Weather & Climate in Valley Center, CA

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

Valley Center enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 53°F in January while summers reach 75°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 16.7 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 1,437 feet.

Temperature

53°F Jan (12°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)

Annual Average	62.8°F
	16% above US avg
January Average	53°F (12°C)
July Average	75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,437 ft (438 m)
Area	27.4 sq mi (71.0 km²)
Population Density	375/sq mi
Coordinates	33.2330°N, 117.0158°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Orange County County
Nearest Airport	San Diego International (SAN) 36 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 16.7"

56% below US avg

Wettest Month (Jan) 2.87"

Driest Month (Jun) 0.08"

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

11,804 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.3.

Jun 28, 1992	The 1992 Landers, California Earthquake	M7.3	120 km	0 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	104 km	12 km
Jun 28, 1991	The 1991 Sierra Madre, California Earthquake	M5.8	147 km	8 km
Jun 28, 1992	3km NE of Yucca Valley, California	M5.8	115 km	-1 km
Jun 15, 2010	8km ESE of Ocotillo, CA	M5.7	119 km	9 km
Jun 28, 1992	2km SSW of Joshua Tree, California	M5.7	118 km	6 km
Jun 29, 1992	3km ESE of Yucca Valley, California	M5.7	112 km	10 km
Oct 16, 1999	7km ENE of Running Springs, CA	M5.6	112 km	6 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	119 km	3 km
Jun 28, 1992	0km E of Yucca Valley, CA	M5.5	112 km	8 km
Jul 7, 2010	20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA	M5.4	54 km	12 km
Jun 28, 1992	26km NNW of Yucca Valley, CA	M5.4	132 km	4 km
Aug 26, 2012	4km NNW of Brawley, CA	M5.4	139 km	8 km
Jul 1, 1992	24km N of Yucca Valley, California	M5.3	132 km	5 km
Aug 26, 2012	5km NNW of Brawley, CA	M5.3	138 km	8 km
Nov 27, 1992	10km NNW of Big Bear City, California	M5.3	124 km	0 km
Sep 15, 1992	9km SE of Yucca Valley, California	M5.3	111 km	7 km
Jun 28, 1992	1km N of Big Bear Lake, California	M5.3	114 km	7 km

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

Tornado History

65 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 11 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 22, 2008	EF2	75 km	2.8 mi	0
Nov 7, 1966	EF2	96 km	0.2 mi	0
Aug 6, 2015	EF1	92 km	4.0 mi	0
Feb 19, 2005	EF1	31 km	2.8 mi	0
Nov 10, 2000	EF1	32 km	0.4 mi	0
Jan 29, 1998	EF1	33 km	0.5 mi	0
Nov 11, 1997	EF1	90 km	0.2 mi	0
Dec 22, 1996	EF1	80 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 27, 1991	EF1	17 km	0.2 mi	0
Mar 19, 1991	EF1	54 km	1.0 mi	0
Nov 9, 1982	EF1	72 km	0.2 mi	0
Feb 20, 1980	EF1	53 km	0.1 mi	0
Jan 31, 1979	EF1	99 km	2.0 mi	0
Dec 18, 1978	EF1	34 km	0.8 mi	0
Jul 20, 1974	EF1	58 km	1.0 mi	0
Nov 7, 1966	EF1	91 km	0.5 mi	0
Apr 8, 1965	EF1	94 km	0.1 mi	0
Oct 8, 1961	EF1	32 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 1, 1958	EF1	77 km	0.5 mi	0
Apr 13, 1956	EF1	67 km	0.1 mi	0

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

Tsunami History

2 tsunamis 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	-	62 km
1855	S. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	-	-	139 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Salton Buttes (130 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Salton Buttes	Lava dome(s)	-40 m (-131 ft)	210	130 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	40 km
2007	WITCH	167,551	29 km
2007	HARRIS	90,443	69 km
2002	PINES	65,407	42 km
2003	PARADISE	55,995	10 km
2007	POOMACHA	47,496	12 km
2006	ESPERANZA	40,566	71 km
2003	MINE/OTAY	37,232	70 km
2008	YELLOW	33,232	45 km
2020	APPLE	32,374	90 km
2022	FAIRVIEW	28,680	51 km
2013	MOUNTAIN	28,202	66 km
2007	SANTIAGO	27,605	81 km
1998	EDNA	27,561	74 km
2020	INDIA	24,193	42 km
1993	CALIFORNIA	23,899	45 km
2018	HOLY	22,845	67 km
2020	EL DORADO	22,300	94 km
1995	VERBENIA	21,601	91 km
1994	PALM	21,040	65 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	53°F (12°C)	2.9 in	Coldest, Wettest
February	55°F (13°C)	2.6 in
March	56°F (13°C)	2.5 in
April	59°F (15°C)	1.2 in
May	63°F (17°C)	0.4 in
June	68°F (20°C)	0.1 in	Driest
July	75°F (24°C)	0.1 in
August	75°F (24°C)	0.2 in	Warmest
September	73°F (23°C)	0.4 in
October	67°F (19°C)	0.4 in
November	59°F (15°C)	1.8 in
December	54°F (12°C)	2.1 in

Valley Center has a seasonal temperature swing of 22°F / from 53°F in January to 75°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 14.6 inches, with January being the wettest month (2.9") and June the driest (0.1").

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