Weather & Climate in Los Alamos, CA

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

Los Alamos 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 580 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	580 ft (177 m)
Area	3.9 sq mi (10.0 km²)
Population Density	984/sq mi
Coordinates	34.7418°N, 120.2746°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Santa Barbara County County
Nearest Airport	Santa Barbara Municipal (SBA) 36 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 15.4"

59% below US avg

Snowfall 0.0"

Wettest Month (Feb) 3.82"

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

2,321 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.0.

Sep 28, 2004	2004 Parkfield, California Earthquake	M6.0	120 km	8 km
Apr 5, 2018	31km SW of Santa Cruz Is. (E end), CA	M5.3	114 km	10 km
Jan 18, 1994	10km ESE of Piru, California	M5.2	150 km	11 km
Aug 7, 2024	24 km SW of Lamont, CA	M5.2	115 km	12 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	106 km	5 km
Jan 19, 1994	8km ESE of Piru, California	M5.1	149 km	14 km
Sep 29, 2004	8 km NW of Parkfield, California	M5.0	136 km	11 km
Dec 20, 1994	3 km NW of Parkfield, California	M4.9	132 km	8 km
Sep 30, 2004	13 km NW of Parkfield, California	M4.9	141 km	10 km
Feb 24, 2016	6km SSW of Wasco, CA	M4.9	121 km	22 km
Nov 14, 1993	8 km NW of Parkfield, California	M4.8	136 km	11 km
May 29, 2013	6km W of Isla Vista, CA	M4.8	50 km	7 km
Sep 28, 2004	12 km SE of Parkfield, California	M4.7	118 km	6 km
Feb 9, 2024	11 km WNW of Malibu, CA	M4.6	147 km	15 km
Mar 16, 2002	33km NW of Santa Barbara Is., CA	M4.6	148 km	7 km
Aug 7, 2024	25 km SW of Lamont, CA	M4.6	113 km	12 km
Apr 16, 2005	20km ESE of Maricopa, CA	M4.6	104 km	9 km
Mar 17, 2004	9 km WSW of Oak Shores, California	M4.5	132 km	4 km
May 16, 2005	5 km NW of Parkfield, California	M4.5	133 km	9 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	53 km	0.7 mi	0
Feb 7, 2024	EF1	79 km	4.9 mi	0
Mar 17, 1991	EF1	84 km	0.1 mi	0
Jan 3, 1977	EF1	54 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 21, 2023	EF0	76 km	0.2 mi	0
Feb 23, 2015	EF0	93 km	0.5 mi	0
Jan 19, 2010	EF0	51 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 29, 2006	EF0	20 km	—	0
Feb 2, 2004	EF0	51 km	0.5 mi	0
Nov 29, 2001	EF0	27 km	0.1 mi	0
May 5, 1998	EF0	70 km	0.3 mi	0
Mar 24, 1994	EF0	63 km	0.1 mi	0
Dec 29, 1991	EF0	13 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	69 km
1927	S. CALIFORNIA	Earthquake	1.8 m	—	46 km
1878	S. CALIFORNIA	Meteorological	1.0 m	1	64 km
1901	MONTEREY BAY, N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	—	—	141 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	94 km
2007	ZACA	241,846	57 km
1985	WHEELER 2	126,854	88 km
1996	FIFTY-EIGHT	94,704	65 km
2009	LA BREA	84,213	31 km
1985	LAS PILITAS	75,841	64 km
1997	LOGAN	49,627	44 km
1994	41	48,441	81 km
1997	LOKERN	46,139	95 km
1993	MARRE	44,309	29 km
2016	REY	33,323	53 km
2017	ALAMO	29,256	24 km
2002	WOLF	21,097	99 km
2017	WHITTIER CA-LBOR-001770	18,510	37 km
2021	ALISAL	17,677	32 km
1999	SPANISH	14,518	41 km
2006	PERKINS	14,342	54 km
2024	HURRICANE	13,488	76 km
2016	CANYON	12,749	33 km
1989	CHISPA	9,869	83 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 (11°C)	3.8 in	Wettest
March	53°F (12°C)	3.4 in
April	56°F (13°C)	1.5 in
May	59°F (15°C)	0.3 in
June	63°F (17°C)	0.0 in
July	64°F (18°C)	0.0 in	Driest
August	68°F (20°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)	2.2 in
December	52°F (11°C)	2.8 in	Coldest

Los Alamos has a seasonal temperature swing of 16°F / from 52°F in December to 68°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 18.6 inches, with February being the wettest month (3.8") and July the driest (0.0").

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