Weather & Climate in University of California-Santa Barbara, CA

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

University of California-Santa Barbara enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 53°F in January while summers reach 66°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 17.3 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 50 feet.

Temperature

53°F Jan (12°C) 66°F Jul (19°C)

Annual Average	59.3°F
	10% above US avg
January Average	53°F (12°C)
July Average	66°F (19°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	50 ft (15 m)
Area	1.3 sq mi (3.4 km²)
Population Density	8,949/sq mi
Coordinates	34.4178°N, 119.8467°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Ventura County County
Nearest Airport	Santa Barbara Municipal (SBA) 3 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 17.3"

55% below US avg

Wettest Month (Feb) 3.98"

Driest Month (Aug) 0.04"

Air Quality

AQI Median	48.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively High
Risk Score	99.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability	29.8 / 100
Community Resilience	33.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Hurricane	No Rating
Earthquake	Relatively High
Wildfire	Relatively High
Flood	Very High
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather	Very Low
Lightning	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave	Very Low
Landslide	Relatively High
Coastal Flood	Relatively Moderate
Tsunami	Very Low
Avalanche	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

2,911 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.7.

Jan 17, 1994	Northridge, California, earthquake	M6.7	122 km	18 km
Jan 17, 1994	1km ENE of Granada Hills, California	M5.9	125 km	5 km
Jan 17, 1994	7km NNE of Simi Valley, California	M5.6	106 km	9 km
Apr 5, 2018	31km SW of Santa Cruz Is. (E end), CA	M5.3	67 km	10 km
Jan 18, 1994	10km ESE of Piru, California	M5.2	106 km	11 km
Mar 20, 1994	3km WNW of Panorama City, California	M5.2	128 km	12 km
Aug 7, 2024	24 km SW of Lamont, CA	M5.2	103 km	12 km
Jan 17, 1994	9km N of Chatsworth, California	M5.2	114 km	5 km
May 28, 1993	21km SW of Lamont, California	M5.2	106 km	21 km
Aug 20, 2023	7 km SE of Ojai, CA	M5.1	60 km	5 km
Jan 19, 1994	10km SSW of Valencia, California	M5.1	113 km	11 km
Apr 26, 1997	12km ESE of Piru, California	M5.1	108 km	16 km
Jan 19, 1994	8km ESE of Piru, California	M5.1	104 km	14 km
Jan 29, 1994	6km NNE of Chatsworth, California	M5.1	117 km	1 km
Jun 26, 1995	11km SW of Valencia, California	M5.0	108 km	13 km
Apr 27, 1997	11km SW of Valencia, California	M4.9	110 km	15 km
Jan 17, 1994	3km N of Northridge, California	M4.9	121 km	6 km
Feb 24, 2016	6km SSW of Wasco, CA	M4.9	132 km	22 km
Jan 17, 1994	10km SSW of Valencia, California	M4.9	112 km	12 km
Jan 17, 1994	6km NE of Chatsworth, California	M4.9	118 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
Mar 17, 1991	EF1	86 km	0.1 mi	0
Jan 3, 1977	EF1	3 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 21, 2023	EF0	28 km	0.2 mi	0
Dec 25, 2019	EF0	58 km	0.8 mi	0
Jan 21, 2010	EF0	63 km	1.5 mi	0
Jan 19, 2010	EF0	3 km	0.1 mi	0
Jan 24, 2008	EF0	75 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 29, 2006	EF0	60 km	-	0
Jan 10, 2005	EF0	66 km	0.1 mi	0
Nov 29, 2001	EF0	80 km	0.1 mi	0
May 13, 1998	EF0	74 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 24, 1994	EF0	14 km	0.1 mi	0
Dec 7, 1992	EF0	90 km	0.1 mi	0
Dec 29, 1991	EF0	48 km	0.1 mi	0
Nov 9, 1982	EF0	75 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	25 km
1930	S. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	3.1 m	1	119 km
1927	S. CALIFORNIA	Earthquake	1.8 m	-	96 km
1878	S. CALIFORNIA	Meteorological	1.0 m	1	117 km
1994	WEST COAST, USA	Earthquake	0.1 m	57	122 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	50 km
2007	ZACA	241,846	35 km
2006	DAY	159,713	83 km
1985	WHEELER 2	126,854	46 km
2003	SIMI	107,756	97 km
2018	WOOLSEY	97,962	100 km
2009	LA BREA	84,213	60 km
2003	PIRU	63,920	91 km
1997	LOGAN	49,627	81 km
1985	FERNDALE	46,724	64 km
1993	MARRE	44,309	36 km
1993	GREEN MEADOWS	38,115	87 km
2016	REY	33,323	22 km
2017	ALAMO	29,256	73 km
1993	STECKEL	26,202	64 km
1997	HOPPER	24,072	95 km
2013	SPRINGS	24,042	84 km
2002	WOLF	21,097	61 km
2009	GUIBERSON	19,356	89 km
2017	WHITTIER CA-LBOR-001770	18,510	16 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	53°F (12°C)	3.6 in	Coldest
February	54°F (12°C)	4.0 in	Wettest
March	55°F (13°C)	3.5 in
April	57°F (14°C)	1.3 in
May	60°F (15°C)	0.3 in
June	63°F (17°C)	0.1 in
July	66°F (19°C)	0.0 in	Driest
August	69°F (20°C)	0.0 in	Warmest
September	67°F (20°C)	0.3 in
October	64°F (18°C)	0.6 in
November	59°F (15°C)	2.0 in
December	54°F (12°C)	2.5 in

University of California-Santa Barbara has a seasonal temperature swing of 16°F / from 53°F in January to 69°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 18.2 inches, with February being the wettest month (4.0") and July the driest (0.0").

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