Weather and climate in Santa Ana (California)

The climate of Santa Ana is subtropical, with very mild, relatively rainy winters and hot, sunny summers.
The city is located in Orange County (and northwest of the city of Irvine), 15 km (9 mi) away from the sea, in the southeastern part of the Los Angeles metropolitan area. To the east of the city we find the Santa Ana Mountains, whose highest point is Santiago Peak, 1,734 meters (5,689 ft) high. The Santa Ana, the torrid wind blowing from the Nevada deserts, has also the same name as the city.
On the coldest nights of the year, the temperature generally drops to 3 °C (37 °F), although in December 1990, it dropped to -0.5 °C (31 °F).
On the hottest days of the year, which occur when the Santa Ana wind blows, the temperature can reach 40/41 °C (104/106 °F). The Santa Ana blows more easily in September and October.
In June, and sometimes in May, the phenomenon called "June gloom" can occur in the morning: this is a kind of cloudy and damp weather, sometimes foggy, accompanied by a sort of drizzle, which is formed on the sea and later can invade the mainland.
The average temperature of the coldest month (December) is of 14.1 °C (57.4 °F), that of the warmest month (August) is of 23.2 °C (73.8 °F). Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation amounts to 285 millimeters (11.2 inches) per year: it is therefore scarce (although there may be periods of bad weather in winter). It ranges from 0 mm (0 in) in the driest months (June, July, August) to 65 mm (2.6 in) in the wettest ones (January, February). Here is the average precipitation.

The sea temperature ranges between 15 °C (59 °F) and 20.5 °C (69 °F): so, the sea remains a bit cold even in summer. Here are the average sea temperatures.

Best Time

The best time to visit Santa Ana is spring, from April to June, in fact, it is a mild or pleasantly warm and sunny period, and with a very low risk of hot days. The summer, from July to September, is usually a good period as well, since it is hot but not too much as well as sunny; occasionally, however, there can be hot days, when the Santa Ana winds blow. Autumn, in October and November, is generally a good season as well, although the Santa Ana winds are quite common, and the first rains can fall, especially in November.

Back to California.

Santa Ana - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

---

January is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 14.3 °C (58 °F), with a minimum of 9.2 °C (48.6 °F) and a maximum of 19.4 °C (67 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4.5 °C (39.5 °F). However, it dropped to 0.5 °C (32.9 °F) in January 1994.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28 °C (82.5 °F). However, it reached 32.2 °C (90 °F) in January 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 10 minutes.
The average humidity is 62%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15 °C (59 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

---

February is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 14.7 °C (58 °F), with a minimum of 10.1 °C (50.1 °F) and a maximum of 19.3 °C (66.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5.5 °C (41.5 °F). However, it dropped to 2.2 °C (36 °F) in February 2016.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27.5 °C (81 °F). However, it reached 32.2 °C (90 °F) in February 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 0 minutes.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15 °C (59 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

---

March is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 15.6 °C (60 °F), with a minimum of 11.3 °C (52.3 °F) and a maximum of 19.8 °C (67.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7 °C (45 °F). However, it dropped to 5 °C (41 °F) in March 2007.
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 35 °C (95 °F) in March 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15 °C (59 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

---

April is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 17.0 °C (63 °F), with a minimum of 12.7 °C (54.9 °F) and a maximum of 21.2 °C (70.2 °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 5 °C (41 °F) in April 1999.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30.5 °C (86.5 °F). However, it reached 37 °C (98.6 °F) in April 2008.
Precipitation amounts to 15 mm (0.6 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 5 minutes.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15.5 °C (60 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

---

May is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 18.5 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 15.2 °C (59.3 °F) and a maximum of 21.8 °C (71.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12 °C (54 °F). However, it dropped to 9.4 °C (48.9 °F) in May 1999.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29.5 °C (85 °F). However, it reached 41.1 °C (106 °F) in May 2014.
Precipitation amounts to only 5 mm (0.2 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 55 minutes.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16.5 °C (62 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

---

June is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 20.2 °C (68 °F), with a minimum of 17 °C (62.6 °F) and a maximum of 23.4 °C (74.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 14.5 °C (58 °F). However, it dropped to 8.3 °C (46.9 °F) in June 1995.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 29.5 °C (84.5 °F). However, it reached 35.6 °C (96.1 °F) in June 2006.
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 25 minutes. So the days are long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
The average humidity is 70%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18 °C (64.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

---

July is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 22.5 °C (73 °F), with a minimum of 19 °C (66.2 °F) and a maximum of 26.1 °C (78.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 16.5 °C (61.5 °F). However, it dropped to 15 °C (59 °F) in July 2012.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31.5 °C (88.5 °F). However, it reached 42.2 °C (108 °F) in July 2018.
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 5 minutes. So the days are long.
The average humidity is 70%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 20 °C (67.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

---

August, the warmest month of the year, is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 23.2 °C (74 °F), with a minimum of 19.5 °C (67.1 °F) and a maximum of 26.9 °C (80.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 17 °C (62.5 °F). However, it dropped to 13.9 °C (57 °F) in August 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91.5 °F). However, it reached 37.8 °C (100 °F) in August 2020.
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 20 minutes.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 20.5 °C (69 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

---

September is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 22.5 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 18.3 °C (65 °F) and a maximum of 26.6 °C (79.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 15 °C (59.5 °F). However, it dropped to 12.7 °C (54.9 °F) in September 1995.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 35.5 °C (95.5 °F). However, it reached 43.3 °C (109.9 °F) in September 2010.
Precipitation amounts to only 5 mm (0.2 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 20 minutes.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 20.5 °C (68.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

---

October is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 19.9 °C (68 °F), with a minimum of 15.1 °C (59.2 °F) and a maximum of 24.7 °C (76.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11.5 °C (53 °F). However, it dropped to 7.8 °C (46 °F) in October 2009.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93.5 °F). However, it reached 41.1 °C (106 °F) in October 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 15 mm (0.6 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 20 minutes.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 19.5 °C (66.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

---

November is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 17 °C (63 °F), with a minimum of 11.8 °C (53.3 °F) and a maximum of 22.2 °C (71.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7 °C (44.5 °F). However, it dropped to 2.7 °C (36.9 °F) in November 1994.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31 °C (88 °F). However, it reached 38 °C (100.4 °F) in November 2010.
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 25 minutes.
The average humidity is 60%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17.5 °C (63.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

---

December, the coldest month of the year, is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 14.1 °C (57 °F), with a minimum of 9.1 °C (48.3 °F) and a maximum of 19.2 °C (66.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3.5 °C (38.5 °F). However, it dropped to 2 °C (35.6 °F) in December 1998.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26.5 °C (79.5 °F). However, it reached 32.2 °C (90 °F) in December 2010.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 7 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.
The average humidity is 61%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15.5 °C (60.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.