 1995 | 17km N of Ridgecrest, California | M5.4 | 24 km | 5 km |
| Nov 27, 1996 | 27km E of Coso Junction, California | M5.3 | 41 km | 0 km |
| Mar 18, 1997 | 20km ENE of Barstow, California | M5.3 | 103 km | 1 km |
| Mar 6, 1998 | 28km E of Coso Junction, California | M5.2 | 40 km | 0 km |
| Oct 3, 2009 | 18km NE of Olancha, CA | M5.2 | 81 km | -2 km |
| Jan 7, 1996 | 16km N of Ridgecrest, California | M5.2 | 23 km | 3 km |
| Jul 17, 2001 | 7km ESE of Coso Junction, CA | M5.2 | 51 km | 2 km |
| Mar 7, 1998 | 30km E of Coso Junction, California | M5.0 | 39 km | 0 km |
| Sep 29, 2004 | 25km SSW of Bodfish, California | M5.0 | 119 km | 3 km |
| Oct 1, 2009 | 18km NE of Olancha, CA | M5.0 | 80 km | 4 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
3 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF0.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 16, 2019 | EF0 | 28 km | 1.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 26, 1991 | EF0 | 30 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 25, 1991 | EF0 | 28 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 (106 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Golden Trout Creek | Volcanic field | 2,886 m (9,469 ft) | -5550 | 106 km |
| Ubehebe Craters | Maar(s) | 752 m (2,467 ft) | -150 | 139 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 | 96 km |
| 2000 | MANTER | 76,158 | 73 km |
| 2016 | ERSKINE | 48,066 | 88 km |
| 2020 | COLES FLAT | 41,143 | 39 km |
| 2008 | PIUTE | 36,251 | 91 km |
| 1984 | BODFISH | 23,189 | 92 km |
| 2010 | BULL | 17,238 | 95 km |
| 2017 | SCHAEFFER | 16,100 | 94 km |
| 2008 | CLOVER | 14,778 | 74 km |
| 2012 | JAWBONE COMPLEX | 12,211 | 92 km |
| 1987 | FAY | 10,177 | 80 km |
| 2005 | CHINA LAKE | 10,165 | 19 km |
| 2020 | JUNCTION RANCH | 9,337 | 29 km |
| 2006 | CALICO | 9,274 | 82 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 9,044 | 34 km |
| 1993 | OPAL 2 | 8,223 | 70 km |
| 2003 | SUMMIT COMPLEX | 6,370 | 84 km |
| 2000 | HAPPY | 5,987 | 45 km |
| 1984 | UNNAMED | 5,585 | 87 km |
| 1997 | JACKS | 5,342 | 65 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 47°F (9°C) | 0.8 in | Wettest |
| February | 51°F (10°C) | 0.7 in | |
| March | 56°F (13°C) | 0.5 in | |
| April | 62°F (17°C) | 0.2 in | |
| May | 71°F (22°C) | 0.1 in | |
| June | 81°F (27°C) | 0.1 in | Driest |
| July | 91°F (33°C) | 0.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 86°F (30°C) | 0.4 in | |
| September | 78°F (26°C) | 0.2 in | |
| October | 67°F (19°C) | 0.2 in | |
| November | 54°F (12°C) | 0.4 in | |
| December | 46°F (8°C) | 0.5 in | Coldest |
Searles Valley has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 46°F in December to 91°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 4.2 inches, with January being the wettest month (0.8") and June the driest (0.1").