Weather & Climate in Channel Islands Beach, CA

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

Channel Islands Beach enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 56°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. Annual precipitation totals 12.9 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 50. 52% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 13 feet.

Temperature

56°F Jan (13°C) 67°F Jul (19°C)
Annual Average61.2°F
13% above US avg
January Average56°F (13°C)
July Average67°F (19°C)

Geography

Elevation13 ft (4 m)
Area0.4 sq mi (1.1 km²)
Population Density6,990/sq mi
Coordinates34.1690°N, 119.2285°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyVentura County County
Nearest AirportSanta Barbara Municipal (SBA)
36 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 12.9"
66% below US avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Feb) 3.26"
Driest Month (Aug) 0.01"

Air Quality

AQI Median50.0
RatingGood
Good Days %52.2%
Unhealthy Days15

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively High
Risk Score99.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability29.8 / 100
Community Resilience33.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Low
Hurricane No Rating
Earthquake Relatively High
Wildfire Relatively High
Flood Very High
Hail Relatively Low
Strong Wind Relatively Low
Heat Wave Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather Very Low
Lightning Relatively Moderate
Drought Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave Very Low
Landslide Relatively High
Coastal Flood Relatively Moderate
Tsunami Very Low
Avalanche Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

3,449 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.7.

Jan 17, 1994 Northridge, California, earthquake M6.7 64 km 18 km
Jan 17, 1994 1km ENE of Granada Hills, California M5.9 69 km 5 km
Jun 28, 1991 The 1991 Sierra Madre, California Earthquake M5.8 114 km 8 km
Jan 17, 1994 7km NNE of Simi Valley, California M5.6 52 km 9 km
Feb 28, 1990 The 1990 Upland, California Earthquake M5.5 141 km 3 km
Apr 5, 2018 31km SW of Santa Cruz Is. (E end), CA M5.3 61 km 10 km
Jan 18, 1994 10km ESE of Piru, California M5.2 54 km 11 km
Mar 20, 1994 3km WNW of Panorama City, California M5.2 70 km 12 km
Aug 7, 2024 24 km SW of Lamont, CA M5.2 105 km 12 km
Jan 17, 1994 9km N of Chatsworth, California M5.2 60 km 5 km
May 28, 1993 21km SW of Lamont, California M5.2 110 km 21 km
Mar 29, 2014 2km NW of Brea, CA M5.1 124 km 5 km
Aug 20, 2023 7 km SE of Ojai, CA M5.1 27 km 5 km
Jan 19, 1994 10km SSW of Valencia, California M5.1 61 km 11 km
Apr 26, 1997 12km ESE of Piru, California M5.1 56 km 16 km
Jan 29, 1994 6km NNE of Chatsworth, California M5.1 62 km 1 km
Jan 19, 1994 8km ESE of Piru, California M5.1 53 km 14 km
Sep 29, 2004 25km SSW of Bodfish, California M5.0 147 km 3 km
Jun 26, 1995 11km SW of Valencia, California M5.0 57 km 13 km
Apr 27, 1997 11km SW of Valencia, California M4.9 58 km 15 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

36 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 45 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Mar 1, 1983 EF2 82 km 3.5 mi 0
Nov 9, 1982 EF2 72 km 1.0 mi 0
Nov 7, 1966 EF2 91 km 0.1 mi 0
Nov 7, 1966 EF2 90 km 10.3 mi 0
Mar 20, 1992 EF1 97 km 0.2 mi 0
Oct 1, 1983 EF1 86 km 0.3 mi 0
Nov 9, 1982 EF1 53 km 0.2 mi 0
Jan 31, 1979 EF1 79 km 0.1 mi 0
Jan 3, 1977 EF1 62 km 0.1 mi 0
Nov 9, 1964 EF1 79 km 1.0 mi 0
May 14, 1962 EF1 92 km 0.1 mi 0
Jan 18, 1955 EF1 87 km 3.0 mi 0
May 4, 2023 EF0 95 km 0.1 mi 0
May 4, 2023 EF0 99 km 0.7 mi 0
Mar 21, 2023 EF0 40 km 0.2 mi 0
Dec 25, 2019 EF0 8 km 0.8 mi 0
Dec 12, 2014 EF0 89 km 0.7 mi 0
Jan 21, 2010 EF0 10 km 1.5 mi 0
Jan 19, 2010 EF0 66 km 0.1 mi 0
Jan 24, 2008 EF0 11 km 0.1 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).

Tsunami History

4 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 62 km
1930 S. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake 3.1 m 1 56 km
1994 WEST COAST, USA Earthquake 0.1 m 57 64 km
1855 S. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake - - 104 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 33 km
2007 ZACA 241,846 71 km
2006 DAY 159,713 55 km
1985 WHEELER 2 126,854 40 km
2003 SIMI 107,756 44 km
2018 WOOLSEY 97,962 38 km
2003 PIRU 63,920 48 km
1985 FERNDALE 46,724 28 km
1993 MARRE 44,309 91 km
2016 SAND 41,561 84 km
2007 BUCKWEED 41,332 82 km
1993 GREEN MEADOWS 38,115 24 km
2007 RANCH 37,009 60 km
2016 REY 33,323 65 km
2013 POWERHOUSE 32,329 90 km
2020 LAKE 30,971 84 km
1993 STECKEL 26,202 25 km
2005 TOPANGA 24,133 49 km
1997 HOPPER 24,072 51 km
2013 SPRINGS 24,042 21 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 56°F (13°C) 2.9 in Coldest
February 57°F (14°C) 3.3 in Wettest
March 57°F (14°C) 2.3 in
April 59°F (15°C) 0.7 in
May 61°F (16°C) 0.3 in
June 64°F (18°C) 0.1 in
July 67°F (19°C) 0.0 in
August 67°F (20°C) 0.0 in Warmest, Driest
September 67°F (19°C) 0.1 in
October 65°F (18°C) 0.5 in
November 60°F (16°C) 0.7 in
December 56°F (14°C) 2.1 in

Channel Islands Beach has a seasonal temperature swing of 11°F / from 56°F in January to 67°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 12.9 inches, with February being the wettest month (3.3") and August the driest (0.0").

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