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Weather & Climate in Isla Vista, CA

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

Isla Vista enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (15°C). Winters average 53°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 19.0 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 46 feet.

Temperature

53°F Jan (12°C) 64°F Jul (18°C)
Annual Average58.4°F
8% above US avg
January Average53°F (12°C)
July Average64°F (18°C)
Sunny Days330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation46 ft (14 m)
Area0.6 sq mi (1.4 km²)
Population Density24,940/sq mi
Coordinates34.4122°N, 119.8607°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyVentura County County
Nearest AirportSanta Barbara Municipal (SBA)
4 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 19.0"
50% below US avg
Wettest Month (Feb) 3.98"
Driest Month (Aug) 0.04"

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

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

2,893 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 67 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 M5.2 104 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 M5.2 107 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 M5.1 106 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 M4.9 122 km 6 km
Feb 24, 2016 6km SSW of Wasco, CA M4.9 133 km 22 km
Jan 17, 1994 6km NE of Chatsworth, California M4.9 120 km 6 km
Jan 17, 1994 10km SSW of Valencia, California M4.9 113 km 12 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 87 km 0.1 mi 0
Jan 3, 1977 EF1 4 km 0.1 mi 0
Mar 21, 2023 EF0 30 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 75 km 0.1 mi 0
Mar 29, 2006 EF0 59 km — 0
Jan 10, 2005 EF0 67 km 0.1 mi 0
Nov 29, 2001 EF0 79 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 91 km 0.1 mi 0
Dec 29, 1991 EF0 47 km 0.1 mi 0
Nov 9, 1982 EF0 75 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 24 km
1930 S. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake 3.1 m 1 120 km
1927 S. CALIFORNIA Earthquake 1.8 m — 95 km
1878 S. CALIFORNIA Meteorological 1.0 m 1 117 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 37 km
2006 DAY 159,713 85 km
1985 WHEELER 2 126,854 48 km
2003 SIMI 107,756 99 km
2009 LA BREA 84,213 60 km
2003 PIRU 63,920 92 km
1997 LOGAN 49,627 81 km
1985 FERNDALE 46,724 65 km
1993 MARRE 44,309 36 km
1993 GREEN MEADOWS 38,115 88 km
2016 REY 33,323 23 km
2017 ALAMO 29,256 72 km
1993 STECKEL 26,202 65 km
1997 HOPPER 24,072 96 km
2013 SPRINGS 24,042 85 km
2002 WOLF 21,097 63 km
2009 GUIBERSON 19,356 90 km
2017 WHITTIER CA-LBOR-001770 18,510 16 km
2021 ALISAL 17,677 25 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 53°F (12°C) 3.6 in Coldest
February 54°F (12°C) 4.0 in Wettest
March 55°F (13°C) 3.5 in
April 57°F (14°C) 1.3 in
May 60°F (15°C) 0.3 in
June 63°F (17°C) 0.1 in
July 64°F (18°C) 0.0 in Driest
August 69°F (20°C) 0.0 in Warmest
September 67°F (20°C) 0.3 in
October 64°F (18°C) 0.6 in
November 59°F (15°C) 2.0 in
December 54°F (12°C) 2.5 in

Isla Vista has a seasonal temperature swing of 16°F / from 53°F in January to 69°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 18.2 inches, with February being the wettest month (4.0") and July the driest (0.0").

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