Santa Barbara Weather Underground (2024)

FAQs

How cold does Santa Barbara get in the winter? ›

December-February

Winter sees daytime temperatures range from highs in the mid-60s to lows in the mid-40s at night, which is freezing by Santa Barbara standards. This season is also when the city sees most of its precipitation, which means it's not ideal for sightseeing or lounging on the beach.

Precipitation. Precipitation within the county varies greatly from season to season and with each location. Average annual precipitation ranges from a minimum of about 8 inches in the Cuyama Valley to over 36 inches at the apex of the Santa Ynez Mountains.

Weather in Santa Barbara

This consistency makes it easy and inviting to plan a getaway. You can pack light, and plan to spend your days basking in an average daytime temperature that ranges from the mid-60s to the mid-70s. Low humidity and a gentle ocean breeze complement these ideal climes.

Year-round, Santa Barbara doesn't reach above 80 or below 45 degrees at any point during the year. Their proximity to the ocean, and the mountain range to help keep out cold fronts from the east, keeps the weather in Santa Barbara moderate throughout the year.

Snow in Santa Barbara County is a strange occurrence, happening only a handful of times throughout history. The unusual event never fails to captivate residents despite road closures to and from Los Padres National Forest and the surrounding areas, where snowfall peaked, according to Los Padres National Forest.

Some older books claim that the second hottest temperature recorded in the U.S., a high of 133°F, occurred in the unlikely spot of Santa Barbara on June 17, 1859, the result of sudden hot offshore winds.

Living in Paradise Ain't Cheap.

It's one of the most expensive cities in California, and possibly the most expensive city in Central California. According to BestPlaces, the cost of living in Santa Barbara is nearly 55 percent higher than the national average — ouch! For 2024-2025, Santa Barbara ranks No.

The above average rainfall of 2023 and 2024 has improved Santa Barbara's water supply outlook, and the City has enough water to meet anticipated demands for at least the next three years.

August is the hottest month in Santa barbara with an average temperature of 20°C (67°F) and the coldest is January at 12°C (53°F) with the most daily sunshine hours at 13 in August.

Santa Barbara Demographics

White: 68.17% Other race: 13.07% Two or more races: 12.77% Asian: 3.73%

Does Santa Barbara have bad air quality? ›

Santa Barbara has a severe risk from air quality. The number of poor air quality days with an Air Quality Index (AQI) over 100 in Santa Barbara will be higher in 30 years. Based on the the number of poor air quality days, Santa Barbara has better air quality than 67% of cities in California.

When the sunshine-squashing marine layer rolled into Santa Barbara in late May and took up its foggy residence in our typically sun-soaked coastal community, it was nothing out of the ordinary. After all, we have an almost-rhyming term of endearment for that gray time of year just before summer explodes: June Gloom.

Rents are also very expensive. Natural Disaster Risk – Residents of Santa Barbara live with the risk of natural disasters such as wildfires and earthquakes. The 300+ days of sunshine are awesome, but the lack of rain means everything is very dry, especially during the fire season from late May through October.

Known as "The American Riviera," Santa Barbara's charm is in its stunning landscapes, rich history, and vibrant culture. Founded in 1850 and named after Saint Barbara, this coastal city blends beautiful Spanish Colonial architecture, illustrious wineries, and a sunny climate that rivals the Mediterranean's best!

Hundreds of silent films were produced in Santa Barbara in the early 1920s, and Charlie Chaplin himself was known to frequent the area. Maritime tradition began long ago and remains prominent in Santa Barbara. The famed Stearns Wharf is the oldest working wharf in California, built in 1872 by John Peck Stearns.

I think many visitors underestimate how chilly the Pacific Ocean can be all year round, with water temperatures only reaching the mid 60's in the summer and mid 50's in the winter. Luckily, with a proper wetsuit, you can kayak, snorkel, surf, and paddleboard all winter long!

The summer in Santa Barbara usually starts in June and lasts until October, seeing daytime temperatures get to highs of 80 degrees and lows of 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 to 27 degrees Celsius). At night, temperatures range from 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit (13 to 18 degrees Celsius).

Daily high temperatures decrease by 2°F, from 66°F to 63°F, rarely falling below 57°F or exceeding 73°F.