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Weather & Climate in Taft, CA

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

Taft enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 66°F (19°C). Winters average 50°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. 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 6.0 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 831 feet.

Temperature

50°F Jan (10°C) 83°F Jul (29°C)
Annual Average65.7°F
22% above US avg
January Average50°F (10°C)
July Average83°F (29°C)
Sunny Days330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation831 ft (253 m)
Area15.1 sq mi (39.1 km²)
Population Density473/sq mi
Coordinates35.1267°N, 119.4242°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyKern County County
Nearest AirportSanta Barbara Municipal (SBA)
55 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 6.0"
84% below US avg
Snowfall 0.2"
Wettest Month (Feb) 1.93"
Driest Month (Jun) 0.08"

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively High
Risk Score98.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability61.1 / 100
Community Resilience6.5 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Earthquake Relatively High
Wildfire Relatively High
Flood Relatively High
Hail Relatively Low
Strong Wind Relatively Low
Heat Wave Relatively High
Winter Weather Relatively Moderate
Lightning Relatively High
Drought Relatively High
Cold Wave Very Low
Landslide Relatively High
Volcano Very Low
Avalanche Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

4,137 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.7.

Jan 17, 1994 Northridge, California, earthquake M6.7 130 km 18 km
Sep 28, 2004 2004 Parkfield, California Earthquake M6.0 115 km 8 km
Jan 17, 1994 1km ENE of Granada Hills, California M5.9 127 km 5 km
Jul 11, 1992 12km NW of California City, California M5.7 124 km 10 km
Jan 17, 1994 7km NNE of Simi Valley, California M5.6 111 km 9 km
Apr 5, 2018 31km SW of Santa Cruz Is. (E end), CA M5.3 148 km 10 km
Mar 20, 1994 3km WNW of Panorama City, California M5.2 132 km 12 km
Jan 18, 1994 10km ESE of Piru, California M5.2 107 km 11 km
Aug 7, 2024 24 km SW of Lamont, CA M5.2 30 km 12 km
Jan 17, 1994 9km N of Chatsworth, California M5.2 115 km 5 km
May 28, 1993 21km SW of Lamont, California M5.2 29 km 21 km
Aug 20, 2023 7 km SE of Ojai, CA M5.1 83 km 5 km
Jan 19, 1994 10km SSW of Valencia, California M5.1 111 km 11 km
Apr 26, 1997 12km ESE of Piru, California M5.1 109 km 16 km
Jan 19, 1994 8km ESE of Piru, California M5.1 106 km 14 km
Jan 29, 1994 6km NNE of Chatsworth, California M5.1 120 km 1 km
Sep 29, 2004 25km SSW of Bodfish, California M5.0 78 km 3 km
Jun 26, 1995 11km SW of Valencia, California M5.0 107 km 13 km
Sep 29, 2004 8 km NW of Parkfield, California M5.0 134 km 11 km
Apr 27, 1997 11km SW of Valencia, California M4.9 109 km 15 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

19 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1. Total: 3 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Mar 17, 1991 EF1 5 km 0.1 mi 0
Jan 3, 1977 EF1 86 km 0.1 mi 0
Nov 1, 1964 EF1 84 km 1.0 mi 0
Mar 21, 2023 EF0 80 km 0.2 mi 0
Jun 2, 2019 EF0 64 km 0.2 mi 0
Feb 23, 2015 EF0 51 km 0.5 mi 0
Feb 27, 2010 EF0 24 km 0.5 mi 0
Jan 21, 2010 EF0 100 km 1.5 mi 0
Jan 19, 2010 EF0 88 km 0.1 mi 0
Nov 29, 2001 EF0 94 km 0.1 mi 0
Apr 3, 1999 EF0 48 km 0.1 mi 0
Mar 22, 1997 EF0 60 km 0.2 mi 0
Feb 17, 1997 EF0 47 km 0.3 mi 0
Nov 22, 1996 EF0 62 km 2.0 mi 0
May 13, 1995 EF0 99 km 2.5 mi 0
Mar 24, 1994 EF0 82 km 0.1 mi 0
Feb 23, 1993 EF0 64 km 0.1 mi 0
Dec 29, 1991 EF0 97 km 0.1 mi 0
Apr 20, 1988 EF0 73 km 0.2 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Tsunami History

6 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 1 112 km
1930 S. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake 3.1 m 1 141 km
1927 S. CALIFORNIA Earthquake 1.8 m — 128 km
1878 S. CALIFORNIA Meteorological 1.0 m 1 119 km
1994 WEST COAST, USA Earthquake 0.1 m 57 130 km
1901 MONTEREY BAY, N. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake — — 138 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Golden Trout Creek (169 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Golden Trout Creek Volcanic field 2,886 m (9,469 ft) -5550 169 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

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 53 km
2006 DAY 159,713 70 km
1985 WHEELER 2 126,854 69 km
1996 FIFTY-EIGHT 94,704 82 km
2009 LA BREA 84,213 59 km
1985 LAS PILITAS 75,841 100 km
2003 PIRU 63,920 88 km
1997 LOGAN 49,627 62 km
1985 FERNDALE 46,724 83 km
1997 LOKERN 46,139 22 km
1993 MARRE 44,309 66 km
2007 RANCH 37,009 93 km
2016 REY 33,323 66 km
2020 LAKE 30,971 93 km
2017 ALAMO 29,256 81 km
2011 BRECKENRIDGE COMPLEX 27,229 72 km
1993 STECKEL 26,202 86 km
2011 COMANCHE 25,965 61 km
1997 HOPPER 24,072 91 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 50°F (10°C) 1.6 in
February 52°F (11°C) 1.9 in Wettest
March 55°F (13°C) 1.8 in
April 60°F (15°C) 0.9 in
May 67°F (20°C) 0.3 in
June 75°F (24°C) 0.1 in
July 83°F (29°C) 0.0 in Warmest, Driest
August 79°F (26°C) 0.1 in
September 74°F (24°C) 0.3 in
October 66°F (19°C) 0.4 in
November 55°F (13°C) 1.3 in
December 47°F (9°C) 1.2 in Coldest

Taft has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 47°F in December to 83°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 9.8 inches, with February being the wettest month (1.9") and July the driest (0.0").

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