Weather & Climate in Santa Barbara, CA

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

Santa Barbara enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 51°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. The area gets 328 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 38.6 inches. The area receives 4.0 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 49. 53% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 384 feet.

Temperature

51°F Jan (11°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)

Annual Average	61.2°F
	13% above US avg
January Average	51°F (11°C)
July Average	75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days	328 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	384 ft (117 m)
Area	42.0 sq mi (108.7 km²)
Population Density	4,516/sq mi
Coordinates	34.4036°N, 119.7137°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Ventura County County
Nearest Airport	Santa Barbara Municipal (SBA) 5 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 38.6"

2% above US avg

Snowfall 4.0"

Wettest Month (Feb) 4.17"

Driest Month (Aug) 0.04"

Air Quality

AQI Median	49.0
Rating	Good
Good Days %	52.7%
Unhealthy Days	2

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively High
Risk Score	99.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability	29.8 / 100
Community Resilience	33.6 / 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

3,048 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.7.

Jan 17, 1994	Northridge, California, earthquake	M6.7	110 km	18 km
Jan 17, 1994	1km ENE of Granada Hills, California	M5.9	113 km	5 km
Jan 17, 1994	7km NNE of Simi Valley, California	M5.6	94 km	9 km
Apr 5, 2018	31km SW of Santa Cruz Is. (E end), CA	M5.3	65 km	10 km
Mar 20, 1994	3km WNW of Panorama City, California	M5.2	115 km	12 km
Jan 18, 1994	10km ESE of Piru, California	M5.2	93 km	11 km
Aug 7, 2024	24 km SW of Lamont, CA	M5.2	97 km	12 km
Jan 17, 1994	9km N of Chatsworth, California	M5.2	101 km	5 km
May 28, 1993	21km SW of Lamont, California	M5.2	100 km	21 km
Aug 20, 2023	7 km SE of Ojai, CA	M5.1	48 km	5 km
Jan 19, 1994	10km SSW of Valencia, California	M5.1	101 km	11 km
Apr 26, 1997	12km ESE of Piru, California	M5.1	96 km	16 km
Jan 19, 1994	8km ESE of Piru, California	M5.1	92 km	14 km
Jan 29, 1994	6km NNE of Chatsworth, California	M5.1	105 km	1 km
Sep 29, 2004	25km SSW of Bodfish, California	M5.0	148 km	3 km
Jun 26, 1995	11km SW of Valencia, California	M5.0	96 km	13 km
Apr 27, 1997	11km SW of Valencia, California	M4.9	98 km	15 km
Jan 17, 1994	3km N of Northridge, California	M4.9	109 km	6 km
Feb 24, 2016	6km SSW of Wasco, CA	M4.9	130 km	22 km
Jan 17, 1994	10km SSW of Valencia, California	M4.9	100 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	84 km	0.1 mi	0
Jan 3, 1977	EF1	10 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 21, 2023	EF0	16 km	0.2 mi	0
Dec 25, 2019	EF0	46 km	0.8 mi	0
Jan 21, 2010	EF0	51 km	1.5 mi	0
Jan 19, 2010	EF0	15 km	0.1 mi	0
Jan 24, 2008	EF0	63 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 29, 2006	EF0	72 km	—	0
Jan 10, 2005	EF0	54 km	0.1 mi	0
Nov 29, 2001	EF0	89 km	0.1 mi	0
May 13, 1998	EF0	62 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 24, 1994	EF0	3 km	0.1 mi	0
Dec 7, 1992	EF0	78 km	0.1 mi	0
Dec 29, 1991	EF0	59 km	0.1 mi	0
Nov 9, 1982	EF0	63 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	28 km
1930	S. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	3.1 m	1	107 km
1927	S. CALIFORNIA	Earthquake	1.8 m	—	107 km
1878	S. CALIFORNIA	Meteorological	1.0 m	1	127 km
1994	WEST COAST, USA	Earthquake	0.1 m	57	110 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	38 km
2007	ZACA	241,846	33 km
2006	DAY	159,713	72 km
1985	WHEELER 2	126,854	35 km
2003	SIMI	107,756	85 km
2018	WOOLSEY	97,962	87 km
2009	LA BREA	84,213	66 km
2003	PIRU	63,920	79 km
1997	LOGAN	49,627	87 km
1985	FERNDALE	46,724	52 km
1993	MARRE	44,309	42 km
1993	GREEN MEADOWS	38,115	75 km
2007	RANCH	37,009	91 km
2016	REY	33,323	20 km
2017	ALAMO	29,256	81 km
1993	STECKEL	26,202	52 km
2005	TOPANGA	24,133	96 km
1997	HOPPER	24,072	83 km
2013	SPRINGS	24,042	72 km
2002	WOLF	21,097	51 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	51°F (11°C)	3.7 in	Coldest
February	54°F (12°C)	4.2 in	Wettest
March	55°F (13°C)	3.6 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	75°F (24°C)	0.0 in	Warmest, Driest
August	69°F (20°C)	0.0 in
September	67°F (20°C)	0.3 in
October	64°F (18°C)	0.6 in
November	58°F (14°C)	1.9 in
December	53°F (12°C)	2.6 in

Santa Barbara has a seasonal temperature swing of 24°F / from 51°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 18.6 inches, with February being the wettest month (4.2") and July the driest (0.0").

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