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Weather & Climate in Thermal, CA

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

Thermal has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 73°F (23°C). Winters average 55°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 3.0 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 -133 feet.

Temperature

55°F Jan (13°C) 91°F Jul (33°C)
Annual Average72.5°F
34% above US avg
January Average55°F (13°C)
July Average91°F (33°C)
Sunny Days330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation-133 ft (-41 m)
Area9.4 sq mi (24.3 km²)
Population Density151/sq mi
Coordinates33.6262°N, 116.1308°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyRiverside County County
Nearest AirportJacqueline Cochran Regional (TRM)
2 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 3.0"
92% below US avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Jan) 0.67"
Driest Month (May) 0.04"

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery High
Risk Score99.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability33.3 / 100
Community Resilience13.0 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Moderate
Hurricane Very Low
Earthquake Very High
Wildfire Very High
Flood Very High
Hail Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave Relatively High
Winter Weather Relatively Moderate
Lightning Relatively Moderate
Drought Relatively Low
Cold Wave Very Low
Landslide Relatively High
Volcano Very Low
Avalanche Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

13,932 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.3.

Jun 28, 1992 The 1992 Landers, California Earthquake M7.3 70 km 0 km
Oct 16, 1999 The 1999 Hector Mine, California Earthquake M7.1 109 km 14 km
Jun 28, 1992 The 1992 Big Bear, California Earthquake M6.3 91 km 4 km
Apr 23, 1992 The 1992 Joshua Tree, California Earthquake M6.1 41 km 12 km
Oct 16, 1999 13km WSW of Ludlow, CA M5.8 118 km 14 km
Jun 28, 1992 3km NE of Yucca Valley, California M5.8 62 km -1 km
Jun 15, 2010 8km ESE of Ocotillo, CA M5.7 104 km 9 km
Jun 28, 1992 2km SSW of Joshua Tree, California M5.7 58 km 6 km
Jun 29, 1992 3km ESE of Yucca Valley, California M5.7 59 km 10 km
Oct 16, 1999 7km ENE of Running Springs, CA M5.6 108 km 6 km
Jun 28, 1992 11km SSE of Big Bear Lake, California M5.5 89 km 10 km
Jun 28, 1992 0km E of Yucca Valley, CA M5.5 61 km 8 km
Jul 7, 2010 20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA M5.4 39 km 12 km
Jul 5, 1992 21km SW of Ludlow, California M5.4 108 km 5 km
Aug 26, 2012 4km NNW of Brawley, CA M5.4 87 km 8 km
Jun 28, 1992 26km NNW of Yucca Valley, CA M5.4 87 km 4 km
Oct 16, 1999 32km SSW of Ludlow, California M5.4 91 km 1 km
Jul 1, 1992 24km N of Yucca Valley, California M5.3 84 km 5 km
Aug 26, 2012 5km NNW of Brawley, CA M5.3 86 km 8 km
Nov 27, 1992 10km NNW of Big Bear City, California M5.3 106 km 0 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

27 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 12 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Feb 9, 1978 EF3 33 km 2.0 mi 0
Sep 7, 1982 EF2 71 km 0.5 mi 0
Aug 6, 2015 EF1 7 km 4.0 mi 0
Aug 4, 2008 EF1 91 km 1.1 mi 0
Feb 19, 2005 EF1 98 km 2.8 mi 0
Dec 22, 1996 EF1 68 km 0.1 mi 0
Oct 22, 1974 EF1 65 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 20, 1974 EF1 77 km 1.0 mi 0
Aug 16, 2018 EF0 52 km 0.2 mi 0
Oct 17, 2015 EF0 93 km 0.0 mi 0
Jul 19, 2015 EF0 79 km 0.2 mi 0
Apr 21, 2015 EF0 70 km 10.0 mi 0
Aug 12, 2012 EF0 100 km 0.5 mi 0
Jul 23, 2006 EF0 95 km 1.0 mi 0
Mar 11, 2006 EF0 95 km 2.0 mi 0
Jul 23, 2005 EF0 77 km 2.0 mi 0
Feb 19, 2005 EF0 97 km 2.2 mi 0
Jan 9, 2005 EF0 78 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 14, 2004 EF0 84 km 1.0 mi 0
Jul 7, 2001 EF0 59 km 1.0 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 — 143 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Salton Buttes (68 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Salton Buttes Lava dome(s) -40 m (-131 ft) 210 68 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 85 km
2006 MILLARD 86,585 71 km
2002 PINES 65,407 67 km
2003 PARADISE 55,995 87 km
2007 POOMACHA 47,496 82 km
2006 ESPERANZA 40,566 74 km
2020 APPLE 32,374 82 km
2015 LAKE 30,421 82 km
2022 FAIRVIEW 28,680 69 km
2013 MOUNTAIN 28,202 48 km
1998 EDNA 27,561 85 km
1993 CALIFORNIA 23,899 83 km
2020 EL DORADO 22,300 92 km
1995 VERBENIA 21,601 65 km
1994 PALM 21,040 36 km
2013 SILVER 20,863 68 km
2003 COYOTE 19,215 50 km
1993 GUEJITO 17,141 95 km
1989 VAIL 15,632 79 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 55°F (13°C) 0.7 in Coldest, Wettest
February 60°F (16°C) 0.6 in
March 65°F (18°C) 0.4 in
April 71°F (22°C) 0.1 in
May 78°F (26°C) 0.0 in Driest
June 86°F (30°C) 0.0 in
July 91°F (33°C) 0.1 in Warmest
August 91°F (33°C) 0.3 in
September 85°F (30°C) 0.3 in
October 75°F (24°C) 0.2 in
November 63°F (17°C) 0.2 in
December 55°F (13°C) 0.4 in

Thermal has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 55°F in January to 91°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 3.3 inches, with January being the wettest month (0.7") and May the driest (0.0").

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