Goat Rock State Beach Weather
Beach • San Francisco Bay Area
At the very end of the Russian River, Goat Rock State Beach is the sand spit between the river's estuary and the Pacific. Jenner sits directly across the water. Part of Sonoma Coast State Park, it has picnic tables and restrooms beside the hulking rock that gives the area its name. What sets it apart is the harbor seal colony near the river mouth and a beach whose shape shifts as the mouth opens and closes.
Plan your week
10-Day Forecast
Hour by hour
Hourly Forecast
Current Conditions
Comfort Breakdown
Goat Rock State Beach weather today and through the year
It's 59°F at Goat Rock State Beach right now (feels like 55°F), with 11 mph wind and a comfort score of 64. Today's forecast high at Goat Rock State Beach is 59°F, 2°F below the mid November normal of 61°F. No fog in the forecast for today at Goat Rock State Beach. In November, 28% of morning hours here are foggy on average. The best window today is 2 PM to 5 PM, at about 50°F with a 4 mph wind (comfort 71).
September is the warmest month at Goat Rock State Beach, with an average high of 68°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 44°F. December is the wettest month (10.6 in.), out of about 50.6 in. a year. By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Goat Rock State Beach are August, September, and July. The best hours are usually noon to 3 PM in August, noon to 3 PM in September, and noon to 3 PM in July.
Goat Rock is the most exposed ground at the river mouth. The spit faces straight into the northwest wind with no ridge to block it. That leaves it often breezier and grayer than Jenner village across the estuary, where the hillside behind town takes some of the edge off. On many summer mornings the marine layer, the low sheet of fog and cloud that forms over the cold ocean, sits right on the sand.
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 Goat Rock State Beach in the next few days
Fog
No fog in the forecast for today at Goat Rock State Beach. In November, 28% of morning hours here are foggy on average.
Best time to go
The best window today is 2 PM to 5 PM, at about 50°F with a 4 mph wind (comfort 71).
Best day this week
Of the next 7 days, Friday looks best for Goat Rock State Beach, with a 59°F high and midday comfort near 72. Tuesday looks weakest (57).
Rain
Next good chance of rain: today (90%, about 1.01 in.).
Live weather map
Weather around Goat Rock State Beach right now
Light rain and 59° at Goat Rock State Beach right now.
About the live weather map for Goat Rock State Beach
The map centers on Goat Rock State Beach 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.
Goat Rock State Beach vs nearby places
Typical summer conditions compared with Goat Rock State Beach, 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 Goat Rock State Beach |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jenner | 1 mi | same | 34% | 11 mph | same 3 km weather-model cell, so our hourly data cannot tell them apart |
| Shell Beach | 2.1 mi | -3°F | 37% | 11 mph | a very similar climate |
| Jenner Headlands | 2.6 mi | +8°F | 33% | 8 mph | about 8°F warmer on summer afternoons |
| Healdsburg | 18.1 mi | +23°F | 25% | 9 mph | about 23°F warmer on summer afternoons |
| Windsor | 18.3 mi | +21°F | 30% | 9 mph | about 21°F warmer on summer afternoons and about 32% less rain a year |
| Geyserville | 21.6 mi | +25°F | 22% | 9 mph | about 25°F warmer on summer afternoons and less summer morning fog (22% vs 34% of morning hours) |
Places with a climate like Goat Rock State Beach's
- Tomales Bay State Park (25 mi away): nearly the same temperatures every month
- Salt Point State Park (14 mi away): nearly the same temperatures every month
- Point Reyes National Seashore (31 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
Climate Dashboard
Current conditions vs. NOAA normals and recent destination baseline
What the Goat Rock State Beach climate comparisons mean
These cards compare recent conditions at Goat Rock State Beach 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 Goat Rock State Beach 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.
Goat Rock State Beach weather by month
September is the warmest month at Goat Rock State Beach, with an average high of 68°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 44°F. December is the wettest month (10.6 in.), out of about 50.6 in. a year. Morning fog peaks in August, when fog or low cloud covers 41% of the hours from 6 to 10 AM. June has the clearest middays, with clouds covering about 22% of the sky from 11 AM to 3 PM.
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Goat Rock State Beach are August, September, and July. The best hours are usually noon to 3 PM in August, noon to 3 PM in September, and noon to 3 PM in July.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Rainy days | Morning fog | Midday cloud | Afternoon wind | Daylight | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 57°F | 44°F | 9.8 in | 13 | 37% | 40% | 7 mph | 9.8 h | 29 |
| Feb | 58°F | 44°F | 9.7 in | 13 | 22% | 31% | 9 mph | 10.7 h | 32 |
| Mar | 59°F | 45°F | 6.8 in | 11 | 25% | 34% | 10 mph | 11.9 h | 38 |
| Apr | 60°F | 46°F | 3.7 in | 8 | 23% | 29% | 12 mph | 13.2 h | 59 |
| May | 63°F | 48°F | 1.6 in | 5 | 25% | 29% | 12 mph | 14.3 h | 69 |
| Jun | 66°F | 50°F | 0.5 in | 3 | 24% | 22% | 12 mph | 14.8 h | 78 |
| Jul | 67°F | 51°F | 0.0 in | 1 | 39% | 29% | 11 mph | 14.6 h | 80 |
| Aug | 68°F | 52°F | 0.1 in | 1 | 41% | 30% | 10 mph | 13.6 h | 84 |
| Sep | 68°F | 52°F | 0.2 in | 2 | 34% | 25% | 10 mph | 12.3 h | 84 |
| Oct | 67°F | 50°F | 2.2 in | 6 | 30% | 25% | 9 mph | 11.1 h | 71 |
| Nov | 61°F | 46°F | 5.5 in | 10 | 28% | 28% | 7 mph | 10.0 h | 47 |
| Dec | 57°F | 44°F | 10.6 in | 14 | 37% | 42% | 7 mph | 9.5 h | 28 |
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 Goat Rock State Beach average about 10°F cooler than the 1991-2020 normals. The normals average over a wider area that also covers warmer land behind the shoreline. Read the monthly highs as a rough range, and use the recent months below for what Goat Rock State Beach has actually seen.
What makes Goat Rock State Beach's weather different
Among the 17 San Francisco Bay Area beaches we track, Goat Rock State Beach has the 3rd-warmest summer afternoons and the 2nd-least foggy summer mornings. It also has the sunniest summer middays.
- #3of 17
warmest summer afternoonsamong San Francisco Bay Area beaches
- #2of 17
least foggy summer morningsamong San Francisco Bay Area beaches
- #1of 17
sunniest summer middaysamong San Francisco Bay Area beaches
When the fog burns off
2 PMwhen August fog usually thins (48% foggy at 7 AM)
Fog or low cloud covers Goat Rock State Beach in 48% of 7 AM hours in August, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 2 PM, but 15% of mid-afternoon hours are still foggy. February mornings are the least foggy (22%).
When the wind picks up
noonwhen afternoon wind builds, February–October
From February through October, wind at Goat Rock State Beach typically builds after noon. In June it peaks around 4 PM, averaging 13 mph with 38% of those hours windy, while mornings average 5 mph.
Microclimate
+8°FJenner Headlands, 2.6 mi away, on summer afternoons
Jenner Headlands, 2.6 miles away, runs about 8°F warmer than Goat Rock State Beach on summer afternoons.
Model resolution
2 placesshare one 3 km NOAA HRRR grid cell
Goat Rock State Beach shares one 3 km grid cell in NOAA's HRRR model with Jenner. The hourly fog, wind, cloud, and temperature patterns on this site are the same for both. Real differences between them come from hills, elevation, and wind exposure that the model cannot resolve.
Daylight
9.5–14.8 hof daylight, Dec to Jun
Days at Goat Rock State Beach range from about 9.5 hours in December to 14.8 hours in June. In mid-June the sun sets around 8:37 PM, and in mid-December around 4:58 PM.
Seasons at Goat Rock State Beach
- Warm seasonJul 31 – Oct 5 · highs 67°F+
The warm season lasts about 2.2 months, from Jul 31 to Oct 5, when the average high is 67°F or warmer. Highs peak around Sep 8 at about 68°F.
- Cool seasonNov 30 – Mar 25 · highs 59°F or lower
The cool season runs from Nov 30 to Mar 25, when the average high is 59°F or lower. The coldest nights come around Jan 8, with an average low near 44°F.
- Rainy seasonOct 26 – Apr 24 · 91% of the year's rain
The rainy season runs from Oct 26 to Apr 24, when a day has at least a 24% 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 15 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, Goat Rock State Beach averaged no days at 90°F or hotter and no freezing nights. It averaged 22 days a year with at least half an inch of rain and 5 afternoons with wind of 20 mph or more at 2 PM. About 140 mornings a year had 3 or more hours of fog or low cloud.
In the same record, the hottest day was Sep 24, 2025 (69°F) and the coldest night was May 21, 2026 (43°F). The wettest day was Nov 21, 2024 (5.90 in.), and the strongest 2 PM gust was 44 mph on Feb 13, 2025.
- 0days at 90°F or hotter
- 0nights at or below freezing
- 22days with ½ in. of rain or more
- 5afternoons with 20+ mph wind
- 140mornings with 3+ hours of fog or low cloud
- Hottest day69°FSep 24, 2025
- Coldest night43°FMay 21, 2026
- Wettest day5.90 inNov 21, 2024
- Strongest 2 PM gust44 mphFeb 13, 2025
What shapes Goat Rock State Beach's weather
The Russian River mouth at Goat Rock is the ocean end of the gap the river cuts through the Coast Range. On summer evenings, fog from the cold water offshore flows up the river toward Duncans Mills, Monte Rio, and Guerneville. It retreats toward the coast the next day. That is why Goat Rock often stays gray well after the river towns a few miles inland have cleared.
Waves and river flow keep reshaping the beach. Sonoma Water says the sandbar sometimes closes the river mouth, and when it does, rising water behind the bar can threaten low-lying property. The agency has breached the bar when needed since the mid-1990s and manages a lagoon outlet from May 15 to October 15 to help young steelhead.
Tips for visiting Goat Rock State Beach
Leave the dog at Blind Beach
Dogs are not allowed on Goat Rock Beach to protect the seals. Leashed dogs are allowed at Blind Beach, off the south parking lot.
Give the seals 50 yards
Stay at least 50 yards from the harbor seals, especially during pupping season from March through August.
Expect the gate to close in big surf
State Parks may close the road to vehicles during dangerous ocean conditions. You can still walk in, but stay well above the high-water mark.
Don't swim off the spit
Rip currents, heavy surf, and sudden ground swells make this coast unsafe for swimming.
Dress for wind and fog
Weather here changes quickly when the fog rolls in, so bring layers even on a hot inland day.
Goat Rock State Beach through the seasons
- Spring (March–May)
- Spring is harbor seal pupping season. Sonoma Water says females give birth between March and June, and Goat Rock holds the largest concentration of harbor seals on the Sonoma County coast.
- Summer (June–August)
- Summer mornings are often gray, and afternoon wind sweeps the open spit. From May 15 to October 15, Sonoma Water manages the outlet to hold a lagoon behind the sandbar.
- Fall (September–October)
- September and October bring the warmest afternoons of the year and lighter wind than spring and summer, with good light on the rock and river mouth.
- Winter (November–February)
- Winter brings high river flows and storm surf. Waves can wash far up the sand, and the vehicle gate may close during dangerous conditions.
Activities and the weather that matters
- Seal watching: Calm, clear days are best for watching seals near the river mouth. Bring binoculars and keep 50 yards back.
- Photography: Fall afternoons and the moment a fog bank starts to break give the best light on Goat Rock and the estuary.
- Beach walks: Pick a low-wind day. In spring and summer the open spit takes the full northwest wind.
Official sources and current conditions
- California State Parks: Sonoma Coast State Park
- Sonoma Water: Marine mammals at the Russian River estuary
- Caltrans QuickMap: Highway 1 road conditions
- NWS forecast for Goat Rock Beach
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 | 72 | 57° / 52.3° | 6.1h | 6d | 13.7" | 14 |
| December 2024 | 64 | 56.5° / 51.7° | 4.7h | 14d | 9.09" | 9 |
| January 2025 | 77 | 56° / 50.3° | 6.7h | 10d | 0.44" | 19 |
| February 2025 | 69 | 54.7° / 49.2° | 5.8h | 9d | 10.79" | 11 |
| March 2025 | 72 | 53.8° / 49.1° | 7.3h | 10d | 4.04" | 14 |
| April 2025 | 77 | 52.8° / 48.3° | 9.2h | 11d | 0.56" | 14 |
| May 2025 | 84 | 53.3° / 48.3° | 12.2h | 2d | 0.13" | 26 |
| June 2025 | 82 | 53.1° / 48.6° | 11.9h | 7d | 0" | 22 |
| July 2025 | 77 | 55.2° / 50.9° | 9.8h | 11d | 0" | 14 |
| August 2025 | 82 | 57.1° / 51.7° | 10.6h | 8d | 0" | 20 |
| September 2025 | 83 | 60.4° / 55° | 8.8h | 7d | 0.11" | 21 |
| October 2025 | 78 | 60.3° / 55.1° | 6.7h | 13d | 1.07" | 17 |
| November 2025 | 69 | 58.4° / 52.9° | 5.5h | 15d | 4.63" | 9 |
| December 2025 | 62 | 56.2° / 50.9° | 4.5h | 22d | 6.75" | 3 |
| January 2026 | 74 | 58.1° / 52.4° | 6.5h | 8d | 5.93" | 17 |
| February 2026 | 71 | 58.3° / 52.4° | 6.1h | 5d | 5.19" | 11 |
| March 2026 | 87 | 56.7° / 50.7° | 9.8h | 2d | 0.04" | 28 |
| April 2026 | 78 | 56.1° / 51.3° | 9.3h | 7d | 3.78" | 18 |
| May 2026 | 83 | 54.2° / 49.7° | 11.4h | 9d | 0.4" | 19 |
| June 2026 | 82 | 55.4° / 51.1° | 11.1h | 9d | 0.01" | 17 |
| July 2026 | 83 | 56.5° / 51.3° | 11.5h | 6d | 0" | 24 |
| August 2026 | 80 | 56.8° / 51.9° | 10.2h | 14d | 0" | 16 |
| September 2026 | 83 | 59.5° / 54° | 9.8h | 11d | 0.24" | 22 |
| October 2026 | 85 | 59.8° / 55.1° | 8.2h | 2d | 0.1" | 25 |
Climate Trends
Average Temperature by Month
About the Goat Rock State Beach climate charts
The temperature chart compares average monthly highs and lows at Goat Rock State Beach, 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 Goat Rock State Beach. 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 Goat Rock State Beach, the warmest typical hour is 3 PM in September (67°F). The coldest is 7 AM in February (46°F).
- Fog: Fog or low cloud covers Goat Rock State Beach in 48% of 7 AM hours in August, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 2 PM, but 15% of mid-afternoon hours are still foggy. February mornings are the least foggy (22%).
- Wind: From February through October, wind at Goat Rock State Beach typically builds after noon. In June it peaks around 4 PM, averaging 13 mph with 38% of those hours windy, while mornings average 5 mph.
- Cloud Cover: June middays are the clearest at Goat Rock State Beach (22% average cloud cover), and December middays are the cloudiest (42%).
- Solar Radiation: The strongest typical sun at Goat Rock State Beach comes at 1 PM in June, averaging 913 W/m².
How to read the hourly heatmaps for Goat Rock State Beach
This heatmap shows how average temperature at Goat Rock State Beach 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 Goat Rock State Beach. 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 Goat Rock State Beach 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 Goat Rock State Beach 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 Goat Rock State Beach 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 Goat Rock State Beach
- October 2026 recap: October 2026 at Goat Rock State Beach averaged a high of 60°F, about the same as October 2025 (60°F).
- Rain year: The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 28.0 in. of rain to Goat Rock State Beach, 55% of the 50.6 in. normal.
Location Details
Goat Rock State Beach weather questions
Everything you need to know about weather and visiting Goat Rock State Beach
What is the weather like at Goat Rock State Beach today?
It's 59°F at Goat Rock State Beach right now, with a comfort score of 64 (good). Today's forecast high at Goat Rock State Beach is 59°F, 2°F below the mid November normal of 61°F. The best window today is 2 PM to 5 PM, at about 50°F with a 4 mph wind (comfort 71).
What is the best month to visit Goat Rock State Beach?
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Goat Rock State Beach are August, September, and July. The best hours are usually noon to 3 PM in August, noon to 3 PM in September, and noon to 3 PM in July. The warm season lasts about 2.2 months, from Jul 31 to Oct 5, when the average high is 67°F or warmer. Highs peak around Sep 8 at about 68°F.
What are the warmest and coldest months at Goat Rock State Beach?
September is the warmest month at Goat Rock State Beach, with an average high of 68°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 44°F.
When does the fog burn off at Goat Rock State Beach?
Fog or low cloud covers Goat Rock State Beach in 48% of 7 AM hours in August, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 2 PM, but 15% of mid-afternoon hours are still foggy. February mornings are the least foggy (22%).
When is it windiest at Goat Rock State Beach?
From February through October, wind at Goat Rock State Beach typically builds after noon. In June it peaks around 4 PM, averaging 13 mph with 38% of those hours windy, while mornings average 5 mph.
How much rain does Goat Rock State Beach get?
December is the wettest month (10.6 in.), out of about 50.6 in. a year. The rainy season runs from Oct 26 to Apr 24, when a day has at least a 24% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 91% of the year's rain. The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 28.0 in. of rain to Goat Rock State Beach, 55% of the 50.6 in. normal.
How does Goat Rock State Beach weather compare with Jenner?
Jenner Headlands, 2.6 miles away, runs about 8°F warmer than Goat Rock State Beach on summer afternoons.
Can I bring my dog to Goat Rock Beach?
No. State Parks bans dogs on Goat Rock Beach to protect the harbor seal colony. Leashed dogs are allowed at Blind Beach, reached from the south parking lot, and in parking and picnic areas where state rules permit.
What kind of place is Goat Rock State Beach?
At the very end of the Russian River, Goat Rock State Beach is the sand spit between the river's estuary and the Pacific. Jenner sits directly across the water. Part of Sonoma Coast State Park, it has picnic tables and restrooms beside the hulking rock that gives the area its name. What sets it apart is the harbor seal colony near the river mouth and a beach whose shape shifts as the mouth opens and closes.
What is Goat Rock State Beach weather like in November?
November at Goat Rock State Beach averages a high of 61°F and a low of 46°F, with 5.5 in. of rain over about 10 rainy days. About 28% of morning hours are foggy. Afternoon wind averages 7 mph.
More about Goat Rock State Beach 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.
- California State Parks, Sonoma Coast State Park (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods, Sonoma Coast climate (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Sonoma Water, Marine mammals at the Russian River estuary (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Sonoma Water, Estuary Management Project EIR (accessed 2026-10-27)
Rendered 2026-11-15T12:26:25.916Z.