What is the coldest month in California? Take a read to find out! - The World and Then Some (2024)

Are you wondering what the coldest month in California is? If so, keep reading!

If you’re visiting California soon, you might be asking yourself the question, what is the coldest month in California? California is a big place – so the temperatures can vary depending on where you’re visiting. For the sake of this article, we’re using Los Angeles and San Francisco as prime examples.

What is the coldest month in California? Take a read to find out! - The World and Then Some (1)

So, what is the coldest month in California?

Your answer: December is the coldest month in California, closely followed by January and February.

Taking averages across the state, December, January and February are the coldest months in California.

What is the coldest month in California? December is considered the coldest month in California, closely followed by January and February. However, it’s worth bearing in mind, that temperatures in California can vary depending on location, especially as California is a state with both beaches and snowy mountains.

A key takeaway – California doesn’t tend to get that cold in it’s cities- California is actually one of the most pleasant states to visit during the winter months, and offers mild temperatures (even during the winter months). Even in December, the coldest average temperatures tend to be around the 49°F mark – which can feel cold (sure!) but not below freezing, and certainly not unpleasant to be in.

Read more about California: Top 10 Christmas tree farms in California

What is the coldest month in California? Take a read to find out! - The World and Then Some (2)

But remember! California is a big place…

When researching what is the coldest month of the year in California – you might need to know a little more about the monthly averages too. These lists (below) of the average monthly temperatures in Californian locations is really useful as an overview of the different monthly temperatures and as a comparison of the month to month averages.

However, it’s hard to find an average comparison for the state as a whole – because the state is so big, and the climate does vary widely from location to location. For example, from the beaches to the mountains – you’ll see big differences in temperatures.

Because of this (and to provide the most useful information possible), I’ve pulled various data from 2 of the main cities in California. The data below is the average monthly temperatures using a 10-year average from 2010 to 2019 in both Los Angeles and San Francisco. So hopefully this information proves useful!

Read more about California: 40 fun things to do in LA

What is the coldest month in California? Take a read to find out! - The World and Then Some (3)

Let’s start with Los Angeles in California!

High °FLow °FMonthHigh °CLow °C
7049January2110
6950February2010
7054March2112
7456April2313
7458May2314
7862June2517
8365July2819
8466August2919
8465September2919
8161October2716
7454November2312
6849December209
What is the coldest month in California? Take a read to find out! - The World and Then Some (4)

Here are the averages for San Francisco in California!

High °FLow °FMonthHigh °CLow °C
5948January159
6148February169
6250March1710
6451April1810
6351May1711
6753June1912
6655July1913
6756August1913
7056September2114
7055October2113
6451November1811
5848December159
6452Year1811
What is the coldest month in California? Take a read to find out! - The World and Then Some (5)

Does California reach freezing temperatures?

As we’ve mentioned already, California is a big place, and so the temperatures do vary depending on where you within the state. In most of the cities in California, you won’t experience below freezing temperatures. The cities tend to stay mild and managable.

However, if you plan to visit the mountains, you will most likely experience freezing temperatures (and snow). So if you’re looking to experience some of the state’s colder locations and you’re looking for snow, it’s worth looking specifically for places in California where it snows.

What is the coldest month in California? Take a read to find out! - The World and Then Some (6)

So, is December a bad time to visit California?

Now you know that the coldest month of the year in California is December – you may be wondering if December is a bad time to visit the city.

The answer, is no! December is a great time of year to visit California. Sure, it won’t be as warm as you’re used to in the summer time (and you might not necessarily catch a tan!) but you’ll certainly be able to enjoy the city’s attractions in December.

Also, December is a festive time of year in December too – so you can expect to experience lots of lovely Christmas-themed events and occasions during December. This (in our opinion, at least) makes this a wonderful time of year to visit California.

Read more US travel ideas: Top 15 best places to visit in March in the USA

What is the coldest month in California? Take a read to find out! - The World and Then Some (7)

What is the coldest month in California? Hopefully this post has answered all your questions!

So, when it comes to knowing what is the coldest month in California, hopefully this post has given you all the information you need! The most important thing to remember, is that (in general) California is a really mild place to visit during the winter, and even the coldest month in California isn’t too harsh or cold.

Even during the coldest month in California, you’ll find people still enjoying time outdoors, hiking, swimming at the beach, etc. So it’s definitely one of the easiest places to spend time in the winter months, without sacrificing outdoor activities and hobbies!

The coldest month in California is December, followed by January and February – but it’s still a wonderful place to visit during these months because of the mild and manageable temperatures.

What is the coldest month in California? Take a read to find out! - The World and Then Some (8)
What is the coldest month in California? Take a read to find out! - The World and Then Some (2024)

FAQs

What is the coldest it has ever been California? ›

Death Valley's Greenland Ranch holds the record for the highest temperature ever recorded at 134 in 1913. But On Jan. 20, 1937, Boca—a former reservoir located in Nevada County—recorded a mind-numbingly cold temperature of -45 degrees.

What month is usually the coldest? ›

In 45 states, the coldest month of the year is January. December and February are the coldest months in other states. You might recall that February of 2021 was a brutally cold month.

What is the coldest spot in California? ›

A ghost town called Bodie State Park. It's one of the best naturally preserved ghost towns in the nation. It's also the coldest place in California.

What's the coldest it gets in Southern California? ›

These temperature extremes were measured in downtown Los Angeles and go back to 1921. The lowest temperature recorded there during that period was 28 degrees Fahrenheit (-2 Celsius) on January 4, 1949.

What month is the coldest in California? ›

Your answer: December is the coldest month in California, closely followed by January and February. Taking averages across the state, December, January and February are the coldest months in California.

What year was the hottest summer in California? ›

Death Valley holds the record for the hottest temperature ever, reaching 56.6°C in July 1913.

What month has the worst winter? ›

Since the amount of sunlight is at its minimum at the winter solstice, which occurs around December 22, you might expect that day to be the coldest of the year, on average. But instead, the coldest time of year in the Northern Hemisphere occurs in February, nearly 2 months later.

What are the 2 coldest months of the year? ›

December through February features the coldest temperatures of the year in most of the United States. See when the coldest average-low temperature of the season occurs in your location.

What months are worst winter? ›

For the Northern Hemisphere, the months of January and February are typically the coldest. The reason is due to cumulative cooling and a relatively low sun angle.

Is California cooler than Florida? ›

Florida is the hotter and more humid state when compared to California, you might even want to call it tropical. Although Florida doesn't have as much of a diverse landscape as the Golden State, it has miles of incredible beaches and life is very much focused on the coast.

What is the hottest place in California? ›

Death Valley holds the record for the highest air temperature on the planet: On 10 July 1913, temperatures at the aptly named Furnace Creek area in the California desert reached a blistering 56.7°C (134.1°F). Average summer temperatures, meanwhile, often rise above 45°C (113°F).

What city in California has the coolest weather? ›

First place goes to San Francisco, with only two days of extreme heat and a low temperature just below freezing at 27 degrees. Second place goes to San Diego, followed by Los Angeles. Both have an average yearly temperature of 60 degrees with sunny days 70% of the year.

Where is coldest place on Earth? ›

The lowest natural temperature ever directly recorded at ground level on Earth is −89.2 °C (−128.6 °F; 184.0 K) at the then-Soviet Vostok Station in Antarctica on 21 July 1983 by ground measurements.

Is California getting hotter or colder? ›

Rising temperatures were among the report's starkest findings, with annual average air temperatures in California increasing by about 2.5 degrees since 1895 and warming at a faster rate beginning in the 1980s.

What kind of winter is predicted for Southern California? ›

November 2022 to October 2023. Winter will be warmer and wetter than normal, with above-normal mountain snows. The coldest temperatures will occur in mid-November, mid-January, and early February. The stormiest periods will be in mid- to late December, early and late January, early and late February, and late March.

What is the snowiest month in California? ›

Due to low temperatures and a higher elevation, the rainfall experienced can then freeze into snow with the Sierra Nevada seeing roughly 300-500 inches of snow per year, and parts in Southern California enjoying around 60 inches. The snowiest months in both regions are January and February.

Is it cold in October in California? ›

In October, California is cooling down as the winter gets nearer. With average daytime temperatures of 18°C in Los Angeles and 14°C in San Francisco, you'll need summery clothes for the hottest parts of the day and plenty of layers for the cooler evenings.

How cold do winters get in California? ›

The average winter temperature in California is between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit (10 to 15 Celsius), with the climate growing colder the farther north you go.

How hot can humans survive? ›

A wet-bulb temperature of 35 °C, or around 95 °F, is pretty much the absolute limit of human tolerance, says Zach Schlader, a physiologist at Indiana University Bloomington. Above that, your body won't be able to lose heat to the environment efficiently enough to maintain its core temperature.

Will 2022 be the hottest summer? ›

Summer (June-August) of 2022 was a season of extremes. Summer 2022 was the third hottest on record for the U.S. Over 100 U.S. cities experienced one of their top-ten hottest summers this year.

What's the hottest temperature a human can survive? ›

It is commonly held that the maximum temperature at which humans can survive is 108.14-degree Fahrenheit or 42.3-degree Celsius. A higher temperature may denature proteins and cause irreparable damage to brain. Simply put, the human body can turn into a scrambled egg.

What state has no snow? ›

Snow falls in 49 of the 50 states in most winters; Florida being the lone exception. Northern portions of Florida, especially in the panhandle, experience some flurries during most, but not all winters.

Which state is coldest in USA? ›

Based on the minimum recorded temperature by state, Alaska is the coldest state in the country, with an average temperature of 30.7°F. The second coldest state is North Dakota, with an average temperature of 42.4°F. Minnesota is the third-coldest state, with an average temperature of 42.5°F.

What state has the best weather? ›

What state has the best weather? Many cities in southern and central California like San Diego and Santa Barbara have year-round temperatures typically between 60 and 85 degrees and see little rainfall, making California the state with the best weather!

What year is the coldest on Earth? ›

From Dr. Stephen Warren, University of Washington (8/22/2007): The world record for low temperature was set at Vostok Station, Antarctica, on 21 July 1983. Cerveny et al. (2007) give this temperature as -89.4°C in their Table 2, quoting Krause and Flood (1997), who gave the same value.

What was the coldest day of 2022? ›

The lowest temperature recorded was -5° on Dec. 23. So far, December has been colder than normal, with an average temperature of 30.4°.

What was the coldest day in U.S. history? ›

I thought it opportune to look at what the coldest temperatures ever observed in the lower 48 states have been, with special attention to the coldest reading of all—the -69.7°F reported from Rogers Pass, Montana on January 20, 1954.

What was the hottest day in 1976? ›

3 July 1976

What is the most hottest month? ›

July is typically the world's warmest month of the year, but July 2021 outdid itself as the hottest July and month ever recorded. This new record adds to the disturbing and disruptive path that climate change has set for the globe.”

Are taxes higher in Florida or California? ›

Taxes in Florida are slightly different from in California. The state sales tax is only 6%, rather than California's 7.25%. Additionally, there is no state income tax in Florida. Florida residents will still owe federal income tax, however.

Which is hotter Florida or Texas? ›

During every season, Florida, Louisiana and Texas are consistently among the top four of the nation's hottest states, based on state-wide average temperatures. Florida ranks overall as the warmest state year round.

What's the best beach in California? ›

15 Very Best Beaches In California
  • 1.) Pfeiffer Beach, Big Sur.
  • 2.) Capitola Beach.
  • 3.) Stinson Beach, Marin County.
  • 4.) Coronado Beach.
  • 5.) La Jolla.
  • 6.) McWay Cove.
  • 7.) Leo Carrillo Beach.
  • 8.) Newport Beach.
Dec 5, 2022

Do people live in Death Valley? ›

More than 300 people live year-round in Death Valley, one of the hottest places on Earth. Here's what it's like.

What is the hottest city on Earth? ›

Dallol, Ethiopia

Dallol holds the official record for highest average temperature for an inhabited place on Earth. From 1960 to 1966, the annual mean temperature of the locality was 34.4 °C (93.9 °F), while the average daily maximum temperature during the same period was recorded as a scorching 41.1 °C (106.0 °F).

Has there ever been a tornado in CA? ›

(KTXL) — While tornadoes are not a regular occurrence in California, it is a weather phenomenon that can appear in the state, specifically in Northern California. According to the National Weather Service, California averages around 11 tornadoes a year and they usually occur in the fall or spring.

Where is the happiest place to live in California? ›

Overall, Sunnyvale was found to be the happiest city in the U.S. Located just north of Cupertino outside San Jose, Sunnyvale had the highest quality of life score of any city analyzed.

What is the coolest place to live in California? ›

13 Best Places to Live in California in 2023 (By a Local)
  • San Diego.
  • Sonoma.
  • Los Angeles.
  • Redlands.
  • Lake Tahoe.
  • Santa Monica.
  • Santa Barbara.
  • San Francisco.

What is the coldest city in the United States? ›

1. Fairbanks, Alaska. With a minimum average temperature of about minus 17 degrees Fahrenheit, Fairbanks takes the cake as the coldest city in the U.S. The northernmost major city in Alaska, Fairbanks has seen record cold temperatures reaching minus 66 degrees in the past.

What is the coldest temperature a human can survive? ›

The lowest temperature that the human body can survive is 96 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the temperature where the body continues to function normally. Any temperature below 96 degrees Fahrenheit interferes with normal organ functions and can lead to hypothermia, shivering, and pale skin.

Is California becoming a desert? ›

California as a whole is projected to be drier and hotter in the decades to come. The U.S. government projects the Sonoran, Mojave, and Great Basin deserts to expand as climate change continues to take hold.

Will California get rain this winter 2022 2023? ›

Temperatures will likely average above normal through April. Below normal precipitation expected, especially in January and February • The 2022 – 2023 winter “rainy season” will likely finish below normal again this season. Long term drought will continue into 2023.

Is California hot at Christmas? ›

California in December: Weather

It's one of the coolest months for the state but that means you can expect daytime temperatures in Southern California in the mid to high 60's and overnight lows of about 50 degrees. Days are mostly sunny with scattered rain showers. In Northern California, it's just a bit cooler.

Will 2022 be a hard winter? ›

Winter temperatures will be much milder than normal, with the coldest periods in mid- to late November, early December, and late January. Precipitation and snowfall will be below normal, on average, with the snowiest periods in early November, mid-December, late January, and early February.

Will it be a wet winter in California 2022? ›

With La Niña persisting, NOAA's winter forecast favors wetter weather in the Pacific Northwest and drier conditions in Southern California for December 2022 to February 2023.

What will winter 2022 be like? ›

The 2022-2023 winter season may have record-breaking cold temperatures of 40 degrees below zero in some places in the US!

How cold does California get in the winter? ›

The average winter temperature in California is between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit (10 to 15 Celsius), with the climate growing colder the farther north you go.

Is California getting colder or hotter? ›

Climate change is making most places warmer, and California is no exception. With more greenhouse gasses insulating the planet, we're going to continue to see higher temperatures year-round.

Has California ever had snow? ›

Bakersfield, in the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley, experienced its all-time greatest snowfall of 4.0” on Dec. 11, 1932. Climatologist Maximiliano Herrera notes that snowfall occurred in Los Angeles in 1882 (when snow was also reported in San Diego), January 1922, and February 1937.

Does it ever freeze in California? ›

Weather & Seasons

Much of California has a Mediterranean-like climate with warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. On the coast, the average daily high temperature hovers around 70°F and up, but can occasionally spike to 80°F or more on hottest summer days; freezing temperatures are rare, even in winter.

What is the warmest place in California in the winter? ›

Palm Springs in December. If you're wondering where the warmest place in California is in December, look no further than Palm Springs! Southern California in winter makes for the perfect time to explore the desert since daytime temperatures are pleasant.

Where does it snow most in California? ›

The areas that experience snow in California
  • Big Bear Lake.
  • Lake Arrowhead.
  • Frazier Park.
  • Mammoth Mountain.
  • Yosemite National Park.
  • Lake Tahoe.

How many months does it snow in California? ›

Although it doesn't snow in all parts of Southern California, the region still experiences up to 60 inches of snow per year. So, when does it snow in Southern California? You are most likely to see snow if you visit Southern California during January and February.

What kind of winter is predicted for 2022 in California? ›

November 2022 to October 2023. Winter will be warmer and wetter than normal, with above-normal mountain snows. The coldest temperatures will occur in mid-November, mid-January, and early February. The stormiest periods will be in mid- to late December, early and late January, early and late February, and late March.

Will the Arctic blast hit California? ›

But while the dangerous Arctic blast will touch more than 100 million people in nearly every state, Californians will largely be spared.

Does it snow in Africa? ›

Yes, it does snow in Africa. There are regions where snow is pretty reliable during the winter, mostly where the altitude is high such as high mountains and some parts of South Africa and Lesotho.

What states have never had snow? ›

Is there any state where it has never snowed? There is not. Obviously, snowfall is a given in all of the northern states, and the nation's southern states also get snow, at least in mountainous terrains. Snow falls in 49 of the 50 states in most winters, Florida being the lone exception.

What states don t get snow? ›

Snow falls in 49 of the 50 states in most winters; Florida being the lone exception. Northern portions of Florida, especially in the panhandle, experience some flurries during most, but not all winters.

Is California drying up? ›

How dry is California? The drought in California and the American West has been worsened by rising temperatures caused by climate change. Scientists have found that the region as a whole, from Montana to California to northern Mexico, has experienced the driest 22-year period in more than 1,200 years.

When was the last ice age in California? ›

Research Highlight: Researchers Uncover New Details About California's Ancient Shoreline. A new analysis of California's ancient shoreline at the peak of the last ice age roughly 20,000 years ago revealed a very different coastline than what exists today.

What is the hottest month in California? ›

The hottest month of the year in California is July, with an average high of 86°F and low of 71°F. The cold season lasts for 3.1 months, from December 3 to March 7, with an average daily high temperature below 52°F. The coldest month of the year in California is January, with an average low of 30°F and high of 44°F.

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