Weather & Climate in Buellton, CA

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

Buellton enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 54°F in January while summers reach 64°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. 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 15.4 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 366 feet.

Temperature

54°F Jan (12°C) 64°F Jul (18°C)

Annual Average	59.3°F
	10% above US avg
January Average	54°F (12°C)
July Average	64°F (18°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	366 ft (112 m)
Area	1.6 sq mi (4.1 km²)
Population Density	3,222/sq mi
Coordinates	34.6155°N, 120.1942°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Santa Barbara County County
Nearest Airport	Santa Barbara Municipal (SBA) 27 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 15.4"

59% below US avg

Snowfall 0.0"

Wettest Month (Feb) 3.86"

Driest Month (Jun) 0.04"

Air Quality

AQI Median	48.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively High
Risk Score	99.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability	60.2 / 100
Community Resilience	60.9 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Hurricane	No Rating
Earthquake	Relatively High
Wildfire	Relatively High
Flood	Relatively High
Hail	Very Low
Strong Wind	Very Low
Heat Wave	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Very Low
Lightning	Relatively Low
Drought	Very High
Cold Wave	Very Low
Landslide	Very High
Coastal Flood	Relatively Low
Tsunami	Very Low
Avalanche	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

2,462 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.0.

Sep 28, 2004	2004 Parkfield, California Earthquake	M6.0	135 km	8 km
Jan 17, 1994	7km NNE of Simi Valley, California	M5.6	141 km	9 km
Apr 5, 2018	31km SW of Santa Cruz Is. (E end), CA	M5.3	98 km	10 km
Jan 18, 1994	10km ESE of Piru, California	M5.2	140 km	11 km
Aug 7, 2024	24 km SW of Lamont, CA	M5.2	114 km	12 km
Jan 17, 1994	9km N of Chatsworth, California	M5.2	148 km	5 km
May 28, 1993	21km SW of Lamont, California	M5.2	116 km	21 km
Aug 20, 2023	7 km SE of Ojai, CA	M5.1	95 km	5 km
Jan 19, 1994	10km SSW of Valencia, California	M5.1	147 km	11 km
Apr 26, 1997	12km ESE of Piru, California	M5.1	142 km	16 km
Jan 19, 1994	8km ESE of Piru, California	M5.1	138 km	14 km
Jun 26, 1995	11km SW of Valencia, California	M5.0	142 km	13 km
Apr 27, 1997	11km SW of Valencia, California	M4.9	144 km	15 km
Dec 20, 1994	3 km NW of Parkfield, California	M4.9	147 km	8 km
Feb 24, 2016	6km SSW of Wasco, CA	M4.9	127 km	22 km
Jan 17, 1994	10km SSW of Valencia, California	M4.9	146 km	12 km
May 29, 2013	6km W of Isla Vista, CA	M4.8	34 km	7 km
Sep 28, 2004	12 km SE of Parkfield, California	M4.7	133 km	6 km
Sep 12, 2024	6 km N of Malibu, CA	M4.7	141 km	11 km
Aug 9, 2007	5km NNW of Chatsworth, CA	M4.7	149 km	7 km

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

Tornado History

13 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1. Total: 3 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Feb 7, 2024	EF1	68 km	0.7 mi	0
Feb 7, 2024	EF1	95 km	4.9 mi	0
Mar 17, 1991	EF1	87 km	0.1 mi	0
Jan 3, 1977	EF1	40 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 21, 2023	EF0	64 km	0.2 mi	0
Dec 25, 2019	EF0	96 km	0.8 mi	0
Jan 19, 2010	EF0	36 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 29, 2006	EF0	24 km	—	0
Feb 2, 2004	EF0	67 km	0.5 mi	0
Nov 29, 2001	EF0	43 km	0.1 mi	0
May 5, 1998	EF0	86 km	0.3 mi	0
Mar 24, 1994	EF0	50 km	0.1 mi	0
Dec 29, 1991	EF0	10 km	0.1 mi	0

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

Tsunami History

3 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 3.4 m (11 ft).

Year	Location	Cause	Max Wave	Deaths	Distance
1812	S. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	3.4 m	1	54 km
1927	S. CALIFORNIA	Earthquake	1.8 m	—	57 km
1878	S. CALIFORNIA	Meteorological	1.0 m	1	80 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: THOMAS (281,982 acres, 2017).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2017	THOMAS	281,982	84 km
2007	ZACA	241,846	50 km
1985	WHEELER 2	126,854	78 km
1996	FIFTY-EIGHT	94,704	80 km
2009	LA BREA	84,213	39 km
1985	LAS PILITAS	75,841	80 km
1997	LOGAN	49,627	56 km
1994	41	48,441	97 km
1985	FERNDALE	46,724	98 km
1993	MARRE	44,309	25 km
2016	REY	33,323	43 km
2017	ALAMO	29,256	39 km
1993	STECKEL	26,202	99 km
2002	WOLF	21,097	90 km
2017	WHITTIER CA-LBOR-001770	18,510	24 km
2021	ALISAL	17,677	16 km
1999	SPANISH	14,518	49 km
2006	PERKINS	14,342	53 km
2024	HURRICANE	13,488	81 km
2016	CANYON	12,749	36 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	54°F (12°C)	3.7 in
February	53°F (12°C)	3.9 in	Wettest
March	54°F (12°C)	3.4 in
April	56°F (13°C)	1.5 in
May	58°F (15°C)	0.2 in
June	62°F (17°C)	0.0 in
July	64°F (18°C)	0.0 in	Driest
August	67°F (19°C)	0.0 in	Warmest
September	66°F (19°C)	0.3 in
October	63°F (17°C)	0.6 in
November	57°F (14°C)	2.3 in
December	52°F (11°C)	2.8 in	Coldest

Buellton has a seasonal temperature swing of 15°F / from 52°F in December to 67°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 18.8 inches, with February being the wettest month (3.9") and July the driest (0.0").

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