The city has Mediterranean climate with mild rainy winters and warm dry summers. San-Francisco is located on the peninsula of same and surrounded with water on three sides thus weather is influenced by cold currents. Average summertime temperatures are in range between 59-75 °F (15 and 24 °C) while at winter they are between 50-59 °F (10 and 15 °C).

Starting from middle of summer and to middle of autumn the city is covered with thick fogs through the day. Collision of cold air blown from ocean with warm inland masses creates this phenomenon. High hills are protecting east side of the city from fogs and cool air thus eastern regions are drier and sunnier.

 

Seasons

 

Contents:

• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter

Spring in San Francisco

First month of spring is rainy with average temperature about 55 °F (13 °C). At April precipitation decreases and weather becomes somewhat tricky. Averages are at 57 °F (14 °C) however there may be a week with firm 79-84 °F (26 to 29 °C) followed by rains. Yet in general April is the sunniest month of a year May is more predictable with averages of 57-64 °F (14 18 °C).

Spring provides exceptional combination of weather and pricings. This isn’t time to dive into the Pacific however pleasant warmth and affordable pricing are promoting wandering among numerous sight of San-Francisco.

Climate of the Spring Months

March Max average t°: 61 °F (+16 °C) Min average t°: 48 °F (+9 °C) Water t°: 54 °F (+12.5 °C) Sundial in the day: 7 hours Rainy days: 5 days Precipitation: 2.4" (61 mm)

April Max average t°: 64 °F (+17.5 °C) Min average t°: 49 °F (+9 °C) Water t°: 55 °F (+13 °C) Sundial in the day: 9 hours Rainy days: 2 days Precipitation: 1.1" (27 mm)

May Max average t°: 65 °F (+18 °C) Min average t°: 51 °F (+10.5 °C) Water t°: 55 °F (+13 °C) Sundial in the day: 9.5 hours Rainy days: 0 days Precipitation: 0.2" (6 mm)

Spring Holidays

March – Cherry Blossom Festival.

April – San Francisco International Film Festival.

May - Cinco de Mayo celebration; Bay to Breakers.

Summer in San Francisco

Despite expectations summer in San Francisco is cool, windy and often damp. Average highs are barely rising above 68 °F (20 °C). Thick fogs are covering the city until afternoon and around (3 p.m.) cool oceanic wind rises. It is pretty strong with 25-30 mph (11 to 13 m/s). It calms down by the dark though. All in all summer weather is far from hot.

However summer is the heist of tourist’s season for there are plenty of fairs and festivities in the city. Thus pricing of rooms and other services is rising. Regarding given above it is strongly recommended to book needed rooms in advance.

 

Climate of the Summer Months

 

June Max average t°: 67 °F (+19.5 °C) Min average t°: 53 °F (+12 °C) Water t°: 57 °F (+14 °C) Sundial in the day: 10.5 hours Rainy days: 0 days Precipitation: 0.4" (11 mm)

July Max average t°: 68 °F (+20 °C) Min average t°: 54 °F (+12.5 °C) Water t°: 59 °F (+15 °C) Sundial in the day: 9.5 hours Rainy days: 0 days Precipitation: 0.3" (7 mm)

August Max average t°: 68 °F (+20 °C) Min average t°: 55 °F (+13 °C) Water t°: 60 °F (+15.5 °C) Sundial in the day: 8 hours Rainy days: 0 days Precipitation: 0.3" (7 mm)

Summer Holidays

June – Gay Pride Parade.

July – Fourth of July fireworks displays; Fillmore Street Jazz Festival; North Beach Jazz Festival.

August - The Nihonmachi Street Fair; San Francisco Shakespeare Festival.

Autumn in San Francisco

Due to features of San Francisco’s climate autumn is actual summer here. Warm air with average highs of 64-73 °F (18 to 23 °C) are combined with low probability of precipitation and fogs. Days are sunny and warm and nights are crisp and clear. Hills are protecting eastern part of the city thus it is warmer here.

Many consider September-October as the best time to visit the city. At November however precipitation increases while temperature gradually goes down. Anyway packing for visit to San Francisco at any season requires some light sweaters and long-sleeved shirts.

 

Climate of the Autumn Months

 

September Max average t°: 71 °F (+22 °C) Min average t°: 56 °F (+13 °C) Water t°: 60 °F (+15.5 °C) Sundial in the day: 9 hours Rainy days: 0 days Precipitation: 0.14" (3.5 mm)

October Max average t°: 69 °F (+21 °C) Min average t°: 54 °F (+12 °C) Water t°: 59 °F (+15 °C) Sundial in the day: 8 hours Rainy days: 1 day Precipitation: 0.5" (12 mm)

November Max average t°: 64 °F (+18 °C) Min average t°: 50 °F (+10 °C) Water t°: 57 °F (+14 °C) Sundial in the day: 7.5 hours Rainy days: 3 days Precipitation: 1.5" (38 mm)

Autumn Holidays

September – Ghirardelli Square Chocolate Festival; Autumn Moon Festival and Street Fair; The San Francisco Blues Festival; Oktoberfest by the Bay.

October – Litquake is San Francisco's literary festival; San Francisco's Jazz Festival; Castro Street Fair.

November – The Day of the Dead procession; Great Dickens Christmas Fair.

Winter in San Francisco

December through February is time of chill and rains. Actual cold and snow isn’t a thing though. Average highs are somewhere between 52-57 °F (11 and 14 °C). In addition more than half of annual precipitation falls at three winter months.

Frequent fogs driven by cool Pacific storms may cover San Francisco through whole day or be gone at morning. They are damp thus moderate temperatures may seem way colder. So it is recommended to pay attention to “feels like” graph of the forecast. Of course package should contain waterproof “ammunition” and respective warm clothes.

Climate of the Winter Months

December Max average t°: 58 °F (+14 °C) Min average t°: 46 °F (+8 °C) Water t°: 54 °F (+12 °C) Sundial in the day: 6 hours Rainy days: 4 days Precipitation: 2.4" (60 mm)

January Max average t°: 57 °F (+13.5 °C) Min average t°: 45 °F (+7 °C) Water t°: 52 °F (+11 °C) Sundial in the day: 6 hours Rainy days: 4 days Precipitation: 2.2" (56 mm)

February Max average t°: 60 °F (+16 °C) Min average t°: 48 °F (+9 °C) Water t°: 54 °F (+12 °C) Sundial in the day: 7 hours Rainy days: 4 days Precipitation: 2.1" (54 mm)

Winter Holidays

December - San Francisco Bowl.

January - Ballet season opens at the War Memorial Theatre.

February – Chinese New Year Parade; Crab Festival.