Boulder Creek Weather
Town • San Francisco Bay Area
Boulder Creek is the uppermost town in the San Lorenzo Valley, strung along Highway 9. Highway 236 turns off here for Big Basin Redwoods State Park, California's oldest state park. Boomtown-style storefronts and redwoods crowding the creek through downtown give it more of a logging-town feel than Felton or Scotts Valley farther down the valley. A 1906 church in town now houses the San Lorenzo Valley Museum and its logging and lumber exhibits.
Plan your week
10-Day Forecast
Hour by hour
Hourly Forecast
Current Conditions
Comfort Breakdown
Boulder Creek weather today and through the year
It's 52°F at Boulder Creek right now (feels like 49°F), with 3 mph wind and a comfort score of 76. Monday's forecast high at Boulder Creek is 56°F, 10°F below the mid November normal of 66°F. The best window today is 10 AM to 1 PM, at about 54°F with a 9 mph wind (comfort 61).
August is the warmest month at Boulder Creek, with an average high of 83°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 38°F. January is the wettest month (7.4 in.), out of about 36.2 in. a year. By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Boulder Creek are June, September, and October. The best hours are usually 10 AM to 1 PM in June, 9 AM to noon in September, and 11 AM to 2 PM in October.
Boulder Creek sits low in a redwood canyon, a little under 500 feet up. Ben Lomond Mountain rises to the west and the Skyline ridge to the north and east. Those ridges keep out most of the summer fog from Monterey Bay, so summer afternoons are warmer and sunnier than in Santa Cruz. The steep canyon walls and tall trees still keep the town shaded well into the morning.
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 Boulder Creek in the next few days
Best time to go
The best window today is 10 AM to 1 PM, at about 54°F with a 9 mph wind (comfort 61).
Best day this week
Of the next 7 days, Friday looks best for Boulder Creek, with a 58°F high and midday comfort near 71. Thursday looks weakest (52).
Rain
Next good chance of rain: today (88%, about 0.30 in.).
Live weather map
Weather around Boulder Creek right now
Overcast and 52° at Boulder Creek right now.
About the live weather map for Boulder Creek
The map centers on Boulder Creek 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.
Boulder Creek vs nearby places
Typical summer conditions compared with Boulder Creek, 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 Boulder Creek |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bonny Doon | 5.8 mi | -11°F | 56% | 8 mph | more summer morning fog (56% vs 13% of morning hours) and about 11°F cooler on summer afternoons |
| Big Basin Redwoods State Park | 6.8 mi | -10°F | 38% | 8 mph | more summer morning fog (38% vs 13% of morning hours) and about 10°F cooler on summer afternoons |
| Sanborn County Park | 7 mi | -5°F | 12% | 6 mph | 2,380 ft higher and about 5°F cooler on summer afternoons |
| Año Nuevo State Park | 11.8 mi | -23°F | 42% | 14 mph | about 23°F cooler on summer afternoons and more summer morning fog (42% vs 13% of morning hours) |
| Año Nuevo Point | 12 mi | -23°F | 42% | 14 mph | about 23°F cooler on summer afternoons and more summer morning fog (42% vs 13% of morning hours) |
| Santa Cruz Westside | 12.2 mi | -22°F | 44% | 15 mph | about 22°F cooler on summer afternoons and more summer morning fog (44% vs 13% of morning hours) |
Places with a climate like Boulder Creek's
- Rancho San Antonio (14 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
- Cupertino (15 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
- Portola Valley (19 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
Climate Dashboard
Current conditions vs. NOAA normals and recent destination baseline
What the Boulder Creek climate comparisons mean
These cards compare recent conditions at Boulder Creek 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 Boulder Creek 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.
Boulder Creek weather by month
August is the warmest month at Boulder Creek, with an average high of 83°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 38°F. January is the wettest month (7.4 in.), out of about 36.2 in. a year. July has the clearest middays, with clouds covering about 14% of the sky from 11 AM to 3 PM.
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Boulder Creek are June, September, and October. The best hours are usually 10 AM to 1 PM 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 | 7.4 in | 12 | 13% | 29% | 6 mph | 9.9 h | 46 |
| Feb | 61°F | 40°F | 7.0 in | 11 | 10% | 26% | 7 mph | 10.8 h | 48 |
| Mar | 65°F | 42°F | 5.4 in | 10 | 7% | 30% | 7 mph | 11.9 h | 52 |
| Apr | 68°F | 43°F | 2.5 in | 7 | 7% | 26% | 8 mph | 13.1 h | 68 |
| May | 73°F | 47°F | 1.0 in | 4 | 9% | 27% | 8 mph | 14.2 h | 80 |
| Jun | 79°F | 50°F | 0.2 in | 2 | 11% | 18% | 8 mph | 14.7 h | 87 |
| Jul | 82°F | 53°F | 0.0 in | 1 | 13% | 14% | 8 mph | 14.5 h | 86 |
| Aug | 83°F | 53°F | 0.0 in | 1 | 14% | 15% | 7 mph | 13.5 h | 84 |
| Sep | 82°F | 51°F | 0.1 in | 1 | 11% | 16% | 7 mph | 12.3 h | 87 |
| Oct | 76°F | 47°F | 1.5 in | 5 | 8% | 15% | 6 mph | 11.1 h | 87 |
| Nov | 66°F | 42°F | 3.6 in | 8 | 9% | 20% | 6 mph | 10.1 h | 73 |
| Dec | 59°F | 38°F | 7.3 in | 11 | 14% | 29% | 6 mph | 9.6 h | 45 |
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 Boulder Creek's weather different
When the wind picks up
1 PMwhen afternoon wind builds, April–September
From April through September, wind at Boulder Creek typically builds after 1 PM. In June it peaks around 6 PM, averaging 9 mph with 2% of those hours windy, while mornings average 5 mph.
Microclimate
−11°FBonny Doon, 5.8 mi away, on summer afternoons
Bonny Doon, 5.8 miles away, runs about 11°F cooler than Boulder Creek on summer afternoons. It also has far more summer morning fog, 56% of morning hours compared with 13%.
Elevation
−5°Fsummer afternoons at Sanborn County Park, 2,380 ft up
Sanborn County Park sits 2,380 ft higher, 7 miles away. Its summer highs average 5°F cooler than Boulder Creek.
Daylight
9.6–14.7 hof daylight, Dec to Jun
Days at Boulder Creek range from about 9.6 hours in December to 14.7 hours in June. In mid-June the sun sets around 8:29 PM, and in mid-December around 4:56 PM.
Seasons at Boulder Creek
- Warm seasonJun 30 – Sep 27 · highs 80°F+
The warm season lasts about 3 months, from Jun 30 to Sep 27, when the average high is 80°F or warmer. Highs peak around Aug 8 at about 83°F.
- Cool seasonNov 30 – Feb 28 · highs 63°F or lower
The cool season runs from Nov 30 to Feb 28, when the average high is 63°F or lower. The coldest nights come around Dec 8, with an average low near 38°F.
- Rainy seasonOct 27 – Apr 22 · 91% of the year's rain
The rainy season runs from Oct 27 to Apr 22, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 91% 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 Oct 21 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, Boulder Creek averaged 19 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 3 nights a year at or below freezing. It averaged 26 days a year with at least half an inch of rain and 0 afternoons with wind of 20 mph or more at 2 PM. About 48 mornings a year had 3 or more hours of fog or low cloud.
In the same record, the hottest day was Sep 9, 2026 (101°F) and the coldest night was Jan 27, 2025 (30°F). The wettest day was Nov 14, 2025 (4.81 in.), and the strongest 2 PM gust was 46 mph on Feb 4, 2025.
- 19days at 90°F or hotter
- 3nights at or below freezing
- 26days with ½ in. of rain or more
- 0afternoons with 20+ mph wind
- 48mornings with 3+ hours of fog or low cloud
- Hottest day101°FSep 9, 2026
- Coldest night30°FJan 27, 2025
- Wettest day4.81 inNov 14, 2025
- Strongest 2 PM gust46 mphFeb 4, 2025
What shapes Boulder Creek's weather
Boulder Creek's winters are wet. Pacific storms are lifted over Ben Lomond Mountain, and the upper San Lorenzo Valley catches far more rain than Santa Cruz on the coast. The San Lorenzo Valley Water District keeps a rain gauge at its Boulder Creek operations building, with annual records going back to 1888.
On clear, still nights cold air drains off the slopes and settles in the canyon bottom. Winter mornings in town can be frosty and damp while the coast stays milder.
The redwood forest that shades Boulder Creek also burns. The 2020 CZU Lightning Complex swept through 97% of Big Basin, just up Highway 236, and Boulder Creek was among the communities it hit hardest.
Tips for visiting Boulder Creek
Reserve Big Basin parking
State Parks highly recommends parking reservations because spaces are limited. The entrance kiosk is 9 miles up Highway 236 from Boulder Creek.
Expect no cell service at Big Basin
There's no cell coverage near the Big Basin entrance kiosk, and all roads into the park are curvy.
Don't plan to camp at Big Basin
Big Basin's campgrounds closed while the park rebuilds after the 2020 fire, so check camping status before you go. Day-use areas and many trails are open.
Look up local rainfall before a winter trip
The water district posts Boulder Creek rainfall totals by year and month. Its rain year runs October 1 to September 30.
Duck into the valley museum on wet days
The San Lorenzo Valley Museum, in the former 1906 Grace Episcopal Church, covers logging, lumber, and gold mining.
Boulder Creek through the seasons
- Spring (March–May)
- Creeks run full after the winter rains and the redwoods drip on foggy mornings. Afternoons warm up as storms taper off.
- Summer (June–August)
- Summer afternoons are warm and mostly fog-free, and mornings stay cool and shady under the redwoods.
- Fall (September–November)
- The forest stays dry and fire danger stays high until the rains return. Lightning started the CZU Lightning Complex in mid-August 2020, near the end of the dry season.
- Winter (December–February)
- Winter is the heart of the rain year, which the local water district counts from October 1. Expect heavy downpours, high creeks and cold mornings in the canyon.
Activities and the weather that matters
- Hiking at Big Basin: Dry days from late spring through fall are best. Book parking ahead, and expect wet trails and slow roads after winter storms.
- Strolling and dining downtown: Downtown's cafes, restaurants and shops along Highway 9 make a good rainy-day plan.
- Wine tasting: Big Basin Vineyards' tasting room looks over terraced vines, best on clear, warm afternoons.
Official sources and current conditions
- California State Parks: Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- San Lorenzo Valley Water District: Local weather and rainfall
- Santa Cruz County: Fire recovery
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 | 79 | 59° / 41.4° | 7.1h | 2d | 7.21" | 21 |
| December 2024 | 74 | 59.5° / 43.3° | 5.6h | 4d | 9.91" | 14 |
| January 2025 | 83 | 58.4° / 37.7° | 7h | 1d | 0.37" | 23 |
| February 2025 | 76 | 59° / 40.9° | 6.7h | 4d | 16.58" | 16 |
| March 2025 | 77 | 57.5° / 41.1° | 8.3h | 3d | 6.5" | 16 |
| April 2025 | 89 | 64.9° / 43.8° | 9.7h | 1d | 1.01" | 24 |
| May 2025 | 94 | 73.9° / 48.7° | 12h | 2d | 0.25" | 31 |
| June 2025 | 95 | 78.3° / 51.9° | 12.5h | 3d | 0" | 30 |
| July 2025 | 95 | 79.4° / 54.5° | 12h | 3d | 0" | 31 |
| August 2025 | 91 | 85.7° / 56.5° | 11.2h | 3d | 0" | 30 |
| September 2025 | 92 | 79° / 58° | 10h | 0d | 0.19" | 30 |
| October 2025 | 90 | 69.7° / 50.2° | 8.2h | 0d | 3.13" | 25 |
| November 2025 | 81 | 64.1° / 46.8° | 6.7h | 4d | 10.22" | 19 |
| December 2025 | 77 | 61.9° / 45.7° | 5.7h | 6d | 6.66" | 19 |
| January 2026 | 81 | 62.1° / 42.7° | 6.7h | 2d | 10.46" | 22 |
| February 2026 | 77 | 62° / 43.5° | 7.2h | 2d | 11.18" | 17 |
| March 2026 | 94 | 76.8° / 49.8° | 9.8h | 0d | 0.03" | 30 |
| April 2026 | 86 | 65.2° / 45.4° | 9.5h | 1d | 7.38" | 20 |
| May 2026 | 92 | 71.3° / 49.1° | 11.5h | 3d | 0.91" | 29 |
| June 2026 | 94 | 76.4° / 53.4° | 12h | 6d | 0" | 30 |
| July 2026 | 92 | 82.3° / 56.3° | 11.6h | 2d | 0.05" | 31 |
| August 2026 | 92 | 83.7° / 56.7° | 10.9h | 3d | 0.01" | 31 |
| September 2026 | 94 | 79.6° / 53° | 10.4h | 0d | 0.1" | 29 |
| October 2026 | 88 | 76.5° / 51° | 8.4h | 1d | 0.55" | 23 |
Climate Trends
Average Temperature by Month
About the Boulder Creek climate charts
The temperature chart compares average monthly highs and lows at Boulder Creek, 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 Boulder Creek. 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 Boulder Creek, the warmest typical hour is 3 PM in August (85°F). The coldest is 7 AM in February (47°F).
- Wind: From April through September, wind at Boulder Creek typically builds after 1 PM. In June it peaks around 6 PM, averaging 9 mph with 2% of those hours windy, while mornings average 5 mph.
- Cloud Cover: July middays are the clearest at Boulder Creek (14% average cloud cover), and March middays are the cloudiest (30%).
- Solar Radiation: The strongest typical sun at Boulder Creek comes at 1 PM in July, averaging 991 W/m².
How to read the hourly heatmaps for Boulder Creek
This heatmap shows how average temperature at Boulder Creek 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 Boulder Creek. 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 Boulder Creek 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 Boulder Creek 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 Boulder Creek 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 Boulder Creek
- October 2026 recap: October 2026 at Boulder Creek averaged a high of 77°F, 7°F warmer than October 2025 (70°F).
- Rain year: The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 50.1 in. of rain to Boulder Creek, 139% of the 36.2 in. normal.
Location Details
Boulder Creek weather questions
Everything you need to know about weather and visiting Boulder Creek
What is the weather like at Boulder Creek today?
It's 52°F at Boulder Creek right now, with a comfort score of 76 (great). Monday's forecast high at Boulder Creek is 56°F, 10°F below the mid November normal of 66°F. The best window today is 10 AM to 1 PM, at about 54°F with a 9 mph wind (comfort 61).
What is the best month to visit Boulder Creek?
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Boulder Creek are June, September, and October. The best hours are usually 10 AM to 1 PM 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 30 to Sep 27, when the average high is 80°F or warmer. Highs peak around Aug 8 at about 83°F.
What are the warmest and coldest months at Boulder Creek?
August is the warmest month at Boulder Creek, with an average high of 83°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 38°F.
When is it windiest at Boulder Creek?
From April through September, wind at Boulder Creek typically builds after 1 PM. In June it peaks around 6 PM, averaging 9 mph with 2% of those hours windy, while mornings average 5 mph.
How much rain does Boulder Creek get?
January is the wettest month (7.4 in.), out of about 36.2 in. a year. The rainy season runs from Oct 27 to Apr 22, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 91% of the year's rain. The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 50.1 in. of rain to Boulder Creek, 139% of the 36.2 in. normal.
How does Boulder Creek weather compare with Bonny Doon?
Bonny Doon, 5.8 miles away, runs about 11°F cooler than Boulder Creek on summer afternoons. It also has far more summer morning fog, 56% of morning hours compared with 13%.
What kind of place is Boulder Creek?
Boulder Creek is the uppermost town in the San Lorenzo Valley, strung along Highway 9. Highway 236 turns off here for Big Basin Redwoods State Park, California's oldest state park. Boomtown-style storefronts and redwoods crowding the creek through downtown give it more of a logging-town feel than Felton or Scotts Valley farther down the valley. A 1906 church in town now houses the San Lorenzo Valley Museum and its logging and lumber exhibits.
What is Boulder Creek weather like in November?
November at Boulder Creek averages a high of 66°F and a low of 42°F, with 3.6 in. of rain over about 8 rainy days. Afternoon wind averages 6 mph.
More about Boulder Creek 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.
- California State Parks, Big Basin Redwoods State Park (accessed 2026-10-27)
- San Lorenzo Valley Water District, Local Weather (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Visit Santa Cruz County, Discover the Santa Cruz Mountains: Boulder Creek (accessed 2026-10-27)
- CAL FIRE, CZU Lightning Complex (including Warnella Fire) (accessed 2026-10-27)
Rendered 2026-11-15T12:26:25.079Z.