Weather in San Jose

Planning your day or trip to San Jose? In this section, you will find the most up-to-date weather information, including detailed forecasts and visual charts, to help you be ready for any of nature's surprises.

San Jose, located in the USA, boasts a climate often described as Mediterranean. This means the city offers generally mild weather throughout the year, without sharp temperature fluctuations. Visitors can expect comfortable conditions for exploring the city and its surroundings most of the time, with plenty of sunny days.

In San Jose, two main seasons are clearly defined. Summer, lasting roughly from June to September, is usually warm, sunny, and very dry – rain is extremely rare during this period, and the average maximum temperature stays around 26-28°C. Winters, from December to March, are conversely mild and wetter, with an average temperature of about 10-11°C and the highest amount of rainfall, although even that is not too abundant. Spring and autumn act as pleasant transitional periods with moderate temperatures and decreasing or increasing precipitation respectively.

San Jose experiences a quite comfortable temperature regime throughout the year. The annual range of average temperatures fluctuates from approximately 10.7°C in the winter months (January, February, December) to 21.9°C in the warmest month, which is August. Minimum night-time temperatures in winter drop on average to 5.9-7.1°C, while maximum day-time temperatures in summer can reach 28.3°C. Thus, the city does not experience extreme cold or exhausting heat, making it attractive to visit at any time of the year.

The summer months, from June to September, in San Jose are characterized as very warm and dry. The average daytime temperature during this period consistently stays above 25°C, peaking in July and August (average maximum temperature 28.2°C - 28.3°C). Nights remain pleasant, with temperatures around 13-15°C. The difference between day and night temperatures in summer is quite perceptible, averaging 11-13°C, which is typical for regions with low humidity and many sunny days. Precipitation in the summer months is practically absent.

Winter in San Jose, from December to March, is mild and moderately wet. The coldest months are January, February, and December, with an average temperature of about 10.7°C. Daytime highs during this period are usually in the range of 14.6-16.0°C, and night-time lows rarely drop below 5.9°C. Although winter brings the majority of annual rainfall, frost or snow is an extremely rare phenomenon for San Jose. Temperature changes between day and night in winter are less pronounced than in summer, but still noticeable, amounting to about 8-9°C.

In San Jose, precipitation patterns are clearly divided into two main seasons: a long dry period and a shorter, but noticeably wetter winter season. This is typical of the Mediterranean climate for which this region of the USA is known.

The summer months in San Jose, as well as most of autumn, are distinguished by extreme dryness. From June to October, rainfall amounts tend towards zero. For example, in June, July, and August, no precipitation is registered at all (0 mm), and the number of rainy days is also zero. September and October are also practically dry, with zero rainfall and just one rainy day on average per month. This is the ideal time for those who prefer sunny weather without rain.

The wet season arrives in November and continues until March. The highest amount of precipitation, although quite moderate (about 3 mm per month), falls in January, February, March, and December. The rainiest month by frequency of precipitation is March, when there are on average 13 days with precipitation. It is followed by December (10 rainy days) and January (9 rainy days). November brings about 2 mm of rainfall over 6 rainy days. It is important to note that even in the wettest periods, rainfall in San Jose usually does not take the form of heavy downpours; rather, it is light or moderate rain. Snow, given the mild winter temperatures, is an extremely rare occurrence.

Transition months, such as April and May, show a gradual decrease in precipitation. In April, only 1 mm of rain falls over 4 rainy days, and a similar picture is observed in May. Thus, when planning a trip, it is worth considering this seasonality: if you want to avoid rain, summer and early autumn will be the best choice, whereas winter will offer fresher weather with periodic rainfall.

When packing for San Jose, it is important to consider its Mediterranean climate with mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers. The key principle when packing your suitcase is layering. Even on warm days, evenings can be cool, so a light jacket, sweater, or cardigan will come in handy year-round. Be sure to bring comfortable walking shoes, as there is plenty to see in the city and its surroundings. Do not forget sunglasses, especially if your trip falls during the period from late spring to early autumn.

If you are planning a trip during the summer months (from June to September), pack light, breathable clothing: T-shirts, shorts, skirts, sundresses. At this time, it is very sunny and dry in San Jose, so sunscreen with a high SPF and a hat will become your best friends. Rain during this period is a great rarity, so an umbrella will most likely not be needed. However, as already mentioned, a light sweater or jacket for evening walks will not be amiss, as the temperature can drop perceptibly after sunset.

For a visit to San Jose in the winter period (from November to March), it is worth preparing for cooler and wetter weather. You will need jeans or trousers, sweaters, a fleece jacket, and a waterproof jacket or coat. Although severe frosts do not occur here, temperatures can drop to 6-7°C, especially at night. In this season, the likelihood of precipitation increases, particularly in December, January, and March, so a compact umbrella or raincoat will be very useful. Spring and autumn are transitional seasons, so clothing should be versatile: T-shirts, light jumpers, jeans, and a jacket that can be taken off in the warm afternoon and put on during the cool morning or evening.