Atherton Weather
Town • San Francisco Bay Area
Atherton is almost entirely homes and trees. The town began as Fair Oaks, a railroad flag stop. It incorporated in 1923 so it could stay strictly residential instead of being annexed by Menlo Park. It still has no commercial downtown, just large lots on the flat plain between Redwood City and Menlo Park. The town reaches from Middlefield Road west past El Camino Real toward the Alameda de las Pulgas. Its public gathering place is Holbrook-Palmer Park, a 22-acre town-owned park with gardens on Watkins Avenue.
Plan your week
10-Day Forecast
Hour by hour
Hourly Forecast
Current Conditions
Comfort Breakdown
Atherton weather today and through the year
It's 52°F at Atherton right now (feels like 49°F), with 6 mph wind and a comfort score of 76. Monday's forecast high at Atherton is 57°F, 8°F below the mid November normal of 65°F. The best window today is 9 AM to noon, at about 55°F with a 4 mph wind (comfort 57).
September is the warmest month at Atherton, with an average high of 76°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 42°F. January is the wettest month (3.7 in.), out of about 18.6 in. a year. By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Atherton are June, September, and July. The best hours are usually 11 AM to 2 PM in June, 10 AM to 1 PM in September, and 11 AM to 2 PM in July.
Atherton sits a few miles back from the bay, behind Redwood City's port and marshes and Menlo Park's bayfront. It is well south of the gaps in the hills that let ocean air onto the Peninsula. The summer marine layer, the low sheet of ocean fog and cloud that reaches San Mateo, rarely gets this far. The sea breeze also arrives later and weaker than it does at Foster City or Redwood Shores. Summer afternoons here are among the sunniest and warmest on the mid-Peninsula's bay side.
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 Atherton in the next few days
No active National Weather Service alerts for this location.
Best time to go
The best window today is 9 AM to noon, at about 55°F with a 4 mph wind (comfort 57).
Best day this week
Of the next 7 days, Friday looks best for Atherton, with a 60°F high and midday comfort near 74. Thursday looks weakest (52).
Rain
Next good chance of rain: today (82%, about 0.30 in.).
Live weather map
Weather around Atherton right now
Overcast and 52° at Atherton right now.
About the live weather map for Atherton
The map centers on Atherton 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.
Atherton vs nearby places
Typical summer conditions compared with Atherton, 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 Atherton |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Menlo Park | 1 mi | +1°F | 13% | 9 mph | a very similar climate |
| Redwood City | 2.7 mi | +1°F | 13% | 10 mph | a very similar climate |
| Palo Alto | 3.3 mi | +1°F | 12% | 9 mph | a very similar climate |
| Half Moon Bay | 12.7 mi | -14°F | 64% | 8 mph | more summer morning fog (64% vs 9% of morning hours) and about 14°F cooler on summer afternoons |
| Moss Beach | 17.9 mi | -19°F | 66% | 9 mph | more summer morning fog (66% vs 9% of morning hours) and about 19°F cooler on summer afternoons |
| Pacifica | 19 mi | -21°F | 56% | 9 mph | about 21°F cooler on summer afternoons and more summer morning fog (56% vs 9% of morning hours) |
Places with a climate like Atherton's
- Burlingame (13 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
- Vallejo (45 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
- Corte Madera (36 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
Climate Dashboard
Current conditions vs. NOAA normals and recent destination baseline
What the Atherton climate comparisons mean
These cards compare recent conditions at Atherton 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 Atherton 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.
Atherton weather by month
September is the warmest month at Atherton, with an average high of 76°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 42°F. January is the wettest month (3.7 in.), out of about 18.6 in. a year. Morning fog peaks in December, when fog or low cloud covers 18% of the hours from 6 to 10 AM. June has the clearest middays, with clouds covering about 16% of the sky from 11 AM to 3 PM.
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Atherton are June, September, and July. The best hours are usually 11 AM to 2 PM in June, 10 AM to 1 PM in September, and 11 AM to 2 PM in July.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Rainy days | Morning fog | Midday cloud | Afternoon wind | Daylight | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 59°F | 43°F | 3.7 in | 8 | 13% | 34% | 5 mph | 9.9 h | 61 |
| Feb | 62°F | 44°F | 3.6 in | 8 | 11% | 27% | 7 mph | 10.8 h | 63 |
| Mar | 64°F | 46°F | 2.9 in | 7 | 9% | 31% | 8 mph | 11.9 h | 66 |
| Apr | 67°F | 48°F | 1.3 in | 5 | 6% | 26% | 9 mph | 13.2 h | 76 |
| May | 70°F | 51°F | 0.6 in | 3 | 6% | 26% | 9 mph | 14.2 h | 79 |
| Jun | 74°F | 54°F | 0.1 in | 2 | 6% | 16% | 10 mph | 14.7 h | 89 |
| Jul | 75°F | 56°F | 0.0 in | 0 | 10% | 17% | 10 mph | 14.5 h | 88 |
| Aug | 75°F | 56°F | 0.0 in | 1 | 11% | 18% | 9 mph | 13.6 h | 88 |
| Sep | 76°F | 55°F | 0.1 in | 1 | 9% | 20% | 9 mph | 12.3 h | 89 |
| Oct | 73°F | 51°F | 0.8 in | 4 | 10% | 20% | 7 mph | 11.1 h | 83 |
| Nov | 65°F | 46°F | 1.8 in | 6 | 11% | 23% | 5 mph | 10.1 h | 76 |
| Dec | 59°F | 42°F | 3.6 in | 8 | 18% | 34% | 5 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 Atherton's weather different
When the fog burns off
1 PMwhen December fog usually thins (19% foggy at 8 AM)
Fog or low cloud covers Atherton in 19% of 8 AM hours in December, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 1 PM. May mornings are the least foggy (6%).
When the wind picks up
1 PMwhen afternoon wind builds, February–October
From February through October, wind at Atherton typically builds after 1 PM. In June it peaks around 4 PM, averaging 10 mph with 5% of those hours windy, while mornings average 4 mph.
Daylight
9.6–14.7 hof daylight, Dec to Jun
Days at Atherton range from about 9.6 hours in December to 14.7 hours in June. In mid-June the sun sets around 8:30 PM, and in mid-December around 4:57 PM.
Seasons at Atherton
- Warm seasonJun 26 – Sep 30 · highs 74°F+
The warm season lasts about 3.2 months, from Jun 26 to Sep 30, when the average high is 74°F or warmer. Highs peak around Sep 8 at about 76°F.
- Cool seasonNov 28 – Feb 28 · highs 63°F or lower
The cool season runs from Nov 28 to Feb 28, when the average high is 63°F or lower. The coldest nights come around Dec 8, with an average low near 42°F.
- Rainy seasonNov 20 – Mar 29 · 77% of the year's rain
The rainy season runs from Nov 20 to Mar 29, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 77% 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 4 and half of its annual total by Jan 26.
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, Atherton averaged 8 days a year at 90°F or hotter and no freezing nights. It averaged 11 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 43 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 5, 2025 (1.67 in.), and the strongest 2 PM gust was 45 mph on Mar 12, 2025.
- 8days at 90°F or hotter
- 0nights at or below freezing
- 11days with ½ in. of rain or more
- 1afternoon with 20+ mph wind
- 43mornings with 3+ hours of fog or low cloud
- Hottest day98°FJun 11, 2026
- Coldest night35°FJan 27, 2025
- Wettest day1.67 inFeb 5, 2025
- Strongest 2 PM gust45 mphMar 12, 2025
What shapes Atherton's weather
Atherton's heavy tree canopy changes how summer heat feels. The town protects heritage trees by ordinance, and big oaks and other mature trees shade many streets and yards. A walk here on a hot afternoon is far more comfortable than along the open pavement of El Camino Real. On clear, calm winter nights, cold air settles on the flat, sheltered ground. The mornings after storms can be chillier than in towns closer to the water.
Winter rain brings the town's main weather problem. Runoff from the hills to the west drains through the Atherton Channel, which can overtop where it crosses the Alameda de las Pulgas during peak flows.
Tips for visiting Atherton
Picnic at Holbrook-Palmer Park
The 22-acre park at 150 Watkins Avenue has gardens, walking paths, tennis courts, and a playground.
Take the park's tree walk
The town publishes a Holbrook-Palmer Park Tree Walk brochure, a shady route for a warm afternoon.
Watch the Alameda in big storms
The Atherton Channel can overflow onto the Alameda de las Pulgas during peak flows. In heavy rain, plan a route that avoids that crossing.
Large groups need a permit
Groups of 13 or more need a day-use permit for Holbrook-Palmer Park. Smaller groups do not.
Atherton through the seasons
- Spring (March–May)
- Spring is mild, sunny and green, with the sea breeze still light this far from the bay. It is a good season for the gardens at Holbrook-Palmer Park.
- Summer (June–August)
- Summer afternoons are warm and mostly clear. The tree-lined streets stay noticeably cooler than open pavement.
- Fall (September–October)
- September is usually the warmest month, as the sea breeze fades and inland heat reaches the mid-Peninsula.
- Winter (November–February)
- Winter is the rainy season, with most of the year's rain falling from December through February.
Activities and the weather that matters
- Strolling and picnicking at Holbrook-Palmer Park: The park is pleasant most of the year. On hot summer and fall afternoons, look for shade near the gardens and walking paths.
- Tennis: Holbrook-Palmer Park has tennis courts. Mornings beat the afternoon heat in September and October.
- Cycling the quiet streets: Flat, shaded roads make for easy riding most of the year, with little of the bay wind that hits riders near the shoreline.
Official sources and current conditions
- Town of Atherton: Holbrook-Palmer Park
- Town of Atherton: Holbrook-Palmer Park Tree Walk
- Town of Atherton: History of Atherton
- Town of Atherton: Upper Atherton Channel flood mitigation
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 | 84 | 63.5° / 46° | 6.5h | 2d | 2.31" | 22 |
| December 2024 | 75 | 61° / 45.5° | 5.3h | 6d | 3.91" | 14 |
| January 2025 | 84 | 60.3° / 41.4° | 7h | 3d | 0.1" | 24 |
| February 2025 | 78 | 61.7° / 44.9° | 6.6h | 2d | 5.75" | 16 |
| March 2025 | 85 | 63.3° / 46.4° | 8.1h | 0d | 2.16" | 24 |
| April 2025 | 91 | 68° / 49.2° | 9.4h | 1d | 0.43" | 26 |
| May 2025 | 95 | 74.2° / 52.1° | 12h | 0d | 0.12" | 31 |
| June 2025 | 96 | 75.2° / 54.4° | 12.5h | 0d | 0" | 30 |
| July 2025 | 95 | 75.9° / 57.4° | 11.6h | 1d | 0" | 31 |
| August 2025 | 94 | 80.5° / 58.9° | 11h | 1d | 0" | 31 |
| September 2025 | 91 | 79.5° / 61.2° | 9.3h | 0d | 0.06" | 28 |
| October 2025 | 90 | 72.7° / 54° | 8.1h | 1d | 0.68" | 29 |
| November 2025 | 80 | 65.2° / 50.1° | 6.3h | 5d | 2.51" | 15 |
| December 2025 | 72 | 58.6° / 45.9° | 5.1h | 11d | 3.32" | 9 |
| January 2026 | 81 | 62.2° / 44.5° | 6.7h | 3d | 3.78" | 23 |
| February 2026 | 81 | 63.8° / 47.1° | 6.7h | 4d | 2.45" | 18 |
| March 2026 | 94 | 76.5° / 51.8° | 9.6h | 1d | 0" | 30 |
| April 2026 | 89 | 68.8° / 50.8° | 8.8h | 1d | 1.75" | 24 |
| May 2026 | 93 | 72.4° / 53.4° | 11.2h | 2d | 0.33" | 31 |
| June 2026 | 95 | 77.3° / 56.9° | 12.2h | 0d | 0" | 30 |
| July 2026 | 95 | 78.6° / 58.3° | 11.4h | 0d | 0.05" | 31 |
| August 2026 | 93 | 77.7° / 59.4° | 10.7h | 1d | 0" | 31 |
| September 2026 | 94 | 78.8° / 56.9° | 10h | 1d | 0.02" | 30 |
| October 2026 | 91 | 75.3° / 53.5° | 8.1h | 1d | 0.05" | 29 |
Climate Trends
Average Temperature by Month
About the Atherton climate charts
The temperature chart compares average monthly highs and lows at Atherton, 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 Atherton. 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 Atherton, the warmest typical hour is 4 PM in August (79°F). The coldest is 6 AM in January (45°F).
- Fog: Fog or low cloud covers Atherton in 19% of 8 AM hours in December, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 1 PM. May mornings are the least foggy (6%).
- Wind: From February through October, wind at Atherton typically builds after 1 PM. In June it peaks around 4 PM, averaging 10 mph with 5% of those hours windy, while mornings average 4 mph.
- Cloud Cover: June middays are the clearest at Atherton (16% average cloud cover), and December middays are the cloudiest (34%).
- Solar Radiation: The strongest typical sun at Atherton comes at 1 PM in June, averaging 971 W/m².
How to read the hourly heatmaps for Atherton
This heatmap shows how average temperature at Atherton 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 Atherton. 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 Atherton 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 Atherton 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 Atherton 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 Atherton
- October 2026 recap: October 2026 at Atherton averaged a high of 75°F, 3°F warmer than the 1991-2020 normal of 73°F. It brought 0.05 in. of rain, compared with a normal of 0.81 in.
- Rain year: The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 14.9 in. of rain to Atherton, 80% of the 18.6 in. normal.
Location Details
Atherton weather questions
Everything you need to know about weather and visiting Atherton
What is the weather like at Atherton today?
It's 52°F at Atherton right now, with a comfort score of 76 (great). Monday's forecast high at Atherton is 57°F, 8°F below the mid November normal of 65°F. The best window today is 9 AM to noon, at about 55°F with a 4 mph wind (comfort 57).
What is the best month to visit Atherton?
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Atherton are June, September, and July. The best hours are usually 11 AM to 2 PM in June, 10 AM to 1 PM in September, and 11 AM to 2 PM in July. The warm season lasts about 3.2 months, from Jun 26 to Sep 30, when the average high is 74°F or warmer. Highs peak around Sep 8 at about 76°F.
What are the warmest and coldest months at Atherton?
September is the warmest month at Atherton, with an average high of 76°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 42°F.
When does the fog burn off at Atherton?
Fog or low cloud covers Atherton in 19% of 8 AM hours in December, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 1 PM. May mornings are the least foggy (6%).
When is it windiest at Atherton?
From February through October, wind at Atherton typically builds after 1 PM. In June it peaks around 4 PM, averaging 10 mph with 5% of those hours windy, while mornings average 4 mph.
How much rain does Atherton get?
January is the wettest month (3.7 in.), out of about 18.6 in. a year. The rainy season runs from Nov 20 to Mar 29, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 77% of the year's rain. The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 14.9 in. of rain to Atherton, 80% of the 18.6 in. normal.
Why doesn't Atherton have a downtown?
Atherton has no downtown by design. When Menlo Park sought to annex the Fair Oaks lands, property owners who wanted to stay strictly residential chose to form their own town. Atherton incorporated on September 12, 1923. Early residents wanted large parcels and no businesses.
What kind of place is Atherton?
Atherton is almost entirely homes and trees. The town began as Fair Oaks, a railroad flag stop. It incorporated in 1923 so it could stay strictly residential instead of being annexed by Menlo Park. It still has no commercial downtown, just large lots on the flat plain between Redwood City and Menlo Park. The town reaches from Middlefield Road west past El Camino Real toward the Alameda de las Pulgas. Its public gathering place is Holbrook-Palmer Park, a 22-acre town-owned park with gardens on Watkins Avenue.
What is Atherton weather like in November?
November at Atherton averages a high of 65°F and a low of 46°F, with 1.8 in. of rain over about 6 rainy days. About 11% of morning hours are foggy. Afternoon wind averages 5 mph.
More about Atherton weather
Guides that explain the weather here and nearby
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.
- Town of Atherton, History of Atherton (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Town of Atherton, Holbrook-Palmer Park (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Town of Atherton, Holbrook-Palmer Park Tree Walk (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Town of Atherton, Upper Atherton Channel Flood Mitigation Project (accessed 2026-10-27)
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