Inverness Weather
Town • San Francisco Bay Area
Strung for a couple of miles along the west shore of Tomales Bay, Inverness is a small, mostly residential village. Its cottages climb the wooded east face of Inverness Ridge, with Point Reyes National Seashore on nearly every side. Sir Francis Drake Boulevard runs along the waterfront past the Inverness Store and on toward the outer beaches. The store is the end of the line for the bus from San Rafael. Where Point Reyes Station sits on open flats, Inverness lives under pine and oak forest, the same forest that burned on the ridge above town in 1995.
Plan your week
10-Day Forecast
Hour by hour
Hourly Forecast
Current Conditions
Comfort Breakdown
Inverness weather today and through the year
It's 56°F at Inverness right now (feels like 55°F), with 4 mph wind and a comfort score of 82. Today's forecast high at Inverness is 60°F, close to the mid November normal of 60°F. No fog in the forecast for today at Inverness. In November, 23% of morning hours here are foggy on average. The best window today is 10 AM to 1 PM, at about 53°F with a 2 mph wind (comfort 48).
September is the warmest month at Inverness, with an average high of 67°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 45°F. December is the wettest month (7.7 in.), out of about 36.1 in. a year. By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Inverness are September, August, and July. The best hours are usually 11 AM to 2 PM in September, 11 AM to 2 PM in August, and noon to 3 PM in July.
Inverness faces east across Tomales Bay with Inverness Ridge at its back, so the ridge stands between town and the open Pacific. The Park Service says weather at Point Reyes can change sharply depending on which side of that ridge you are on. Inverness gets the gentler side. Its summer fog tends to thin over the bay by midday instead of hanging on all afternoon, as it does at Drakes Beach or the lighthouse.
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 Inverness in the next few days
Active National Weather Service alerts
- High Surf Advisory until Tue 4:00 AM
Fog
No fog in the forecast for today at Inverness. In November, 23% of morning hours here are foggy on average.
Best time to go
The best window today is 10 AM to 1 PM, at about 53°F with a 2 mph wind (comfort 48).
Best day this week
Of the next 7 days, Friday looks best for Inverness, with a 60°F high and midday comfort near 74. Today looks weakest (46).
Rain
Next good chance of rain: today (85%, about 0.97 in.).
Live weather map
Weather around Inverness right now
Overcast and 56° at Inverness right now.
About the live weather map for Inverness
The map centers on Inverness 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.
Inverness vs nearby places
Typical summer conditions compared with Inverness, 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 Inverness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomales Bay State Park | 2.9 mi | -5°F | 35% | 11 mph | about 5°F cooler on summer afternoons |
| Point Reyes Station | 3.4 mi | +3°F | 19% | 11 mph | a very similar climate |
| Point Reyes National Seashore | 3.9 mi | -4°F | 37% | 10 mph | more summer morning fog (37% vs 26% of morning hours) and about 4°F cooler on summer afternoons |
| Point Reyes Lighthouse | 11.6 mi | -14°F | 52% | 10 mph | about 14°F cooler on summer afternoons and more summer morning fog (52% vs 26% of morning hours) |
| Salmon Creek Beach | 20.5 mi | -14°F | 49% | 11 mph | about 14°F cooler on summer afternoons and more summer morning fog (49% vs 26% of morning hours) |
| Jack London State Historic Park | 24.6 mi | +15°F | 31% | 7 mph | about 15°F warmer on summer afternoons and calmer summer afternoons (7 vs 12 mph) |
Places with a climate like Inverness's
- Bodega Bay (19 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
- Goat Rock State Beach (28 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
- Jenner (28 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
Climate Dashboard
Current conditions vs. NOAA normals and recent destination baseline
What the Inverness climate comparisons mean
These cards compare recent conditions at Inverness 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 Inverness 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.
Inverness weather by month
September is the warmest month at Inverness, with an average high of 67°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 45°F. December is the wettest month (7.7 in.), out of about 36.1 in. a year. Morning fog peaks in December, when fog or low cloud covers 33% of the hours from 6 to 10 AM. September has the clearest middays, with clouds covering about 21% of the sky from 11 AM to 3 PM.
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Inverness are September, August, and July. The best hours are usually 11 AM to 2 PM in September, 11 AM to 2 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 | 56°F | 45°F | 6.9 in | 11 | 30% | 36% | 7 mph | 9.8 h | 38 |
| Feb | 57°F | 46°F | 6.7 in | 11 | 16% | 28% | 9 mph | 10.7 h | 43 |
| Mar | 59°F | 46°F | 5.0 in | 9 | 17% | 33% | 10 mph | 11.9 h | 46 |
| Apr | 59°F | 47°F | 2.5 in | 7 | 13% | 29% | 12 mph | 13.2 h | 61 |
| May | 61°F | 49°F | 1.2 in | 4 | 16% | 31% | 12 mph | 14.2 h | 69 |
| Jun | 65°F | 50°F | 0.3 in | 2 | 20% | 23% | 13 mph | 14.8 h | 77 |
| Jul | 66°F | 52°F | 0.0 in | 0 | 32% | 28% | 11 mph | 14.5 h | 81 |
| Aug | 67°F | 53°F | 0.1 in | 1 | 26% | 25% | 11 mph | 13.6 h | 86 |
| Sep | 67°F | 53°F | 0.1 in | 2 | 23% | 21% | 11 mph | 12.3 h | 88 |
| Oct | 66°F | 51°F | 1.7 in | 5 | 21% | 22% | 10 mph | 11.1 h | 81 |
| Nov | 60°F | 48°F | 4.0 in | 8 | 23% | 23% | 8 mph | 10.0 h | 66 |
| Dec | 56°F | 45°F | 7.7 in | 12 | 33% | 37% | 7 mph | 9.5 h | 35 |
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 Inverness's weather different
Among the 163 San Francisco Bay Area towns we track, Inverness has the 2nd-mildest winter nights.
- #2of 163
mildest winter nightsamong San Francisco Bay Area towns
When the fog burns off
noonwhen December fog usually thins (39% foggy at 5 AM)
Fog or low cloud covers Inverness in 39% of 5 AM hours in December, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by noon. April mornings are the least foggy (13%).
When the wind picks up
noonwhen afternoon wind builds, February–November
From February through November, wind at Inverness typically builds after noon. In June it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 13 mph with 32% of those hours windy, while mornings average 6 mph.
Microclimate
−5°FTomales Bay State Park, 2.9 mi away, on summer afternoons
Tomales Bay State Park, 2.9 miles away, runs about 5°F cooler than Inverness on summer afternoons.
Daylight
9.5–14.8 hof daylight, Dec to Jun
Days at Inverness range from about 9.5 hours in December to 14.8 hours in June. In mid-June the sun sets around 8:35 PM, and in mid-December around 4:56 PM.
Seasons at Inverness
- Warm seasonAug 1 – Oct 24 · highs 66°F+
The warm season lasts about 2.8 months, from Aug 1 to Oct 24, when the average high is 66°F or warmer. Highs peak around Sep 8 at about 67°F.
- Cool seasonDec 1 – Mar 2 · highs 58°F or lower
The cool season runs from Dec 1 to Mar 2, when the average high is 58°F or lower. The coldest nights come around Dec 8, with an average low near 45°F.
- Rainy seasonOct 25 – Apr 22 · 90% of the year's rain
The rainy season runs from Oct 25 to Apr 22, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 90% 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 19 and half of its annual total by Jan 21.
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, Inverness averaged no days at 90°F or hotter and no freezing nights. It averaged 21 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 111 mornings a year had 3 or more hours of fog or low cloud.
In the same record, the hottest day was Oct 3, 2026 (86°F) and the coldest night was Feb 11, 2025 (33°F). The wettest day was Nov 21, 2024 (3.19 in.), and the strongest 2 PM gust was 47 mph on Nov 20, 2024.
- 0days at 90°F or hotter
- 0nights at or below freezing
- 21days with ½ in. of rain or more
- 1afternoon with 20+ mph wind
- 111mornings with 3+ hours of fog or low cloud
- Hottest day86°FOct 3, 2026
- Coldest night33°FFeb 11, 2025
- Wettest day3.19 inNov 21, 2024
- Strongest 2 PM gust47 mphNov 20, 2024
What shapes Inverness's weather
The forested slope that Inverness climbs shapes its weather in two ways. In summer, ocean air pushed over the ridge condenses on the trees and keeps the woods damp through the rainless months. In winter, storms climbing the ridge drop more rain on this east side than on the outer coast. Shaded lanes on the hillside stay cool and wet long after the bayfront road has dried.
Inverness Ridge, which shelters town, becomes its biggest weather hazard in a dry fall. In October 1995 an illegal campfire near Mount Vision, fanned by winds of 40 to 50 mph, grew into the Vision Fire. It burned more than 12,000 acres, destroyed 45 homes, and forced evacuations from the hills above Inverness. Dry, windy autumn days remain the time to take fire warnings here seriously.
Tips for visiting Inverness
Wade at Chicken Ranch Beach
This Marin County beach on the bay has calm water that warms in summer and welcomes friendly leashed dogs from sunrise to sunset.
Ride the bus to the Inverness Store
Marin Transit buses run from downtown San Rafael to the Inverness Store, stopping at Bear Valley Visitor Center and in Point Reyes Station.
Save the museum for a storm day
The Park Service suggests the Jack Mason Museum in Inverness as a bad-weather stop.
Drown every campfire completely
The 1995 Vision Fire started from an illegal campfire on Mount Vision whose remains were whipped up by wind.
Paddle early in spring
Most spring days are windy even along Tomales Bay, so plan kayak and paddleboard outings for the calmer early hours.
Inverness through the seasons
- Spring (March–May)
- Spring is the windy season along the bay, and March stays cool. Afternoons warm slowly through May.
- Summer (June–August)
- Morning fog over Tomales Bay usually burns off by midday. Afternoons turn mild with a steady breeze, while the ocean beaches over the ridge stay gray.
- Fall (September–November)
- Fall often brings the clearest, most settled weather of the year. Dry fall wind is also when fire danger peaks on the ridge, as the October 1995 Vision Fire showed.
- Winter (December–February)
- Heavy rain falls on this east side of Inverness Ridge, sometimes for days at a stretch, with cool, calm, sunny spells between storms.
Activities and the weather that matters
- Wading and swimming at Chicken Ranch Beach: Best on warm, still summer afternoons, when the shallow bay water has warmed.
- Kayaking and paddleboarding on Tomales Bay: Calm mornings are best. Spring wind reaches the bay on most days, and winter brings calm spells between storms.
- Driving up Mount Vision Road: Go on a clear day, when Drakes Estero and the Point Reyes headland are often visible from near the top.
Official sources and current conditions
- Marin Transit: San Rafael to Inverness bus
- NPS: Swimming at Point Reyes (includes Chicken Ranch Beach)
- NPS: Point Reyes weather and tides
- NPS: Point Reyes 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 | 76 | 58.9° / 45.6° | 6.2h | 5d | 10.31" | 16 |
| December 2024 | 68 | 58.2° / 46.6° | 4.8h | 13d | 8.52" | 10 |
| January 2025 | 80 | 57.1° / 43° | 6.6h | 7d | 0.44" | 19 |
| February 2025 | 70 | 56.7° / 43.7° | 6.1h | 7d | 9.93" | 11 |
| March 2025 | 76 | 56° / 44.9° | 7.8h | 5d | 3.34" | 15 |
| April 2025 | 84 | 57.2° / 45.8° | 9.8h | 3d | 0.38" | 23 |
| May 2025 | 87 | 59.1° / 48° | 11.9h | 2d | 0.1" | 28 |
| June 2025 | 85 | 59° / 49.7° | 11.3h | 9d | 0" | 24 |
| July 2025 | 86 | 61.7° / 52.8° | 10.3h | 11d | 0" | 24 |
| August 2025 | 89 | 65.3° / 53.7° | 10.2h | 10d | 0" | 27 |
| September 2025 | 90 | 67.1° / 56.5° | 8.9h | 6d | 0.08" | 28 |
| October 2025 | 85 | 64.6° / 52.3° | 7.5h | 6d | 0.82" | 21 |
| November 2025 | 75 | 60.7° / 49.7° | 6h | 8d | 5.06" | 12 |
| December 2025 | 69 | 57.2° / 44.8° | 4.9h | 13d | 5.29" | 10 |
| January 2026 | 79 | 60.2° / 46.2° | 6.6h | 3d | 5.37" | 21 |
| February 2026 | 75 | 59.8° / 48.2° | 6.4h | 2d | 5.06" | 13 |
| March 2026 | 93 | 65.5° / 48.8° | 9.5h | 0d | 0.07" | 28 |
| April 2026 | 83 | 60.7° / 48.4° | 9.4h | 3d | 4.54" | 22 |
| May 2026 | 85 | 60.5° / 49.3° | 10.9h | 7d | 0.94" | 25 |
| June 2026 | 89 | 63° / 51.6° | 11.5h | 6d | 0.03" | 27 |
| July 2026 | 89 | 64.7° / 53.4° | 10.4h | 7d | 0" | 27 |
| August 2026 | 89 | 64.8° / 54.1° | 9.8h | 6d | 0" | 28 |
| September 2026 | 89 | 65.9° / 54.7° | 9.2h | 6d | 0.43" | 25 |
| October 2026 | 91 | 67° / 51.6° | 8.4h | 4d | 0.02" | 28 |
Climate Trends
Average Temperature by Month
About the Inverness climate charts
The temperature chart compares average monthly highs and lows at Inverness, 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 Inverness. 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 Inverness, the warmest typical hour is 2 PM in September (72°F). The coldest is 7 AM in February (46°F).
- Fog: Fog or low cloud covers Inverness in 39% of 5 AM hours in December, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by noon. April mornings are the least foggy (13%).
- Wind: From February through November, wind at Inverness typically builds after noon. In June it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 13 mph with 32% of those hours windy, while mornings average 6 mph.
- Cloud Cover: September middays are the clearest at Inverness (21% average cloud cover), and December middays are the cloudiest (37%).
- Solar Radiation: The strongest typical sun at Inverness comes at 1 PM in June, averaging 923 W/m².
How to read the hourly heatmaps for Inverness
This heatmap shows how average temperature at Inverness 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 Inverness. 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 Inverness 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 Inverness 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 Inverness 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 Inverness
- October 2026 recap: October 2026 at Inverness averaged a high of 67°F, close to the 1991-2020 normal of 66°F. It brought 0.02 in. of rain, compared with a normal of 1.68 in.
- Rain year: The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 27.6 in. of rain to Inverness, 76% of the 36.1 in. normal.
Location Details
Inverness weather questions
Everything you need to know about weather and visiting Inverness
What is the weather like at Inverness today?
It's 56°F at Inverness right now, with a comfort score of 82 (great). Today's forecast high at Inverness is 60°F, close to the mid November normal of 60°F. The best window today is 10 AM to 1 PM, at about 53°F with a 2 mph wind (comfort 48).
What is the best month to visit Inverness?
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Inverness are September, August, and July. The best hours are usually 11 AM to 2 PM in September, 11 AM to 2 PM in August, and noon to 3 PM in July. The warm season lasts about 2.8 months, from Aug 1 to Oct 24, when the average high is 66°F or warmer. Highs peak around Sep 8 at about 67°F.
What are the warmest and coldest months at Inverness?
September is the warmest month at Inverness, with an average high of 67°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 45°F.
When does the fog burn off at Inverness?
Fog or low cloud covers Inverness in 39% of 5 AM hours in December, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by noon. April mornings are the least foggy (13%).
When is it windiest at Inverness?
From February through November, wind at Inverness typically builds after noon. In June it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 13 mph with 32% of those hours windy, while mornings average 6 mph.
How much rain does Inverness get?
December is the wettest month (7.7 in.), out of about 36.1 in. a year. The rainy season runs from Oct 25 to Apr 22, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 90% of the year's rain. The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 27.6 in. of rain to Inverness, 76% of the 36.1 in. normal.
How does Inverness weather compare with Tomales Bay State Park?
Tomales Bay State Park, 2.9 miles away, runs about 5°F cooler than Inverness on summer afternoons.
What kind of place is Inverness?
Strung for a couple of miles along the west shore of Tomales Bay, Inverness is a small, mostly residential village. Its cottages climb the wooded east face of Inverness Ridge, with Point Reyes National Seashore on nearly every side. Sir Francis Drake Boulevard runs along the waterfront past the Inverness Store and on toward the outer beaches. The store is the end of the line for the bus from San Rafael. Where Point Reyes Station sits on open flats, Inverness lives under pine and oak forest, the same forest that burned on the ridge above town in 1995.
What is Inverness weather like in November?
November at Inverness averages a high of 60°F and a low of 48°F, with 4.0 in. of rain over about 8 rainy days. About 23% of morning hours are foggy. Afternoon wind averages 8 mph.
More about Inverness 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, Point Reyes Weather & Tides (accessed 2026-10-27)
- National Park Service, Swimming at Point Reyes (updated Oct 10, 2024) (accessed 2026-10-27)
- National Park Service, Point Reyes indoor activities (accessed 2026-10-27)
- National Park Service, Point Reyes Lighthouse brochure (Places to Visit En Route) (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Marin Transit, Route 68: Downtown San Rafael – Inverness (accessed 2026-10-27)
- FIRESafe MARIN, Twenty Years Ago Today: Marin's Vision Fire (accessed 2026-10-27)
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