Weather & Climate in Santa Ynez, CA

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

Santa Ynez enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 54°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 15.4 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 650 feet.

Temperature

54°F Jan (12°C) 64°F Jul (18°C)

Annual Average	59.3°F
	10% above US avg
January Average	54°F (12°C)
July Average	64°F (18°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	650 ft (198 m)
Area	5.1 sq mi (13.3 km²)
Population Density	978/sq mi
Coordinates	34.6175°N, 120.0964°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Santa Barbara County County
Nearest Airport	Santa Barbara Municipal (SBA) 23 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 15.4"

59% below US avg

Snowfall 0.0"

Wettest Month (Feb) 3.94"

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

2,678 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.7.

Jan 17, 1994	Northridge, California, earthquake	M6.7	150 km	18 km
Sep 28, 2004	2004 Parkfield, California Earthquake	M6.0	136 km	8 km
Jan 17, 1994	7km NNE of Simi Valley, California	M5.6	132 km	9 km
Apr 5, 2018	31km SW of Santa Cruz Is. (E end), CA	M5.3	95 km	10 km
Jan 18, 1994	10km ESE of Piru, California	M5.2	131 km	11 km
Aug 7, 2024	24 km SW of Lamont, CA	M5.2	106 km	12 km
Jan 17, 1994	9km N of Chatsworth, California	M5.2	139 km	5 km
May 28, 1993	21km SW of Lamont, California	M5.2	108 km	21 km
Aug 20, 2023	7 km SE of Ojai, CA	M5.1	86 km	5 km
Apr 26, 1997	12km ESE of Piru, California	M5.1	134 km	16 km
Jan 19, 1994	10km SSW of Valencia, California	M5.1	138 km	11 km
Jan 19, 1994	8km ESE of Piru, California	M5.1	130 km	14 km
Jan 29, 1994	6km NNE of Chatsworth, California	M5.1	143 km	1 km
Jun 26, 1995	11km SW of Valencia, California	M5.0	133 km	13 km
Apr 27, 1997	11km SW of Valencia, California	M4.9	135 km	15 km
Dec 20, 1994	3 km NW of Parkfield, California	M4.9	148 km	8 km
Jan 17, 1994	3km N of Northridge, California	M4.9	148 km	6 km
Feb 24, 2016	6km SSW of Wasco, CA	M4.9	122 km	22 km
Jan 17, 1994	10km SSW of Valencia, California	M4.9	137 km	12 km
Jan 17, 1994	6km NE of Chatsworth, California	M4.9	145 km	6 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
Feb 7, 2024	EF1	74 km	0.7 mi	0
Mar 17, 1991	EF1	80 km	0.1 mi	0
Jan 3, 1977	EF1	33 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 21, 2023	EF0	56 km	0.2 mi	0
Dec 25, 2019	EF0	88 km	0.8 mi	0
Feb 23, 2015	EF0	100 km	0.5 mi	0
Jan 21, 2010	EF0	92 km	1.5 mi	0
Jan 19, 2010	EF0	29 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 29, 2006	EF0	32 km	—	0
Jan 10, 2005	EF0	95 km	0.1 mi	0
Feb 2, 2004	EF0	73 km	0.5 mi	0
Nov 29, 2001	EF0	48 km	0.1 mi	0
May 5, 1998	EF0	90 km	0.3 mi	0
Mar 24, 1994	EF0	42 km	0.1 mi	0
Dec 29, 1991	EF0	19 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	50 km
1930	S. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	3.1 m	1	149 km
1927	S. CALIFORNIA	Earthquake	1.8 m	—	66 km
1878	S. CALIFORNIA	Meteorological	1.0 m	1	85 km
1994	WEST COAST, USA	Earthquake	0.1 m	57	150 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	75 km
2007	ZACA	241,846	41 km
1985	WHEELER 2	126,854	69 km
1996	FIFTY-EIGHT	94,704	81 km
2009	LA BREA	84,213	36 km
1985	LAS PILITAS	75,841	83 km
1997	LOGAN	49,627	55 km
1985	FERNDALE	46,724	90 km
1997	LOKERN	46,139	95 km
1993	MARRE	44,309	18 km
2016	REY	33,323	34 km
2017	ALAMO	29,256	42 km
1993	STECKEL	26,202	90 km
2002	WOLF	21,097	81 km
2017	WHITTIER CA-LBOR-001770	18,510	16 km
2021	ALISAL	17,677	14 km
1999	SPANISH	14,518	46 km
2006	PERKINS	14,342	45 km
2024	HURRICANE	13,488	76 km
2016	CANYON	12,749	45 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	54°F (12°C)	3.7 in
February	52°F (11°C)	3.9 in	Wettest
March	53°F (12°C)	3.5 in
April	56°F (13°C)	1.5 in
May	59°F (15°C)	0.2 in
June	63°F (17°C)	0.0 in
July	64°F (18°C)	0.0 in	Driest
August	70°F (21°C)	0.0 in	Warmest
September	67°F (20°C)	0.4 in
October	64°F (18°C)	0.6 in
November	57°F (14°C)	2.4 in
December	52°F (11°C)	2.8 in	Coldest

Santa Ynez has a seasonal temperature swing of 18°F / from 52°F in December to 70°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 19.1 inches, with February being the wettest month (3.9") and July the driest (0.0").

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