Weather & Climate in Malibu, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Malibu enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 57°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. Annual precipitation totals 22.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Moderate with a median AQI of 80 / residents may notice occasional air quality concerns. 10% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 23 feet.
Temperature
57°F Jan (14°C)
69°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 62.8°F |
| 16% above US avg | |
| January Average | 57°F (14°C) |
| July Average | 69°F (21°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 23 ft (7 m) |
| Area | 19.8 sq mi (51.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 530/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 34.0259°N, 118.7596°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Los Angeles County County |
| Nearest Airport | Los Angeles International (LAX) 21 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 80.0 |
| Rating | Moderate |
| Good Days % | 10.4% |
| Unhealthy Days | 133 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very High |
| Risk Score | 100.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 55.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 13.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| Earthquake | Very High |
| Wildfire | Very High |
| Flood | Very High |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively High |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Very High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively High |
| Tsunami | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
4,088 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.7.
| Jan 17, 1994 | Northridge, California, earthquake | M6.7 | 29 km | 18 km |
| Jan 17, 1994 | 1km ENE of Granada Hills, California | M5.9 | 37 km | 5 km |
| Jun 28, 1991 | The 1991 Sierra Madre, California Earthquake | M5.8 | 76 km | 8 km |
| Jul 11, 1992 | 12km NW of California City, California | M5.7 | 146 km | 10 km |
| Jan 17, 1994 | 7km NNE of Simi Valley, California | M5.6 | 34 km | 9 km |
| Feb 28, 1990 | The 1990 Upland, California Earthquake | M5.5 | 99 km | 3 km |
| Apr 5, 2018 | 31km SW of Santa Cruz Is. (E end), CA | M5.3 | 93 km | 10 km |
| Jan 18, 1994 | 10km ESE of Piru, California | M5.2 | 40 km | 11 km |
| Mar 20, 1994 | 3km WNW of Panorama City, California | M5.2 | 35 km | 12 km |
| Aug 7, 2024 | 24 km SW of Lamont, CA | M5.2 | 124 km | 12 km |
| Jan 17, 1994 | 9km N of Chatsworth, California | M5.2 | 37 km | 5 km |
| May 28, 1993 | 21km SW of Lamont, California | M5.2 | 129 km | 21 km |
| Mar 29, 2014 | 2km NW of Brea, CA | M5.1 | 79 km | 5 km |
| Aug 20, 2023 | 7 km SE of Ojai, CA | M5.1 | 58 km | 5 km |
| Jan 19, 1994 | 10km SSW of Valencia, California | M5.1 | 41 km | 11 km |
| Apr 26, 1997 | 12km ESE of Piru, California | M5.1 | 39 km | 16 km |
| Jan 29, 1994 | 6km NNE of Chatsworth, California | M5.1 | 35 km | 1 km |
| Jan 19, 1994 | 8km ESE of Piru, California | M5.1 | 40 km | 14 km |
| Jun 26, 1995 | 11km SW of Valencia, California | M5.0 | 42 km | 13 km |
| Apr 27, 1997 | 11km SW of Valencia, California | M4.9 | 40 km | 15 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
80 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 53 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 1, 1983 | EF2 | 36 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Nov 9, 1982 | EF2 | 58 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 9, 1982 | EF2 | 33 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 7, 1966 | EF2 | 45 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 7, 1966 | EF2 | 88 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Nov 7, 1966 | EF2 | 44 km | 10.3 mi | 0 |
| Mar 22, 2023 | EF1 | 59 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jan 19, 2010 | EF1 | 68 km | 4.6 mi | 0 |
| Jan 9, 1998 | EF1 | 61 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 21, 1997 | EF1 | 81 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 11, 1997 | EF1 | 95 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jan 14, 1993 | EF1 | 76 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 7, 1992 | EF1 | 81 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Dec 7, 1992 | EF1 | 77 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 20, 1992 | EF1 | 54 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 1991 | EF1 | 81 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 16, 1986 | EF1 | 81 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| Oct 1, 1983 | EF1 | 40 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Nov 9, 1982 | EF1 | 7 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 29, 1982 | EF1 | 61 km | 2.0 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 | 107 km |
| 1930 | S. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | 3.1 m | 1 | 11 km |
| 1994 | WEST COAST, USA | Earthquake | 0.1 m | 57 | 29 km |
| 1855 | S. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | - | - | 61 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 | 69 km |
| 2009 | STATION | 165,368 | 66 km |
| 2006 | DAY | 159,713 | 68 km |
| 1985 | WHEELER 2 | 126,854 | 77 km |
| 2020 | BOBCAT | 115,728 | 83 km |
| 2003 | SIMI | 107,756 | 35 km |
| 2018 | WOOLSEY | 97,962 | 13 km |
| 2003 | PIRU | 63,920 | 51 km |
| 1985 | FERNDALE | 46,724 | 56 km |
| 2016 | SAND | 41,561 | 55 km |
| 2007 | BUCKWEED | 41,332 | 62 km |
| 1993 | GREEN MEADOWS | 38,115 | 22 km |
| 2002 | WILLIAMS | 37,505 | 92 km |
| 2007 | RANCH | 37,009 | 55 km |
| 2013 | POWERHOUSE | 32,329 | 77 km |
| 2020 | LAKE | 30,971 | 76 km |
| 2008 | FREEWAY COMPLEX | 29,350 | 94 km |
| 1993 | STECKEL | 26,202 | 54 km |
| 2005 | TOPANGA | 24,133 | 22 km |
| 1997 | HOPPER | 24,072 | 50 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 57°F (14°C) | 5.6 in | |
| February | 57°F (14°C) | 5.9 in | Wettest |
| March | 59°F (15°C) | 3.5 in | |
| April | 60°F (16°C) | 0.8 in | |
| May | 63°F (17°C) | 0.5 in | |
| June | 66°F (19°C) | 0.1 in | |
| July | 69°F (21°C) | 0.0 in | Driest |
| August | 70°F (21°C) | 0.0 in | Warmest |
| September | 69°F (21°C) | 0.1 in | |
| October | 66°F (19°C) | 1.0 in | |
| November | 61°F (16°C) | 1.0 in | |
| December | 57°F (14°C) | 3.7 in | Coldest |
Malibu has a seasonal temperature swing of 13°F / from 57°F in December to 70°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 22.4 inches, with February being the wettest month (5.9") and July the driest (0.0").