Weather & Climate in Orcutt, CA

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

Orcutt enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°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 13.3 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 446 feet.

Temperature

53°F Jan (12°C) 64°F Jul (18°C)

Annual Average	58.6°F
	9% above US avg
January Average	53°F (12°C)
July Average	64°F (18°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	446 ft (136 m)
Area	11.1 sq mi (28.8 km²)
Population Density	2,891/sq mi
Coordinates	34.8692°N, 120.4217°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Santa Barbara County County
Nearest Airport	San Luis Obispo County Regional (SBP) 25 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 13.3"

65% below US avg

Wettest Month (Feb) 3.78"

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

2,415 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.0.

Sep 28, 2004	2004 Parkfield, California Earthquake	M6.0	106 km	8 km
Apr 5, 2018	31km SW of Santa Cruz Is. (E end), CA	M5.3	133 km	10 km
Aug 7, 2024	24 km SW of Lamont, CA	M5.2	124 km	12 km
Sep 17, 1991	22 km NW of San Simeon, California	M5.2	134 km	9 km
May 28, 1993	21km SW of Lamont, California	M5.2	124 km	21 km
Aug 20, 2023	7 km SE of Ojai, CA	M5.1	124 km	5 km
Sep 29, 2004	8 km NW of Parkfield, California	M5.0	121 km	11 km
Dec 20, 1994	3 km NW of Parkfield, California	M4.9	117 km	8 km
Sep 30, 2004	13 km NW of Parkfield, California	M4.9	125 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	121 km	11 km
May 29, 2013	6km W of Isla Vista, CA	M4.8	69 km	7 km
Sep 28, 2004	12 km SE of Parkfield, California	M4.7	104 km	6 km
Aug 7, 2024	25 km SW of Lamont, CA	M4.6	122 km	12 km
Apr 16, 2005	20km ESE of Maricopa, CA	M4.6	114 km	9 km
Mar 17, 2004	9 km WSW of Oak Shores, California	M4.5	113 km	4 km
May 16, 2005	5 km NW of Parkfield, California	M4.5	118 km	9 km
Aug 6, 2012	8 km NW of Parkfield, California	M4.5	120 km	11 km
Aug 8, 2024	22 km NW of Grapevine, CA	M4.4	126 km	12 km
Dec 24, 2000	9km WSW of Grapevine, CA	M4.4	128 km	13 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	33 km	0.7 mi	0
Feb 7, 2024	EF1	60 km	4.9 mi	0
Mar 17, 1991	EF1	91 km	0.1 mi	0
Jan 3, 1977	EF1	74 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 21, 2023	EF0	95 km	0.2 mi	0
Feb 23, 2015	EF0	89 km	0.5 mi	0
Jan 19, 2010	EF0	70 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 29, 2006	EF0	27 km	—	0
Feb 2, 2004	EF0	32 km	0.5 mi	0
Nov 29, 2001	EF0	9 km	0.1 mi	0
May 5, 1998	EF0	51 km	0.3 mi	0
Mar 24, 1994	EF0	82 km	0.1 mi	0
Dec 29, 1991	EF0	29 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	88 km
1927	S. CALIFORNIA	Earthquake	1.8 m	—	33 km
1878	S. CALIFORNIA	Meteorological	1.0 m	1	45 km
1901	MONTEREY BAY, N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	—	—	126 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ZACA (241,846 acres, 2007).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2007	ZACA	241,846	72 km
1996	FIFTY-EIGHT	94,704	52 km
2009	LA BREA	84,213	37 km
1985	LAS PILITAS	75,841	47 km
1997	LOGAN	49,627	40 km
1994	41	48,441	63 km
1997	LOKERN	46,139	98 km
1993	MARRE	44,309	45 km
2016	REY	33,323	71 km
2017	ALAMO	29,256	16 km
2017	WHITTIER CA-LBOR-001770	18,510	57 km
2021	ALISAL	17,677	51 km
1999	SPANISH	14,518	43 km
2006	PERKINS	14,342	66 km
2024	HURRICANE	13,488	79 km
2016	CANYON	12,749	34 km
1989	CHISPA	9,869	66 km
2008	GAP	9,368	66 km
2000	HARRIS	9,102	11 km
2009	JESUSITA	8,569	77 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	53°F (12°C)	3.6 in
February	54°F (12°C)	3.8 in	Wettest
March	55°F (13°C)	3.2 in
April	57°F (14°C)	1.3 in
May	59°F (15°C)	0.3 in
June	62°F (17°C)	0.0 in
July	64°F (18°C)	0.0 in	Driest
August	65°F (19°C)	0.0 in	Warmest
September	65°F (18°C)	0.3 in
October	63°F (17°C)	0.7 in
November	57°F (14°C)	2.0 in
December	52°F (11°C)	2.7 in	Coldest

Orcutt has a seasonal temperature swing of 13°F / from 52°F in December to 65°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 17.9 inches, with February being the wettest month (3.8") and July the driest (0.0").

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