Weather in California

When vacationers think of the weather in California , an image of sunshine, blue sea and warm temperatures often emerges in their minds. But the state doesn’t have year-round sunshine and warm temperatures. Parts of California experience snowfall, while other regions only expect heavy rains during winter. The climate in the north and south differs significantly from the climatic conditions in Death Valley or the Sierra Nevada . Read here what weather awaits you in the California state.

What’s the weather like in Northern California?

What's the weather like in California

Using a climate table for Sacramento, I’ll show you the weather in northern California. This part of the state is part of the Mediterranean climate zone . While the summers are hot and with little rain, the winters in Sacramento are comparatively rainy and mild. The hottest months of the year are July and August with an average of 34 degrees Celsius. These are also the driest months with less than 1 day of rain per month. It gets coolest in December and January with maximum temperatures of 12 degrees Celsius and minimum temperatures of 3 degrees. The sunniest months are June and July with 14 hours of sunshine per day, closely followed by May and August with 13 hours of sunshine per day. Winter brings less sun with it. In December and January, holidaymakers can expect only 5 hours of sunshine per day, in November and February there are 7.

Climate diagram for Sacramento

Jan Feb March Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Max. Temperature in ° C 12 16 18 22 27 31 34 34 31 26 17 12
Min. Temperature in ° C 3 5 6 8 10 13 15 14 13 10 6 3
Hours of sunshine per day 5 7 9 11 13 14 14 13 12 10 7 5
Rainy days per month 7 7 7 4 1 1 0 0 1 3 6 7
Precipitation in mm 98 71 65 32 8 3 1 2 9 26 68 65

What is the weather like in southern California?

What's the weather like in California

Representing the weather in southern California, I provide you with a climate diagram for San Diego . During the summer months you will spend your California vacation in pleasant temperatures. The warmest months are July, August and September with maximum values ​​of 25 degrees Celsius. Even at night it is still 19 to 20 degrees Celsius. In winter, the maximum values ​​deviate from the minimum values ​​by up to 10 degrees Celsius. If you’re traveling to San Diego in winter, pack overcoat clothes to avoid freezing in the evening. It gets coldest in January and December with minimum temperatures of 9 degrees Celsius. The most sunshine awaits travelers in July and August. January and December bring the fewest hours of sunshine with 7 hours per day.

According to Justinshoes.net, the water temperatures of the Pacific in San Diego only reach 21 degrees in August – this is the comfortable temperature for bathing in the sea. Otherwise, the values ​​of the Pacific Ocean move between 15 and 20 degrees Celsius. Therefore, jumping into the water is only recommended for insensitive vacationers. It rains little year round in San Diego. The maximum value is 6 rainy days in February and March. Between June and September it does not rain on an average of any day of the month in the Californian metropolis.

Climate diagram for San Diego

Jan Feb March Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Max. Temperature in ° C 19 19 19 20 21 22 25 25 25 24 21 19
Min. Temperature in ° C 9 10 12 13 15 17 19 20 19 16 12 9
Hours of sunshine per day 7 8 8 9 8 8 10 10 8 8 8 7
Rainy days per month 5 6 6 2 2 0 0 0 0 2 3 4
Precipitation in mm 48 33 46 21 6 2 1 4 7 9 38 42

How’s the weather in Death Valley?

The highest temperatures in the whole country await you in Death Valley . The hottest measured value was reached in 1913 and was 56.7 degrees Celsius. In summer the thermometer climbs to over 40 degrees Celsius. The hottest month is July with an average of 46 degrees Celsius. In winter the values ​​are between 16 degrees in December and 21 degrees Celsius in February. At night, temperatures drop to 1 to 4 degrees. It can happen that the values ​​in Death Valley are below 0 degrees Celsius during the cold season. June, July and August bring the most hours of sunshine with itself – 13 in number. The sun shines the least in December with 5 hours a day. In Death Valley there is little rainfall all year round. The maximum value is 3 rainy days per month. May and June are the driest.

Climate diagram for Death Valley

Jan Feb March Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Max. Temperature in ° C 18 21 25 30 35 41 46 44 40 31 22 16
Min. Temperature in ° C 1 4 7 10 16 21 25 23 19 12 6 1
Hours of sunshine per day 6 6 9 10 11 13 13 13 11 9 7 5
Rainy days per month 3 3 3 2 1 1 3 3 2 2 2 3
Precipitation in mm 18 20 14 6 4 2 9 9 7 4 13 13

How is the weather in the Sierra Nevada?

The climatic conditions in the Sierra Nevada are very different. At 4,421 meters, the Sierra Nevada is not only the highest mountain range in the USA but also the longest. There is an arctic climate at the heights of the mountain range . In winter it is very cold and there is heavy snowfall. The western and eastern parts of the Sierra Nevada are subject to different climatic conditions. The west is influenced by a maritime climate . Both summers and winters are mild in this region. In contrast, the seasons in the east are clearly pronounced. This part of the Sierra Nevada has a desert climate certainly. The summers are hot there and the winters are cool. The amount of precipitation also varies from area to area. In general, one can say that the high altitudes are more affected by precipitation than the valley regions of the Sierra Nevada. But there is less precipitation in the south than in the north. So it happens that mountains in the south are higher than in the north, but it still rains less there.