Weather in San Diego

Planning a visit to San Diego? Get the freshest weather information right here. Below, you will find up-to-date data, forecasts, and useful weather charts for your convenience.

San Diego, located in the United States, boasts one of the most pleasant climates in the country, often characterized as Mediterranean or semi-arid steppe. The city is known for a large number of sunny days per year and mild temperatures, making it an attractive destination for tourists at any time of the year. Temperature fluctuations here are moderate, without extreme heat or severe cold.

In San Diego, two main seasons are clearly defined: a warm, dry, and sunny summer and a mild, wetter winter. The summer months, especially from June to September, are characterized by minimal rainfall (often 0 mm) and comfortable average temperatures of around 19-23°C, with maximum values reaching 25-26°C. Winter, from December to March, remains mild, with average temperatures around 13-14°C. Although this is the "wettest" period of the year, the amount of precipitation is still low, amounting to just a few millimeters per month.

One of the main features of San Diego's climate is the very low level of precipitation throughout the year, especially during the summer months when rain is a great rarity. Even in the winter months, the number of rainy days is small. This provides visitors to the city with plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities and enjoying the famous California beaches.

The temperature regime in San Diego is distinguished by mildness and comfort throughout the year. The hottest month is usually August, when the average temperature reaches 22.8°C, and daytime highs can rise to 26.1°C. Nights during this period are also warm, with an average minimum of around 19.4°C. The coolest month is considered to be February, with an average temperature of 13.1°C, while daytime temperatures hold around 17.0°C, and nighttime temperatures drop on average to 9.2°C.

The summer months in San Diego, from June to September, are characterized by very pleasant, warm weather. In June, the average temperature is around 19.0°C, gradually rising towards August. Daytime temperatures at the height of summer (July-August) fluctuate in the range of 25-26°C, which creates ideal conditions for beach holidays and outdoor activities, while exhausting heat is usually not observed. Nights remain comfortably warm, with temperatures from 15.7°C in June to 19.4°C in August.

Winter in San Diego is very mild and far from typical winter colds. From December to March, average temperatures range from 13.1°C to 14.0°C. During the day, the thermometer usually shows from 16.9°C to 17.9°C, which allows for spending time comfortably outdoors. Nighttime temperatures drop to 9-10°C, making evenings and early mornings cool, but without frost. Throughout the year, moderate temperature fluctuations between day and night are observed, averaging 6-8°C. These fluctuations are most noticeable in transitional seasons, such as October and November, when the difference between the maximum and minimum daily temperature can reach 8-8.6°C.

In San Diego, a distinct seasonality in precipitation distribution is observed, with a very dry and long summer period and a wetter, yet still mild, winter. Overall, the city receives a small amount of precipitation throughout the year, which is one of its climatic features. Snow is uncharacteristic for San Diego due to warm winter temperatures; all precipitation falls predominantly in the form of rain.

The driest period in San Diego lasts from May to October. In these months, rains are a great rarity. The absolutely dry months are July and August, when on average not a single millimeter of precipitation falls and not a single rainy day is registered. In May and June, there is also practically no precipitation (0 mm), with 3 and 1 rainy days respectively. In September and October, there is also virtually no measurable precipitation (0 mm), although a couple of days with precipitation are registered, indicating a very insignificant amount.

The wetter season falls on the period from November to April. The "wettest" month of the year is March, when an average of 3 mm of precipitation falls, and the number of days with precipitation reaches 11. January and February also contribute to the annual precipitation total, bringing 2 mm each and having 7 rainy days each. In December, 2 mm of precipitation falls over approximately 5 days, and in April and November – 1 mm over 4 rainy days. The nature of precipitation in these months is generally light or moderate rain, rather than heavy downpours.

When planning a trip to San Diego, it is worth considering its famous mild climate and abundance of sunny days. Regardless of the season, comfortable shoes for walking are a must-have, as the city invites long explorations. Also relevant year-round are sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat for protection from the Californian sun. In summer, especially from June to September, when average temperatures range from 19°C to 23°C and precipitation is practically absent, your suitcase should be filled with light clothing: shorts, t-shirts, dresses, and, of course, swimwear. Evenings can be a little cooler, with temperatures around 15-19°C, so a light sweater or windbreaker wouldn't go amiss.

For a trip to San Diego in the cooler months, from December to March, when the average temperature is around 13-14°C and nightly minimums can drop to 9-10°C, it is recommended to bring warmer clothing. The principle of layering will be very useful here: t-shirts, long-sleeved shirts, sweaters, and a light or mid-season jacket will allow you to feel comfortable throughout the day. Although winter is considered a wetter period, the amount of precipitation is low (2-3 mm per month). Nevertheless, a small foldable umbrella or a light waterproof jacket may come in handy, especially in March, when the number of days with precipitation can reach eleven. Overall, even in winter, the weather in San Diego remains pleasant for walks and active leisure.