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Weather & Climate in Santa Margarita, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Santa Margarita enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 54°F in January while summers reach 66°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 326 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 22.4 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 1,005 feet.
Temperature
54°F Jan (12°C)
66°F Jul (19°C)
| Annual Average | 60.6°F |
| 12% above US avg | |
| January Average | 54°F (12°C) |
| July Average | 66°F (19°C) |
| Sunny Days | 326 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,005 ft (306 m) |
| Area | 0.5 sq mi (1.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,279/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.3894°N, 120.6082°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | San Luis Obispo County County |
| Nearest Airport | San Luis Obispo County Regional (SBP) 13 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 48.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 95.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 32.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 93.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| 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 | No Rating |
| Landslide | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Low |
| Tsunami | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
3,221 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.0.
| Sep 28, 2004 | 2004 Parkfield, California Earthquake | M6.0 | 53 km | 8 km |
| Oct 21, 2012 | 24 km NE of San Lucas, California | M5.3 | 105 km | 9 km |
| Aug 7, 2024 | 24 km SW of Lamont, CA | M5.2 | 141 km | 12 km |
| Sep 17, 1991 | 22 km NW of San Simeon, California | M5.2 | 81 km | 9 km |
| May 28, 1993 | 21km SW of Lamont, California | M5.2 | 139 km | 21 km |
| Sep 29, 2004 | 8 km NW of Parkfield, California | M5.0 | 64 km | 11 km |
| Apr 23, 1995 | 22 km NNE of Soledad, California | M4.9 | 145 km | 7 km |
| Dec 20, 1994 | 3 km NW of Parkfield, California | M4.9 | 60 km | 8 km |
| Sep 30, 2004 | 13 km NW of Parkfield, California | M4.9 | 67 km | 10 km |
| Feb 24, 2016 | 6km SSW of Wasco, CA | M4.9 | 113 km | 22 km |
| Nov 14, 1993 | 8 km NW of Parkfield, California | M4.8 | 63 km | 11 km |
| May 29, 2013 | 6km W of Isla Vista, CA | M4.8 | 126 km | 7 km |
| Sep 28, 2004 | 12 km SE of Parkfield, California | M4.7 | 52 km | 6 km |
| Feb 4, 1991 | 33 km SE of Big Sur, California | M4.7 | 113 km | 9 km |
| Aug 27, 2011 | 21 km NE of Soledad, California | M4.6 | 143 km | 8 km |
| Aug 7, 2024 | 25 km SW of Lamont, CA | M4.6 | 139 km | 12 km |
| Apr 16, 2005 | 20km ESE of Maricopa, CA | M4.6 | 135 km | 9 km |
| Mar 17, 2004 | 9 km WSW of Oak Shores, California | M4.5 | 57 km | 4 km |
| May 16, 2005 | 5 km NW of Parkfield, California | M4.5 | 61 km | 9 km |
| Aug 6, 2012 | 8 km NW of Parkfield, California | M4.5 | 63 km | 11 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
8 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1. Total: 2 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Feb 7, 2024 | EF1 | 30 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Feb 7, 2024 | EF1 | 21 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Feb 23, 2015 | EF0 | 75 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 29, 2006 | EF0 | 86 km | — | 0 |
| Feb 2, 2004 | EF0 | 32 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Nov 29, 2001 | EF0 | 52 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1998 | EF0 | 13 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Dec 29, 1991 | EF0 | 89 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 | 147 km |
| 1927 | S. CALIFORNIA | Earthquake | 1.8 m | — | 66 km |
| 1878 | S. CALIFORNIA | Meteorological | 1.0 m | 1 | 26 km |
| 1901 | MONTEREY BAY, N. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | — | — | 69 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: FIFTY-EIGHT (94,704 acres, 1996).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1996 | FIFTY-EIGHT | 94,704 | 29 km |
| 2009 | LA BREA | 84,213 | 73 km |
| 1985 | LAS PILITAS | 75,841 | 15 km |
| 1997 | LOGAN | 49,627 | 55 km |
| 1994 | 41 | 48,441 | 7 km |
| 2017 | GARZA | 48,404 | 69 km |
| 2016 | CHIMNEY | 46,950 | 57 km |
| 1993 | MARRE | 44,309 | 95 km |
| 1985 | CHERRY | 41,654 | 90 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 39,070 | 82 km |
| 2020 | MINERAL | 29,901 | 86 km |
| 2017 | ALAMO | 29,256 | 56 km |
| 1996 | WILD | 24,439 | 95 km |
| 1984 | UNNAMED | 23,122 | 82 km |
| 1993 | ORCHARD | 22,309 | 62 km |
| 1996 | SKYLINE | 21,694 | 85 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 19,243 | 84 km |
| 2024 | BOONE | 17,701 | 87 km |
| 1999 | SPANISH | 14,518 | 70 km |
| 2024 | HURRICANE | 13,488 | 89 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 54°F (12°C) | 4.2 in | Wettest |
| February | 50°F (10°C) | 4.1 in | |
| March | 51°F (11°C) | 3.7 in | |
| April | 54°F (12°C) | 1.3 in | |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 0.4 in | |
| June | 65°F (18°C) | 0.1 in | |
| July | 66°F (19°C) | 0.0 in | Driest |
| August | 69°F (21°C) | 0.1 in | Warmest |
| September | 66°F (19°C) | 0.4 in | |
| October | 60°F (16°C) | 0.8 in | |
| November | 52°F (11°C) | 2.1 in | |
| December | 47°F (8°C) | 3.0 in | Coldest |
Santa Margarita has a seasonal temperature swing of 23°F / from 47°F in December to 69°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 20.0 inches, with January being the wettest month (4.2") and July the driest (0.0").