Climate - Santa Barbara (California)
Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours
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Climate chart - Santa Barbara
The climate of Santa Barbara is sub-tropical, with very mild, relatively rainy winters and quite warm, sunny summers.
The city is located 145 km (90 mi) northwest of Los Angeles, on the coast of the Pacific, where a cold current flows. We are in an area called "American Riviera" because of its location on the coast and with a mountain range a short distance away (the Santa Ynez Mountains).
In winter, there are a good number of sunny days, but at night it can be cold, and the temperature can drop to around freezing. In May and June, fog can form in the morning hours ("June gloom").
Summer is particularly cool (at least considering the latitude), and it's a few degrees cooler than Los Angeles. Sometimes, there can be days with highs below 20 °C (68 °F). However, the temperature can exceed 35 °C (95 °F) when the Santa Ana winds blow, and this can also happen in the fall. The Santa Ana wind, however, have less noticeable effects than Los Angeles.
The average temperature of the coldest month (December) is of 11.3 °C (52.3 °F), that of the warmest month (August) is of 19 °C (66.2 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Santa Barbara - Average temperatures (1991-2020) | Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
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| January | 5.2 | 17.9 | 11.5 | 41 | 64 | 52.8 |
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| February | 6.4 | 17.7 | 12.1 | 44 | 64 | 53.7 |
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| March | 7.9 | 18.8 | 13.4 | 46 | 66 | 56 |
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| April | 8.9 | 19.9 | 14.4 | 48 | 68 | 57.9 |
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| May | 10.7 | 20.7 | 15.7 | 51 | 69 | 60.3 |
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| June | 12.5 | 21.3 | 16.9 | 54 | 70 | 62.4 |
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| July | 14.5 | 22.9 | 18.7 | 58 | 73 | 65.7 |
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| August | 14.4 | 23.6 | 19 | 58 | 74 | 66.2 |
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| September | 13.2 | 23.5 | 18.3 | 56 | 74 | 65 |
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| October | 10.5 | 23 | 16.8 | 51 | 73 | 62.2 |
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| November | 6.8 | 20.7 | 13.8 | 44 | 69 | 56.8 |
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| December | 4.7 | 17.9 | 11.3 | 40 | 64 | 52.3 |
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| Year | 9.7 | 20.7 | 15.15 | 49.4 | 69.2 | 59 |
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Precipitation amounts to 440 millimeters (17.3 inches) per year: it is therefore quite scarce (although there may be periods of bad weather in winter). It ranges from 0 mm (0 in) in the driest months (July, August, September) to 100 mm (3.9 in) in the wettest ones (January, February). Here is the average precipitation.
Santa Barbara - Average precipitation| Month | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
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| January | 100 | 3.9 | 6 |
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| February | 100 | 3.9 | 7 |
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| March | 80 | 3.1 | 6 |
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| April | 25 | 1 | 3 |
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| May | 10 | 0.4 | 2 |
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| June | 5 | 0.2 | 1 |
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| July | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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| August | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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| September | 0 | 0 | 1 |
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| October | 20 | 0.8 | 2 |
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| November | 30 | 1.2 | 3 |
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| December | 75 | 3 | 6 |
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| Year | 440 | 17.3 | 39 |
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On average, there are around 3,100 sunshine hours per year. Therefore, the sun shines very often. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.
Santa Barbara - Sunshine hours| Month | Average | Total |
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January | 6 | 185 | February | 7 | 200 | March | 9 | 280 | April | 10 | 300 | May | 10 | 310 | June | 10 | 300 | July | 11 | 340 | August | 10 | 310 | September | 9 | 270 | October | 7.5 | 240 | November | 6 | 180 | December | 6 | 185 | Year | 8.5 | 3100 |
The sea temperature ranges between 14 °C (57 °F) and 17.5 °C (63.5 °F). So, it never becomes warm for swimming. Here are the average sea temperatures.
Santa Barbara - Sea temperature| Month | Celsius (°C) | Fahrenheit (°F) |
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January | 14 | 57 | February | 14 | 57 | March | 14 | 57 | April | 13.5 | 56 | May | 14 | 57 | June | 15 | 59 | July | 16.5 | 62 | August | 17.5 | 64 | September | 17.5 | 64 | October | 17 | 63 | November | 16 | 61 | December | 14.5 | 58 | Year | 15.4 | 59.6 |
Best Time
Santa Barbara can be visited from April to October, since it is a mild and sunny period. In May and June, however, there may be morning fogs.
Winter is generally mild and sunny, but sometimes it can rain, and it can also get cold at night.
Back to California.
Santa Barbara - Weather by month
Based on the period 1991-2020
In January, the weather in Santa Barbara is usually mild. The average temperature is of 11.5 °C (53 °F), with a minimum of 5.2 °C (41.3 °F) and a maximum of 17.9 °C (64.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0 °C (32.5 °F). However, it dropped to -4.4 °C (24.1 °F) in January 2007.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25.5 °C (78 °F). However, it reached 30 °C (86 °F) in January 1991.
Precipitation amounts to 100 mm (3.9 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 59% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 14 °C (57.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
In February, the weather in Santa Barbara is usually mild. The average temperature is of 12.1 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 6.4 °C (43.6 °F) and a maximum of 17.7 °C (63.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1.5 °C (35 °F). However, it dropped to -1.1 °C (30 °F) in February 1999.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25 °C (77 °F). However, it reached 30.6 °C (87.1 °F) in February 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 100 mm (3.9 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 64% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 14 °C (57 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
In March, the weather in Santa Barbara is usually mild. The average temperature is of 13.4 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 7.9 °C (46.2 °F) and a maximum of 18.8 °C (65.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3 °C (37.5 °F). However, it dropped to -0.6 °C (30.9 °F) in March 2018.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26.5 °C (79.5 °F). However, it reached 31.7 °C (89.1 °F) in March 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 75% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 14 °C (57 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
In April, the weather in Santa Barbara is usually mild. The average temperature is of 14.4 °C (58 °F), with a minimum of 8.9 °C (48.1 °F) and a maximum of 19.9 °C (67.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5 °C (40.5 °F). However, it dropped to 1.7 °C (35.1 °F) in April 1999.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28.5 °C (83.5 °F). However, it reached 35 °C (95 °F) in April 2004.
Precipitation amounts to 25 mm (1 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 76% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 13.5 °C (56.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
In May, the weather in Santa Barbara is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 15.7 °C (60 °F), with a minimum of 10.7 °C (51.3 °F) and a maximum of 20.7 °C (69.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7.5 °C (45 °F). However, it dropped to 3.3 °C (37.9 °F) in May 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28.5 °C (83 °F). However, it reached 38.3 °C (100.9 °F) in May 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 10 mm (0.4 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 71% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 14 °C (57.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
In June, the weather in Santa Barbara is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 16.9 °C (62 °F), with a minimum of 12.5 °C (54.5 °F) and a maximum of 21.3 °C (70.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9 °C (48.5 °F). However, it dropped to 6.7 °C (44.1 °F) in June 1999.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28 °C (82.5 °F). However, it reached 36.7 °C (98.1 °F) in June 2008.
Precipitation amounts to only 5 mm (0.2 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 25 minutes. So the days are long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 69% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15 °C (59 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
In July, the weather in Santa Barbara is usually warm. The average temperature is of 18.7 °C (66 °F), with a minimum of 14.5 °C (58.1 °F) and a maximum of 22.9 °C (73.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11 °C (52 °F). However, it dropped to 8.9 °C (48 °F) in July 2010.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30 °C (85.5 °F). However, it reached 41.1 °C (106 °F) in July 1992.
Precipitation amounts to only 0 mm (0 in), so on average it never rains in the whole month.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 10 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 11 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 78% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16.5 °C (62 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
In August, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Santa Barbara is usually warm. The average temperature is of 19.0 °C (66 °F), with a minimum of 14.4 °C (58 °F) and a maximum of 23.6 °C (74.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11 °C (52 °F). However, it dropped to 7.2 °C (45 °F) in August 1995.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28.5 °C (83.5 °F). However, it reached 34.4 °C (93.9 °F) in August 2015.
Precipitation amounts to only 0 mm (0 in), so on average it never rains in the whole month.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 75% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17.5 °C (63.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
In September, the weather in Santa Barbara is usually warm. The average temperature is of 18.3 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 13.2 °C (55.7 °F) and a maximum of 23.5 °C (74.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9.5 °C (49 °F). However, it dropped to 6 °C (42.8 °F) in September 2005.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31.5 °C (89 °F). However, it reached 38.3 °C (100.9 °F) in September 2016.
Precipitation amounts to only 0 mm (0 in), so on average it never rains in the whole month.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 73% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17.5 °C (63.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
In October, the weather in Santa Barbara is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 16.8 °C (62 °F), with a minimum of 10.5 °C (50.9 °F) and a maximum of 23 °C (73.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6 °C (42.5 °F). However, it dropped to 2.2 °C (36 °F) in October 2019.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32 °C (89.5 °F). However, it reached 36.1 °C (97 °F) in October 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 68% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17 °C (63 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
In November, the weather in Santa Barbara is usually mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 13.8 °C (57 °F), with a minimum of 6.8 °C (44.3 °F) and a maximum of 20.7 °C (69.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2.5 °C (36 °F). However, it dropped to -1.1 °C (30 °F) in November 2000.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29 °C (84.5 °F). However, it reached 36.1 °C (97 °F) in November 1992.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 58% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16 °C (61 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
In December, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Santa Barbara is usually mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 11.3 °C (52 °F), with a minimum of 4.7 °C (40.4 °F) and a maximum of 17.9 °C (64.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -0.5 °C (31 °F). However, it dropped to -4.4 °C (24.1 °F) in December 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24.5 °C (76.5 °F). However, it reached 29 °C (84.2 °F) in December 1997.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 55 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 61% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 14.5 °C (58.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
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