Weather in San Diego, California
Fog and sun in daily rhythm. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Light Drizzle—70°61°
- SundayMay 17Overcast—67°56°
- MondayMay 18Overcast—74°54°
- TuesdayMay 19Overcast—77°61°
- WednesdayMay 20Overcast—77°62°
- ThursdayMay 21Overcast—78°62°
- FridayMay 22Clear—77°62°
- PM 2.5
- 13.3 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 22.2 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 2.1 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 94.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 1.4 Low
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 1:06 PM
- Moonset
- 3:09 AM
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
Fog and sun in daily rhythm
San Diego at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 14°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: March 4 (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
August brings San Diego's highest temperatures (~74°F mean) while December delivers the coldest (~56°F). February sees peak rainfall at 2.6 inches, and August receives virtually no precipitation (0.0 inches).
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 57° | 2.3″ | 3 |
| February | 57° | 2.6″ | 4 |
| March | 59° | 1.6″ | 3 |
| April | 62° | 0.8″ | 2 |
| May | 64° | 0.3″ | 1 |
| June | 67° | 0.1″ | 0 |
| July | 72° | 0.1″ | 0 |
| August | 74° | 0.0″ | 0 |
| September | 73° | 0.2″ | 0 |
| October | 68° | 0.5″ | 1 |
| November | 61° | 0.9″ | 2 |
| December | 56° | 1.6″ | 3 |
Regional context
San Diego belongs to the hot-summer Mediterranean climate region — sharing similar temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions with other cities in this climate group.
Similar climates: Los Angeles, CA, San Francisco, CA, Riverside, CA, Sacramento, CA, San Jose, CA.
Naturalist notes
Late May brings the peak migration of Allen's Hummingbirds through San Diego County's coastal corridors.
Coastal sage scrub blooms reach their second flush in June, when white sage and California buckwheat flower along the hillsides.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in San Diego?
- Mid-March typically marks San Diego's last spring frost, while the first fall frost usually arrives around mid-December.
- What is the rainy season in San Diego?
- February receives the most rainfall with about 2.6 inches on average; the city gets roughly 11 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in San Diego?
- August typically brings the warmest temperatures, averaging about 74°F.
- What is the coldest month in San Diego?
- December usually has the coldest temperatures, averaging about 56°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in San Diego?
- Cool-season crops (peas, lettuce) can be planted around the last spring frost (mid-March); warm-season crops (tomatoes, peppers) should wait until 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does San Diego get?
- San Diego sees about 20 rainy days per year on average.
- What hardiness zone is San Diego?
- San Diego's USDA hardiness zone depends on its lowest average winter temperature; use the USDA's online lookup with the city ZIP for the current zone designation.
Climate
San Diego, California experiences a hot-summer Mediterranean climate zone. January temperatures hover near 57°F while July averages 72°F — a 15°F seasonal swing.
Throughout the year, San Diego receives about 11 inches of precipitation spread over roughly 20 rainy days.
Geography shapes the annual weather patterns through latitude (32.8°N), proximity to large water bodies, and elevation — factors that determine what grows here, when frost occurs, and the daily weather patterns.
ZIP codes in San Diego
- 92182
- 92109
- 92108
- 92107
- 92106
- 92103
- 92101
- 92111
- 92154
- 92110
- 92140
- 92161
- 92105
- 92104
- 92102
- 92071
- 92132
- 92130
- 92131
- 92136
- 92134
- 92139
- 92025
- 92027
- 92147
- 92145
- 92014
- 92093
- 92092
- 92119
- 92116
- 92117
- 92121
- 92120
- 92123
- 92122
- 92124
- 92127
- 92126
- 92129
- 92128
- 92037
- 92173
- 92113
- 92114
- 92115
- 92038
- 92039
- 92072
- 92112
- 92137
- 92138
- 92142
- 92143
- 92149
- 92150
- 92152
- 92153
- 92158
- 92159
- 92160
- 92163
- 92165
- 92166
- 92167
- 92168
- 92169
- 92170
- 92171
- 92172
- 92174
- 92175
- 92176
- 92177
- 92186
- 92187
- 92191
- 92192
- 92193
- 92195
- 92196
- 92197
- 92198
- 92199