Weather & Climate in Goleta, CA

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

Goleta enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 53°F in January while summers reach 66°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. Annual precipitation totals 17.2 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 46 feet.

Temperature

53°F Jan (12°C) 66°F Jul (19°C)

Annual Average	59.3°F
	10% above US avg
January Average	53°F (12°C)
July Average	66°F (19°C)

Geography

Elevation	46 ft (14 m)
Area	7.9 sq mi (20.5 km²)
Population Density	4,165/sq mi
Coordinates	34.4354°N, 119.8589°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Ventura County County
Nearest Airport	Santa Barbara Municipal (SBA) 4 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 17.2"

55% below US avg

Snowfall 0.0"

Wettest Month (Feb) 3.86"

Driest Month (Aug) 0.01"

Air Quality

AQI Median	50.0
Rating	Good
Good Days %	52.2%
Unhealthy Days	15

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively High
Risk Score	99.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability	29.8 / 100
Community Resilience	33.6 / 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

2,929 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.7.

Jan 17, 1994	Northridge, California, earthquake	M6.7	124 km	18 km
Jan 17, 1994	1km ENE of Granada Hills, California	M5.9	127 km	5 km
Jan 17, 1994	7km NNE of Simi Valley, California	M5.6	107 km	9 km
Apr 5, 2018	31km SW of Santa Cruz Is. (E end), CA	M5.3	69 km	10 km
Jan 18, 1994	10km ESE of Piru, California	M5.2	107 km	11 km
Mar 20, 1994	3km WNW of Panorama City, California	M5.2	129 km	12 km
Aug 7, 2024	24 km SW of Lamont, CA	M5.2	102 km	12 km
Jan 17, 1994	9km N of Chatsworth, California	M5.2	115 km	5 km
May 28, 1993	21km SW of Lamont, California	M5.2	105 km	21 km
Aug 20, 2023	7 km SE of Ojai, CA	M5.1	62 km	5 km
Jan 19, 1994	10km SSW of Valencia, California	M5.1	114 km	11 km
Apr 26, 1997	12km ESE of Piru, California	M5.1	109 km	16 km
Jan 19, 1994	8km ESE of Piru, California	M5.1	105 km	14 km
Jan 29, 1994	6km NNE of Chatsworth, California	M5.1	118 km	1 km
Jun 26, 1995	11km SW of Valencia, California	M5.0	109 km	13 km
Apr 27, 1997	11km SW of Valencia, California	M4.9	111 km	15 km
Jan 17, 1994	3km N of Northridge, California	M4.9	123 km	6 km
Feb 24, 2016	6km SSW of Wasco, CA	M4.9	131 km	22 km
Jan 17, 1994	10km SSW of Valencia, California	M4.9	113 km	12 km
Jan 17, 1994	6km NE of Chatsworth, California	M4.9	120 km	6 km

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

Tornado History

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

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Mar 17, 1991	EF1	85 km	0.1 mi	0
Jan 3, 1977	EF1	4 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 21, 2023	EF0	29 km	0.2 mi	0
Dec 25, 2019	EF0	59 km	0.8 mi	0
Jan 21, 2010	EF0	64 km	1.5 mi	0
Jan 19, 2010	EF0	2 km	0.1 mi	0
Jan 24, 2008	EF0	76 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 29, 2006	EF0	58 km	-	0
Jan 10, 2005	EF0	67 km	0.1 mi	0
Nov 29, 2001	EF0	78 km	0.1 mi	0
May 13, 1998	EF0	75 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 24, 1994	EF0	15 km	0.1 mi	0
Dec 7, 1992	EF0	92 km	0.1 mi	0
Dec 29, 1991	EF0	46 km	0.1 mi	0
Nov 9, 1982	EF0	76 km	0.1 mi	0

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

Tsunami History

5 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	26 km
1930	S. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	3.1 m	1	121 km
1927	S. CALIFORNIA	Earthquake	1.8 m	-	94 km
1878	S. CALIFORNIA	Meteorological	1.0 m	1	115 km
1994	WEST COAST, USA	Earthquake	0.1 m	57	124 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	51 km
2007	ZACA	241,846	34 km
2006	DAY	159,713	84 km
1985	WHEELER 2	126,854	47 km
2003	SIMI	107,756	99 km
2009	LA BREA	84,213	58 km
2003	PIRU	63,920	92 km
1997	LOGAN	49,627	79 km
1985	FERNDALE	46,724	65 km
1993	MARRE	44,309	33 km
1993	GREEN MEADOWS	38,115	89 km
2016	REY	33,323	21 km
2017	ALAMO	29,256	70 km
1993	STECKEL	26,202	65 km
1997	HOPPER	24,072	96 km
2013	SPRINGS	24,042	85 km
2002	WOLF	21,097	62 km
2009	GUIBERSON	19,356	90 km
2017	WHITTIER CA-LBOR-001770	18,510	14 km
2021	ALISAL	17,677	24 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	53°F (12°C)	3.8 in
February	54°F (12°C)	3.9 in	Wettest
March	56°F (13°C)	3.1 in
April	58°F (14°C)	0.9 in
May	60°F (16°C)	0.4 in
June	62°F (17°C)	0.1 in
July	66°F (19°C)	0.0 in
August	66°F (19°C)	0.0 in	Warmest, Driest
September	65°F (18°C)	0.1 in
October	62°F (17°C)	0.7 in
November	57°F (14°C)	1.3 in
December	52°F (11°C)	2.9 in	Coldest

Goleta has a seasonal temperature swing of 14°F / from 52°F in December to 66°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 17.3 inches, with February being the wettest month (3.9") and August the driest (0.0").

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