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Weather & Climate in Thousand Palms, CA

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

Thousand Palms has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 76°F (24°C). Winters average 59°F in January while summers reach 94°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 2.9 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 205 feet.

Temperature

59°F Jan (15°C) 94°F Jul (35°C)
Annual Average76.0°F
41% above US avg
January Average59°F (15°C)
July Average94°F (35°C)
Sunny Days330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation205 ft (62 m)
Area23.6 sq mi (61.2 km²)
Population Density324/sq mi
Coordinates33.8150°N, 116.3545°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyRiverside County County
Nearest AirportPalm Springs International (PSP)
9 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 2.9"
92% below US avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Jan) 1.18"
Driest Month (Jun) 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

14,509 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.3.

Jun 28, 1992 The 1992 Landers, California Earthquake M7.3 44 km 0 km
Oct 16, 1999 The 1999 Hector Mine, California Earthquake M7.1 88 km 14 km
Jun 28, 1992 The 1992 Big Bear, California Earthquake M6.3 61 km 4 km
Apr 23, 1992 The 1992 Joshua Tree, California Earthquake M6.1 17 km 12 km
Oct 16, 1999 13km WSW of Ludlow, CA M5.8 96 km 14 km
Jun 28, 1992 3km NE of Yucca Valley, California M5.8 36 km -1 km
Jun 15, 2010 8km ESE of Ocotillo, CA M5.7 130 km 9 km
Jun 28, 1992 2km SSW of Joshua Tree, California M5.7 34 km 6 km
Jun 29, 1992 3km ESE of Yucca Valley, California M5.7 33 km 10 km
Oct 16, 1999 7km ENE of Running Springs, CA M5.6 79 km 6 km
Jun 28, 1992 11km SSE of Big Bear Lake, California M5.5 60 km 10 km
Feb 28, 1990 The 1990 Upland, California Earthquake M5.5 129 km 3 km
Jun 28, 1992 0km E of Yucca Valley, CA M5.5 34 km 8 km
Jul 5, 1992 21km SW of Ludlow, California M5.4 85 km 5 km
Jul 7, 2010 20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA M5.4 46 km 12 km
Jun 28, 1992 26km NNW of Yucca Valley, CA M5.4 60 km 4 km
Aug 26, 2012 4km NNW of Brawley, CA M5.4 116 km 8 km
Oct 16, 1999 32km SSW of Ludlow, California M5.4 70 km 1 km
Jul 1, 1992 24km N of Yucca Valley, California M5.3 58 km 5 km
Aug 26, 2012 5km NNW of Brawley, CA M5.3 116 km 8 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

38 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 13 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Feb 9, 1978 EF3 56 km 2.0 mi 0
May 22, 2008 EF2 83 km 2.8 mi 0
Sep 7, 1982 EF2 46 km 0.5 mi 0
Aug 6, 2015 EF1 36 km 4.0 mi 0
Aug 4, 2008 EF1 63 km 1.1 mi 0
Feb 19, 2005 EF1 84 km 2.8 mi 0
Dec 22, 1996 EF1 41 km 0.1 mi 0
Oct 22, 1974 EF1 41 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 20, 1974 EF1 56 km 1.0 mi 0
Oct 8, 2022 EF0 80 km 1.6 mi 0
Aug 16, 2018 EF0 42 km 0.2 mi 0
Oct 17, 2015 EF0 73 km 0.0 mi 0
Jul 19, 2015 EF0 54 km 0.2 mi 0
Apr 21, 2015 EF0 88 km 10.0 mi 0
Sep 9, 2012 EF0 81 km 0.0 mi 0
Aug 12, 2012 EF0 78 km 0.5 mi 0
May 22, 2008 EF0 91 km 0.4 mi 0
May 22, 2008 EF0 81 km 0.9 mi 0
May 22, 2008 EF0 85 km 1.0 mi 0
Jul 23, 2006 EF0 74 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 — 147 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Salton Buttes (97 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Salton Buttes Lava dome(s) -40 m (-131 ft) 210 97 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 90 km
2003 OLD 90,180 98 km
2006 MILLARD 86,585 41 km
2002 PINES 65,407 77 km
1999 WILLOW 63,525 91 km
2003 PARADISE 55,995 86 km
2007 POOMACHA 47,496 78 km
2006 ESPERANZA 40,566 49 km
2020 APPLE 32,374 53 km
2015 LAKE 30,421 53 km
2022 FAIRVIEW 28,680 50 km
2013 MOUNTAIN 28,202 27 km
1998 EDNA 27,561 60 km
1993 CALIFORNIA 23,899 65 km
2020 EL DORADO 22,300 63 km
1995 VERBENIA 21,601 36 km
1994 PALM 21,040 25 km
2013 SILVER 20,863 42 km
2003 COYOTE 19,215 52 km
2004 CERRITO 18,605 95 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 59°F (15°C) 1.2 in Wettest
February 58°F (14°C) 1.0 in
March 62°F (17°C) 0.8 in
April 68°F (20°C) 0.3 in
May 75°F (24°C) 0.2 in
June 83°F (28°C) 0.0 in Driest
July 94°F (35°C) 0.2 in Warmest
August 88°F (31°C) 0.4 in
September 83°F (28°C) 0.4 in
October 73°F (23°C) 0.2 in
November 62°F (17°C) 0.7 in
December 55°F (13°C) 0.8 in Coldest

Thousand Palms has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 55°F in December to 94°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 6.2 inches, with January being the wettest month (1.2") and June the driest (0.0").

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