Weather & Climate in Vandenberg AFB, CA

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

Vandenberg AFB 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 432 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	432 ft (132 m)
Area	22.1 sq mi (57.3 km²)
Population Density	165/sq mi
Coordinates	34.7280°N, 120.5065°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Santa Barbara County County
Nearest Airport	San Luis Obispo County Regional (SBP) 33 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 15.4"

59% below US avg

Snowfall 0.0"

Wettest Month (Feb) 3.70"

Driest Month (Jun) 0.08"

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

2,109 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.0.

Sep 28, 2004	2004 Parkfield, California Earthquake	M6.0	122 km	8 km
Apr 5, 2018	31km SW of Santa Cruz Is. (E end), CA	M5.3	123 km	10 km
Aug 7, 2024	24 km SW of Lamont, CA	M5.2	135 km	12 km
Sep 17, 1991	22 km NW of San Simeon, California	M5.2	142 km	9 km
May 28, 1993	21km SW of Lamont, California	M5.2	136 km	21 km
Aug 20, 2023	7 km SE of Ojai, CA	M5.1	126 km	5 km
Sep 29, 2004	8 km NW of Parkfield, California	M5.0	136 km	11 km
Dec 20, 1994	3 km NW of Parkfield, California	M4.9	132 km	8 km
Sep 30, 2004	13 km NW of Parkfield, California	M4.9	140 km	10 km
Feb 24, 2016	6km SSW of Wasco, CA	M4.9	137 km	22 km
Nov 14, 1993	8 km NW of Parkfield, California	M4.8	136 km	11 km
May 29, 2013	6km W of Isla Vista, CA	M4.8	65 km	7 km
Sep 28, 2004	12 km SE of Parkfield, California	M4.7	121 km	6 km
Aug 7, 2024	25 km SW of Lamont, CA	M4.6	134 km	12 km
Apr 16, 2005	20km ESE of Maricopa, CA	M4.6	124 km	9 km
Mar 17, 2004	9 km WSW of Oak Shores, California	M4.5	123 km	4 km
May 16, 2005	5 km NW of Parkfield, California	M4.5	134 km	9 km
Aug 6, 2012	8 km NW of Parkfield, California	M4.5	136 km	11 km
Aug 8, 2024	22 km NW of Grapevine, CA	M4.4	137 km	12 km
Dec 24, 2000	9km WSW of Grapevine, CA	M4.4	137 km	13 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

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

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Feb 7, 2024	EF1	45 km	0.7 mi	0
Feb 7, 2024	EF1	69 km	4.9 mi	0
Jan 3, 1977	EF1	71 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 21, 2023	EF0	95 km	0.2 mi	0
Jan 19, 2010	EF0	67 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 29, 2006	EF0	12 km	—	0
Feb 2, 2004	EF0	43 km	0.5 mi	0
Nov 29, 2001	EF0	26 km	0.1 mi	0
May 5, 1998	EF0	63 km	0.3 mi	0
Mar 24, 1994	EF0	81 km	0.1 mi	0
Dec 29, 1991	EF0	22 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	81 km
1927	S. CALIFORNIA	Earthquake	1.8 m	—	26 km
1878	S. CALIFORNIA	Meteorological	1.0 m	1	54 km
1901	MONTEREY BAY, N. CALIFORNIA	Eruption + Earthquake	—	—	141 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	78 km
1996	FIFTY-EIGHT	94,704	69 km
2009	LA BREA	84,213	50 km
1985	LAS PILITAS	75,841	62 km
1997	LOGAN	49,627	56 km
1994	41	48,441	76 km
1993	MARRE	44,309	50 km
2016	REY	33,323	73 km
2017	ALAMO	29,256	33 km
2017	WHITTIER CA-LBOR-001770	18,510	55 km
2021	ALISAL	17,677	45 km
1999	SPANISH	14,518	58 km
2006	PERKINS	14,342	75 km
2024	HURRICANE	13,488	93 km
2016	CANYON	12,749	16 km
1989	CHISPA	9,869	80 km
2008	GAP	9,368	65 km
2000	HARRIS	9,102	7 km
2009	JESUSITA	8,569	77 km
2002	SUDDEN RANCH	7,840	20 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	54°F (12°C)	3.5 in
February	54°F (12°C)	3.7 in	Wettest
March	55°F (13°C)	3.2 in
April	56°F (13°C)	1.3 in
May	57°F (14°C)	0.3 in
June	59°F (15°C)	0.1 in
July	64°F (18°C)	0.0 in	Warmest, Driest
August	62°F (17°C)	0.1 in
September	62°F (17°C)	0.4 in
October	61°F (16°C)	0.7 in
November	57°F (14°C)	2.1 in
December	53°F (12°C)	2.8 in	Coldest

Vandenberg AFB has a seasonal temperature swing of 11°F / from 53°F in December to 64°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 18.1 inches, with February being the wettest month (3.7") and July the driest (0.0").

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