Grizzly Peak Weather
Viewpoint • San Francisco Bay Area
On the crest of the Berkeley Hills above Berkeley and Claremont Canyon, Grizzly Peak Boulevard follows the ridgeline past roadside pullouts. They look west over the bay to the Golden Gate and east toward Mount Diablo, almost exactly due east of the summit. The peak itself is 9-to-10-million-year-old volcanic rock topped by a broadcast tower and a fenced building, so most visitors stop along the road. Tilden Regional Park, reached from the same boulevard, spreads north along the hills.
Plan your week
10-Day Forecast
Hour by hour
Hourly Forecast
Current Conditions
Comfort Breakdown
Grizzly Peak weather today and through the year
It's 50°F at Grizzly Peak right now (feels like 44°F), with 10 mph wind and a comfort score of 66. Today's forecast high at Grizzly Peak is 55°F, 8°F below the mid November normal of 63°F. Fog is forecast to linger into the afternoon today at Grizzly Peak. In November, fog here usually thins by 3 PM. The best window today is 11 AM to 2 PM, at about 46°F with a 5 mph wind (comfort 46).
August is the warmest month at Grizzly Peak, with an average high of 80°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 42°F. December is the wettest month (5.8 in.), out of about 28.7 in. a year. By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Grizzly Peak are September, August, and July. The best hours are usually 2 PM to 5 PM in September, 1 PM to 4 PM in August, and noon to 3 PM in July.
At roughly 1,750 feet, the crest sits near the top of a typical summer marine layer. That low sheet of fog and cloud forms over the cold ocean and is often 1,000 to 2,000 feet thick. When it is shallow, the pullouts along Grizzly Peak Boulevard are above the fog. They look down on a gray sheet spreading east from the Golden Gate over Berkeley and Oakland, while the neighborhoods below are overcast.
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 Grizzly Peak in the next few days
No active National Weather Service alerts for this location.
Fog
Fog is forecast to linger into the afternoon today at Grizzly Peak. In November, fog here usually thins by 3 PM.
Best time to go
The best window today is 11 AM to 2 PM, at about 46°F with a 5 mph wind (comfort 46).
Hiking conditions
Best hiking day this week: Friday, 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 Grizzly Peak, with a 55°F high and midday comfort near 74. Today looks weakest (43).
Rain
Next good chance of rain: today (72%, about 0.42 in.).
Live weather map
Weather around Grizzly Peak right now
Overcast and 50° at Grizzly Peak right now.
About the live weather map for Grizzly Peak
The map centers on Grizzly Peak 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.
Grizzly Peak vs nearby places
Typical summer conditions compared with Grizzly Peak, 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 Grizzly Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tilden Regional Park | 1.1 mi | same | 49% | 10 mph | a very similar climate |
| Claremont District | 1.9 mi | same | 56% | 9 mph | 1,265 ft lower |
| Downtown Berkeley | 2 mi | -2°F | 41% | 7 mph | 1,586 ft lower and calmer summer afternoons (7 vs 10 mph) |
| Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve | 20.8 mi | +15°F | 2% | 14 mph | less summer morning fog (2% vs 49% of morning hours) and about 15°F warmer on summer afternoons |
| Pittsburg | 21.5 mi | +18°F | 2% | 10 mph | less summer morning fog (2% vs 49% of morning hours) and about 18°F warmer on summer afternoons |
| Antioch | 24.8 mi | +19°F | 1% | 10 mph | less summer morning fog (1% vs 49% of morning hours) and about 19°F warmer on summer afternoons |
Places with a climate like Grizzly Peak's
- Garin Regional Park (21 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
- Noe Valley (14 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
- La Honda (39 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
Climate Dashboard
Current conditions vs. NOAA normals and recent destination baseline
What the Grizzly Peak climate comparisons mean
These cards compare recent conditions at Grizzly Peak 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 Grizzly Peak 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.
Grizzly Peak weather by month
August is the warmest month at Grizzly Peak, with an average high of 80°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 42°F. December is the wettest month (5.8 in.), out of about 28.7 in. a year. Morning fog peaks in August, when fog or low cloud covers 55% of the hours from 6 to 10 AM. 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 Grizzly Peak are September, August, and July. The best hours are usually 2 PM to 5 PM in September, 1 PM to 4 PM in August, and noon to 3 PM in July.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Rainy days | Morning fog | Midday cloud | Afternoon wind | Daylight | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 55°F | 42°F | 5.6 in | 10 | 20% | 35% | 8 mph | 9.8 h | 28 |
| Feb | 58°F | 43°F | 5.4 in | 10 | 18% | 28% | 8 mph | 10.7 h | 36 |
| Mar | 62°F | 44°F | 4.3 in | 9 | 20% | 32% | 9 mph | 11.9 h | 57 |
| Apr | 65°F | 45°F | 1.9 in | 6 | 26% | 24% | 10 mph | 13.2 h | 67 |
| May | 70°F | 49°F | 0.9 in | 4 | 38% | 24% | 11 mph | 14.2 h | 67 |
| Jun | 75°F | 52°F | 0.2 in | 2 | 39% | 14% | 11 mph | 14.8 h | 79 |
| Jul | 79°F | 55°F | 0.0 in | 0 | 54% | 14% | 11 mph | 14.5 h | 83 |
| Aug | 80°F | 56°F | 0.0 in | 1 | 55% | 14% | 10 mph | 13.6 h | 86 |
| Sep | 79°F | 57°F | 0.1 in | 2 | 37% | 16% | 9 mph | 12.3 h | 89 |
| Oct | 73°F | 53°F | 1.3 in | 5 | 21% | 18% | 7 mph | 11.1 h | 83 |
| Nov | 63°F | 47°F | 3.0 in | 7 | 16% | 23% | 7 mph | 10.0 h | 62 |
| Dec | 55°F | 42°F | 5.8 in | 10 | 25% | 36% | 8 mph | 9.5 h | 27 |
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 Grizzly Peak 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 Grizzly Peak has actually seen.
What makes Grizzly Peak's weather different
Among the 10 San Francisco Bay Area viewpoints we track, Grizzly Peak has the foggiest summer mornings.
- #1of 10
foggiest summer morningsamong San Francisco Bay Area viewpoints
When the fog burns off
11 AMwhen August fog usually thins (63% foggy at 8 AM)
Fog or low cloud covers Grizzly Peak in 63% of 8 AM hours in August, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 11 AM. November mornings are the least foggy (16%).
When the wind picks up
2 PMwhen afternoon wind builds, April–June
From April through June, wind at Grizzly Peak typically builds after 2 PM. In May it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 12 mph with 13% of those hours windy, while mornings average 8 mph.
Daylight
9.5–14.8 hof daylight, Dec to Jun
Days at Grizzly Peak 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 Grizzly Peak
- Warm seasonJul 1 – Sep 28 · highs 77°F+
The warm season lasts about 3 months, from Jul 1 to Sep 28, when the average high is 77°F or warmer. Highs peak around Aug 8 at about 80°F.
- Cool seasonNov 29 – Feb 27 · highs 60°F or lower
The cool season runs from Nov 29 to Feb 27, when the average high is 60°F or lower. The coldest nights come around Jan 8, with an average low near 42°F.
- Rainy seasonNov 3 – Apr 12 · 86% of the year's rain
The rainy season runs from Nov 3 to Apr 12, 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 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, Grizzly Peak averaged 3 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 2 afternoons with wind of 20 mph or more at 2 PM. About 151 mornings a year had 3 or more hours of fog or low cloud.
In the same record, the hottest day was Oct 3, 2026 (94°F) and the coldest night was Feb 18, 2026 (35°F). The wettest day was Nov 23, 2024 (2.80 in.), and the strongest 2 PM gust was 50 mph on Feb 4, 2025.
- 3days at 90°F or hotter
- 0nights at or below freezing
- 18days with ½ in. of rain or more
- 2afternoons with 20+ mph wind
- 151mornings with 3+ hours of fog or low cloud
- Hottest day94°FOct 3, 2026
- Coldest night35°FFeb 18, 2026
- Wettest day2.80 inNov 23, 2024
- Strongest 2 PM gust50 mphFeb 4, 2025
What shapes Grizzly Peak's weather
When the marine layer, the low sheet of ocean fog and cloud, runs deeper, the Grizzly Peak ridge disappears into it. That happens on many summer mornings. Wind-driven mist can leave the road damp and cold while Orinda, just over the crest on the east side, stays clear. The crest is where marine air from the bay spills toward the inland valleys. That makes summer afternoons up here usually windier than in the sheltered canyons below.
An inversion, a layer of warm air resting on top of cooler air, often turns the usual pattern upside down. On calm, clear nights cold air sinks into the flats and canyons, and the ridge stays milder. On summer mornings under the inversion, it can be warmer at the top than at the shoreline. In fall, dry Diablo winds blowing from the northeast toward the bay hit the crest first and hardest. Berkeley rates the hills just below as its highest wildfire risk.
Winter storms coming off the Pacific are forced up over the ridge, so the crest usually gets thicker cloud and more rain than the bay shore. The clear, scrubbed air after a storm passes brings the longest views of the year, sometimes all the way to the Golden Gate and Mount Diablo at once.
Tips for visiting Grizzly Peak
Come between 6 and 9 a.m. for fog
Drive up Grizzly Peak Boulevard or Centennial Drive early in the morning to watch fog enter through the Golden Gate and spread east.
Don't plan on standing on the summit
The top holds a broadcast tower with a fenced building at its foot. The road and trail viewpoints are as close as most people get.
Bring a windbreaker, even in summer
The crest takes the full sea breeze on summer afternoons and can be in damp, cold cloud on deep-fog days.
Extend the trip into Tilden
Shasta Road, off Grizzly Peak Boulevard, leads to Inspiration Point and Nimitz Way, which follows the crest of the East Bay hills.
Skip the ridge on Red Flag Warning days
A Red Flag Warning means the weather service expects dangerous fire weather. Berkeley says the Upper Berkeley Hills, just below the crest, carry its highest wildfire and evacuation risk, so save the drive for another day.
Grizzly Peak through the seasons
- Spring (March–May)
- Spring brings green hills and clear air between the last storms, and the sea breeze strengthens by May.
- Summer (June–August)
- Summer is the season for looking down on the fog, though on many mornings the ridge sits inside it instead. When the crest is above the layer, mornings are mild, and afternoons turn breezy.
- Fall (September–October)
- Fall brings warm, clear days and sharp views. It is also the season of the dry Diablo winds that bring the East Bay's worst fire weather.
- Winter (November–February)
- The ridge is often in cloud during storms. The days after a storm give the year's best long-distance views.
Activities and the weather that matters
- Watching fog roll through the Golden Gate: This needs a marine layer that tops out below the ridge, which happens most often on summer mornings. A deep layer puts you inside the cloud instead.
- Sunset and city-light photography: Clear fall and winter evenings are best. On summer evenings the sun often sets into the top of the fog bank.
- Hiking Nimitz Way in Tilden: The trail follows the crest with wide views. It is exposed to wind and to fall heat.
- Scenic driving and cycling on Grizzly Peak Boulevard: Calm, clear mornings are best. Watch for wet pavement under fog and for gusty winds on fire-weather days.
Official sources and current conditions
- East Bay Regional Park District: Tilden Regional Park
- East Bay Regional Park District: Claremont Canyon Regional Preserve
- City of Berkeley: fire weather and evacuation
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 | 76 | 57.5° / 47.4° | 6.3h | 4d | 4.65" | 18 |
| December 2024 | 67 | 55.6° / 47.5° | 4.9h | 10d | 6.81" | 12 |
| January 2025 | 79 | 55.5° / 44.5° | 7h | 6d | 0.25" | 19 |
| February 2025 | 72 | 56° / 44.7° | 6.6h | 6d | 8.53" | 13 |
| March 2025 | 75 | 56° / 44.6° | 7.6h | 8d | 2.39" | 15 |
| April 2025 | 82 | 60° / 46.5° | 9.5h | 13d | 0.35" | 18 |
| May 2025 | 88 | 66.2° / 50.3° | 11.9h | 9d | 0.23" | 24 |
| June 2025 | 86 | 66.3° / 51° | 12.4h | 14d | 0" | 21 |
| July 2025 | 81 | 65.7° / 52.7° | 11.3h | 20d | 0" | 16 |
| August 2025 | 90 | 73.6° / 56.4° | 11.3h | 13d | 0.01" | 29 |
| September 2025 | 85 | 71.7° / 58.1° | 9h | 10d | 0.12" | 21 |
| October 2025 | 84 | 66.2° / 53.6° | 7.8h | 8d | 1.65" | 20 |
| November 2025 | 75 | 59.5° / 50° | 6.4h | 10d | 3.72" | 12 |
| December 2025 | 65 | 54.3° / 45° | 5.1h | 13d | 5.46" | 5 |
| January 2026 | 76 | 57.7° / 47.8° | 6.5h | 5d | 4.45" | 20 |
| February 2026 | 73 | 59° / 47.7° | 6.5h | 10d | 5.35" | 14 |
| March 2026 | 94 | 70.9° / 54.2° | 9.8h | 4d | 0.05" | 26 |
| April 2026 | 80 | 60.6° / 48.2° | 9.3h | 11d | 4.74" | 16 |
| May 2026 | 85 | 64.4° / 50.8° | 11.5h | 13d | 0.63" | 20 |
| June 2026 | 86 | 67.2° / 53° | 12h | 11d | 0" | 21 |
| July 2026 | 88 | 71° / 55.2° | 11.6h | 14d | 0" | 26 |
| August 2026 | 85 | 71.8° / 55.5° | 10.8h | 16d | 0" | 27 |
| September 2026 | 88 | 70.7° / 55.7° | 9.8h | 8d | 0.37" | 23 |
| October 2026 | 87 | 71.9° / 56.5° | 8.3h | 4d | 0.43" | 25 |
Climate Trends
Average Temperature by Month
About the Grizzly Peak climate charts
The temperature chart compares average monthly highs and lows at Grizzly Peak, 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 Grizzly Peak. 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 Grizzly Peak, the warmest typical hour is 3 PM in September (72°F). The coldest is 7 AM in December (45°F).
- Fog: Fog or low cloud covers Grizzly Peak in 63% of 8 AM hours in August, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 11 AM. November mornings are the least foggy (16%).
- Wind: From April through June, wind at Grizzly Peak typically builds after 2 PM. In May it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 12 mph with 13% of those hours windy, while mornings average 8 mph.
- Cloud Cover: July middays are the clearest at Grizzly Peak (14% average cloud cover), and December middays are the cloudiest (36%).
- Solar Radiation: The strongest typical sun at Grizzly Peak comes at 1 PM in June, averaging 987 W/m².
How to read the hourly heatmaps for Grizzly Peak
This heatmap shows how average temperature at Grizzly Peak 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 Grizzly Peak. 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 Grizzly Peak 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 Grizzly Peak 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 Grizzly Peak 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 Grizzly Peak
- October 2026 recap: October 2026 at Grizzly Peak averaged a high of 72°F, 6°F warmer than October 2025 (66°F).
- Rain year: The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 26.4 in. of rain to Grizzly Peak, 92% of the 28.7 in. normal.
Location Details
Grizzly Peak weather questions
Everything you need to know about weather and visiting Grizzly Peak
What is the weather like at Grizzly Peak today?
It's 50°F at Grizzly Peak right now, with a comfort score of 66 (good). Today's forecast high at Grizzly Peak is 55°F, 8°F below the mid November normal of 63°F. The best window today is 11 AM to 2 PM, at about 46°F with a 5 mph wind (comfort 46).
What is the best month to visit Grizzly Peak?
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Grizzly Peak are September, August, and July. The best hours are usually 2 PM to 5 PM in September, 1 PM to 4 PM in August, and noon to 3 PM in July. The warm season lasts about 3 months, from Jul 1 to Sep 28, when the average high is 77°F or warmer. Highs peak around Aug 8 at about 80°F.
What are the warmest and coldest months at Grizzly Peak?
August is the warmest month at Grizzly Peak, with an average high of 80°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 42°F.
When does the fog burn off at Grizzly Peak?
Fog or low cloud covers Grizzly Peak in 63% of 8 AM hours in August, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 11 AM. November mornings are the least foggy (16%).
When is it windiest at Grizzly Peak?
From April through June, wind at Grizzly Peak typically builds after 2 PM. In May it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 12 mph with 13% of those hours windy, while mornings average 8 mph.
How much rain does Grizzly Peak get?
December is the wettest month (5.8 in.), out of about 28.7 in. a year. The rainy season runs from Nov 3 to Apr 12, 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 26.4 in. of rain to Grizzly Peak, 92% of the 28.7 in. normal.
Is Grizzly Peak above the fog?
Sometimes, in summer. The summer marine layer is typically 1,000 to 2,000 feet thick, so the ridge sits near its top. On shallow-fog mornings, especially between 6 and 9 a.m., the pullouts look down on fog entering through the Golden Gate and spreading east. When the layer is deeper, as on many summer mornings, the ridge itself is in the cloud.
What kind of place is Grizzly Peak?
On the crest of the Berkeley Hills above Berkeley and Claremont Canyon, Grizzly Peak Boulevard follows the ridgeline past roadside pullouts. They look west over the bay to the Golden Gate and east toward Mount Diablo, almost exactly due east of the summit. The peak itself is 9-to-10-million-year-old volcanic rock topped by a broadcast tower and a fenced building, so most visitors stop along the road. Tilden Regional Park, reached from the same boulevard, spreads north along the hills.
What is Grizzly Peak weather like in November?
November at Grizzly Peak averages a high of 63°F and a low of 47°F, with 3.0 in. of rain over about 7 rainy days. About 16% of morning hours are foggy. Afternoon wind averages 7 mph.
More about Grizzly Peak 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.
- KQED, How to Hike 'Above the Clouds' in the Bay Area (July 6, 2025) (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Oakland Geology, Grizzly Peak (Dec 20, 2014) (accessed 2026-10-27)
- East Bay Regional Park District, Tilden Regional Park (accessed 2026-10-27)
- East Bay Regional Park District, East Bay fire history (accessed 2026-10-27)
- City of Berkeley, Fire weather and evacuation (accessed 2026-10-27)
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