Almaden Quicksilver County Park Weather
Park • San Francisco Bay Area
Mercury, not gold, shaped the hills at the south end of San Jose. Almaden Quicksilver County Park covers 4,163 acres of the old New Almaden mines, mostly on Los Capitancillos Ridge. The village below is a National Historic Landmark District with a mining museum in the Casa Grande. Santa Clara County Parks runs the park, whose trails pass old mine workings and shady oak canyons. Its southern trails link into the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District's Sierra Azul Preserve.
Plan your week
10-Day Forecast
Hour by hour
Hourly Forecast
Current Conditions
Comfort Breakdown
Almaden Quicksilver County Park weather today and through the year
It's 52°F at Almaden Quicksilver County Park right now (feels like 47°F), with 7 mph wind and a comfort score of 75. Monday's forecast high at Almaden Quicksilver County Park is 53°F, 13°F below the mid November normal of 66°F. The best window today is 8 AM to 11 AM, at about 57°F with a 6 mph wind (comfort 60).
August is the warmest month at Almaden Quicksilver County Park, with an average high of 85°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 39°F. January is the wettest month (4.1 in.), out of about 20.5 in. a year. By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Almaden Quicksilver County Park are June, September, and October. The best hours are usually 9 AM to noon in June, 9 AM to noon in September, and 11 AM to 2 PM in October.
Los Capitancillos Ridge sits at the far southern end of the Santa Clara Valley, about as far from San Francisco Bay as the valley gets. The afternoon sea breeze that cools Santa Clara and Sunnyvale has crossed miles of warm pavement by the time it reaches this ridge. Summer afternoons on the open grass and chaparral run hot.
Forecast updated November 15, 2026 at 4:00 AM PST. Climate figures come from NOAA 1991-2020 normals. Hourly patterns come from NOAA's HRRR hourly analysis from September 2014 to April 2026.
What to expect at Almaden Quicksilver County Park in the next few days
No active National Weather Service alerts for this location.
Best time to go
The best window today is 8 AM to 11 AM, at about 57°F with a 6 mph wind (comfort 60).
Hiking conditions
Best hiking day this week: Friday, with 9 daylight hours that are dry, 45 to 80°F, and under 18 mph wind. 4 of the next 7 days have at least 4 such hours.
Best day this week
Of the next 7 days, Friday looks best for Almaden Quicksilver County Park, with a 57°F high and midday comfort near 68. Today looks weakest (40).
Rain
Next good chance of rain: today (83%, about 0.67 in.).
Live weather map
Weather around Almaden Quicksilver County Park right now
Overcast and 52° at Almaden Quicksilver County Park right now.
About the live weather map for Almaden Quicksilver County Park
The map centers on Almaden Quicksilver County Park and stacks fog, satellite clouds, and precipitation radar on one view. Clouds come from the GOES-West satellite and rain from NOAA radar, and both show current conditions. Fog comes from our HRRR-based fog model, and the slider steps through its forecast for the next 12 hours.
Dots mark nearby places with their current temperature, colored by comfort score. Use the layer buttons to turn any layer off, or open the full map for every destination in the region.
Nearby Temperature Comparison
Conditions at nearby San Francisco Bay Area destinations
Tip: Bay Area temperatures can change by 20 to 30°F over a short distance because of microclimates.
Almaden Quicksilver County Park vs nearby places
Typical summer conditions compared with Almaden Quicksilver County Park, from the same NOAA HRRR hourly record. The list shows the closest places, then nearby places whose climate differs the most.
| Place | Distance | Summer afternoons | Morning fog | Afternoon wind | Compared with Almaden Quicksilver County Park |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Almaden Valley | 3.1 mi | same | 7% | 9 mph | a very similar climate |
| Uvas Canyon County Park | 7.4 mi | -3°F | 26% | 7 mph | more summer morning fog (26% vs 7% of morning hours) and about 32% more rain a year |
| Los Gatos | 8.3 mi | -1°F | 8% | 8 mph | a very similar climate |
| Bonny Doon | 19.8 mi | -15°F | 56% | 8 mph | more summer morning fog (56% vs 7% of morning hours) and about 15°F cooler on summer afternoons |
| Santa Cruz Westside | 20 mi | -26°F | 44% | 15 mph | about 26°F cooler on summer afternoons and more summer morning fog (44% vs 7% of morning hours) |
| Davenport | 22.6 mi | -21°F | 43% | 12 mph | about 21°F cooler on summer afternoons and more summer morning fog (43% vs 7% of morning hours) |
Places with a climate like Almaden Quicksilver County Park's
Climate Dashboard
Current conditions vs. NOAA normals and recent destination baseline
What the Almaden Quicksilver County Park climate comparisons mean
These cards compare recent conditions at Almaden Quicksilver County Park with the available local baseline. Temperature and year-to-date rainfall use long-term normals when available. Fog, sunshine, wind, and comfort use the matching recent or modeled baseline identified on each card.
Positive and negative differences describe how Almaden Quicksilver County Park departs from its own usual pattern. They should not be read as a direct comparison with another city or as a forecast beyond the period shown.
Almaden Quicksilver County Park weather by month
August is the warmest month at Almaden Quicksilver County Park, with an average high of 85°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 39°F. January is the wettest month (4.1 in.), out of about 20.5 in. a year. July has the clearest middays, with clouds covering about 5% of the sky from 11 AM to 3 PM.
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Almaden Quicksilver County Park are June, September, and October. The best hours are usually 9 AM to noon in June, 9 AM to noon in September, and 11 AM to 2 PM in October.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Rainy days | Morning fog | Midday cloud | Afternoon wind | Daylight | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 60°F | 39°F | 4.1 in | 8 | 11% | 29% | 7 mph | 9.9 h | 62 |
| Feb | 62°F | 41°F | 3.8 in | 8 | 7% | 24% | 8 mph | 10.8 h | 62 |
| Mar | 66°F | 43°F | 3.4 in | 8 | 7% | 29% | 8 mph | 11.9 h | 66 |
| Apr | 70°F | 45°F | 1.5 in | 5 | 5% | 22% | 9 mph | 13.1 h | 77 |
| May | 75°F | 49°F | 0.7 in | 3 | 5% | 18% | 9 mph | 14.2 h | 81 |
| Jun | 81°F | 53°F | 0.1 in | 2 | 5% | 8% | 10 mph | 14.7 h | 85 |
| Jul | 85°F | 56°F | 0.0 in | 0 | 8% | 5% | 9 mph | 14.5 h | 82 |
| Aug | 85°F | 56°F | 0.0 in | 1 | 7% | 6% | 9 mph | 13.5 h | 82 |
| Sep | 83°F | 54°F | 0.1 in | 1 | 7% | 10% | 9 mph | 12.3 h | 85 |
| Oct | 77°F | 49°F | 0.9 in | 4 | 8% | 12% | 8 mph | 11.1 h | 83 |
| Nov | 66°F | 43°F | 2.1 in | 6 | 9% | 19% | 7 mph | 10.1 h | 78 |
| Dec | 59°F | 39°F | 3.8 in | 8 | 14% | 30% | 7 mph | 9.6 h | 59 |
Morning fog is the share of hours from 6 to 10 AM with fog or low cloud. Midday cloud is the average from 11 AM to 3 PM, and afternoon wind is the average from 1 to 5 PM. The highlighted rows are the most comfortable months.
What makes Almaden Quicksilver County Park's weather different
Among the 58 San Francisco Bay Area parks we track, Almaden Quicksilver County Park has the 2nd-warmest summer afternoons and the 3rd-least foggy summer mornings.
- #2of 58
warmest summer afternoonsamong San Francisco Bay Area parks
- #3of 58
least foggy summer morningsamong San Francisco Bay Area parks
When the wind picks up
2 PMwhen afternoon wind builds, March–October
From March through October, wind at Almaden Quicksilver County Park typically builds after 2 PM. In June it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 11 mph with 9% of those hours windy, while mornings average 5 mph.
Hot hours
4 habove 85°F on a typical July afternoon
In July, the average temperature stays at or above 85°F for 4 hours a day.
Daylight
9.6–14.7 hof daylight, Dec to Jun
Days at Almaden Quicksilver County Park range from about 9.6 hours in December to 14.7 hours in June. In mid-June the sun sets around 8:28 PM, and in mid-December around 4:55 PM.
Seasons at Almaden Quicksilver County Park
- Warm seasonJun 27 – Sep 26 · highs 82°F+
The warm season lasts about 3 months, from Jun 27 to Sep 26, when the average high is 82°F or warmer. Highs peak around Aug 8 at about 85°F.
- Cool seasonNov 28 – Feb 27 · highs 64°F or lower
The cool season runs from Nov 28 to Feb 27, when the average high is 64°F or lower. The coldest nights come around Dec 8, with an average low near 39°F.
- Rainy seasonNov 16 – Apr 4 · 80% of the year's rain
The rainy season runs from Nov 16 to Apr 4, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 80% of the year's rain.
The dark line marks today. Season dates come from the smoothed daily NOAA 1991-2020 normals. Counting from Oct. 1, a typical year has its first inch of rain by Nov 1 and half of its annual total by Jan 27.
Days per year and extremes (Nov 1, 2024 to Oct 31, 2026)
This record runs from Nov 1, 2024 to Oct 31, 2026. Over this record, Almaden Quicksilver County Park averaged 22 days a year at 90°F or hotter and no freezing nights. It averaged 13 days a year with at least half an inch of rain and 1 afternoon with wind of 20 mph or more at 2 PM. About 41 mornings a year had 3 or more hours of fog or low cloud.
In the same record, the hottest day was Jun 11, 2026 (98°F) and the coldest night was Jan 27, 2025 (35°F). The wettest day was Feb 14, 2025 (2.10 in.), and the strongest 2 PM gust was 43 mph on Mar 12, 2025.
- 22days at 90°F or hotter
- 0nights at or below freezing
- 13days with ½ in. of rain or more
- 1afternoon with 20+ mph wind
- 41mornings with 3+ hours of fog or low cloud
- Hottest day98°FJun 11, 2026
- Coldest night35°FJan 27, 2025
- Wettest day2.10 inFeb 14, 2025
- Strongest 2 PM gust43 mphMar 12, 2025
What shapes Almaden Quicksilver County Park's weather
Almaden Quicksilver climbs several hundred feet, from the creek bottoms at the Hacienda and Mockingbird entrances up to the Mine Hill Trail on the crest. On clear nights cold air slides off the ridge and pools along Alamitos Creek and the valley floor. Early starts from the creekside lots can be chilly while the upper trails stay milder. By midday the open crest has the least shade in the park and feels the hottest.
The Sierra Azul and Mount Umunhum, rising just to the southwest, lift winter storms coming off the Pacific, so the park gets more rain than downtown San Jose. The clay-heavy trails turn slick and muddy after storms, and heavy rain can close them. By late spring the grass has dried to straw, and the long dry season makes this ridge fire country until the first soaking rain of fall.
Tips for visiting Almaden Quicksilver County Park
Pick shaded trails in summer
The Guadalupe Trail runs through shady oak forest and Mine Hill's eastern slopes are shaded, while the Senador Mine area is open grass and chaparral.
Don't eat the fish
Fish in the reservoir and all park watershed waters are unsafe to eat because of mercury runoff. Swimming in the reservoir is not allowed.
Check which trails allow bikes
About 16 of the park's 37 trail miles are open to bikes, and most trails are open to horses. Dogs on leash are allowed on all trails.
Expect closures after heavy rain
Heavy rains can close trails, so check before driving out after a storm.
Continue into Sierra Azul
The open space district's Woods Trail links to the park's Wood Road Trail, and the Jacques Ridge equestrian lot sits on county park land off Mount Umunhum Road.
Time a visit with the museum
The Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum in Casa Grande, 21350 Almaden Road, opens on weekend afternoons. Its hours vary by season, so call ahead.
Almaden Quicksilver County Park through the seasons
- Spring (March–May)
- Spring is the greenest season here. The hills beside the Senador Mine Trail fill with wildflowers, especially poppies, before the grass browns in May.
- Summer (June–August)
- The exposed ridge turns hot and dry by late morning. Start early from the creekside entrances and save the shaded oak trails for the return.
- Fall (September–November)
- September and October heat can match midsummer, and the cured grass stays a fire risk until the first real rain, usually by November.
- Winter (December–February)
- Winter is the rainy season. Heavy storms can close trails, and the creek bottoms at the trailheads hold cold air on clear mornings.
Activities and the weather that matters
- Mountain biking: Bikes are allowed on all of the Randol Trail and on the Mine Hill Trail south of the Randol junction. Ride after the trails dry out and before the afternoon heat.
- Mining-history hiking: A loop of about 2 miles on the Senador Mine, Guadalupe, and Mine Hill trails takes under an hour and suits cool mornings.
- Horseback riding: Most of the trail system is open to horses. Dry, mild spring and fall days are best. Summer afternoons are hard on horses and riders.
- Wildflower walks: Go on a sunny spring day a week or two after rain, when the hillside poppies open.
Official sources and current conditions
- New Almaden Quicksilver County Park Association: park information
- Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum (Casa Grande)
- Midpen: Sierra Azul Preserve
- National Weather Service, San Francisco Bay Area forecast office
Numbers on this page come from NOAA data. The text draws on the official sources linked above.
Historical Climate Data
Long-term weather patterns and climate data
Data sources: Recent temperatures come from NOAA URMA and recent precipitation from NOAA Stage IV. Fog, cloud, wind, humidity, and sunshine come from NOAA HRRR, and long-term baselines from NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
Climate Overview
Based on NOAA 30-year temperature/rain normals (1991-2020) with recent fog/sun baseline
🌟 Best Months to Visit
⚠️ Challenging Months
Monthly Breakdown
| Month | Comfort | High/Low | ☀️ Sun | 🌫️ Fog | 💧 Rain | Perfect |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 2024 | 83 | 61.7° / 46.9° | 6.7h | 0d | 2.14" | 22 |
| December 2024 | 77 | 60.4° / 46.7° | 5.5h | 4d | 3.2" | 15 |
| January 2025 | 85 | 58.7° / 42.6° | 7.3h | 2d | 0.09" | 27 |
| February 2025 | 80 | 60.3° / 45° | 7h | 1d | 6.87" | 16 |
| March 2025 | 84 | 60.9° / 44.5° | 8.3h | 3d | 2.78" | 22 |
| April 2025 | 94 | 67.5° / 47.1° | 9.5h | 0d | 0.22" | 28 |
| May 2025 | 96 | 75° / 50° | 12.2h | 0d | 0.16" | 31 |
| June 2025 | 96 | 79.1° / 53.1° | 12.6h | 0d | 0" | 30 |
| July 2025 | 95 | 81.6° / 55.5° | 12.1h | 0d | 0" | 31 |
| August 2025 | 92 | 84.4° / 58.4° | 11.1h | 2d | 0" | 31 |
| September 2025 | 93 | 80° / 60.2° | 9.8h | 1d | 0.38" | 30 |
| October 2025 | 90 | 71.4° / 53.2° | 8.1h | 3d | 1.29" | 27 |
| November 2025 | 80 | 63.4° / 49.6° | 6.4h | 8d | 3.38" | 16 |
| December 2025 | 73 | 57.9° / 45.6° | 5.4h | 9d | 3.08" | 10 |
| January 2026 | 82 | 60.8° / 46.5° | 6.9h | 3d | 4.22" | 23 |
| February 2026 | 80 | 62.9° / 47.7° | 6.8h | 2d | 5.16" | 17 |
| March 2026 | 96 | 75.1° / 53° | 9.8h | 0d | 0" | 30 |
| April 2026 | 88 | 67.6° / 48.9° | 9.3h | 0d | 2.72" | 24 |
| May 2026 | 94 | 73.3° / 51.8° | 11.7h | 3d | 0.21" | 30 |
| June 2026 | 95 | 80.9° / 54.8° | 12.5h | 0d | 0" | 30 |
| July 2026 | 94 | 82.7° / 57.7° | 11.8h | 0d | 0" | 31 |
| August 2026 | 93 | 84.4° / 58° | 11h | 1d | 0" | 31 |
| September 2026 | 95 | 79.7° / 56.1° | 10.1h | 0d | 0.07" | 30 |
| October 2026 | 91 | 76.5° / 55.3° | 8.3h | 1d | 0.22" | 28 |
Climate Trends
Average Temperature by Month
About the Almaden Quicksilver County Park climate charts
The temperature chart compares average monthly highs and lows at Almaden Quicksilver County Park, showing both the seasonal cycle and the typical day-to-night range. The comfort chart summarizes how often the combined weather pattern is favorable rather than judging temperature alone.
Precipitation shows the total recorded or modeled rainfall for each month at Almaden Quicksilver County Park. Sunshine compares average bright-sky hours with the daylight available, while fog shows the average number of morning fog or low-cloud hours per day. Switch between the chart tabs to compare the same months across each measure.
Hourly Temperature, Fog, Wind, Cloud Cover, and Solar Radiation Patterns
Average local hour by month from 2014-09-30 to 2026-04-30
- Temperature: At Almaden Quicksilver County Park, the warmest typical hour is 3 PM in July (87°F). The coldest is 7 AM in December (45°F).
- Wind: From March through October, wind at Almaden Quicksilver County Park typically builds after 2 PM. In June it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 11 mph with 9% of those hours windy, while mornings average 5 mph.
- Cloud Cover: July middays are the clearest at Almaden Quicksilver County Park (5% average cloud cover), and December middays are the cloudiest (30%).
- Solar Radiation: The strongest typical sun at Almaden Quicksilver County Park comes at 1 PM in July, averaging 1003 W/m².
How to read the hourly heatmaps for Almaden Quicksilver County Park
This heatmap shows how average temperature at Almaden Quicksilver County Park changes by hour and month. Read left to right for the seasons and top to bottom for the time of day. Warmer colors mark the usual afternoon peaks, and cooler colors show overnight and winter lows.
This heatmap shows when fog or low cloud is most likely at Almaden Quicksilver County Park. Darker cells mark the months and hours when fog has been most common. They help separate overnight or morning fog from cloud that tends to linger into the afternoon.
This heatmap shows the typical hourly wind pattern at Almaden Quicksilver County Park through the year. It makes recurring afternoon wind, calmer overnight periods, and seasonal changes easier to compare than a single daily wind value.
This heatmap shows average cloud cover at Almaden Quicksilver County Park for every month and hour. Use it to see whether cloudiness is mainly an overnight and morning pattern or commonly persists during the part of the day you plan to visit.
This heatmap shows the average solar radiation reaching Almaden Quicksilver County Park by month and hour. Brighter cells indicate the strongest typical sun, while muted cells can reflect nighttime, shorter winter days, cloud cover, smoke, or terrain shading.
Each cell combines one month with one local hour. Hover over or focus on a cell for its value and sample coverage. The red marker shows the current month and hour.
How recent months compared at Almaden Quicksilver County Park
- October 2026 recap: October 2026 at Almaden Quicksilver County Park averaged a high of 76°F, 5°F warmer than October 2025 (71°F).
- Rain year: The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 20.1 in. of rain to Almaden Quicksilver County Park, 98% of the 20.5 in. normal.
Location Details
Almaden Quicksilver County Park weather questions
Everything you need to know about weather and visiting Almaden Quicksilver County Park
What is the weather like at Almaden Quicksilver County Park today?
It's 52°F at Almaden Quicksilver County Park right now, with a comfort score of 75 (great). Monday's forecast high at Almaden Quicksilver County Park is 53°F, 13°F below the mid November normal of 66°F. The best window today is 8 AM to 11 AM, at about 57°F with a 6 mph wind (comfort 60).
What is the best month to visit Almaden Quicksilver County Park?
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Almaden Quicksilver County Park are June, September, and October. The best hours are usually 9 AM to noon in June, 9 AM to noon in September, and 11 AM to 2 PM in October. The warm season lasts about 3 months, from Jun 27 to Sep 26, when the average high is 82°F or warmer. Highs peak around Aug 8 at about 85°F.
What are the warmest and coldest months at Almaden Quicksilver County Park?
August is the warmest month at Almaden Quicksilver County Park, with an average high of 85°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 39°F.
When is it windiest at Almaden Quicksilver County Park?
From March through October, wind at Almaden Quicksilver County Park typically builds after 2 PM. In June it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 11 mph with 9% of those hours windy, while mornings average 5 mph.
How much rain does Almaden Quicksilver County Park get?
January is the wettest month (4.1 in.), out of about 20.5 in. a year. The rainy season runs from Nov 16 to Apr 4, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 80% of the year's rain. The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 20.1 in. of rain to Almaden Quicksilver County Park, 98% of the 20.5 in. normal.
Why is it called Quicksilver?
Quicksilver is an old name for mercury. Mercury ore was mined here from 1846 to 1976. Santa Clara County bought the land after the mines closed and opened it as a park in the 1980s.
What kind of place is Almaden Quicksilver County Park?
Mercury, not gold, shaped the hills at the south end of San Jose. Almaden Quicksilver County Park covers 4,163 acres of the old New Almaden mines, mostly on Los Capitancillos Ridge. The village below is a National Historic Landmark District with a mining museum in the Casa Grande. Santa Clara County Parks runs the park, whose trails pass old mine workings and shady oak canyons. Its southern trails link into the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District's Sierra Azul Preserve.
What is Almaden Quicksilver County Park weather like in November?
November at Almaden Quicksilver County Park averages a high of 66°F and a low of 43°F, with 2.1 in. of rain over about 6 rainy days. Afternoon wind averages 7 mph.
More about Almaden Quicksilver County Park weather
Data sources and methods
- Monthly temperatures and precipitation: NOAA 1991-2020 normals.
- Fog, cloud, wind, sun, and comfort by hour and month: NOAA's HRRR hourly analysis from September 2014 to April 2026.
- Daily records and recent months: NOAA URMA and HRRR analyses, plus NOAA Stage IV precipitation.
- Nearby comparisons and regional rankings use the same hourly HRRR summaries for every destination in the region.
- Alerts: National Weather Service. Tides and ocean temperature: NOAA CO-OPS, where shown.
- All statements on this page are computed from these datasets, apart from the “What shapes the weather” guide, which cites its sources inline.
- New Almaden Quicksilver County Park Association, home page (accessed 2026-10-27)
- New Almaden Quicksilver County Park Association, Almaden Quicksilver Park info (accessed 2026-10-27)
- New Almaden Quicksilver County Park Association, north side trails (accessed 2026-10-27)
- New Almaden Quicksilver County Park Association, Mining Museum (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, Sierra Azul Preserve (accessed 2026-10-27)
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