Climate of California, USA
Area-weighted average across California. For where people actually live and travel, see the cities below.
California, a subdivision of United States of America, has a seasonal climate on average. Area-weighted monthly temperatures across the whole territory range from 6°C / 42.8°F in January to 23.2°C / 73.8°F in July, with rainfall from 6 mm / 0.2 in to 99 mm / 3.9 in depending on the season (556 mm / 21.9 in total across the year). See the 13 cities listed below for point-value climate at specific locations — these often differ from the area-weighted average, especially in geographically diverse subdivisions.
| Month | Temperature | Rainfall | Matches |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6°C42.8°F | 99 mm3.9″ | — |
| February | 7.6°C45.7°F | 85 mm3.3″ | — |
| March | 9.2°C48.6°F | 79 mm3.1″ | — |
| April | 11.9°C53.4°F | 39 mm1.5″ | — |
| May | 15.7°C60.3°F | 18 mm0.7″ | Sunny & Mild |
| June | 19.9°C67.8°F | 9 mm0.4″ | Sunny & Mild |
| July | 23.2°C73.8°F | 6 mm0.2″ | Sunny & Warm |
| August | 23.1°C73.6°F | 10 mm0.4″ | Sunny & Warm |
| September | 20.3°C68.5°F | 15 mm0.6″ | Sunny & Warm, Sunny & Mild |
| October | 15.6°C60.1°F | 32 mm1.3″ | Sunny & Mild |
| November | 9.7°C49.5°F | 78 mm3.1″ | — |
| December | 6°C42.8°F | 86 mm3.4″ | — |
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit California?
The best months to visit California, United States of America for sunny, dry weather are May, June, July, August, September, October. The warmest month is July at an area-wide average of 23.2°C / 73.8°F, and the driest is July with about 6 mm / 0.2 in of rainfall.
What is the climate of California?
California, United States of America has area-weighted monthly average temperatures ranging from 6°C / 42.8°F in January to 23.2°C / 73.8°F in July. Annual rainfall averages about 556 mm / 21.9 in, with the wettest month being January (99 mm / 3.9 in) and the driest July (6 mm / 0.2 in). Because this is an area average across the whole subdivision, local city values can differ substantially.
What is the hottest month in California?
The hottest month in California is July, with an area-wide average temperature of 23.2°C / 73.8°F.
What is the coldest month in California?
The coldest month in California is January, with an area-wide average temperature of 6°C / 42.8°F.
When does it rain most in California?
The wettest month in California is January, averaging about 99 mm / 3.9 in of rainfall. The driest is July with about 6 mm / 0.2 in.