Weather in Santa Cruz, California
Fog and sun in daily rhythm. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Mostly Clear—75°47°
- SundayMay 17Overcast—74°47°
- MondayMay 18Clear—75°55°
- TuesdayMay 19Clear—74°54°
- WednesdayMay 20Light Drizzle—66°52°
- ThursdayMay 21Overcast—61°50°
- FridayMay 22Partly Cloudy—62°50°
- PM 2.5
- 9.7 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 15.9 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 0.7 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 89.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 2.3 Low
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 1:13 PM
- Moonset
- 3:43 AM
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
Fog and sun in daily rhythm
Santa Cruz at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 5°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: March 29 (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
Warm-season window is open
As of May 17, the last spring frost has passed for most years. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, basil, and cucurbits (cucumbers, squash, melons) now. Direct-sow beans and corn into warm soil.
Planting calendar
| Month | Plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | — |
| February | — | — |
| March | — | — |
| April | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes | — |
| May | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| June | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| July | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| August | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| September | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| October | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | winter squash, tomatoes (last) |
| November | — | — |
| December | — | — |
A year in weather
August brings Santa Cruz its warmest temperatures (~65°F mean) while December delivers the coldest (~51°F). January sees peak rainfall at 6.4 inches, dropping to 0.0 inches in July.
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 52° | 6.4″ | 8 |
| February | 53° | 6.1″ | 8 |
| March | 55° | 4.3″ | 7 |
| April | 58° | 2.0″ | 4 |
| May | 60° | 0.9″ | 2 |
| June | 63° | 0.2″ | 1 |
| July | 64° | 0.0″ | 0 |
| August | 65° | 0.0″ | 0 |
| September | 65° | 0.1″ | 0 |
| October | 62° | 1.3″ | 2 |
| November | 56° | 3.2″ | 5 |
| December | 51° | 6.0″ | 8 |
Regional context
Santa Cruz falls within a hot-summer Mediterranean climate region, sharing similar temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions with nearby cities in this climate zone.
Similar climates: Los Angeles, CA, San Francisco, CA, San Diego, CA, Riverside, CA, Sacramento, CA.
Naturalist notes
Coast live oaks begin their spring leaf flush in late April, replacing winter's weathered foliage with fresh green growth.
Western bluebirds start their second nesting cycle in May, taking advantage of the warming temperatures and abundant insect activity.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Santa Cruz?
- Santa Cruz typically sees its last spring frost around mid-April, with the first fall frost returning around mid-November.
- What is the rainy season in Santa Cruz?
- January brings the heaviest rainfall with about 6.4 inches on average, contributing to the city's annual total of roughly 31 inches.
- What is the warmest month in Santa Cruz?
- August typically brings the warmest weather, averaging about 65°F.
- What is the coldest month in Santa Cruz?
- December usually delivers the coldest temperatures, averaging about 51°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Santa Cruz?
- Cool-season crops like peas and lettuce can be planted around the last spring frost in mid-April, while warm-season crops such as tomatoes and peppers should wait until 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does Santa Cruz get?
- Santa Cruz sees rain on about 45 days per year on average.
- What hardiness zone is Santa Cruz?
- Santa Cruz's USDA hardiness zone depends on its lowest average winter temperature. Check the USDA's online lookup tool using the city ZIP code for the current zone designation.
Climate
Santa Cruz, California experiences a hot-summer Mediterranean climate zone. January temperatures hover near 52°F while July averages 64°F, creating a 12°F seasonal swing.
Throughout the year, Santa Cruz receives about 31 inches of precipitation spread over roughly 45 rainy days.
Location shapes the local weather patterns through latitude (37.0°N), proximity to large water bodies, and elevation. These factors determine what grows here, when frost is likely, and the day-to-day weather patterns.