January weather forecast
Santa Cruz, CA

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Sandy beach, scenic trees, and residential homes of the bay area in Santa Cruz, California
Sandy beach, scenic trees, and residential homes of the bay area in Santa Cruz, California

Weather in January

Despite a chilly start in the year, Santa Cruz, California, offers a rather mild weather scenario in January. Signs of the bay area winter are evident, marked by the city's relatively cold sea temperature of 54.1°F (12.3°C) and moderate humidity levels. Wind speeds usually stay around 5.7mph (9.2km/h), occasionally gusting to 9.8mph (15.8km/h). Rainfall is quite frequent during the month, with the city experiencing roughly nine rainy days. Clearer skies, however, bring about six hours of sunshine on an average day, making outdoor activities moderately viable.

Temperature

Santa Cruz, California, experiences an average high-temperature of a still moderate 58.6°F (14.8°C) with the onset of January, subtly varied from December's 57.2°F (14°C). January nights in Santa Cruz observe an average temperature dip to a frosty 46.9°F (8.3°C).

Humidity

The average relative humidity in January is 72%.

Rainfall

In January, the rain falls for 9.3 days. Throughout January, 2.56" (65mm) of precipitation is accumulated. Throughout the year, in Santa Cruz, there are 77.9 rainfall days, and 14.45" (367mm) of precipitation is accumulated.

Ocean temperature

In Santa Cruz, the average seawater temperature in January is 54.1°F (12.3°C).
Note: Staying in 54.1°F (12.3°C) waters for just a few moments at 55.4°F (13°C) can be harrowing, and below 50°F (10°C) poses breathing and cold shock risks, depending on individual tolerance.

Daylight

In Santa Cruz, the average length of the day in January is 9h and 58min.
On the first day of January in Santa Cruz, sunrise is at 7:21 am and sunset at 5:01 pm. On the last day of the month, sunrise is at 7:11 am and sunset at 5:31 pm PST.

Sunshine

In January, the average sunshine in Santa Cruz is 6.1h.

UV index

In Santa Cruz, the average daily maximum UV index in January is 4. A UV Index of 3 to 5 symbolizes a moderate threat to health from exposure to the Sun's UV radiation for the ordinary person.
Note: A daily high UV index of 4 in January leads to these guidelines:
Exercise prevention - Warding off sunburn is urged. Stay safe from the Sun's strongest UV rays by limiting exposure during midday. During bright days, sunglasses that offer UVA and UVB defense are recommended.
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Frequently asked questions

What are January temperatures in Santa Cruz?

In Santa Cruz, in January, the average high-temperature is 58.6°F (14.8°C), and the average low-temperature is 46.9°F (8.3°C).

What is the average humidity in January in Santa Cruz?

The average relative humidity in January in Santa Cruz, California, is 72%.

How much does it rain in Santa Cruz in January?

In Santa Cruz, in January, during 9.3 rainfall days, 2.56" (65mm) of precipitation is typically accumulated.

What is the water temperature in January in Santa Cruz?

In Santa Cruz, California, the average seawater temperature in January is 54.1°F (12.3°C). At temperatures below 50°F (10°C), swimming in a suitably protected swimsuit is feasible; otherwise, cold shock and loss of breathing control are imminent. Even a short swim, without thermal protection, at temperatures around 55.4°F (13°C) is not comfortable.

How many hours of daylight does Santa Cruz have in January?

In January, the average day length in Santa Cruz is 9h and 58min.

What time are sunrise and sunset in January in Santa Cruz?

In January, on the first day of the month, sunrise is at 7:21 am and sunset at 5:01 pm. On the last day of the month, sunrise is at 7:11 am and sunset at 5:31 pm PST.

How long on average sun shines in January in Santa Cruz?

In January, the average sunshine duration is 6.1h.

What is the UV index reading in January in Santa Cruz?

The average daily maximum UV index in January is 4. A UV Index reading of 3 to 5 represents a medium hazard to health from exposure to Sun's UV rays.
Average humidity
Average rainfall days
Average daylight
Average sunshine
Average sunshine days
Average UV index
Average cloud cover
Average visibility

Average temperature in January
Santa Cruz, CA

Average temperature in January - Santa Cruz, CA
  • Average high temperature in January: 58.6°F

The warmest months (with the highest average high temperature) are August and September (73°F).
The month with the lowest average high temperature is December (57.2°F).

  • Average low temperature in January: 46.9°F

The month with the highest average low temperature is September (55.2°F).
The coldest month (with the lowest average low temperature) is February (45.5°F).

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Average pressure in January
Santa Cruz, CA

Average pressure in January - Santa Cruz, CA
  • Average pressure in January: 30.13"Hg

The month with the highest atmospheric pressure is January (30.13"Hg).
The month with the lowest atmospheric pressure is September (29.92"Hg).

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Average wind speed in January
Santa Cruz, CA

Average wind speed in January - Santa Cruz, CA
  • Average wind speed in January: 5.7mph

The windiest month (with the highest average wind speed) is April (7.4mph).
The calmest months (with the lowest average wind speed) are July and August (5.5mph).

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Average humidity in January
Santa Cruz, CA

Average humidity in January - Santa Cruz, CA
  • Average humidity in January: 72%

The month with the highest relative humidity is March (75%).
The month with the lowest relative humidity is October (68%).

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Average rainfall in January
Santa Cruz, CA

Average rainfall in January - Santa Cruz, CA
  • Average rainfall in January: 2.56"

The wettest month (with the highest rainfall) is December (2.8").
The driest months (with the least rainfall) are July and August (0.04").

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Average rainfall days in January
Santa Cruz, CA

Average rainfall days in January - Santa Cruz, CA
  • Average rainfall days in January: 9.3 days

The month with the highest number of rainy days is March (13.4 days).
The month with the least rainy days is August (1.2 days).

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Average sea temperature in January
Santa Cruz, CA

Average sea temperature in January - Santa Cruz, CA
  • Average sea temperature in January: 54.1°F

The best month for swimming (with the highest average sea temperature) is September (58.2°F).
The coldest month (with the lowest average sea temperature) is April (53.9°F).

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Average daylight in January /
Average sunshine in January
Santa Cruz, CA

Average daylight in January / Average sunshine in January - Santa Cruz, CA
  • Average daylight in January: 10h and 0min

The month with the longest days is June (Average daylight: 14h and 42min).
The month with the shortest days is December (Average daylight: 9h and 42min).

  • Average sunshine in January: 6h and 1min

The month with the most sunshine is July (Average sunshine: 11h and 42min).
The month with the least sunshine is December (Average sunshine: 5h and 48min).

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Average sunshine days in January
Santa Cruz, CA

Average sunshine days in January - Santa Cruz, CA
  • Average sunshine days in January: 20.5 days

The month with the most sunshine days is August (27.8 days).
The month with the least sunshine days is March (16.4 days).

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Average UV index in January
Santa Cruz, CA

Average UV index in January - Santa Cruz, CA
  • Average UV index in January: 4

The months with the highest UV index are June, July, August and September (UV index 5).
The months with the lowest UV index are February and November (UV index 3).

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Average cloud cover in January
Santa Cruz, CA

Average cloud cover in January - Santa Cruz, CA
  • Average cloud cover in January: 33

The month with the most cloud cover is March (Cloud cover 38).
The months with the least cloud cover are July and September (Cloud cover 15).

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Average visibility in January
Santa Cruz, CA

Average visibility in January - Santa Cruz, CA
  • Average visibility in January: 6mi

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).

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Santa Cruz, California, USA

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