All Countries
Weather & Climate in Santa Maria, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Santa Maria enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (15°C). Winters average 51°F in January while summers reach 64°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 26.9 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 1.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 207 feet.
Temperature
51°F Jan (10°C)
64°F Jul (18°C)
| Annual Average | 58.2°F |
| 8% above US avg | |
| January Average | 51°F (10°C) |
| July Average | 64°F (18°C) |
| Sunny Days | 326 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 207 ft (63 m) |
| Area | 23.4 sq mi (60.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 4,817/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 34.9331°N, 120.4436°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Santa Barbara County County |
| Nearest Airport | San Luis Obispo County Regional (SBP) 20 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
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
2,509 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.0.
| Sep 28, 2004 | 2004 Parkfield, California Earthquake | M6.0 | 99 km | 8 km |
| Apr 5, 2018 | 31km SW of Santa Cruz Is. (E end), CA | M5.3 | 140 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 | 127 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 | 129 km | 5 km |
| Sep 29, 2004 | 8 km NW of Parkfield, California | M5.0 | 114 km | 11 km |
| Dec 20, 1994 | 3 km NW of Parkfield, California | M4.9 | 110 km | 8 km |
| Sep 30, 2004 | 13 km NW of Parkfield, California | M4.9 | 118 km | 10 km |
| Feb 24, 2016 | 6km SSW of Wasco, CA | M4.9 | 119 km | 22 km |
| Nov 14, 1993 | 8 km NW of Parkfield, California | M4.8 | 114 km | 11 km |
| May 29, 2013 | 6km W of Isla Vista, CA | M4.8 | 76 km | 7 km |
| Sep 28, 2004 | 12 km SE of Parkfield, California | M4.7 | 97 km | 6 km |
| Aug 7, 2024 | 25 km SW of Lamont, CA | M4.6 | 123 km | 12 km |
| Apr 16, 2005 | 20km ESE of Maricopa, CA | M4.6 | 115 km | 9 km |
| Mar 17, 2004 | 9 km WSW of Oak Shores, California | M4.5 | 106 km | 4 km |
| May 16, 2005 | 5 km NW of Parkfield, California | M4.5 | 111 km | 9 km |
| Aug 6, 2012 | 8 km NW of Parkfield, California | M4.5 | 113 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 | 130 km | 13 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
12 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1. Total: 2 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Feb 7, 2024 | EF1 | 27 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Feb 7, 2024 | EF1 | 53 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Mar 17, 1991 | EF1 | 90 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jan 3, 1977 | EF1 | 80 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Feb 23, 2015 | EF0 | 85 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jan 19, 2010 | EF0 | 77 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 29, 2006 | EF0 | 34 km | — | 0 |
| Feb 2, 2004 | EF0 | 25 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Nov 29, 2001 | EF0 | 2 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1998 | EF0 | 44 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Mar 24, 1994 | EF0 | 88 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Dec 29, 1991 | EF0 | 36 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 | 96 km |
| 1927 | S. CALIFORNIA | Earthquake | 1.8 m | — | 33 km |
| 1878 | S. CALIFORNIA | Meteorological | 1.0 m | 1 | 38 km |
| 1901 | MONTEREY BAY, N. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | — | — | 119 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 | 76 km |
| 1996 | FIFTY-EIGHT | 94,704 | 46 km |
| 2009 | LA BREA | 84,213 | 38 km |
| 1985 | LAS PILITAS | 75,841 | 40 km |
| 1997 | LOGAN | 49,627 | 37 km |
| 1994 | 41 | 48,441 | 56 km |
| 1997 | LOKERN | 46,139 | 96 km |
| 1993 | MARRE | 44,309 | 50 km |
| 2016 | REY | 33,323 | 76 km |
| 2017 | ALAMO | 29,256 | 15 km |
| 1993 | ORCHARD | 22,309 | 96 km |
| 2017 | WHITTIER CA-LBOR-001770 | 18,510 | 63 km |
| 2021 | ALISAL | 17,677 | 58 km |
| 1999 | SPANISH | 14,518 | 43 km |
| 2006 | PERKINS | 14,342 | 69 km |
| 2024 | HURRICANE | 13,488 | 77 km |
| 2016 | CANYON | 12,749 | 40 km |
| 1989 | CHISPA | 9,869 | 58 km |
| 2008 | GAP | 9,368 | 73 km |
| 2000 | HARRIS | 9,102 | 17 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 51°F (10°C) | 3.6 in | Coldest |
| 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 |
Santa Maria has a seasonal temperature swing of 15°F / from 51°F in January 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").