Climate - El Centro (California)

In El Centro, and in the nearby city of Imperial, the climate is sub-tropical desert, very mild in winter and scorchingly hot in summer.
The city is located in southeastern California, on the border with Mexico. We are in the Imperial Valley, which is one of the hottest areas of North America, and is also a depression, since the altitude drops below sea level. El Centro is located at 12 meters (40 feet) below sea level, but further to the north, on the shores of Lake Salton, it reaches 65 meters (215 ft) below sea level.
In winter, it is usually sunny, and the temperature reaches or exceeds 20 °C (68 °F) during the day, while nights are quite cold. Sometimes there can be periods colder than usual, in which the temperature drops to a few degrees below freezing at night, although it exceeds 10 °C (50 °F) during the day it. On the coldest nights of the year, the temperature usually reaches 0 °C (32 °F), but sometimes it can drop below this level. For example, in December 1990, it dropped to -6.7 °C (20 °F), and in January 2011, to -6 °C (21 °F).
Spring is windy.
On average, there are 121 days with a maximum temperature equal to or above 37.8 °C (100 °F), and that usually happens from April through October.
Typically, the hottest days of the year occur in June or early July. In July and August, there is a slight increase in humidity, which makes the heat even more unpleasant. On the hottest days of the year, the temperature usually reaches 47/49 °C (117/120 °F). In July 1995, it reached 51 °C (124 °F). In July 2006, there was a day with a night minimum of 34 °C (93 °F).
From June to November, but with a higher probability from August to October, the city can be affected by the remnants of hurricanes of the Pacific Ocean, which arrive from tropical latitudes after passing over Baja California. However, hurricanes are rare in June, the month in which they are most frequent is September, and historically, they have never occurred in November.
The average temperature of the coldest month (December) is of 12.7 °C (54.9 °F), that of the warmest month (August) is of 34.2 °C (93.6 °F). Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation amounts to 60 millimeters (2.4 inches) per year: it is therefore at a desert level. It ranges from 0 mm (0 in) in the driest months (April, May, June) to 10 mm (0.4 in) in the wettest ones (January, February, December). Here is the average precipitation.

On average, there are around 3,825 sunshine hours per year. Therefore, the sun shines very often. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

Best Time

The best time to visit El Centro is from November to March. Winter, from December to February, is generally a mild and sunny season, although it can sometimes rain, or it can get a bit cold (especially in December and January). You can therefore choose the months of March and November.

Back to California.

El Centro - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the weather in El Centro is usually mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 13.3 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 5.3 °C (41.5 °F) and a maximum of 21.4 °C (70.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -0.5 °C (31 °F). However, it dropped to -6.1 °C (21 °F) in January 2007.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26.5 °C (80 °F). However, it reached 31.1 °C (88 °F) in January 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 10 mm (0.4 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 77% of the time.
The average humidity is 47%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (5 mph).

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In February, the weather in El Centro is usually very mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 15.2 °C (59 °F), with a minimum of 7.3 °C (45.2 °F) and a maximum of 23.2 °C (73.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2 °C (35.5 °F). However, it dropped to -5 °C (23 °F) in February 2011.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29 °C (84 °F). However, it reached 32.8 °C (91 °F) in February 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 10 mm (0.4 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 79% of the time.
The average humidity is 44%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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In March, the weather in El Centro is usually warm. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 18.5 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 10.3 °C (50.6 °F) and a maximum of 26.7 °C (80.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4.5 °C (40 °F). However, it dropped to -1.1 °C (30 °F) in March 2002.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92.5 °F). However, it reached 38 °C (100.4 °F) in March 2007.
Precipitation amounts to only 5 mm (0.2 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 85% of the time.
The average humidity is 37%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).

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In April, the weather in El Centro is usually warm. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 21.6 °C (71 °F), with a minimum of 13.1 °C (55.5 °F) and a maximum of 30.2 °C (86.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7.5 °C (45.5 °F). However, it dropped to 3.9 °C (39 °F) in April 2009.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 38 °C (100.5 °F). However, it reached 41.1 °C (106 °F) in April 1996.
Precipitation amounts to only 0 mm (0 in), so on average it never rains in the whole month.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 11.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 89% of the time.
The average humidity is 32%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).

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In May, the weather in El Centro is usually warm to hot. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 25.7 °C (78 °F), with a minimum of 16.7 °C (62.1 °F) and a maximum of 34.6 °C (94.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11.5 °C (53 °F). However, it dropped to 7.8 °C (46 °F) in May 2011.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 41.5 °C (106.5 °F). However, it reached 45 °C (113 °F) in May 2000.
Precipitation amounts to only 0 mm (0 in), so on average it never rains in the whole month.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 12.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 90% of the time.
The average humidity is 29%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).

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In June, the weather in El Centro is usually very hot. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 30.5 °C (87 °F), with a minimum of 21.2 °C (70.2 °F) and a maximum of 39.7 °C (103.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 15.5 °C (60 °F). However, it dropped to 11.1 °C (52 °F) in June 1999.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 45.5 °C (113.5 °F). However, it reached 50 °C (122 °F) in June 2017.
Precipitation amounts to only 0 mm (0 in), so on average it never rains in the whole month.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 20 minutes. So the days are long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 13.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 93% of the time.
The average humidity is 25%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).

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In July, the weather in El Centro is usually scorchingly hot. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 33.9 °C (93 °F), with a minimum of 25.8 °C (78.4 °F) and a maximum of 42.1 °C (107.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 20.5 °C (68.5 °F). However, it dropped to 16.6 °C (61.9 °F) in July 1992.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 47 °C (116.5 °F). However, it reached 51.1 °C (124 °F) in July 1995.
Precipitation amounts to only 5 mm (0.2 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 12.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 90% of the time.
The average humidity is 32%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).

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In August, the hottest month of the year, the weather in El Centro is usually scorchingly hot. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 34.2 °C (94 °F), with a minimum of 26.3 °C (79.4 °F) and a maximum of 42.1 °C (107.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 21 °C (69.5 °F). However, it dropped to 17.2 °C (63 °F) in August 1992.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 46.5 °C (116 °F). However, it reached 48.8 °C (119.8 °F) in August 1993.
Precipitation amounts to only 5 mm (0.2 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 12 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 89% of the time.
The average humidity is 35%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).

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In September, the weather in El Centro is usually very hot. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 30.7 °C (87 °F), with a minimum of 22.3 °C (72.2 °F) and a maximum of 39 °C (102.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 16 °C (60.5 °F). However, it dropped to 12.2 °C (54 °F) in September 1993.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 44.5 °C (112 °F). However, it reached 48.3 °C (118.9 °F) in September 2020.
Precipitation amounts to only 5 mm (0.2 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 11 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 91% of the time.
The average humidity is 33%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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In October, the weather in El Centro is usually warm to hot. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 24 °C (75 °F), with a minimum of 15.6 °C (60 °F) and a maximum of 32.4 °C (90.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9 °C (48.5 °F). However, it dropped to 2.8 °C (37 °F) in October 2019.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 39.5 °C (103 °F). However, it reached 42.2 °C (108 °F) in October 1991.
Precipitation amounts to only 5 mm (0.2 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 87% of the time.
The average humidity is 33%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

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In November, the weather in El Centro is usually very mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 17.4 °C (63 °F), with a minimum of 9.1 °C (48.4 °F) and a maximum of 25.7 °C (78.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3 °C (37.5 °F). However, it dropped to -0.6 °C (30.9 °F) in November 1994.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32.5 °C (90.5 °F). However, it reached 38.3 °C (100.9 °F) in November 2008.
Precipitation amounts to only 5 mm (0.2 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 78% of the time.
The average humidity is 38%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).

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In December, the coldest month of the year, the weather in El Centro is usually mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 12.8 °C (55 °F), with a minimum of 5.1 °C (41.2 °F) and a maximum of 20.4 °C (68.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -0.5 °C (31 °F). However, it dropped to -3.3 °C (26.1 °F) in December 1998.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26.5 °C (79.5 °F). However, it reached 31.7 °C (89.1 °F) in December 2013.
Precipitation amounts to 10 mm (0.4 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 0 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 76% of the time.
The average humidity is 46%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).