Climate and monthly weather forecast
San Diego, CA

Coronado Island in San Diego, California, USA,
Coronado Island in San Diego, California, USA,

The climate of San Diego, CA

San Diego has a semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification BSh) that borders on the Mediterranean type (Köppen climate classification Csa) with hot and dry summers, and cold and wet winters. San Diego lies in the southern part of the American state of California on the Pacific Ocean coast near the Mexican border. The ocean governs the climate near the seaside, while the desert influences the eastern side beyond the mountains.

San Diego has different microclimates within short distances of each other due to the city's topography that consists of the Bay, hills, mountains, canyons, and desert areas. The temperatures vary to a remarkably low degree over the year, but they differ across the microclimates. Summer fog is dense due to the thick cloud cover over the coastal areas, but the inland areas are hot due to the weak influence of the ocean.

Summers are warm, dry, and foggy as the cold currents engulf the coast. The average temperatures are between 62°F (16.7°C) and 76°F (24.4°C) from June to September with a peak at 76°F (24.4°C) in August. Winters are cold and wet with the average temperatures between 48°F (8.9°C) to 65°F (18.3°C). Spring and autumn are mild, pleasant, and relatively dry. Annual precipitation is hardly above 10" (254mm), with the majority occurring between December and March. Snow is rare and falls on the mountain peaks, but the nights are occasionally frosty during the winter in San Diego.

San Diego has a pleasant climate for the majority of the year, with 3050 hours of sunshine. The average humidity lies in the range of 63% to 75%, but the rainfall is scanty due to the influence of the desert on the eastern side. San Diego is prone to earthquakes due to its location near major fault lines.

The highest temperature on record for San Diego is 111°F (43.9°C), set on September 26, 1963, while the record for the lowest temperature is 25°F (-3.9°C), set on January 7, 1913.

The best time to visit San Diego, CA

The best time to visit San Diego is during the summer from June to September when the temperatures are in the 60°F (15.6°C) to 80°F (26.7°C) range. The days are pleasant, but the city is a popular tourist destination throughout the year. San Diego has mild summer temperatures compared to most of the cities in the United States. Spring and autumn are mild but tend to be damp compared to the summer. Summers have a singular fog around the coast, typically in June, that keeps the weather cool.

The worst time to visit San Diego, CA

Although there is hardly any extreme weather period over the year, the worst time to visit San Diego is during the cold and wet winter. December to February sees the majority of the annual precipitation, and the winter brings storms with occasionally heavy rainfall. The days are the shortest in December, and a cold front may drop the night temperatures in the chilly zone. Though snow is mostly absent, the nights and mornings may be frosty.

Weather hazards

San Diego is prone to earthquakes as it lies in the Pacific Ring of Fire in California. Two significant faults - the Hayward Fault and the San Andreas Fault are close to San Diego, which results in the occurrence of minor earthquakes regularly, and moderate to major occasionally. San Diego's infrastructure development mandates safe building codes as it faces a threat from major earthquakes.

Weather in January

January, like December, in San Diego, California, is another enjoyable winter month, with an average temperature fluctuating between 52.7°F (11.5°C) and 64.2°F (17.9°C). In San Diego, the average high-temperature in January is relatively the same as in December - a still comfortable 64.2°F (17.9°C). Weather in January »

Weather in February

The last month of the winter, February, is another comfortable month in San Diego, California, with an average temperature fluctuating between 51.8°F (11°C) and 63.1°F (17.3°C). With an average high-temperature of 63.1°F (17.3°C) and an average low-temperature of 51.8°F (11°C), February is the coldest month. Weather in February »

Weather in March

March, the first month of the spring in San Diego, is still a comfortable month, with temperature in the range of an average low of 52.7°F (11.5°C) and an average high of 64.4°F (18°C). In San Diego, the average high-temperature in March is almost the same as in February - a still enjoyable 64.4°F (18°C). Weather in March »

Weather in April

April, the same as March, is another comfortable spring month in San Diego, California, with an average temperature ranging between max 66.2°F (19°C) and min 54.1°F (12.3°C). In April, the average high-temperature is almost the same as in March - a still enjoyable 66.2°F (19°C). Weather in April »

Weather in May

May, the last month of the spring in San Diego, is another comfortable month, with temperature in the range of an average high of 67.6°F (19.8°C) and an average low of 56.3°F (13.5°C). In San Diego, California, the average high-temperature in May is almost the same as in April - a still enjoyable 67.6°F (19.8°C). Weather in May »

Weather in June

The first month of the summer, June, is an agreeable month in San Diego, California, with an average temperature fluctuating between 58.8°F (14.9°C) and 70.7°F (21.5°C). In June, the average high-temperature is essentially the same as in May - an agreeable 70.7°F (21.5°C). Weather in June »

Weather in July

July in San Diego, California, is a warm summer month, with an average temperature fluctuating between 75.4°F (24.1°C) and 64.2°F (17.9°C). In July, the average high-temperature is almost the same as in June - a warm 75.4°F (24.1°C). Weather in July »

Weather in August

August, the last month of the summer in San Diego, is another warm month, with an average temperature ranging between min 65.7°F (18.7°C) and max 77.4°F (25.2°C). The warmest month is August, with an average high-temperature of 77.4°F (25.2°C) and an average low-temperature of 65.7°F (18.7°C). Weather in August »

Weather in September

September, the first month of the autumn in San Diego, is also a moderately hot month, with an average temperature fluctuating between 65.1°F (18.4°C) and 76.6°F (24.8°C). In San Diego, the average high-temperature in September is almost the same as in August - a still moderately hot 76.6°F (24.8°C). Weather in September »

Weather in October

October, like September, is an agreeable autumn month in San Diego, California, with an average temperature fluctuating between 61.9°F (16.6°C) and 73.2°F (22.9°C). In October, the average high-temperature is relatively the same as in September - an agreeable 73.2°F (22.9°C). Weather in October »

Weather in November

The last month of the autumn, November, is another pleasant month in San Diego, California, with temperature in the range of an average high of 68.5°F (20.3°C) and an average low of 57.4°F (14.1°C). In November, the average high-temperature is practically the same as in October - a still pleasant 68.5°F (20.3°C). Weather in November »

Weather in December

December, the first month of the winter in San Diego, is still a comfortable month, with an average temperature varying between 52.7°F (11.5°C) and 63.3°F (17.4°C). In December, the average high-temperature is almost the same as in November - an enjoyable 63.3°F (17.4°C). Weather in December »
[Resources]

FAQ

How much does it rain in San Diego?

In San Diego, California, during the entire year, the rain falls for 61.8 days and collects up to 8.7" (221mm) of precipitation.

What are the months with the lowest UV index in San Diego?

January through March, November and December, with an average maximum UV index of 4, are months with the lowest UV index in San Diego, California.

What is the coldest month in San Diego?

The coldest month in San Diego, California, is February, with an average high-temperature of 63.1°F (17.3°C) and an average low-temperature of 51.8°F (11°C).

What is the month with the coldest ocean in San Diego?

With an average ocean temperature of 58.6°F (14.8°C), February is the month with the coldest seawater in San Diego.

When is Daylight Saving Time (DST) in San Diego?

On Sunday, March 12. 2023, at 2:00 am, Daylight Saving Time starts, and the time zone changes from PST to PDT. Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday, November 5. 2023, at 2:00 am, and the time zone reverts from PDT to PST.

What is the most humid month in San Diego?

June is the most humid month, with an average relative humidity of 73%.

What is the driest month in San Diego?

June is the month with the least rainfall in San Diego, California. Rain falls for 2.7 days and accumulates 0.12" (3mm) of precipitation.

When are the longest days in San Diego?

June has the longest days of the year in San Diego, California, with an average of 14h and 16min of daylight.

What are the months with the most sunshine in San Diego?

July and August, with an average of 11.9h of sunshine, are months with the most sunshine.

What is the month with the highest UV index in San Diego?

July through September, with an average maximum UV index of 6, are months with the highest UV index.

What is the warmest month in San Diego?

With an average high-temperature of 77.4°F (25.2°C) and an average low-temperature of 65.7°F (18.7°C), August is the warmest month.

When is the ocean warmest in San Diego?

The month with the warmest seawater is August, with an average ocean temperature of 68°F (20°C).

What is the least humid month in San Diego?

The least humid month in San Diego is November, with an average relative humidity of 59%.

What is the wettest month in San Diego?

December is the month with the most rainfall in San Diego. Rain falls for 5.8 days and accumulates 1.65" (42mm) of precipitation.

What is the month with the shortest days in San Diego?

December has the shortest days of the year, with an average of 10h and 2min of daylight.

What is the month with the least sunshine in San Diego?

With an average of 6.7h of sunshine, December has the least sunshine of the year in San Diego.

Average temperature
San Diego, CA

Average temperature - San Diego, CA

The warmest month (with the highest average high temperature) is August (77.4°F).
The month with the lowest average high temperature is February (63.1°F).

The month with the highest average low temperature is August (65.7°F).
The coldest month (with the lowest average low temperature) is February (51.8°F).

[Resources]

Average pressure
San Diego, CA

Average pressure - San Diego, CA

The month with the highest atmospheric pressure is January (30.09"Hg).
The months with the lowest atmospheric pressure are June and September (29.88"Hg).

[Resources]

Average wind speed
San Diego, CA

Average wind speed - San Diego, CA

The windiest months (with the highest average wind speed) are April and May (6.3mph).
The calmest month (with the lowest average wind speed) is October (5.2mph).

[Resources]

Average rainfall
San Diego, CA

Average rainfall - San Diego, CA

The wettest month (with the highest rainfall) is December (1.65").
The driest month (with the least rainfall) is June (0.12").

[Resources]

Average rainfall days
San Diego, CA

Average rainfall days - San Diego, CA

The month with the highest number of rainy days is March (7.6 days).
The month with the least rainy days is June (2.7 days).

[Resources]

Average sea temperature
San Diego, CA

Average sea temperature - San Diego, CA

The best month for swimming (with the highest average sea temperature) is August (67.9°F).
The coldest month (with the lowest average sea temperature) is February (58.7°F).

[Resources]

Average daylight / Average sunshine
San Diego, CA

Average daylight / Average sunshine - San Diego, CA

The month with the longest days is June (Average daylight: 14h and 18min).
The month with the shortest days is December (Average daylight: 10h and 0min).

The months with the most sunshine are July and August (Average sunshine: 11h and 54min).
The month with the least sunshine is December (Average sunshine: 6h and 42min).

[Resources]

Average sunshine days
San Diego, CA

Average sunshine days - San Diego, CA

The month with the most sunshine days is January (24.3 days).
The month with the least sunshine days is July (20.3 days).

[Resources]

Average UV index
San Diego, CA

Average UV index - San Diego, CA

The months with the highest UV index are July, August and September (UV index 6).
The months with the lowest UV index are January, February, March, November and December (UV index 4).

[Resources]

Average visibility
San Diego, CA

Average visibility - San Diego, CA

The months with the highest visibility are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December (6mi).
The months with the lowest visibility are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December (6mi).

[Resources]

Weather forecast for your location

1. Click Locate me button
2. Allow the app to use your location
* you will be automatically redirected to the weather forecast for your location