Weather in Santa Monica, California
Fog and sun in daily rhythm. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Overcast—67°57°
- SundayMay 17Overcast—66°57°
- MondayMay 18Overcast—72°56°
- TuesdayMay 19Foggy—75°61°
- WednesdayMay 20Foggy—72°62°
- ThursdayMay 21Foggy—73°62°
- FridayMay 22Foggy—71°61°
- PM 2.5
- 19.0 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 27.4 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 5.2 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 128.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 1.9 Low
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 1:08 PM
- Moonset
- 3:18 AM
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
Fog and sun in daily rhythm
Santa Monica at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 15°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: March 11 (climatological average for this latitude)
- Microseason: 28 of 72, May 16–20
- Planting window: Direct sow okra, melons, and southern peas. Thin carrot rows.
Right now in the garden
Peak growing season
As of May 17, the growing season is at its peak — frost is months away. Continue succession-planting beans and summer squash. Start fall brassicas (broccoli, cabbage, kale) from seed indoors for transplanting in late summer.
Planting calendar
| Month | Plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | — |
| February | — | — |
| March | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes | — |
| April | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | — |
| May | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| June | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| July | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| August | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| September | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| October | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | winter squash, tomatoes (last) |
| November | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | — |
| December | — | — |
A year in weather
Santa Monica's warmest month is August, with a mean temperature around 71°F, and its coldest is February, near 59°F. Rainfall peaks at 4.7 inches in February and drops to 0.0 inches in August.
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 60° | 4.1″ | 5 |
| February | 59° | 4.7″ | 5 |
| March | 60° | 2.7″ | 4 |
| April | 62° | 0.8″ | 2 |
| May | 63° | 0.4″ | 1 |
| June | 66° | 0.1″ | 0 |
| July | 70° | 0.0″ | 0 |
| August | 71° | 0.0″ | 0 |
| September | 71° | 0.1″ | 0 |
| October | 68° | 0.7″ | 1 |
| November | 64° | 1.0″ | 2 |
| December | 59° | 2.9″ | 3 |
Regional context
Santa Monica belongs to a hot-summer Mediterranean climate region, a cohort of nearby cities that share similar temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions.
Similar climates: Los Angeles, CA, San Francisco, CA, San Diego, CA, Riverside, CA, Sacramento, CA.
Naturalist notes
By late May, cliff swallows are busy constructing mud nests under the eaves of coastal-facing structures, fresh Pacific air carrying the sound of chicks demanding food.
The evening sky in June shows Scorpius rising low along the southern horizon, its brightest star Antares blinking a distinct reddish-orange through the marine layer.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Santa Monica?
- Santa Monica's last spring frost usually falls around mid-March, and the first fall frost arrives around mid-December.
- What is the rainy season in Santa Monica?
- February is the wettest month, averaging about 4.7 inches of rain; the city receives roughly 18 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in Santa Monica?
- August is typically warmest, averaging about 71°F.
- What is the coldest month in Santa Monica?
- February is typically coldest, averaging about 59°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Santa Monica?
- Cool-season crops such as peas and lettuce can be sown around the last spring frost in mid-March; warm-season crops like tomatoes and peppers wait until one to two weeks after that date.
- How many rainy days does Santa Monica get?
- Santa Monica averages about 22 rainy days per year.
- What hardiness zone is Santa Monica?
- Santa Monica's USDA hardiness zone is based on the lowest average winter temperature; use the USDA's online lookup with the city ZIP for the current zone designation.
Climate
Santa Monica, California lies in a hot-summer Mediterranean climate zone. January temperatures hover near 60°F and July averages 70°F, a swing of just 10°F between the seasons.
Over a typical year, Santa Monica collects about 18 inches of precipitation spread across roughly 22 rainy days.
Latitude (34.0°N), the presence of large water bodies, and elevation set the rhythm of the year. Together they shape what grows here, when frost is likely, and the day-to-day weather story.