Weather & Climate in Huntington Beach, CA

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

Huntington Beach enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 53°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 331 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 29.5 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 52 feet.

Temperature

53°F Jan (12°C) 69°F Jul (20°C)

Annual Average	61.7°F
	14% above US avg
January Average	53°F (12°C)
July Average	69°F (20°C)
Sunny Days	331 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	52 ft (16 m)
Area	31.9 sq mi (82.6 km²)
Population Density	7,265/sq mi
Coordinates	33.6980°N, 118.0038°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Orange County County
Nearest Airport	John Wayne/Orange County (SNA) 8 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 29.5"

22% below US avg

Snowfall 0.0"

Wettest Month (Jan) 2.91"

Driest Month (Jun) 0.08"

Air Quality

AQI Median	48.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very High
Risk Score	99.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability	24.9 / 100
Community Resilience	16.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

6,262 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.7.

Jan 17, 1994	Northridge, California, earthquake	M6.7	76 km	18 km
Jun 28, 1992	The 1992 Big Bear, California Earthquake	M6.3	122 km	4 km
Jan 17, 1994	1km ENE of Granada Hills, California	M5.9	78 km	5 km
Jun 28, 1991	The 1991 Sierra Madre, California Earthquake	M5.8	64 km	8 km
Oct 16, 1999	7km ENE of Running Springs, CA	M5.6	107 km	6 km
Jan 17, 1994	7km NNE of Simi Valley, California	M5.6	95 km	9 km
Jun 28, 1992	11km SSE of Big Bear Lake, California	M5.5	118 km	10 km
Feb 28, 1990	The 1990 Upland, California Earthquake	M5.5	57 km	3 km
Jul 7, 2010	20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA	M5.4	145 km	12 km
Nov 27, 1992	10km NNW of Big Bear City, California	M5.3	124 km	0 km
Dec 4, 1992	10km SE of Lucerne Valley, California	M5.3	126 km	1 km
Jun 28, 1992	1km N of Big Bear Lake, California	M5.3	118 km	7 km
Mar 20, 1994	3km WNW of Panorama City, California	M5.2	74 km	12 km
Jan 18, 1994	10km ESE of Piru, California	M5.2	99 km	11 km
Aug 17, 1992	7km SE of Big Bear Lake, California	M5.2	119 km	9 km
Jun 12, 2005	10km ESE of Anza, CA	M5.2	134 km	13 km
Jan 17, 1994	9km N of Chatsworth, California	M5.2	91 km	5 km
Jun 10, 2016	20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA	M5.2	148 km	12 km
Mar 29, 2014	2km NW of Brea, CA	M5.1	27 km	5 km
Aug 20, 2023	7 km SE of Ojai, CA	M5.1	135 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

109 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 58 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 22, 2008	EF2	73 km	2.8 mi	0
Mar 1, 1983	EF2	46 km	3.5 mi	0
Nov 9, 1982	EF2	68 km	1.0 mi	0
Nov 9, 1982	EF2	20 km	10.0 mi	0
Nov 7, 1966	EF2	35 km	0.1 mi	0
Nov 7, 1966	EF2	9 km	0.2 mi	0
Nov 7, 1966	EF2	35 km	10.3 mi	0
Mar 22, 2023	EF1	35 km	0.5 mi	0
Jan 19, 2010	EF1	11 km	4.6 mi	0
Feb 19, 2005	EF1	81 km	2.8 mi	0
Jan 29, 1998	EF1	97 km	0.5 mi	0
Jan 9, 1998	EF1	18 km	1.5 mi	0
Dec 21, 1997	EF1	3 km	1.0 mi	0
Nov 11, 1997	EF1	17 km	0.2 mi	0
Jan 14, 1993	EF1	21 km	1.0 mi	0
Dec 7, 1992	EF1	17 km	0.1 mi	0
Dec 7, 1992	EF1	6 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 20, 1992	EF1	48 km	0.2 mi	0
Mar 27, 1991	EF1	3 km	3.0 mi	0
Mar 27, 1991	EF1	99 km	0.2 mi	0

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

Tsunami History

4 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 3.1 m (10 ft).

Year	Location	Cause	Max Wave	Deaths	Distance
1930	S. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	3.1 m	1	70 km
1862	S. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	1.2 m	—	134 km
1994	WEST COAST, USA	Earthquake	0.1 m	57	76 km
1855	S. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	—	—	46 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: STATION (165,368 acres, 2009).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2009	STATION	165,368	71 km
2020	BOBCAT	115,728	70 km
2018	WOOLSEY	97,962	89 km
2003	OLD	90,180	90 km
2003	GRAND PRIX	50,799	73 km
2016	SAND	41,561	83 km
2007	BUCKWEED	41,332	100 km
2002	WILLIAMS	37,505	59 km
2016	BLUE CUT	36,856	83 km
2008	YELLOW	33,232	61 km
2008	FREEWAY COMPLEX	29,350	34 km
2007	SANTIAGO	27,605	32 km
1998	EDNA	27,561	96 km
2020	INDIA	24,193	63 km
2005	TOPANGA	24,133	86 km
1993	CALIFORNIA	23,899	91 km
2018	HOLY	22,845	50 km
1993	ORTEGA	20,912	48 km
2002	CURVE	20,565	70 km
2007	AMMO FIRE	19,213	63 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	53°F (12°C)	2.9 in	Coldest, Wettest
February	58°F (15°C)	2.9 in
March	59°F (15°C)	2.4 in
April	62°F (17°C)	0.6 in
May	65°F (18°C)	0.2 in
June	68°F (20°C)	0.1 in
July	69°F (20°C)	0.0 in	Driest
August	73°F (23°C)	0.1 in	Warmest
September	72°F (22°C)	0.3 in
October	67°F (20°C)	0.4 in
November	61°F (16°C)	1.3 in
December	57°F (14°C)	1.9 in

Huntington Beach has a seasonal temperature swing of 19°F / from 53°F in January to 73°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 13.1 inches, with January being the wettest month (2.9") and July the driest (0.0").

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