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Weather & Climate in Montecito, CA

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

Montecito enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 57°F in January while summers reach 68°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 24 feet.

Temperature

57°F Jan (14°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average62.5°F
16% above US avg
January Average57°F (14°C)
July Average68°F (20°C)
Sunny Days330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation24 ft (7 m)
Area9.3 sq mi (24.0 km²)
Population Density961/sq mi
Coordinates34.4186°N, 119.6331°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyVentura County County
Nearest AirportSanta Barbara Municipal (SBA)
10 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 19.0"
50% below US avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Feb) 4.21"
Driest Month (Jul) 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

3,109 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.7.

Jan 17, 1994 Northridge, California, earthquake M6.7 103 km 18 km
Jan 17, 1994 1km ENE of Granada Hills, California M5.9 106 km 5 km
Jan 17, 1994 7km NNE of Simi Valley, California M5.6 86 km 9 km
Apr 5, 2018 31km SW of Santa Cruz Is. (E end), CA M5.3 67 km 10 km
Mar 20, 1994 3km WNW of Panorama City, California M5.2 108 km 12 km
Jan 18, 1994 10km ESE of Piru, California M5.2 86 km 11 km
Aug 7, 2024 24 km SW of Lamont, CA M5.2 91 km 12 km
Jan 17, 1994 9km N of Chatsworth, California M5.2 94 km 5 km
May 28, 1993 21km SW of Lamont, California M5.2 95 km 21 km
Aug 20, 2023 7 km SE of Ojai, CA M5.1 41 km 5 km
Jan 19, 1994 10km SSW of Valencia, California M5.1 93 km 11 km
Apr 26, 1997 12km ESE of Piru, California M5.1 89 km 16 km
Jan 19, 1994 8km ESE of Piru, California M5.1 85 km 14 km
Jan 29, 1994 6km NNE of Chatsworth, California M5.1 98 km 1 km
Sep 29, 2004 25km SSW of Bodfish, California M5.0 142 km 3 km
Jun 26, 1995 11km SW of Valencia, California M5.0 89 km 13 km
Apr 27, 1997 11km SW of Valencia, California M4.9 90 km 15 km
Jan 17, 1994 3km N of Northridge, California M4.9 102 km 6 km
Feb 24, 2016 6km SSW of Wasco, CA M4.9 127 km 22 km
Jan 17, 1994 10km SSW of Valencia, California M4.9 92 km 12 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

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

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Mar 17, 1991 EF1 80 km 0.1 mi 0
Nov 9, 1982 EF1 98 km 0.2 mi 0
Jan 3, 1977 EF1 17 km 0.1 mi 0
Mar 21, 2023 EF0 9 km 0.2 mi 0
Dec 25, 2019 EF0 40 km 0.8 mi 0
Jan 21, 2010 EF0 44 km 1.5 mi 0
Jan 19, 2010 EF0 22 km 0.1 mi 0
Jan 24, 2008 EF0 58 km 0.1 mi 0
Mar 29, 2006 EF0 78 km — 0
Jan 10, 2005 EF0 47 km 0.1 mi 0
Nov 29, 2001 EF0 94 km 0.1 mi 0
Apr 1, 1999 EF0 97 km 0.1 mi 0
May 13, 1998 EF0 55 km 0.1 mi 0
Mar 24, 1994 EF0 6 km 0.1 mi 0
Dec 7, 1992 EF0 71 km 0.1 mi 0
Dec 29, 1991 EF0 66 km 0.1 mi 0
Nov 9, 1982 EF0 58 km 0.1 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Tsunami History

6 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 35 km
1930 S. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake 3.1 m 1 101 km
1927 S. CALIFORNIA Earthquake 1.8 m — 113 km
1878 S. CALIFORNIA Meteorological 1.0 m 1 131 km
1994 WEST COAST, USA Earthquake 0.1 m 57 103 km
1855 S. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake — — 145 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 31 km
2007 ZACA 241,846 31 km
2006 DAY 159,713 65 km
1985 WHEELER 2 126,854 28 km
2003 SIMI 107,756 78 km
2018 WOOLSEY 97,962 81 km
2009 LA BREA 84,213 68 km
2003 PIRU 63,920 71 km
1997 LOGAN 49,627 88 km
1985 FERNDALE 46,724 44 km
1993 MARRE 44,309 45 km
1993 GREEN MEADOWS 38,115 69 km
2007 RANCH 37,009 84 km
2016 REY 33,323 20 km
2017 ALAMO 29,256 85 km
1993 STECKEL 26,202 44 km
2005 TOPANGA 24,133 89 km
1997 HOPPER 24,072 75 km
2013 SPRINGS 24,042 66 km
2002 WOLF 21,097 43 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 57°F (14°C) 3.9 in
February 52°F (11°C) 4.2 in Wettest
March 52°F (11°C) 3.6 in
April 55°F (13°C) 1.3 in
May 58°F (14°C) 0.4 in
June 62°F (17°C) 0.1 in
July 68°F (20°C) 0.0 in Warmest, Driest
August 68°F (20°C) 0.1 in
September 66°F (19°C) 0.3 in
October 62°F (17°C) 0.6 in
November 56°F (13°C) 2.1 in
December 51°F (11°C) 2.8 in Coldest

Montecito has a seasonal temperature swing of 17°F / from 51°F in December to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 19.4 inches, with February being the wettest month (4.2") and July the driest (0.0").

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