Climate - Santa Monica (California)
Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours
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Climate chart - Santa Monica
The climate of Santa Monica is arid sub-tropical, with very mild, relatively rainy winters and quite warm, sunny summers.
The city is located on the coast of the Los Angeles metropolitan area, where the climate is particularly mild due to the cold current flowing in the ocean. To the north we find the Santa Monica Mountains, to the south the city of Venice and the Los Angeles international airport.
In summer, daytime temperatures are a few degrees lower than in Downtown Los Angeles. However, the temperature can rise a lot when the Santa Ana winds blow from the deserts of the interior. In these cases, the temperature can reach 37/38 °C (99/102 °F), and this can also happen in September or October.
In May and June (but sometimes also in July and August) the so-called "June Gloom" can occur, the fog or a cloud cover coming from the ocean. Sometimes, fog can also form on winter nights.
In winter, during the coldest nights, the temperature generally drops to 3/4 °C (37/39 °F). However, in 1990 and 2007, it dropped to 0 °C (32 °F).
The average temperature of the coldest month (December) is of 13.9 °C (57 °F), that of the warmest month (August) is of 21 °C (69.8 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Santa Monica - Average temperatures (1991-2020) | Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
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| January | 9.3 | 18.9 | 14.1 | 49 | 66 | 57.4 |
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| February | 9.4 | 18.7 | 14.1 | 49 | 66 | 57.3 |
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| March | 10.6 | 19.1 | 14.8 | 51 | 66 | 58.7 |
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| April | 11.6 | 20.1 | 15.8 | 53 | 68 | 60.5 |
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| May | 13.7 | 20.5 | 17.1 | 57 | 69 | 62.8 |
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| June | 15.3 | 21.9 | 18.6 | 60 | 71 | 65.5 |
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| July | 17.2 | 23.9 | 20.6 | 63 | 75 | 69 |
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| August | 17.3 | 24.7 | 21 | 63 | 76 | 69.8 |
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| September | 16.8 | 24.5 | 20.7 | 62 | 76 | 69.2 |
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| October | 14.5 | 23.3 | 18.9 | 58 | 74 | 66 |
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| November | 11.1 | 21.2 | 16.1 | 52 | 70 | 61.1 |
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| December | 8.7 | 19 | 13.9 | 48 | 66 | 56.9 |
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| Year | 13 | 21.3 | 17.1 | 55.4 | 70.4 | 63 |
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Precipitation amounts to 340 millimeters (13.5 inches) per year: it is therefore scarce. It ranges from 0 mm (0 in) in the driest months (June, July, August) to 85 mm (3.3 in) in the wettest ones (January, February). Here is the average precipitation.
Santa Monica - Average precipitation| Month | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
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| January | 85 | 3.3 | 5 |
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| February | 85 | 3.3 | 6 |
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| March | 55 | 2.2 | 5 |
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| April | 15 | 0.6 | 3 |
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| May | 5 | 0.2 | 2 |
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| June | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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| July | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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| August | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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| September | 5 | 0.2 | 1 |
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| October | 15 | 0.6 | 4 |
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| November | 20 | 0.8 | 4 |
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| December | 60 | 2.4 | 6 |
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| Year | 340 | 13.4 | 38 |
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On average, there are around 3,250 sunshine hours per year. Therefore, the sun shines very often. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.
Santa Monica - Sunshine hours| Month | Average | Total |
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January | 7.5 | 225 | February | 8 | 225 | March | 8.5 | 265 | April | 10 | 305 | May | 9 | 275 | June | 9 | 275 | July | 11.5 | 365 | August | 11.5 | 350 | September | 9.5 | 280 | October | 8 | 255 | November | 7 | 215 | December | 7 | 220 | Year | 8.9 | 3255 |
The sea temperature ranges between 14.5 °C (58 °F) and 18.5 °C (65.5 °F). So, it never becomes warm for swimming. Here are the average sea temperatures.
Santa Monica - Sea temperature| Month | Celsius (°C) | Fahrenheit (°F) |
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January | 14.5 | 58 | February | 14.5 | 58 | March | 14.5 | 58 | April | 14.5 | 58 | May | 15 | 59 | June | 16 | 61 | July | 18 | 64 | August | 18.5 | 65 | September | 18.5 | 65 | October | 18 | 64 | November | 16.5 | 62 | December | 15 | 59 | Year | 16.1 | 61 |
Best Time
Having a great climate, Santa Monica can be visited all year round. However, from December to March, it can rain. 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.
Back to California.
Santa Monica - Weather by month
Based on the period 1991-2020
In January, the weather in Santa Monica is usually mild. The average temperature is of 14.1 °C (57 °F), with a minimum of 9.3 °C (48.7 °F) and a maximum of 18.9 °C (66 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5.5 °C (41.5 °F). However, it dropped to 0 °C (32 °F) in January 2007.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27.5 °C (81.5 °F). However, it reached 31.1 °C (88 °F) in January 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 71% of the time.
The average humidity is 59%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 14.5 °C (58 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
In February, the weather in Santa Monica is usually mild. The average temperature is of 14.1 °C (57 °F), with a minimum of 9.4 °C (49 °F) and a maximum of 18.7 °C (65.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5.5 °C (42.5 °F). However, it dropped to 2.8 °C (37 °F) in February 2002.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27 °C (81 °F). However, it reached 32.2 °C (90 °F) in February 1992.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 72% of the time.
The average humidity is 63%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 14.5 °C (57.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
In March, the weather in Santa Monica is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 14.8 °C (59 °F), with a minimum of 10.6 °C (51 °F) and a maximum of 19.1 °C (66.4 °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 3.9 °C (39 °F) in March 2006.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27.5 °C (81.5 °F). However, it reached 34.4 °C (93.9 °F) in March 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 72% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 14.5 °C (57.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
In April, the weather in Santa Monica is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 15.8 °C (60 °F), with a minimum of 11.6 °C (52.8 °F) and a maximum of 20.1 °C (68.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8.5 °C (47.5 °F). However, it dropped to 5.6 °C (42.1 °F) in April 2011.
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 34.4 °C (93.9 °F) in April 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 15 mm (0.6 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 77% of the time.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 14.5 °C (57.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
In May, the weather in Santa Monica is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 17.1 °C (63 °F), with a minimum of 13.7 °C (56.6 °F) and a maximum of 20.5 °C (68.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11.5 °C (52.5 °F). However, it dropped to 8.9 °C (48 °F) in May 2011.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27.5 °C (81 °F). However, it reached 37.2 °C (99 °F) in May 2014.
Precipitation amounts to only 5 mm (0.2 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 64% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15 °C (59 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
In June, the weather in Santa Monica is usually warm. The average temperature is of 18.6 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 15.3 °C (59.6 °F) and a maximum of 21.9 °C (71.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 13.5 °C (56 °F). However, it dropped to 10.6 °C (51.1 °F) in June 2011.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27.5 °C (81.5 °F). However, it reached 34.4 °C (93.9 °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.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 64% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16 °C (61 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
In July, the weather in Santa Monica is usually warm. The average temperature is of 20.6 °C (69 °F), with a minimum of 17.2 °C (62.9 °F) and a maximum of 23.9 °C (75.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 15 °C (59 °F). However, it dropped to 11.1 °C (52 °F) in July 1992.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29 °C (84 °F). However, it reached 37.2 °C (99 °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.
There are on average 11.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 83% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18 °C (64 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
In August, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Santa Monica is usually warm. The average temperature is of 21.0 °C (70 °F), with a minimum of 17.3 °C (63.2 °F) and a maximum of 24.7 °C (76.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 15.5 °C (60 °F). However, it dropped to 12.2 °C (54 °F) in August 2010.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29.5 °C (85.5 °F). However, it reached 34.4 °C (93.9 °F) in August 1994.
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.
There are on average 11.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 85% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18.5 °C (65.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.
In September, the weather in Santa Monica is usually warm. The average temperature is of 20.7 °C (69 °F), with a minimum of 16.8 °C (62.3 °F) and a maximum of 24.5 °C (76.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 13.5 °C (56.5 °F). However, it dropped to 11 °C (51.8 °F) in September 1999.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32.5 °C (90.5 °F). However, it reached 39.4 °C (102.9 °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.
There are on average 9.5 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 18.5 °C (65.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.
In October, the weather in Santa Monica is usually warm. The average temperature is of 18.9 °C (66 °F), with a minimum of 14.5 °C (58.1 °F) and a maximum of 23.3 °C (74 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11 °C (52 °F). However, it dropped to 8.3 °C (46.9 °F) in October 2019.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32.5 °C (90.5 °F). However, it reached 38.3 °C (100.9 °F) in October 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 15 mm (0.6 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 20 minutes.
There 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 8 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18 °C (64 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
In November, the weather in Santa Monica is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 16.1 °C (61 °F), with a minimum of 11.1 °C (52 °F) and a maximum of 21.2 °C (70.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7.5 °C (45.5 °F). However, it dropped to 3.3 °C (37.9 °F) in November 2006.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30.5 °C (87 °F). However, it reached 36 °C (96.8 °F) in November 1996.
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 70% of the time.
The average humidity is 59%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16.5 °C (62 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
In December, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Santa Monica is usually mild. The average temperature is of 13.9 °C (57 °F), with a minimum of 8.7 °C (47.7 °F) and a maximum of 19 °C (66.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5 °C (41 °F). However, it dropped to 2.8 °C (37 °F) in December 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26 °C (78.5 °F). However, it reached 30 °C (86 °F) in December 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 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 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 71% of the time.
The average humidity is 57%.
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.
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