Lafayette Weather
Town • San Francisco Bay Area
Halfway between Orinda and Walnut Creek on Highway 24, Lafayette is a hill town of oak-covered slopes around a compact downtown on Mount Diablo Boulevard. BART describes it as quiet and rural in feel. Its best-known outdoor spot is the East Bay Municipal Utility District's Lafayette Reservoir, circled by a paved lakeside trail and an unpaved rim trail. Briones Regional Park's ridges rise to the north, and the paved Lafayette-Moraga Regional Trail heads south along St. Mary's Road toward Moraga.
Plan your week
10-Day Forecast
Hour by hour
Hourly Forecast
Current Conditions
Comfort Breakdown
Lafayette weather today and through the year
It's 52°F at Lafayette right now (feels like 49°F), with 5 mph wind and a comfort score of 76. Monday's forecast high at Lafayette is 56°F, 8°F below the mid November normal of 64°F. The best window today is noon to 3 PM, at about 51°F with a 2 mph wind (comfort 57).
July is the warmest month at Lafayette, with an average high of 85°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 39°F. December is the wettest month (4.6 in.), out of about 22.6 in. a year. By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Lafayette are June, September, and August. The best hours are usually 10 AM to 1 PM in June, 9 AM to noon in September, and 9 AM to noon in August.
Lafayette is the middle step between the bay and the Diablo Valley. The Berkeley Hills ridge above Orinda takes the first hit of summer marine air. The marine layer is the low sheet of fog and cloud that rolls in from the cold Pacific. On mornings when it runs deep, gray cloud spills over that ridge and down the Highway 24 corridor, sometimes reaching Lafayette. It usually burns off here sooner than in Orinda.
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 Lafayette in the next few days
No active National Weather Service alerts for this location.
Best time to go
The best window today is noon to 3 PM, at about 51°F with a 2 mph wind (comfort 57).
Best day this week
Of the next 7 days, Friday looks best for Lafayette, with a 59°F high and midday comfort near 76. Today looks weakest (53).
Rain
Next good chance of rain: today (75%, about 0.25 in.).
Live weather map
Weather around Lafayette right now
Overcast and 52° at Lafayette right now.
About the live weather map for Lafayette
The map centers on Lafayette 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.
Lafayette vs nearby places
Typical summer conditions compared with Lafayette, 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 Lafayette |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walnut Creek | 3.3 mi | +2°F | 11% | 8 mph | a very similar climate |
| Orinda | 3.4 mi | -5°F | 20% | 11 mph | about 5°F cooler on summer afternoons |
| Briones Regional Park | 3.5 mi | -5°F | 23% | 11 mph | about 5°F cooler on summer afternoons and more summer morning fog (23% vs 13% of morning hours) |
| Baker Beach | 20.9 mi | -25°F | 45% | 16 mph | about 25°F cooler on summer afternoons and more summer morning fog (45% vs 13% of morning hours) |
| Ocean Beach | 23.1 mi | -25°F | 49% | 11 mph | about 25°F cooler on summer afternoons and more summer morning fog (49% vs 13% of morning hours) |
| Rodeo Beach | 23.2 mi | -25°F | 48% | 13 mph | about 25°F cooler on summer afternoons and more summer morning fog (48% vs 13% of morning hours) |
Places with a climate like Lafayette's
- Dublin (16 mi away): nearly the same temperatures every month
- Cupertino (39 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
- Santa Clara (38 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
Climate Dashboard
Current conditions vs. NOAA normals and recent destination baseline
What the Lafayette climate comparisons mean
These cards compare recent conditions at Lafayette 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 Lafayette 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.
Lafayette weather by month
July is the warmest month at Lafayette, with an average high of 85°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 39°F. December is the wettest month (4.6 in.), out of about 22.6 in. a year. Morning fog peaks in December, when fog or low cloud covers 26% of the hours from 6 to 10 AM. July has the clearest middays, with clouds covering about 7% of the sky from 11 AM to 3 PM.
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Lafayette are June, September, and August. The best hours are usually 10 AM to 1 PM in June, 9 AM to noon in September, and 9 AM to noon in August.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Rainy days | Morning fog | Midday cloud | Afternoon wind | Daylight | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 56°F | 39°F | 4.5 in | 9 | 22% | 34% | 6 mph | 9.8 h | 57 |
| Feb | 61°F | 42°F | 4.3 in | 9 | 12% | 25% | 7 mph | 10.7 h | 62 |
| Mar | 65°F | 44°F | 3.4 in | 8 | 7% | 29% | 8 mph | 11.9 h | 66 |
| Apr | 69°F | 46°F | 1.6 in | 5 | 5% | 22% | 9 mph | 13.2 h | 79 |
| May | 75°F | 50°F | 0.7 in | 3 | 9% | 18% | 10 mph | 14.2 h | 80 |
| Jun | 81°F | 53°F | 0.1 in | 2 | 12% | 7% | 10 mph | 14.8 h | 88 |
| Jul | 85°F | 56°F | 0.0 in | 0 | 15% | 7% | 9 mph | 14.5 h | 86 |
| Aug | 85°F | 56°F | 0.0 in | 1 | 11% | 7% | 8 mph | 13.6 h | 87 |
| Sep | 83°F | 54°F | 0.1 in | 1 | 6% | 11% | 8 mph | 12.3 h | 88 |
| Oct | 76°F | 51°F | 1.0 in | 4 | 5% | 14% | 7 mph | 11.1 h | 86 |
| Nov | 64°F | 44°F | 2.2 in | 6 | 11% | 24% | 6 mph | 10.0 h | 71 |
| Dec | 56°F | 39°F | 4.6 in | 9 | 26% | 37% | 6 mph | 9.5 h | 54 |
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 Lafayette's weather different
When the fog burns off
3 PMwhen December fog usually thins (27% foggy at 8 AM)
Fog or low cloud covers Lafayette in 27% of 8 AM hours in December, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 3 PM. April mornings are the least foggy (5%).
When the wind picks up
2 PMwhen afternoon wind builds, February–October
From February through October, wind at Lafayette typically builds after 2 PM. In May it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 11 mph with 6% of those hours windy, while mornings average 7 mph.
Microclimate
−5°FOrinda, 3.4 mi away, on summer afternoons
Orinda, 3.4 miles away, runs about 5°F cooler than Lafayette on summer afternoons.
Daylight
9.5–14.8 hof daylight, Dec to Jun
Days at Lafayette range from about 9.5 hours in December to 14.8 hours in June. In mid-June the sun sets around 8:32 PM, and in mid-December around 4:53 PM.
Seasons at Lafayette
- Warm seasonJun 27 – Sep 25 · highs 82°F+
The warm season lasts about 3 months, from Jun 27 to Sep 25, when the average high is 82°F or warmer. Highs peak around Jul 8 at about 85°F.
- Hot afternoonsJul 8 – Aug 24 · highs 85°F+
Average highs reach 85°F or more from Jul 8 to Aug 24.
- Cool seasonNov 28 – Feb 26 · highs 62°F or lower
The cool season runs from Nov 28 to Feb 26, when the average high is 62°F or lower. The coldest nights come around Jan 1, with an average low near 39°F.
- Rainy seasonNov 12 – Apr 4 · 82% of the year's rain
The rainy season runs from Nov 12 to Apr 4, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 82% 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 30 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, Lafayette averaged 29 days a year at 90°F or hotter and no freezing nights. It averaged 19 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 54 mornings a year had 3 or more hours of fog or low cloud.
In the same record, the hottest day was Sep 9, 2026 (101°F) and the coldest night was Feb 20, 2026 (34°F). The wettest day was Nov 23, 2024 (2.51 in.), and the strongest 2 PM gust was 41 mph on Mar 12, 2025.
- 29days at 90°F or hotter
- 0nights at or below freezing
- 19days with ½ in. of rain or more
- 2afternoons with 20+ mph wind
- 54mornings with 3+ hours of fog or low cloud
- Hottest day101°FSep 9, 2026
- Coldest night34°FFeb 20, 2026
- Wettest day2.51 inNov 23, 2024
- Strongest 2 PM gust41 mphMar 12, 2025
What shapes Lafayette's weather
Lafayette's afternoons warm quickly once the morning cloud is gone. The town sits far enough behind the ridge that the sea breeze arrives weakened, so summer afternoons feel closer to Walnut Creek's than to Oakland's. East of Lafayette, the inland valleys get even less of the bay's marine air.
Lafayette's rolling terrain makes nights uneven. Cold air drains off the ridges into low spots such as the reservoir basin and the creek bottoms along Mount Diablo Boulevard. Frost on clear winter mornings is patchy, and it forms more often in hollows than on hillsides. The oak and grass hills around town dry out by early summer. That makes fire weather the main seasonal hazard on days of dry offshore wind, which blows from inland toward the coast.
Tips for visiting Lafayette
Pick your loop at the reservoir
The Lakeside Nature Trail is a paved 2.7-mile loop. The Rim Trail is an unpaved 4.7 miles with more climbing. On hot days, do the rim early.
Stay out of the water
Body contact with the reservoir is never permitted, and the water district asks visitors to keep children and pets out of the water.
Leash dogs, six feet maximum
Dogs are welcome at the reservoir but must stay on a leash no longer than 6 feet.
Take BART to the hills
Lafayette BART, at 3601 Deer Hill Road, is on the Antioch line and connects with County Connection buses.
Lafayette through the seasons
- Spring (March–May)
- Spring brings green hills in Briones and comfortable weather for the reservoir's rim trail before the grass browns.
- Summer (June–August)
- Summer brings some gray mornings when the marine layer is deep, then warm to hot afternoons with light wind.
- Fall (September–November)
- Fall brings warm days, cool nights, and the highest fire risk of the year until the first real rain.
- Winter (December–February)
- Winter is the rainy season and trout season at the reservoir, which the water district stocks from November through March. Clear mornings after storms can bring frost in low spots.
Activities and the weather that matters
- Walking the reservoir: The paved loop works year-round. The exposed rim trail is best in spring, in fall, and on summer mornings.
- Rowboats and pedal boats: Rentals run first-come, first-served until 4 p.m. Calm, mild days are best, since afternoon breezes can push small boats around.
- Hiking Briones: Spring is the season for green ridges. Bring your own water on warm days.
- Biking the Lafayette-Moraga Trail: The 7.65-mile paved trail follows St. Mary's Road. Dry mornings in any season work well.
Official sources and current conditions
- EBMUD: Lafayette Reservoir Recreation Area
- East Bay Regional Park District: Briones Regional Park
- East Bay Regional Park District: Lafayette-Moraga Regional Trail
- BART: Lafayette station
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 | 81 | 61.9° / 45.8° | 6.6h | 1d | 4.28" | 19 |
| December 2024 | 68 | 57.4° / 45.2° | 4.8h | 11d | 6.95" | 11 |
| January 2025 | 83 | 58.9° / 41.5° | 7.1h | 3d | 0.25" | 23 |
| February 2025 | 76 | 60.3° / 43.9° | 6.6h | 3d | 8.15" | 17 |
| March 2025 | 83 | 61.7° / 45.1° | 8.3h | 0d | 3.24" | 19 |
| April 2025 | 93 | 68.2° / 47.5° | 10h | 0d | 0.45" | 28 |
| May 2025 | 94 | 74.8° / 51.4° | 12.3h | 0d | 0.37" | 30 |
| June 2025 | 97 | 76.9° / 52.3° | 12.7h | 1d | 0" | 30 |
| July 2025 | 93 | 77° / 54.8° | 12.2h | 4d | 0" | 31 |
| August 2025 | 92 | 84.9° / 57.4° | 11.5h | 1d | 0" | 28 |
| September 2025 | 92 | 80.8° / 59.8° | 9.9h | 0d | 0.09" | 28 |
| October 2025 | 90 | 72.5° / 53.4° | 8h | 0d | 1.97" | 27 |
| November 2025 | 78 | 63° / 49.5° | 6.3h | 8d | 3.85" | 16 |
| December 2025 | 63 | 54.6° / 44.5° | 4.7h | 19d | 5.65" | 3 |
| January 2026 | 73 | 58.9° / 44.2° | 6.4h | 14d | 4.33" | 14 |
| February 2026 | 78 | 62.9° / 45.9° | 6.7h | 4d | 5.78" | 18 |
| March 2026 | 95 | 76.9° / 52.5° | 9.9h | 0d | 0.05" | 31 |
| April 2026 | 87 | 67.1° / 49° | 9.2h | 1d | 5.32" | 22 |
| May 2026 | 94 | 72.9° / 52.2° | 11.7h | 1d | 0.61" | 30 |
| June 2026 | 95 | 77.6° / 54.7° | 12.4h | 2d | 0" | 30 |
| July 2026 | 93 | 81.7° / 56.9° | 11.7h | 1d | 0.03" | 30 |
| August 2026 | 93 | 83.7° / 57° | 11.1h | 0d | 0" | 30 |
| September 2026 | 93 | 79.8° / 56.4° | 10.3h | 1d | 0.89" | 29 |
| October 2026 | 87 | 78.4° / 55.2° | 8.2h | 1d | 0.48" | 25 |
Climate Trends
Average Temperature by Month
About the Lafayette climate charts
The temperature chart compares average monthly highs and lows at Lafayette, 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 Lafayette. 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 Lafayette, the warmest typical hour is 3 PM in August (84°F). The coldest is 7 AM in December (44°F).
- Fog: Fog or low cloud covers Lafayette in 27% of 8 AM hours in December, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 3 PM. April mornings are the least foggy (5%).
- Wind: From February through October, wind at Lafayette typically builds after 2 PM. In May it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 11 mph with 6% of those hours windy, while mornings average 7 mph.
- Cloud Cover: July middays are the clearest at Lafayette (7% average cloud cover), and December middays are the cloudiest (37%).
- Solar Radiation: The strongest typical sun at Lafayette comes at 1 PM in June, averaging 1005 W/m².
How to read the hourly heatmaps for Lafayette
This heatmap shows how average temperature at Lafayette 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 Lafayette. 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 Lafayette 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 Lafayette 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 Lafayette 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 Lafayette
- October 2026 recap: October 2026 at Lafayette averaged a high of 78°F, 6°F warmer than October 2025 (72°F).
- Rain year: The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 28.5 in. of rain to Lafayette, 126% of the 22.6 in. normal.
Location Details
Lafayette weather questions
Everything you need to know about weather and visiting Lafayette
What is the weather like at Lafayette today?
It's 52°F at Lafayette right now, with a comfort score of 76 (great). Monday's forecast high at Lafayette is 56°F, 8°F below the mid November normal of 64°F. The best window today is noon to 3 PM, at about 51°F with a 2 mph wind (comfort 57).
What is the best month to visit Lafayette?
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Lafayette are June, September, and August. The best hours are usually 10 AM to 1 PM in June, 9 AM to noon in September, and 9 AM to noon in August. The warm season lasts about 3 months, from Jun 27 to Sep 25, when the average high is 82°F or warmer. Highs peak around Jul 8 at about 85°F.
What are the warmest and coldest months at Lafayette?
July is the warmest month at Lafayette, with an average high of 85°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 39°F.
When does the fog burn off at Lafayette?
Fog or low cloud covers Lafayette in 27% of 8 AM hours in December, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 3 PM. April mornings are the least foggy (5%).
When is it windiest at Lafayette?
From February through October, wind at Lafayette typically builds after 2 PM. In May it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 11 mph with 6% of those hours windy, while mornings average 7 mph.
How much rain does Lafayette get?
December is the wettest month (4.6 in.), out of about 22.6 in. a year. The rainy season runs from Nov 12 to Apr 4, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 82% of the year's rain. The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 28.5 in. of rain to Lafayette, 126% of the 22.6 in. normal.
How does Lafayette weather compare with Orinda?
Orinda, 3.4 miles away, runs about 5°F cooler than Lafayette on summer afternoons.
What kind of place is Lafayette?
Halfway between Orinda and Walnut Creek on Highway 24, Lafayette is a hill town of oak-covered slopes around a compact downtown on Mount Diablo Boulevard. BART describes it as quiet and rural in feel. Its best-known outdoor spot is the East Bay Municipal Utility District's Lafayette Reservoir, circled by a paved lakeside trail and an unpaved rim trail. Briones Regional Park's ridges rise to the north, and the paved Lafayette-Moraga Regional Trail heads south along St. Mary's Road toward Moraga.
What is Lafayette weather like in November?
November at Lafayette averages a high of 64°F and a low of 44°F, with 2.2 in. of rain over about 6 rainy days. About 11% of morning hours are foggy. Afternoon wind averages 6 mph.
More about Lafayette 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.
- EBMUD, Lafayette Reservoir Recreation Area (accessed 2026-10-27)
- BART, Lafayette station (accessed 2026-10-27)
- East Bay Regional Park District, Briones Regional Park (accessed 2026-10-27)
- East Bay Regional Park District, Lafayette-Moraga Regional Trail (accessed 2026-10-27)
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