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Climate in San Diego (California)


Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours

Flag - United States

San Diego, where it's located


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Climate chart - San Diego
The climate of San Diego is arid sub-tropical, with very mild, relatively rainy winters and warm, sunny summers.
The city is located on the coast of California, in the far south-west of the United States, on the border with Mexico. Despite the low latitude (32 degrees north latitude), the climate is so mild, spring-like most of the year, because a cold current flows on the Pacific coast.
However, the temperature can increase a lot when the Santa Ana blows, the wind from the deserts of inland areas.

At the Lindbergh Field International Airport, located on the coast, daytime temperatures are around 19/20 °C (66/68 °F) from December to March and 24/25 °C (75/77 °F) from July to October.
The cold record from 1981 to 2020 is 0.5 °C (33 °F), set in December 1988, while the heat record is 41.5 °C (107 °F), set in September of the same year.

Rainfall in San Diego is scarce, given that it amounts to just 250 millimeters (9.8 inches) per year, so it is at a semi-desert level. However, the rainfall pattern is similar to that of the Mediterranean climate, but with a drier autumn, since most of the rain falls from December to March, while in summer it hardly ever rains.

The amount of sunshine in San Diego is good all year round, but especially in winter, when the sun shines 75% of the time. The least sunny months are May and June, due to the morning fog that forms on the coast and in the neighborhoods up to about 15 km (9 miles) away from the coast (the phenomenon is called June gloom, even though it actually occurs in May and June, and sometimes in July). In total, there are 3,000 hours of sunshine per year.

San Diego

Due to the aforementioned cold current, the sea in San Diego remains a bit cold even in summer: from July to October, the water temperature is of 19.5/20.5 °C (67/69 °F).

In the inland areas, in the towns of San Diego county that in fact are part of the conurbation of the same city, the climate becomes more continental: winter nights are colder (sometimes the night minimum drops around freezing or even slightly below), while the days are warmer all year round.
Moreover, very hot days, with highs of 35 °C (95 °F) and more, are decidedly more frequent. In September 2010, 45 °C (113 °F) were reached (while at the international airport, the temperature didn't exceed 35 °C or 95 °F).
At the Gillespie Field airport, near the town of El Cajon, about 28 km (17 mi) from the coast, daytime temperatures are 20/21 °C (68/70 °F) from December to March and 30/31 °C (86/88 °F) from July to September.

Best Time


Having a great climate, San Diego can be visited all year round. However, from December to March, it can rain, and it can get a bit cold at night, especially in inland areas. In May and June, there may be morning mists. In summer, but especially in September and October, there can be very hot days, when the wind blows from the desert.
The best time to go to the beach is from July to October, when the sea is less cold.

San Diego - Climate data


In San Diego, the average temperature of the coldest month (December) is of 14,3 °C, that of the warmest month (August) is of 22,3 °C. Here are the average temperatures.
San Diego - Average temperatures (1991-2020)
Temperatures (°C)
MonthMinMaxMean
January9,519,614,5
February10,319,514,9
March11,919,815,8
April13,320,817,1
May15,321,218,2
June16,622,219,4
July18,624,121,3
August19,425,222,3
September18,625,322
October1624,220,1
November122217
December9,219,414,3
Year14,22218,05

Precipitation amounts to 250 millimeters per year: it is therefore scarce. It ranges from 0,2 millimeters in the driest month (August) to 55 millimeters in the wettest one (February). Here is the average precipitation.
San Diego - Average precipitation
MonthRain (mm)Days
January506
February557
March356
April154
May72
June11
July21
August00
September31
October132
November204
December406
Year25040

The sea temperature ranges from 15 °C in January, February to 20,5 °C in August, September. Here are the average sea temperatures.
San Diego - Sea temperature
MonthTemperatures (°C)
January15
February15
March15,5
April16
May17
June18
July19,5
August20,5
September20,5
October19,5
November17,5">
December16
Year17,5

There are on average around 3055 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.
San Diego - Sunshine hours
MonthAverageTotal
January7,5240
February8230
March8,5260
April9275
May8250
June8240
July10305
August9,5295
September8,5255
October8245
November7,5230
December7,5230
Year8,43055

San Diego - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020
(January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December)


January is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 14,5 °C, with a minimum of 9,5 °C and a maximum of 19,6 °C.
Cold thermometer iconOn the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6 °C. However, it dropped to 1,7 °C in January 2007.
Warm thermometer iconOn the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26 °C. However, it reached 30,6 °C in January 2005.
Rain iconPrecipitation amounts to 50 mm, distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 20 minutes.
Sun iconThere are on average 7,5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 75% of the time.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is of 7,9 kph.
Sea iconThe average sea temperature is of 15,2 °C. Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.


February is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 14,9 °C, with a minimum of 10,3 °C and a maximum of 19,5 °C.
Cold thermometer iconOn the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7 °C. However, it dropped to 3,3 °C in February 2020.
Warm thermometer iconOn the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26 °C. However, it reached 32,2 °C in February 1995.
Rain iconPrecipitation amounts to 55 mm, distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 5 minutes.
Sun iconThere are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 73% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is of 9,5 kph.
Sea iconThe average sea temperature is of 15,1 °C. Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.


March is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 15,8 °C, with a minimum of 11,9 °C and a maximum of 19,8 °C.
Cold thermometer iconOn the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8,5 °C. However, it dropped to 5,6 °C in March 1991.
Warm thermometer iconOn the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26,5 °C. However, it reached 32,8 °C in March 2004.
Rain iconPrecipitation amounts to 35 mm, distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
Sun iconThere are on average 8,5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 70% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is of 10,3 kph.
Sea iconThe average sea temperature is of 15,4 °C. Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.


April is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 17,1 °C, with a minimum of 13,3 °C and a maximum of 20,8 °C.
Cold thermometer iconOn the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 10,5 °C. However, it dropped to 7 °C in April 1999.
Warm thermometer iconOn the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28 °C. However, it reached 36,7 °C in April 2009.
Rain iconPrecipitation amounts to 15 mm, distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 0 minutes.
Sun iconThere are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 71% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is of 11,3 kph.
Sea iconThe average sea temperature is of 15,8 °C. Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.


May is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 18,2 °C, with a minimum of 15,3 °C and a maximum of 21,2 °C.
Cold thermometer iconOn the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12,5 °C. However, it dropped to 8,9 °C in May 1995.
Warm thermometer iconOn the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26,5 °C. However, it reached 36,1 °C in May 2014.
Rain iconPrecipitation amounts to only 7,1 mm, distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 55 minutes.
Sun iconThere are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 58% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of 11,5 kph.
Sea iconThe average sea temperature is of 16,8 °C. Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.


June is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 19,4 °C, with a minimum of 16,6 °C and a maximum of 22,2 °C.
Cold thermometer iconOn the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 14,5 °C. However, it dropped to 10,6 °C in June 2013.
Warm thermometer iconOn the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27 °C. However, it reached 35,6 °C in June 2006.
Rain iconPrecipitation amounts to only 1,3 mm, and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 20 minutes. June 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere.
Sun iconThere are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 56% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of 11,2 kph.
Sea iconThe average sea temperature is of 18 °C. Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.


July is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 21,3 °C, with a minimum of 18,6 °C and a maximum of 24,1 °C.
Cold thermometer iconOn the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 17 °C. However, it dropped to 15 °C in July 1995.
Warm thermometer iconOn the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28,5 °C. However, it reached 37,2 °C in July 2006.
Rain iconPrecipitation amounts to only 2 mm, and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 0 minutes.
Sun iconThere are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 70% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of 10,9 kph.
Sea iconThe average sea temperature is of 19,7 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.


August, the warmest month of the year, is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 22,3 °C, with a minimum of 19,4 °C and a maximum of 25,2 °C.
Cold thermometer iconOn the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 17,5 °C. However, it dropped to 15,6 °C in August 1999.
Warm thermometer iconOn the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29,5 °C. However, it reached 34,4 °C in August 1991.
Rain iconPrecipitation amounts to only 0,2 mm, distributed over 0 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 20 minutes.
Sun iconThere are on average 9,5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 71% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of 10,6 kph.
Sea iconThe average sea temperature is of 20,5 °C. Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.


September is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 22 °C, with a minimum of 18,6 °C and a maximum of 25,3 °C.
Cold thermometer iconOn the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 16 °C. However, it dropped to 13,9 °C in September 1993.
Warm thermometer iconOn the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32,5 °C. However, it reached 38,3 °C in September 2012.
Rain iconPrecipitation amounts to only 3 mm, and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 20 minutes.
Sun iconThere are on average 8,5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 68% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of 10,2 kph.
Sea iconThe average sea temperature is of 20,5 °C. Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.


October is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 20,1 °C, with a minimum of 16 °C and a maximum of 24,2 °C.
Cold thermometer iconOn the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12,5 °C. However, it dropped to 6,7 °C in October 2019.
Warm thermometer iconOn the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31 °C. However, it reached 37,2 °C in October 1994.
Rain iconPrecipitation amounts to 13 mm, distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 20 minutes.
Sun iconThere are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 69% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is of 8,8 kph.
Sea iconThe average sea temperature is of 19,4 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.


November is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 17 °C, with a minimum of 12 °C and a maximum of 22 °C.
Cold thermometer iconOn the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8 °C. However, it dropped to 3,9 °C in November 1994.
Warm thermometer iconOn the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29,5 °C. However, it reached 38 °C in November 2010.
Rain iconPrecipitation amounts to 20 mm, distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 30 minutes.
Sun iconThere are on average 7,5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 73% of the time.
The average humidity is 63%.
The average wind speed is of 7,8 kph.
Sea iconThe average sea temperature is of 17,7 °C. Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.


December, the coldest month of the year, is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 14,3 °C, with a minimum of 9,2 °C and a maximum of 19,4 °C.
Cold thermometer iconOn the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5,5 °C. However, it dropped to 3,3 °C in December 1992.
Warm thermometer iconOn the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25 °C. However, it reached 28,3 °C in December 2004.
Rain iconPrecipitation amounts to 40 mm, distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 0 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
Sun iconThere are on average 7,5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 75% of the time.
The average humidity is 63%.
The average wind speed is of 7,6 kph.
Sea iconThe average sea temperature is of 15,9 °C. Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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