Weather in San Jose, California
Fog and sun in daily rhythm. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Clear—73°50°
- SundayMay 17Overcast—74°48°
- MondayMay 18Clear—84°55°
- TuesdayMay 19Clear—91°57°
- WednesdayMay 20Overcast—93°61°
- ThursdayMay 21Overcast—92°59°
- FridayMay 22Overcast—90°58°
- PM 2.5
- 7.7 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 12.0 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 1.3 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 92.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 2.3 Low
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 1:11 PM
- Moonset
- 3:44 AM
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
Fog and sun in daily rhythm
San Jose at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 6°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: March 31 (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 San Jose's warmest temperatures (~71°F mean) while December delivers the coldest (~51°F). February sees peak rainfall at 3.2 inches, and July receives 0.0 inches.
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 51° | 3.0″ | 7 |
| February | 54° | 3.2″ | 7 |
| March | 57° | 2.6″ | 7 |
| April | 60° | 1.2″ | 3 |
| May | 64° | 0.5″ | 2 |
| June | 69° | 0.2″ | 1 |
| July | 71° | 0.0″ | 0 |
| August | 71° | 0.0″ | 0 |
| September | 70° | 0.1″ | 0 |
| October | 64° | 0.8″ | 2 |
| November | 56° | 1.4″ | 3 |
| December | 51° | 3.1″ | 6 |
Regional context
San Jose falls within a hot-summer Mediterranean climate region — sharing similar temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions with nearby cities.
Similar climates: Los Angeles, CA, San Francisco, CA, San Diego, CA, Riverside, CA, Sacramento, CA.
Naturalist notes
Coast live oaks begin dropping their acorns in late October, carpeting sidewalks and parks throughout San Jose.
Anna's hummingbirds start their breeding season in December, with males performing dramatic dive displays above residential gardens.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in San Jose?
- San Jose's last spring frost typically falls around mid-April, and the first fall frost arrives around mid-November.
- What is the rainy season in San Jose?
- February receives the most rain with about 3.2 inches on average; the city gets roughly 16 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in San Jose?
- August typically brings the warmest weather, averaging about 71°F.
- What is the coldest month in San Jose?
- December typically sees the coldest temperatures, averaging about 51°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in San Jose?
- Cool-season crops (peas, lettuce) can be planted around the last spring frost (mid-April); warm-season crops (tomatoes, peppers) should wait until 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does San Jose get?
- San Jose averages about 38 rainy days per year.
- What hardiness zone is San Jose?
- San Jose's USDA hardiness zone depends on its lowest average winter temperature; check the USDA's online lookup with the city ZIP for the current zone designation.
Climate
San Jose, California experiences a hot-summer Mediterranean climate zone. January temperatures hover near 51°F while July averages 71°F — a 19°F seasonal swing.
Throughout the year, San Jose receives about 16 inches of precipitation spread over roughly 38 rainy days.
Latitude (37.3°N), proximity to large water bodies, and elevation determine the rhythm of the year — shaping what grows here, when frost is likely, and the daily weather patterns.