Benicia Weather
Town • San Francisco Bay Area
Benicia faces south across the Carquinez Strait toward Martinez, on the Solano County shore where the strait opens into Suisun Bay. Founded in 1847, it served as California's third state capital in 1853, and the restored capitol building on West G Street is now a state historic park. First Street runs from the old downtown to the water. On the town's west side, Benicia State Recreation Area protects marsh, grassy hills, and rocky beaches at the narrowest part of the strait.
Plan your week
10-Day Forecast
Hour by hour
Hourly Forecast
Current Conditions
Comfort Breakdown
Benicia weather today and through the year
It's 54°F at Benicia right now (feels like 52°F), with 4 mph wind and a comfort score of 78. Monday's forecast high at Benicia is 57°F, 8°F below the mid November normal of 65°F. The best window today is 9 AM to noon, at about 54°F with a 7 mph wind (comfort 60).
August is the warmest month at Benicia, with an average high of 84°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 40°F. January is the wettest month (4.2 in.), out of about 20.3 in. a year. By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Benicia are June, September, and August. The best hours are usually 10 AM to 1 PM in June, 10 AM to 1 PM in September, and 10 AM to 1 PM in August.
Benicia sits on the north side of the Carquinez Strait, a sea-level gap through the hills. The regional air district says ocean air is pulled east through it almost every day in summer and fall. High pressure offshore and low pressure over the hot Central Valley drive that flow. Afternoon westerlies are common along this stretch of Solano County shoreline, and the town's south-facing waterfront takes them head-on.
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 Benicia 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 54°F with a 7 mph wind (comfort 60).
Best day this week
Of the next 7 days, Friday looks best for Benicia, with a 62°F high and midday comfort near 81. Wednesday looks weakest (55).
Rain
Next good chance of rain: today (72%, about 0.21 in.).
Live weather map
Weather around Benicia right now
Overcast and 54° at Benicia right now.
About the live weather map for Benicia
The map centers on Benicia 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.
Benicia vs nearby places
Typical summer conditions compared with Benicia, 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 Benicia |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Martinez | 2.5 mi | same | 10% | 12 mph | a very similar climate |
| Alhambra Valley | 5.7 mi | -1°F | 14% | 11 mph | a very similar climate |
| Vallejo | 6.5 mi | -4°F | 18% | 9 mph | about 4°F cooler on summer afternoons and calmer summer afternoons (9 vs 12 mph) |
| Crissy Field | 23.7 mi | -24°F | 40% | 18 mph | about 24°F cooler on summer afternoons and more summer morning fog (40% vs 11% of morning hours) |
| Presidio of San Francisco | 24.1 mi | -24°F | 40% | 18 mph | about 24°F cooler on summer afternoons and more summer morning fog (40% vs 11% of morning hours) |
| Baker Beach | 25 mi | -25°F | 45% | 16 mph | about 25°F cooler on summer afternoons and more summer morning fog (45% vs 11% of morning hours) |
Places with a climate like Benicia's
- Santa Clara (49 mi away): nearly the same temperatures every month
- Cupertino (51 mi away): nearly the same temperatures every month
- Willow Glen (53 mi away): nearly the same temperatures every month
Climate Dashboard
Current conditions vs. NOAA normals and recent destination baseline
What the Benicia climate comparisons mean
These cards compare recent conditions at Benicia 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 Benicia 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.
Benicia weather by month
August is the warmest month at Benicia, with an average high of 84°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 40°F. January is the wettest month (4.2 in.), out of about 20.3 in. a year. Morning fog peaks in December, when fog or low cloud covers 26% of the hours from 6 to 10 AM. July has the clearest middays, with clouds covering about 7% of the sky from 11 AM to 3 PM.
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Benicia are June, September, and August. The best hours are usually 10 AM to 1 PM in June, 10 AM to 1 PM in September, and 10 AM to 1 PM in August.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Rainy days | Morning fog | Midday cloud | Afternoon wind | Daylight | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 57°F | 40°F | 4.2 in | 8 | 22% | 36% | 7 mph | 9.8 h | 55 |
| Feb | 61°F | 42°F | 4.0 in | 8 | 10% | 25% | 8 mph | 10.7 h | 62 |
| Mar | 66°F | 44°F | 3.0 in | 7 | 6% | 28% | 9 mph | 11.9 h | 68 |
| Apr | 69°F | 46°F | 1.4 in | 5 | 5% | 20% | 11 mph | 13.2 h | 77 |
| May | 75°F | 50°F | 0.6 in | 3 | 7% | 17% | 12 mph | 14.2 h | 79 |
| Jun | 81°F | 54°F | 0.1 in | 2 | 9% | 7% | 13 mph | 14.8 h | 86 |
| Jul | 84°F | 55°F | 0.0 in | 0 | 15% | 7% | 12 mph | 14.5 h | 81 |
| Aug | 84°F | 55°F | 0.0 in | 1 | 10% | 7% | 12 mph | 13.6 h | 83 |
| Sep | 82°F | 54°F | 0.1 in | 1 | 7% | 11% | 10 mph | 12.3 h | 86 |
| Oct | 76°F | 50°F | 0.9 in | 4 | 7% | 14% | 8 mph | 11.1 h | 83 |
| Nov | 65°F | 44°F | 2.0 in | 6 | 10% | 24% | 7 mph | 10.0 h | 75 |
| Dec | 57°F | 40°F | 4.1 in | 8 | 26% | 40% | 7 mph | 9.5 h | 51 |
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 Benicia's weather different
When the fog burns off
27%of 8 AM hours foggy in December
Fog or low cloud covers Benicia in 27% of 8 AM hours in December, the foggiest month. It thins slowly and often lasts into the early afternoon. April mornings are the least foggy (5%).
When the wind picks up
3 PMwhen afternoon wind builds, March–September
From March through September, wind at Benicia typically builds after 3 PM. In June it peaks around 6 PM, averaging 14 mph with 40% of those hours windy, while mornings average 10 mph.
Microclimate
−4°FVallejo, 6.5 mi away, on summer afternoons
Vallejo, 6.5 miles away, runs about 4°F cooler than Benicia on summer afternoons.
Daylight
9.5–14.8 hof daylight, Dec to Jun
Days at Benicia range from about 9.5 hours in December to 14.8 hours in June. In mid-June the sun sets around 8:33 PM, and in mid-December around 4:54 PM.
Seasons at Benicia
- Warm seasonJun 29 – Sep 23 · highs 82°F+
The warm season lasts about 2.9 months, from Jun 29 to Sep 23, when the average high is 82°F or warmer. Highs peak around Aug 8 at about 84°F.
- Cool seasonNov 28 – Feb 27 · highs 63°F or lower
The cool season runs from Nov 28 to Feb 27, when the average high is 63°F or lower. The coldest nights come around Jan 1, with an average low near 40°F.
- Rainy seasonNov 16 – Mar 29 · 79% of the year's rain
The rainy season runs from Nov 16 to Mar 29, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 79% 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 2 and half of its annual total by Jan 24.
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, Benicia averaged 21 days a year at 90°F or hotter and no freezing nights. It averaged 14 days a year with at least half an inch of rain and 4 afternoons with wind of 20 mph or more at 2 PM. About 68 mornings a year had 3 or more hours of fog or low cloud.
In the same record, the hottest day was Sep 9, 2026 (99°F) and the coldest night was Feb 10, 2025 (36°F). The wettest day was Nov 23, 2024 (2.04 in.), and the strongest 2 PM gust was 40 mph on Feb 13, 2025.
- 21days at 90°F or hotter
- 0nights at or below freezing
- 14days with ½ in. of rain or more
- 4afternoons with 20+ mph wind
- 68mornings with 3+ hours of fog or low cloud
- Hottest day99°FSep 9, 2026
- Coldest night36°FFeb 10, 2025
- Wettest day2.04 inNov 23, 2024
- Strongest 2 PM gust40 mphFeb 13, 2025
What shapes Benicia's weather
The steady wind through the Carquinez Strait keeps Benicia's summer afternoons moderate compared with Fairfield and Vacaville. Those towns sit behind the hills to the northeast and miss most of it. The strait narrows just west of town, so the wind tends to be strongest along the State Recreation Area and the western waterfront. It is a bit gentler on the streets uphill from First Street.
In winter the pattern often flips. East winds carry fine particle pollution, tiny bits of soot and dust, out of the Central Valley and down the strait past Benicia. Wood smoke can also build on cold, calm evenings. Those same calm nights can bring fog off Suisun Bay and the marshes.
Tips for visiting Benicia
See the old capitol Friday to Sunday
Benicia Capitol State Historic Park at 115 West G Street is open Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dogs are not allowed.
Pack layers for the strait
California State Parks warns that weather here can be changeable and recommends layered clothing.
Fish from Dillon's Point
Benicia State Recreation Area is open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset, and fishing is especially popular at Dillon's Point. Leashed dogs are allowed.
Expect a sea breeze most summer afternoons
West winds through the Carquinez Strait are common in the afternoon along Benicia's shore, so plan paddles and picnics for the morning.
Benicia through the seasons
- Spring (March–May)
- Spring brings green hills around the State Recreation Area and stronger afternoon winds as the valley warms.
- Summer (June–August)
- Marine air moves through the strait almost daily, keeping the waterfront breezy and milder than inland Solano County.
- Fall (September–October)
- Early fall stays warm on the waterfront, and the sea breeze is weaker than in midsummer.
- Winter (November–February)
- Winter is cool and rainy. East winds can carry Central Valley pollution west, and wood smoke lingers on cold, calm evenings.
Activities and the weather that matters
- Walking and biking Benicia State Recreation Area: The park has two and a half miles of road and bike paths along the strait. Calm mornings are best, because afternoon wind is strong in summer.
- Birding the marsh: Winter and spring are the best seasons for birding. Fog can hang over the marsh on still winter mornings.
- Strolling First Street and the waterfront: The waterfront is pleasant almost year round. Bring a jacket for late afternoons, when the wind picks up.
Official sources and current conditions
- California State Parks: Benicia State Recreation Area
- California State Parks: Benicia Capitol State Historic Park
- City of Benicia: History
- Bay Area Air Quality Management District: Solano County
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 | 82 | 63.4° / 48.1° | 6.3h | 2d | 3.28" | 19 |
| December 2024 | 69 | 57.9° / 46.7° | 4h | 11d | 4.63" | 10 |
| January 2025 | 82 | 59.5° / 42.9° | 6.9h | 4d | 0.13" | 21 |
| February 2025 | 78 | 61.5° / 45.6° | 6.8h | 3d | 5.99" | 19 |
| March 2025 | 85 | 62.8° / 47.3° | 8.5h | 0d | 1.78" | 23 |
| April 2025 | 93 | 68.6° / 50.2° | 9.9h | 0d | 0.16" | 28 |
| May 2025 | 95 | 76° / 54.2° | 12.3h | 1d | 0.13" | 31 |
| June 2025 | 93 | 77.1° / 55° | 12.7h | 4d | 0" | 30 |
| July 2025 | 92 | 77° / 57° | 12.1h | 9d | 0" | 31 |
| August 2025 | 92 | 84.7° / 59.6° | 11.4h | 0d | 0" | 31 |
| September 2025 | 91 | 80.8° / 61.7° | 9.8h | 0d | 0.2" | 29 |
| October 2025 | 89 | 73° / 55.4° | 8h | 2d | 1.35" | 28 |
| November 2025 | 78 | 63.8° / 51.6° | 5.6h | 9d | 1.85" | 17 |
| December 2025 | 59 | 54° / 46° | 2.6h | 22d | 3.8" | 3 |
| January 2026 | 71 | 58.5° / 45.2° | 6.1h | 16d | 3.14" | 9 |
| February 2026 | 79 | 63.6° / 47.5° | 6.6h | 8d | 3.51" | 16 |
| March 2026 | 95 | 77° / 53.5° | 9.7h | 0d | 0.01" | 30 |
| April 2026 | 88 | 68.2° / 51.3° | 9.3h | 2d | 3.06" | 22 |
| May 2026 | 92 | 73.5° / 54.6° | 11.7h | 1d | 0.74" | 30 |
| June 2026 | 92 | 78.3° / 57.4° | 12.6h | 4d | 0" | 30 |
| July 2026 | 92 | 81.7° / 59.1° | 11.8h | 2d | 0.01" | 31 |
| August 2026 | 92 | 82° / 58.9° | 11.1h | 1d | 0" | 31 |
| September 2026 | 93 | 79.9° / 58.6° | 10.2h | 0d | 0.33" | 29 |
| October 2026 | 91 | 77.6° / 55.3° | 8.4h | 1d | 0.41" | 29 |
Climate Trends
Average Temperature by Month
About the Benicia climate charts
The temperature chart compares average monthly highs and lows at Benicia, 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 Benicia. 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 Benicia, the warmest typical hour is 4 PM in August (84°F). The coldest is 7 AM in December (44°F).
- Fog: Fog or low cloud covers Benicia in 27% of 8 AM hours in December, the foggiest month. It thins slowly and often lasts into the early afternoon. April mornings are the least foggy (5%).
- Wind: From March through September, wind at Benicia typically builds after 3 PM. In June it peaks around 6 PM, averaging 14 mph with 40% of those hours windy, while mornings average 10 mph.
- Cloud Cover: July middays are the clearest at Benicia (7% average cloud cover), and December middays are the cloudiest (40%).
- Solar Radiation: The strongest typical sun at Benicia comes at 1 PM in July, averaging 994 W/m².
How to read the hourly heatmaps for Benicia
This heatmap shows how average temperature at Benicia 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 Benicia. 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 Benicia 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 Benicia 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 Benicia 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 Benicia
- October 2026 recap: October 2026 at Benicia averaged a high of 78°F, 2°F warmer than the 1991-2020 normal of 76°F. It brought 0.41 in. of rain, compared with a normal of 0.92 in.
- Rain year: The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 17.8 in. of rain to Benicia, 88% of the 20.3 in. normal.
Location Details
Benicia weather questions
Everything you need to know about weather and visiting Benicia
What is the weather like at Benicia today?
It's 54°F at Benicia right now, with a comfort score of 78 (great). Monday's forecast high at Benicia is 57°F, 8°F below the mid November normal of 65°F. The best window today is 9 AM to noon, at about 54°F with a 7 mph wind (comfort 60).
What is the best month to visit Benicia?
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Benicia are June, September, and August. The best hours are usually 10 AM to 1 PM in June, 10 AM to 1 PM in September, and 10 AM to 1 PM in August. The warm season lasts about 2.9 months, from Jun 29 to Sep 23, when the average high is 82°F or warmer. Highs peak around Aug 8 at about 84°F.
What are the warmest and coldest months at Benicia?
August is the warmest month at Benicia, with an average high of 84°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 40°F.
When does the fog burn off at Benicia?
Fog or low cloud covers Benicia in 27% of 8 AM hours in December, the foggiest month. It thins slowly and often lasts into the early afternoon. April mornings are the least foggy (5%).
When is it windiest at Benicia?
From March through September, wind at Benicia typically builds after 3 PM. In June it peaks around 6 PM, averaging 14 mph with 40% of those hours windy, while mornings average 10 mph.
How much rain does Benicia get?
January is the wettest month (4.2 in.), out of about 20.3 in. a year. The rainy season runs from Nov 16 to Mar 29, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 79% of the year's rain. The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 17.8 in. of rain to Benicia, 88% of the 20.3 in. normal.
How does Benicia weather compare with Vallejo?
Vallejo, 6.5 miles away, runs about 4°F cooler than Benicia on summer afternoons.
Was Benicia really California's capital?
Yes. The city was founded in 1847 and became the third state capital in 1853, holding that role for 13 months before the government moved to Sacramento. The capitol building is now Benicia Capitol State Historic Park.
What kind of place is Benicia?
Benicia faces south across the Carquinez Strait toward Martinez, on the Solano County shore where the strait opens into Suisun Bay. Founded in 1847, it served as California's third state capital in 1853, and the restored capitol building on West G Street is now a state historic park. First Street runs from the old downtown to the water. On the town's west side, Benicia State Recreation Area protects marsh, grassy hills, and rocky beaches at the narrowest part of the strait.
What is Benicia weather like in November?
November at Benicia averages a high of 65°F and a low of 44°F, with 2.0 in. of rain over about 6 rainy days. About 10% of morning hours are foggy. Afternoon wind averages 7 mph.
More about Benicia 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.
- Bay Area Air Quality Management District, Solano County community page (accessed 2026-10-27)
- California State Parks, Benicia State Recreation Area (accessed 2026-10-27)
- California State Parks, Benicia Capitol State Historic Park (accessed 2026-10-27)
- City of Benicia, History (accessed 2026-10-27)
Rendered 2026-11-15T12:04:17.018Z.