Weather & Climate in Whitewater, CA

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

Whitewater experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. The area gets 328 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 24.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 30.7 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 1,589 feet.

Temperature

43°F Jan (6°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)

Annual Average	54.5°F
	1% above US avg
January Average	43°F (6°C)
July Average	70°F (21°C)
Sunny Days	328 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,589 ft (484 m)
Area	9.9 sq mi (25.6 km²)
Population Density	127/sq mi
Coordinates	33.9356°N, 116.6872°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Riverside County County
Nearest Airport	Palm Springs International (PSP) 13 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 24.5"

36% below US avg

Snowfall 30.7"

Wettest Month (Jan) 2.60"

Driest Month (Jun) 0.08"

Air Quality

AQI Median	48.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very High
Risk Score	99.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability	33.3 / 100
Community Resilience	13.0 / 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

13,084 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.3.

Jun 28, 1992	The 1992 Landers, California Earthquake	M7.3	37 km	0 km
Oct 16, 1999	The 1999 Hector Mine, California Earthquake	M7.1	84 km	14 km
Jun 28, 1992	The 1992 Big Bear, California Earthquake	M6.3	32 km	4 km
Apr 23, 1992	The 1992 Joshua Tree, California Earthquake	M6.1	34 km	12 km
Jun 28, 1991	The 1991 Sierra Madre, California Earthquake	M5.8	126 km	8 km
Jun 28, 1992	3km NE of Yucca Valley, California	M5.8	34 km	-1 km
Oct 16, 1999	13km WSW of Ludlow, CA	M5.8	90 km	14 km
Jun 28, 1992	2km SSW of Joshua Tree, California	M5.7	39 km	6 km
Jun 29, 1992	3km ESE of Yucca Valley, California	M5.7	32 km	10 km
Oct 16, 1999	7km ENE of Running Springs, CA	M5.6	47 km	6 km
Jun 28, 1992	11km SSE of Big Bear Lake, California	M5.5	29 km	10 km
Feb 28, 1990	The 1990 Upland, California Earthquake	M5.5	96 km	3 km
Jun 28, 1992	0km E of Yucca Valley, CA	M5.5	31 km	8 km
Jul 5, 1992	21km SW of Ludlow, California	M5.4	79 km	5 km
Jul 7, 2010	20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA	M5.4	61 km	12 km
Jun 28, 1992	26km NNW of Yucca Valley, CA	M5.4	48 km	4 km
Aug 26, 2012	4km NNW of Brawley, CA	M5.4	147 km	8 km
Oct 16, 1999	32km SSW of Ludlow, California	M5.4	69 km	1 km
Jul 1, 1992	24km N of Yucca Valley, California	M5.3	48 km	5 km
Aug 26, 2012	5km NNW of Brawley, CA	M5.3	147 km	8 km

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

Tornado History

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

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Feb 9, 1978	EF3	89 km	2.0 mi	0
May 22, 2008	EF2	52 km	2.8 mi	0
Sep 7, 1982	EF2	44 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 25, 1954	EF2	91 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 6, 2015	EF1	68 km	4.0 mi	0
Aug 4, 2008	EF1	47 km	1.1 mi	0
Feb 19, 2005	EF1	68 km	2.8 mi	0
May 18, 1997	EF1	92 km	3.5 mi	0
May 18, 1997	EF1	87 km	9.0 mi	0
May 11, 1997	EF1	80 km	0.2 mi	0
Dec 22, 1996	EF1	9 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 27, 1991	EF1	98 km	0.2 mi	0
Nov 9, 1982	EF1	99 km	0.2 mi	0
Oct 22, 1974	EF1	40 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 20, 1974	EF1	32 km	1.0 mi	0
Oct 8, 2022	EF0	55 km	1.6 mi	0
Aug 16, 2018	EF0	42 km	0.2 mi	0
May 7, 2017	EF0	99 km	0.0 mi	0
Oct 17, 2015	EF0	49 km	0.0 mi	0
Jul 19, 2015	EF0	48 km	0.2 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	-	145 km
1855	S. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	-	-	132 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Salton Buttes (129 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Salton Buttes	Lava dome(s)	-40 m (-131 ft)	210	129 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	96 km
2003	OLD	90,180	65 km
2006	MILLARD	86,585	21 km
2002	PINES	65,407	88 km
1999	WILLOW	63,525	60 km
2003	PARADISE	55,995	84 km
2003	GRAND PRIX	50,799	78 km
2007	POOMACHA	47,496	74 km
2006	ESPERANZA	40,566	20 km
2016	BLUE CUT	36,856	87 km
2008	YELLOW	33,232	93 km
2020	APPLE	32,374	20 km
2015	LAKE	30,421	25 km
2008	FREEWAY COMPLEX	29,350	98 km
2022	FAIRVIEW	28,680	34 km
2013	MOUNTAIN	28,202	23 km
2007	SANTIAGO	27,605	93 km
1998	EDNA	27,561	29 km
2020	INDIA	24,193	90 km
1993	CALIFORNIA	23,899	46 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	43°F (6°C)	2.6 in	Coldest, Wettest
February	49°F (10°C)	2.5 in
March	52°F (11°C)	2.3 in
April	57°F (14°C)	1.0 in
May	63°F (17°C)	0.4 in
June	71°F (22°C)	0.1 in	Driest
July	70°F (21°C)	0.3 in
August	78°F (25°C)	0.6 in	Warmest
September	73°F (23°C)	0.7 in
October	65°F (18°C)	0.6 in
November	55°F (13°C)	1.6 in
December	48°F (9°C)	2.1 in

Whitewater has a seasonal temperature swing of 35°F / from 43°F in January to 78°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 14.7 inches, with January being the wettest month (2.6") and June the driest (0.1").

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