Fort Funston Weather
Park • San Francisco Bay Area
Fort Funston sits on 200-foot sandstone bluffs at the southwestern corner of San Francisco, off Skyline Boulevard just west of Lake Merced. It was once a coast artillery post for the 16-inch guns of Battery Davis and later for Nike missiles. Today it is part of Golden Gate National Recreation Area and one of the country's best-known hang-gliding sites. Paved loops cross the peninsula's largest remaining dune field, and steep sandy trails drop to the beach far below the launch.
Plan your week
10-Day Forecast
Hour by hour
Hourly Forecast
Current Conditions
Comfort Breakdown
Fort Funston weather today and through the year
It's 55°F at Fort Funston right now (feels like 52°F), with 7 mph wind and a comfort score of 79. Monday's forecast high at Fort Funston is 56°F, 6°F below the mid November normal of 62°F. The best window today is 10 AM to 1 PM, at about 53°F with a 6 mph wind (comfort 59).
September is the warmest month at Fort Funston, with an average high of 71°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 45°F. December is the wettest month (5.7 in.), out of about 27.1 in. a year. By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Fort Funston are September, October, and August. The best hours are usually 1 PM to 4 PM in September, noon to 3 PM in October, and 3 PM to 6 PM in August.
The bluffs face the open Pacific with nothing between them and the prevailing northwest wind. When that wind meets the 200-foot cliff face it is forced upward, and that rising air is what keeps hang gliders aloft along the edge. The wind here is strong and reliable. Like the rest of San Francisco's coast, it tends to build through the afternoon as the inland valleys heat up.
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 Fort Funston in the next few days
Active National Weather Service alerts
- High Surf Warning until Sun 4:00 AM
- High Surf Advisory until Tue 4:00 AM
Best time to go
The best window today is 10 AM to 1 PM, at about 53°F with a 6 mph wind (comfort 59).
Hiking conditions
Best hiking day this week: Monday, 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 Fort Funston, with a 60°F high and midday comfort near 79. Today looks weakest (44).
Rain
Next good chance of rain: today (77%, about 0.56 in.).
Tides (San Francisco (Golden Gate))
- High 4.4 ft at 4:47 AM today
- Low 3.6 ft at 9:14 AM today
- High 4.9 ft at 2:27 PM today
- Low 0.3 ft at 9:39 PM today
Live weather map
Weather around Fort Funston right now
Overcast and 55° at Fort Funston right now.
About the live weather map for Fort Funston
The map centers on Fort Funston 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.
Fort Funston vs nearby places
Typical summer conditions compared with Fort Funston, 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 Fort Funston |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daly City | 1.9 mi | +2°F | 52% | 11 mph | a very similar climate |
| Outer Sunset | 2.2 mi | -4°F | 50% | 10 mph | about 4°F cooler on summer afternoons |
| West Portal | 2.6 mi | +1°F | 51% | 11 mph | a very similar climate |
| Kentfield | 16.6 mi | +19°F | 17% | 7 mph | about 19°F warmer on summer afternoons and less summer morning fog (17% vs 45% of morning hours) |
| Lafayette | 24 mi | +21°F | 13% | 9 mph | about 21°F warmer on summer afternoons and less summer morning fog (13% vs 45% of morning hours) |
| Woodside | 24 mi | +20°F | 17% | 8 mph | about 20°F warmer on summer afternoons and less summer morning fog (17% vs 45% of morning hours) |
Places with a climate like Fort Funston's
- Bolinas (17 mi away): nearly the same temperatures every month
- Half Moon Bay State Beach (17 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
- Año Nuevo Point (43 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
Climate Dashboard
Current conditions vs. NOAA normals and recent destination baseline
What the Fort Funston climate comparisons mean
These cards compare recent conditions at Fort Funston 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 Fort Funston 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.
Fort Funston weather by month
September is the warmest month at Fort Funston, with an average high of 71°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 45°F. December is the wettest month (5.7 in.), out of about 27.1 in. a year. Morning fog peaks in July, when fog or low cloud covers 53% of the hours from 6 to 10 AM. November has the clearest middays, with clouds covering about 26% of the sky from 11 AM to 3 PM.
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Fort Funston are September, October, and August. The best hours are usually 1 PM to 4 PM in September, noon to 3 PM in October, and 3 PM to 6 PM in August.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Rainy days | Morning fog | Midday cloud | Afternoon wind | Daylight | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 57°F | 45°F | 5.1 in | 9 | 13% | 36% | 7 mph | 9.8 h | 38 |
| Feb | 59°F | 46°F | 5.2 in | 10 | 10% | 30% | 9 mph | 10.7 h | 41 |
| Mar | 61°F | 47°F | 3.8 in | 8 | 13% | 34% | 10 mph | 11.9 h | 59 |
| Apr | 63°F | 48°F | 1.9 in | 6 | 17% | 35% | 11 mph | 13.2 h | 62 |
| May | 64°F | 50°F | 0.8 in | 4 | 22% | 43% | 11 mph | 14.2 h | 61 |
| Jun | 67°F | 52°F | 0.2 in | 2 | 37% | 41% | 11 mph | 14.8 h | 67 |
| Jul | 68°F | 54°F | 0.0 in | 1 | 53% | 53% | 10 mph | 14.5 h | 70 |
| Aug | 69°F | 55°F | 0.1 in | 1 | 44% | 51% | 10 mph | 13.6 h | 76 |
| Sep | 71°F | 55°F | 0.1 in | 2 | 34% | 42% | 9 mph | 12.3 h | 82 |
| Oct | 69°F | 53°F | 1.3 in | 5 | 19% | 30% | 8 mph | 11.1 h | 77 |
| Nov | 62°F | 49°F | 3.0 in | 7 | 10% | 26% | 7 mph | 10.1 h | 65 |
| Dec | 57°F | 45°F | 5.7 in | 10 | 18% | 36% | 7 mph | 9.6 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 Fort Funston average about 9°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 Fort Funston has actually seen.
What makes Fort Funston's weather different
Among the 58 San Francisco Bay Area parks we track, Fort Funston has the 3rd-cloudiest summer middays.
- #3of 58
cloudiest summer middaysamong San Francisco Bay Area parks
When the fog burns off
55%of 9 AM hours foggy in July
Fog or low cloud covers Fort Funston in 55% of 9 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It often lingers, and 34% of mid-afternoon hours are still foggy. November mornings are the least foggy (10%).
When the wind picks up
noonwhen afternoon wind builds, February–October
From February through October, wind at Fort Funston typically builds after noon. In May it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 12 mph with 16% of those hours windy, while mornings average 7 mph.
Daylight
9.6–14.8 hof daylight, Dec to Jun
Days at Fort Funston range from about 9.6 hours in December to 14.8 hours in June. In mid-June the sun sets around 8:34 PM, and in mid-December around 4:58 PM.
Seasons at Fort Funston
- Warm seasonJul 26 – Oct 25 · highs 68°F+
The warm season lasts about 3 months, from Jul 26 to Oct 25, when the average high is 68°F or warmer. Highs peak around Sep 8 at about 71°F.
- Cool seasonNov 30 – Feb 28 · highs 60°F or lower
The cool season runs from Nov 30 to Feb 28, when the average high is 60°F or lower. The coldest nights come around Jan 8, with an average low near 45°F.
- Rainy seasonNov 3 – Apr 11 · 86% of the year's rain
The rainy season runs from Nov 3 to Apr 11, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 86% 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 25 and half of its annual total by Jan 22.
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, Fort Funston averaged no days at 90°F or hotter and no freezing nights. It averaged 15 days a year with at least half an inch of rain and 8 afternoons with wind of 20 mph or more at 2 PM. About 138 mornings a year had 3 or more hours of fog or low cloud.
In the same record, the hottest day was Sep 9, 2026 (77°F) and the coldest night was Jan 20, 2025 (43°F). The wettest day was Nov 23, 2024 (2.64 in.), and the strongest 2 PM gust was 50 mph on Mar 12, 2025.
- 0days at 90°F or hotter
- 0nights at or below freezing
- 15days with ½ in. of rain or more
- 8afternoons with 20+ mph wind
- 138mornings with 3+ hours of fog or low cloud
- Hottest day77°FSep 9, 2026
- Coldest night43°FJan 20, 2025
- Wettest day2.64 inNov 23, 2024
- Strongest 2 PM gust50 mphMar 12, 2025
What shapes Fort Funston's weather
Fort Funston stands higher than Ocean Beach, but it is just as exposed to the marine layer, the sheet of low cloud that forms over the cold ocean. On summer days fog streams over the bluff top and across the dunes toward Lake Merced and Daly City. The open, mostly treeless ground offers little shelter from wind-driven mist.
The Park Service names March and October as the best months for hang gliding. The onshore wind is still dependable then, but the deepest summer fog is less frequent. Midsummer days can be too socked in to see much from the bluff, and winter storms trade the northwest wind for rain and gusty weather off the ocean.
Tips for visiting Fort Funston
Come in March or October for gliders
Hang gliding is especially good in those months. It's an intermediate (Hang-III) launch site, so most visitors come to watch.
Don't follow a dog over the edge
If a pet gets stuck on the bluffs, the Park Service says not to go after it. The fall risk is greater for you than for the dog.
Save energy for the beach climb
The paved loop trails are wheelchair accessible, but the sandy trails down to the beach are steep and strenuous.
Keep kids out of the surf
The Park Service warns that the surf and undertow are dangerous and asks parents to watch children closely.
Give nesting bank swallows space
State-threatened bank swallows nest in the sandstone cliffs from March to June. Fort Funston is one of their only known coastal nesting sites.
Fort Funston through the seasons
- Spring (March–May)
- March is one of the two prime hang-gliding months, and bank swallows return to nest in the cliffs from March to June.
- Summer (June–August)
- Summer is peak fog season, and the bluff top is often gray, damp, and windy. Swallow chicks leave their nests in July and August.
- Fall (September–October)
- Clear, sunny weather usually runs from mid-to-late September through October, and October is the other prime month for hang gliding.
- Winter (November–February)
- Winter is the rainy season. Storms bring big surf below the bluffs, and the sand trails can be soggy and soft.
Activities and the weather that matters
- Watching hang gliders: Gliders need steady onshore wind and a cloud base above the cliff top.
- Dog walking: Fort Funston is one of the area's most popular dog-walking spots, usually in wind and fog. Keep dogs away from the bluff edge.
- Beach walks: Best on calm days with lower tides. Leave time for the steep climb back up the sand trail.
- Birding: Bank swallows work the cliffs from spring into summer. A clear, light-wind morning makes them easier to watch.
Official sources and current conditions
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 | 75 | 57.6° / 51° | 6.5h | 2d | 4.42" | 16 |
| December 2024 | 70 | 57.9° / 50.1° | 5.1h | 8d | 5.66" | 12 |
| January 2025 | 81 | 56.3° / 48.4° | 7h | 3d | 0.18" | 20 |
| February 2025 | 70 | 55.9° / 48.3° | 6.1h | 7d | 6.74" | 10 |
| March 2025 | 76 | 55.4° / 49.1° | 7.7h | 2d | 1.74" | 13 |
| April 2025 | 76 | 54.8° / 50.5° | 8.2h | 8d | 0.36" | 11 |
| May 2025 | 80 | 55.6° / 50.8° | 10.7h | 8d | 0.15" | 18 |
| June 2025 | 72 | 55.9° / 52.3° | 8.5h | 20d | 0" | 7 |
| July 2025 | 70 | 58.2° / 54.8° | 6.6h | 25d | 0" | 4 |
| August 2025 | 76 | 60.4° / 56.4° | 7.6h | 17d | 0.01" | 14 |
| September 2025 | 80 | 63° / 58.8° | 7.4h | 13d | 0.12" | 15 |
| October 2025 | 82 | 62.6° / 56.9° | 7.4h | 5d | 0.9" | 21 |
| November 2025 | 75 | 59.5° / 53.4° | 6.2h | 10d | 3.07" | 8 |
| December 2025 | 68 | 56.9° / 49.3° | 5h | 11d | 4.5" | 7 |
| January 2026 | 79 | 59.6° / 51.4° | 6.6h | 2d | 4.14" | 21 |
| February 2026 | 74 | 59° / 51.7° | 6.2h | 4d | 4.45" | 15 |
| March 2026 | 85 | 60° / 52.4° | 9.6h | 5d | 0.04" | 23 |
| April 2026 | 79 | 59.3° / 53.3° | 9h | 6d | 3.67" | 18 |
| May 2026 | 78 | 56.8° / 52.5° | 9.7h | 12d | 0.56" | 14 |
| June 2026 | 76 | 58.1° / 54.2° | 8.6h | 15d | 0.01" | 11 |
| July 2026 | 78 | 59.8° / 55.9° | 9.2h | 15d | 0.04" | 15 |
| August 2026 | 73 | 61.2° / 57.4° | 6.5h | 26d | 0" | 5 |
| September 2026 | 82 | 62.8° / 58.6° | 8.1h | 6d | 0.09" | 19 |
| October 2026 | 85 | 63.7° / 57° | 7.8h | 6d | 0.17" | 23 |
Climate Trends
Average Temperature by Month
About the Fort Funston climate charts
The temperature chart compares average monthly highs and lows at Fort Funston, 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 Fort Funston. 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 Fort Funston, the warmest typical hour is 1 PM in October (65°F). The coldest is 7 AM in February (47°F).
- Fog: Fog or low cloud covers Fort Funston in 55% of 9 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It often lingers, and 34% of mid-afternoon hours are still foggy. November mornings are the least foggy (10%).
- Wind: From February through October, wind at Fort Funston typically builds after noon. In May it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 12 mph with 16% of those hours windy, while mornings average 7 mph.
- Cloud Cover: November middays are the clearest at Fort Funston (26% average cloud cover), and July middays are the cloudiest (53%).
- Solar Radiation: The strongest typical sun at Fort Funston comes at 1 PM in June, averaging 776 W/m².
How to read the hourly heatmaps for Fort Funston
This heatmap shows how average temperature at Fort Funston 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 Fort Funston. 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 Fort Funston 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 Fort Funston 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 Fort Funston 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 Fort Funston
- October 2026 recap: October 2026 at Fort Funston averaged a high of 64°F, 1°F warmer than October 2025 (63°F).
- Rain year: The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 21.5 in. of rain to Fort Funston, 79% of the 27.1 in. normal.
Location Details
Fort Funston weather questions
Everything you need to know about weather and visiting Fort Funston
What is the weather like at Fort Funston today?
It's 55°F at Fort Funston right now, with a comfort score of 79 (great). Monday's forecast high at Fort Funston is 56°F, 6°F below the mid November normal of 62°F. The best window today is 10 AM to 1 PM, at about 53°F with a 6 mph wind (comfort 59).
What is the best month to visit Fort Funston?
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Fort Funston are September, October, and August. The best hours are usually 1 PM to 4 PM in September, noon to 3 PM in October, and 3 PM to 6 PM in August. The warm season lasts about 3 months, from Jul 26 to Oct 25, when the average high is 68°F or warmer. Highs peak around Sep 8 at about 71°F.
What are the warmest and coldest months at Fort Funston?
September is the warmest month at Fort Funston, with an average high of 71°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 45°F.
When does the fog burn off at Fort Funston?
Fog or low cloud covers Fort Funston in 55% of 9 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It often lingers, and 34% of mid-afternoon hours are still foggy. November mornings are the least foggy (10%).
When is it windiest at Fort Funston?
From February through October, wind at Fort Funston typically builds after noon. In May it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 12 mph with 16% of those hours windy, while mornings average 7 mph.
How much rain does Fort Funston get?
December is the wettest month (5.7 in.), out of about 27.1 in. a year. The rainy season runs from Nov 3 to Apr 11, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 86% of the year's rain. The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 21.5 in. of rain to Fort Funston, 79% of the 27.1 in. normal.
What kind of place is Fort Funston?
Fort Funston sits on 200-foot sandstone bluffs at the southwestern corner of San Francisco, off Skyline Boulevard just west of Lake Merced. It was once a coast artillery post for the 16-inch guns of Battery Davis and later for Nike missiles. Today it is part of Golden Gate National Recreation Area and one of the country's best-known hang-gliding sites. Paved loops cross the peninsula's largest remaining dune field, and steep sandy trails drop to the beach far below the launch.
What is Fort Funston weather like in November?
November at Fort Funston averages a high of 62°F and a low of 49°F, with 3.0 in. of rain over about 7 rainy days. About 10% of morning hours are foggy. Afternoon wind averages 7 mph.
More about Fort Funston 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.
- National Park Service, Golden Gate NRA: Fort Funston (updated June 15, 2023) (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, Fort Funston (accessed 2026-10-27)
- National Park Service, Golden Gate NRA: Weather (updated Apr 12, 2023) (accessed 2026-10-27)
Rendered 2026-11-15T12:16:25.585Z.