El Cerrito Weather
Town • San Francisco Bay Area
El Cerrito climbs from the shops and two BART stations along San Pablo Avenue up a steep hillside toward the ridge above Wildcat Canyon. Albany lies to the south and Richmond to the north. El Cerrito Plaza station serves the south end of town and El Cerrito del Norte the north end. The upper streets back onto open space, including the city's Hillside Natural Area and the regional parkland of Wildcat Canyon. The town spans far more elevation than flat Albany next door.
Plan your week
10-Day Forecast
Hour by hour
Hourly Forecast
Current Conditions
Comfort Breakdown
El Cerrito weather today and through the year
It's 54°F at El Cerrito right now (feels like 50°F), with 8 mph wind and a comfort score of 77. Monday's forecast high at El Cerrito is 56°F, 8°F below the mid November normal of 64°F. The best window today is 8 AM to 11 AM, at about 54°F with a 3 mph wind (comfort 59).
September is the warmest month at El Cerrito, with an average high of 77°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 42°F. December is the wettest month (5.0 in.), out of about 24.5 in. a year. By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at El Cerrito are September, August, and October. The best hours are usually noon to 3 PM in September, 1 PM to 4 PM in August, and 2 PM to 5 PM in October.
El Cerrito's weather depends on the street you are on. The San Pablo Avenue flats sit low and open to the bay, in the path of the summer sea breeze that crosses from the Golden Gate. The hill neighborhoods rise steeply behind them. On many summer mornings the low cloud deck hangs partway up that slope. The flats and the upper streets can then sit on opposite sides of the cloud base.
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 El Cerrito 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 54°F with a 3 mph wind (comfort 59).
Best day this week
Of the next 7 days, Friday looks best for El Cerrito, with a 61°F high and midday comfort near 81. Today looks weakest (49).
Rain
Next good chance of rain: today (72%, about 0.57 in.).
Live weather map
Weather around El Cerrito right now
Overcast and 54° at El Cerrito right now.
About the live weather map for El Cerrito
The map centers on El Cerrito 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.
El Cerrito vs nearby places
Typical summer conditions compared with El Cerrito, 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 El Cerrito |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wildcat Canyon Regional Park | 1.9 mi | same | 42% | 11 mph | a very similar climate |
| Albany | 2.2 mi | -1°F | 33% | 8 mph | a very similar climate |
| Solano Avenue | 2.3 mi | -2°F | 51% | 9 mph | more summer morning fog (51% vs 35% of morning hours) |
| Pleasant Hill | 13.8 mi | +16°F | 10% | 7 mph | about 16°F warmer on summer afternoons and less summer morning fog (10% vs 35% of morning hours) |
| Concord | 15.8 mi | +16°F | 9% | 8 mph | about 16°F warmer on summer afternoons and less summer morning fog (9% vs 35% of morning hours) |
| Pittsburg | 24.5 mi | +19°F | 2% | 10 mph | about 19°F warmer on summer afternoons and less summer morning fog (2% vs 35% of morning hours) |
Places with a climate like El Cerrito's
- McLaren Park (15 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
- Olompali State Historic Park (22 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
- Occidental (49 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
Climate Dashboard
Current conditions vs. NOAA normals and recent destination baseline
What the El Cerrito climate comparisons mean
These cards compare recent conditions at El Cerrito 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 El Cerrito 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.
El Cerrito weather by month
September is the warmest month at El Cerrito, with an average high of 77°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 42°F. December is the wettest month (5.0 in.), out of about 24.5 in. a year. Morning fog peaks in July, when fog or low cloud covers 42% of the hours from 6 to 10 AM. October has the clearest middays, with clouds covering about 20% of the sky from 11 AM to 3 PM.
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at El Cerrito are September, August, and October. The best hours are usually noon to 3 PM in September, 1 PM to 4 PM in August, and 2 PM to 5 PM in October.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Rainy days | Morning fog | Midday cloud | Afternoon wind | Daylight | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 56°F | 42°F | 4.9 in | 9 | 13% | 34% | 6 mph | 9.8 h | 38 |
| Feb | 60°F | 44°F | 4.7 in | 9 | 11% | 27% | 7 mph | 10.7 h | 62 |
| Mar | 63°F | 46°F | 3.6 in | 8 | 12% | 30% | 7 mph | 11.9 h | 64 |
| Apr | 66°F | 47°F | 1.6 in | 5 | 12% | 26% | 8 mph | 13.2 h | 73 |
| May | 70°F | 50°F | 0.7 in | 3 | 15% | 28% | 9 mph | 14.2 h | 75 |
| Jun | 75°F | 53°F | 0.2 in | 2 | 28% | 22% | 9 mph | 14.8 h | 83 |
| Jul | 76°F | 55°F | 0.0 in | 0 | 42% | 27% | 9 mph | 14.5 h | 83 |
| Aug | 77°F | 55°F | 0.0 in | 1 | 36% | 25% | 9 mph | 13.6 h | 87 |
| Sep | 77°F | 55°F | 0.1 in | 1 | 26% | 23% | 8 mph | 12.3 h | 91 |
| Oct | 73°F | 52°F | 1.1 in | 4 | 16% | 20% | 6 mph | 11.1 h | 84 |
| Nov | 64°F | 47°F | 2.6 in | 7 | 11% | 23% | 5 mph | 10.0 h | 70 |
| Dec | 57°F | 42°F | 5.0 in | 9 | 18% | 35% | 6 mph | 9.5 h | 37 |
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.
In summer, recent daily NOAA readings at El Cerrito average about 8°F cooler than the 1991-2020 normals. The normals average over a wider area that also covers nearby terrain. Read the monthly highs as a rough range, and use the recent months below for what El Cerrito has actually seen.
What makes El Cerrito's weather different
When the fog burns off
noonwhen July fog usually thins (46% foggy at 8 AM)
Fog or low cloud covers El Cerrito in 46% of 8 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by noon. November mornings are the least foggy (11%).
When the wind picks up
1 PMwhen afternoon wind builds, April–September
From April through September, wind at El Cerrito typically builds after 1 PM. In May it peaks around 4 PM, averaging 10 mph with 3% of those hours windy, while mornings average 6 mph.
Daylight
9.5–14.8 hof daylight, Dec to Jun
Days at El Cerrito 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 El Cerrito
- Warm seasonJun 30 – Sep 29 · highs 75°F+
The warm season lasts about 3 months, from Jun 30 to Sep 29, when the average high is 75°F or warmer. Highs peak around Sep 8 at about 77°F.
- Cool seasonNov 29 – Feb 24 · highs 61°F or lower
The cool season runs from Nov 29 to Feb 24, when the average high is 61°F or lower. The coldest nights come around Jan 8, with an average low near 42°F.
- Rainy seasonNov 9 – Apr 8 · 84% of the year's rain
The rainy season runs from Nov 9 to Apr 8, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 84% 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 29 and half of its annual total by Jan 23.
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, El Cerrito averaged 2 days a year at 90°F or hotter and no freezing nights. It averaged 18 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 135 mornings a year had 3 or more hours of fog or low cloud.
In the same record, the hottest day was Sep 9, 2026 (96°F) and the coldest night was Feb 18, 2026 (37°F). The wettest day was Nov 23, 2024 (3.10 in.), and the strongest 2 PM gust was 43 mph on Feb 4, 2025.
- 2days at 90°F or hotter
- 0nights at or below freezing
- 18days with ½ in. of rain or more
- 1afternoon with 20+ mph wind
- 135mornings with 3+ hours of fog or low cloud
- Hottest day96°FSep 9, 2026
- Coldest night37°FFeb 18, 2026
- Wettest day3.10 inNov 23, 2024
- Strongest 2 PM gust43 mphFeb 4, 2025
What shapes El Cerrito's weather
The ridge above town is the same high ground that walls in Wildcat Canyon. Moist ocean air that runs into the ridge is pushed upward and can thicken into fresh low cloud. That is why the hill streets sometimes stay gray and misty after the flats have brightened.
In fall the hills take the heat instead. Warm afternoons and dry offshore winds, which blow from the inland valleys toward the bay, hit the upper hillside hardest. That is where houses meet grass, brush and eucalyptus, so fire danger runs highest on the upper streets.
Tips for visiting El Cerrito
Ride BART to either end of town
El Cerrito del Norte serves the north end and connects to buses toward Marin, Solano and Napa counties. El Cerrito Plaza serves the south end.
Hike from the hills into Wildcat Canyon
The regional park next door has about 25 miles of trail, mostly fire roads, along Wildcat Creek and the ridges.
Check park closures on Red Flag days
The park district may close parks during a Red Flag Warning, the weather service's alert for hot, dry, windy fire weather, when firefighting resources are limited.
Know where the sandbags are
From October through April, El Cerrito and Kensington households can fill up to 10 sandbags at the Recycling & Environmental Resource Center on Schmidt Lane.
El Cerrito through the seasons
- Spring (March–May)
- The hillside open space is green and the creeks are running. Afternoon breezes build again by May.
- Summer (June–August)
- Gray mornings are common, with the fog deck often sitting partway up the hills rather than reaching the top.
- Fall (September–October)
- Fall brings the warmest, clearest days and peak fire danger on the upper streets. The park district says elevated fire-danger signs are common from May through October.
- Winter (November–February)
- Most of the year's rain falls in winter, and the city's sandbag station stays open October through April.
Activities and the weather that matters
- Hiking the hills and Wildcat Canyon: Clear spring and fall days give the best hiking and views. Summer mornings can be gray on the ridge, and trails turn muddy after winter storms.
- Shopping at El Cerrito Plaza: The plaza is an easy trip in any weather, right at the BART station on the low, flat side of town.
- Picnicking at Alvarado Park: Alvarado Park, at the north end of Wildcat Canyon, has historic stonework, picnic areas, a play area, and access to Wildcat Creek. It suits dry, mild days, and you carry gear in by hand or wagon because vehicles cannot reach the picnic areas.
Official sources and current conditions
- City of El Cerrito: Preparing for the rainy season
- BART: El Cerrito del Norte station
- BART: El Cerrito Plaza station
- East Bay Regional Park District: Wildcat Canyon
- East Bay Regional Park District: Alerts and closures
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 | 78 | 60.5° / 48.3° | 6.2h | 2d | 5.12" | 19 |
| December 2024 | 71 | 57.9° / 48° | 5.1h | 8d | 6.35" | 12 |
| January 2025 | 82 | 58° / 45.3° | 7h | 5d | 0.26" | 21 |
| February 2025 | 74 | 58.6° / 45.5° | 6.4h | 6d | 9.43" | 15 |
| March 2025 | 80 | 59.3° / 45.9° | 7.8h | 1d | 2.04" | 18 |
| April 2025 | 86 | 62.2° / 48.2° | 9.2h | 4d | 0.26" | 24 |
| May 2025 | 93 | 67.6° / 51° | 11.5h | 3d | 0.12" | 31 |
| June 2025 | 85 | 64.8° / 51.5° | 10.7h | 16d | 0" | 22 |
| July 2025 | 81 | 64.1° / 53.9° | 9.8h | 25d | 0" | 18 |
| August 2025 | 87 | 70.5° / 56.3° | 9.8h | 16d | 0" | 27 |
| September 2025 | 85 | 70.8° / 58.8° | 8.5h | 13d | 0.1" | 19 |
| October 2025 | 85 | 68.1° / 54.8° | 7.7h | 6d | 1.06" | 21 |
| November 2025 | 77 | 61.9° / 51.2° | 6.3h | 10d | 3.84" | 14 |
| December 2025 | 67 | 55.2° / 45.7° | 4.9h | 13d | 5.26" | 7 |
| January 2026 | 79 | 59.9° / 47.9° | 6.5h | 3d | 4.38" | 21 |
| February 2026 | 76 | 61.6° / 48.7° | 6.3h | 5d | 5.14" | 14 |
| March 2026 | 94 | 73.2° / 53.9° | 9.5h | 3d | 0.02" | 28 |
| April 2026 | 85 | 63.9° / 50° | 9.1h | 6d | 4.02" | 23 |
| May 2026 | 88 | 65.8° / 52° | 10.3h | 7d | 0.7" | 25 |
| June 2026 | 88 | 67.8° / 53.8° | 10.9h | 10d | 0" | 24 |
| July 2026 | 87 | 69.1° / 55.5° | 10.5h | 15d | 0" | 25 |
| August 2026 | 83 | 67.9° / 56° | 9.1h | 20d | 0" | 23 |
| September 2026 | 89 | 70.6° / 56.5° | 9.2h | 11d | 0.13" | 25 |
| October 2026 | 87 | 71.7° / 55° | 8h | 4d | 0.33" | 27 |
Climate Trends
Average Temperature by Month
About the El Cerrito climate charts
The temperature chart compares average monthly highs and lows at El Cerrito, 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 El Cerrito. 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 El Cerrito, the warmest typical hour is 3 PM in September (72°F). The coldest is 7 AM in January (46°F).
- Fog: Fog or low cloud covers El Cerrito in 46% of 8 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by noon. November mornings are the least foggy (11%).
- Wind: From April through September, wind at El Cerrito typically builds after 1 PM. In May it peaks around 4 PM, averaging 10 mph with 3% of those hours windy, while mornings average 6 mph.
- Cloud Cover: October middays are the clearest at El Cerrito (20% average cloud cover), and December middays are the cloudiest (35%).
- Solar Radiation: The strongest typical sun at El Cerrito comes at 1 PM in June, averaging 919 W/m².
How to read the hourly heatmaps for El Cerrito
This heatmap shows how average temperature at El Cerrito 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 El Cerrito. 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 El Cerrito 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 El Cerrito 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 El Cerrito 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 El Cerrito
- October 2026 recap: October 2026 at El Cerrito averaged a high of 72°F, 4°F warmer than October 2025 (68°F).
- Rain year: The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 24.6 in. of rain to El Cerrito, 100% of the 24.5 in. normal.
Location Details
El Cerrito weather questions
Everything you need to know about weather and visiting El Cerrito
What is the weather like at El Cerrito today?
It's 54°F at El Cerrito right now, with a comfort score of 77 (great). Monday's forecast high at El Cerrito is 56°F, 8°F below the mid November normal of 64°F. The best window today is 8 AM to 11 AM, at about 54°F with a 3 mph wind (comfort 59).
What is the best month to visit El Cerrito?
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at El Cerrito are September, August, and October. The best hours are usually noon to 3 PM in September, 1 PM to 4 PM in August, and 2 PM to 5 PM in October. The warm season lasts about 3 months, from Jun 30 to Sep 29, when the average high is 75°F or warmer. Highs peak around Sep 8 at about 77°F.
What are the warmest and coldest months at El Cerrito?
September is the warmest month at El Cerrito, with an average high of 77°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 42°F.
When does the fog burn off at El Cerrito?
Fog or low cloud covers El Cerrito in 46% of 8 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by noon. November mornings are the least foggy (11%).
When is it windiest at El Cerrito?
From April through September, wind at El Cerrito typically builds after 1 PM. In May it peaks around 4 PM, averaging 10 mph with 3% of those hours windy, while mornings average 6 mph.
How much rain does El Cerrito get?
December is the wettest month (5.0 in.), out of about 24.5 in. a year. The rainy season runs from Nov 9 to Apr 8, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 84% of the year's rain. The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 24.6 in. of rain to El Cerrito, 100% of the 24.5 in. normal.
What kind of place is El Cerrito?
El Cerrito climbs from the shops and two BART stations along San Pablo Avenue up a steep hillside toward the ridge above Wildcat Canyon. Albany lies to the south and Richmond to the north. El Cerrito Plaza station serves the south end of town and El Cerrito del Norte the north end. The upper streets back onto open space, including the city's Hillside Natural Area and the regional parkland of Wildcat Canyon. The town spans far more elevation than flat Albany next door.
What is El Cerrito weather like in November?
November at El Cerrito averages a high of 64°F and a low of 47°F, with 2.6 in. of rain over about 7 rainy days. About 11% of morning hours are foggy. Afternoon wind averages 5 mph.
More about El Cerrito 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.
- BART, El Cerrito del Norte Station (accessed 2026-10-27)
- BART, El Cerrito Plaza Station (accessed 2026-10-27)
- East Bay Regional Park District, Wildcat Canyon Regional Park (accessed 2026-10-27)
- East Bay Regional Park District, Fire Danger Levels and Restrictions (accessed 2026-10-27)
- City of El Cerrito, Preparing for the Rainy Season (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Bay Nature, "Cutting Through the Fog" by Harold Gilliam (July 2002) (accessed 2026-10-27)
Rendered 2026-11-15T12:16:27.244Z.