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Weather & Climate in Santa Monica, CA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Santa Monica enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 53°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 325 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 33.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 16 feet.
Temperature
53°F Jan (11°C)
72°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 62.0°F |
| 15% above US avg | |
| January Average | 53°F (11°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 325 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 16 ft (5 m) |
| Area | 8.4 sq mi (21.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 10,884/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 34.0109°N, 118.4982°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Los Angeles County County |
| Nearest Airport | Los Angeles International (LAX) 7 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 48.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very High |
| Risk Score | 100.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 55.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 13.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| Earthquake | Very High |
| Wildfire | Very High |
| Flood | Very High |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively High |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Very High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively High |
| Tsunami | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
4,708 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.7.
| Jan 17, 1994 | Northridge, California, earthquake | M6.7 | 23 km | 18 km |
| Jan 17, 1994 | 1km ENE of Granada Hills, California | M5.9 | 29 km | 5 km |
| Jun 28, 1991 | The 1991 Sierra Madre, California Earthquake | M5.8 | 55 km | 8 km |
| Jul 11, 1992 | 12km NW of California City, California | M5.7 | 139 km | 10 km |
| Oct 16, 1999 | 7km ENE of Running Springs, CA | M5.6 | 137 km | 6 km |
| Jan 17, 1994 | 7km NNE of Simi Valley, California | M5.6 | 40 km | 9 km |
| Feb 28, 1990 | The 1990 Upland, California Earthquake | M5.5 | 75 km | 3 km |
| Apr 5, 2018 | 31km SW of Santa Cruz Is. (E end), CA | M5.3 | 116 km | 10 km |
| Jun 28, 1992 | 1km N of Big Bear Lake, California | M5.3 | 149 km | 7 km |
| Mar 20, 1994 | 3km WNW of Panorama City, California | M5.2 | 25 km | 12 km |
| Jan 18, 1994 | 10km ESE of Piru, California | M5.2 | 45 km | 11 km |
| Aug 7, 2024 | 24 km SW of Lamont, CA | M5.2 | 134 km | 12 km |
| Jan 17, 1994 | 9km N of Chatsworth, California | M5.2 | 38 km | 5 km |
| May 28, 1993 | 21km SW of Lamont, California | M5.2 | 138 km | 21 km |
| Mar 29, 2014 | 2km NW of Brea, CA | M5.1 | 54 km | 5 km |
| Aug 20, 2023 | 7 km SE of Ojai, CA | M5.1 | 77 km | 5 km |
| Apr 26, 1997 | 12km ESE of Piru, California | M5.1 | 43 km | 16 km |
| Jan 19, 1994 | 10km SSW of Valencia, California | M5.1 | 42 km | 11 km |
| Jan 29, 1994 | 6km NNE of Chatsworth, California | M5.1 | 34 km | 1 km |
| Jan 19, 1994 | 8km ESE of Piru, California | M5.1 | 45 km | 14 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
88 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 53 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 1, 1983 | EF2 | 12 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Nov 9, 1982 | EF2 | 38 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 9, 1982 | EF2 | 19 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 7, 1966 | EF2 | 67 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Nov 7, 1966 | EF2 | 24 km | 10.3 mi | 0 |
| Nov 7, 1966 | EF2 | 22 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 22, 2023 | EF1 | 35 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jan 19, 2010 | EF1 | 48 km | 4.6 mi | 0 |
| Jan 9, 1998 | EF1 | 40 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 21, 1997 | EF1 | 60 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 11, 1997 | EF1 | 73 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jan 14, 1993 | EF1 | 53 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 7, 1992 | EF1 | 57 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Dec 7, 1992 | EF1 | 54 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 20, 1992 | EF1 | 31 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 1991 | EF1 | 60 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 16, 1986 | EF1 | 57 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| Oct 1, 1983 | EF1 | 17 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Nov 9, 1982 | EF1 | 90 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Nov 9, 1982 | EF1 | 17 km | 0.2 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 | 131 km |
| 1930 | S. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | 3.1 m | 1 | 14 km |
| 1994 | WEST COAST, USA | Earthquake | 0.1 m | 57 | 23 km |
| 1855 | S. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | — | — | 38 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 | 89 km |
| 2009 | STATION | 165,368 | 48 km |
| 2006 | DAY | 159,713 | 80 km |
| 1985 | WHEELER 2 | 126,854 | 96 km |
| 2020 | BOBCAT | 115,728 | 62 km |
| 2003 | SIMI | 107,756 | 45 km |
| 2018 | WOOLSEY | 97,962 | 33 km |
| 2003 | PIRU | 63,920 | 62 km |
| 2003 | GRAND PRIX | 50,799 | 96 km |
| 1985 | FERNDALE | 46,724 | 75 km |
| 2016 | SAND | 41,561 | 44 km |
| 2007 | BUCKWEED | 41,332 | 56 km |
| 1993 | GREEN MEADOWS | 38,115 | 46 km |
| 2002 | WILLIAMS | 37,505 | 70 km |
| 2007 | RANCH | 37,009 | 60 km |
| 2016 | BLUE CUT | 36,856 | 98 km |
| 2013 | POWERHOUSE | 32,329 | 73 km |
| 2020 | LAKE | 30,971 | 75 km |
| 2008 | FREEWAY COMPLEX | 29,350 | 70 km |
| 2007 | SANTIAGO | 27,605 | 84 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 53°F (11°C) | 3.2 in | Coldest |
| February | 57°F (14°C) | 3.3 in | Wettest |
| March | 58°F (14°C) | 2.5 in | |
| April | 61°F (16°C) | 0.9 in | |
| May | 63°F (17°C) | 0.2 in | |
| June | 67°F (19°C) | 0.1 in | |
| July | 72°F (22°C) | 0.0 in | Driest |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 0.1 in | Warmest |
| September | 71°F (22°C) | 0.2 in | |
| October | 67°F (20°C) | 0.3 in | |
| November | 61°F (16°C) | 1.9 in | |
| December | 57°F (14°C) | 2.1 in |
Santa Monica has a seasonal temperature swing of 20°F / from 53°F in January to 73°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 14.8 inches, with February being the wettest month (3.3") and July the driest (0.0").