Lake Merritt Weather
Park • San Francisco Bay Area
A tidal lagoon in the middle of Oakland, Lake Merritt was dammed in 1869 and protected by the state in 1870. The city calls it the oldest wildlife refuge in North America. A shoreline path loops the water between downtown, Adams Point, and Grand Avenue. Lakeside Park on its shore holds the Gardens at Lake Merritt, Children's Fairyland, the Rotary Nature Center, and the Boating Center. Five bird islands in the refuge draw resident and migrating birds.
Plan your week
10-Day Forecast
Hour by hour
Hourly Forecast
Current Conditions
Comfort Breakdown
Lake Merritt weather today and through the year
It's 54°F at Lake Merritt right now (feels like 50°F), with 7 mph wind and a comfort score of 77. Monday's forecast high at Lake Merritt is 56°F, 8°F below the mid November normal of 64°F. The best window today is 9 AM to noon, at about 54°F with a 2 mph wind (comfort 58).
September is the warmest month at Lake Merritt, with an average high of 74°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 44°F. December is the wettest month (4.4 in.), out of about 21.6 in. a year. By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Lake Merritt are September, August, and June. The best hours are usually 11 AM to 2 PM in September, noon to 3 PM in August, and noon to 3 PM in June.
Lake Merritt is a broad sheet of shallow water barely above sea level, joined to the Oakland Estuary and the bay beyond. The summer sea breeze crosses the bay and downtown, then picks up again over the lake with nothing in the way. That makes the shoreline path noticeably breezier than streets a block back. Late afternoon is usually the windiest time on the water.
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 Lake Merritt in the next few days
No active National Weather Service alerts for this location.
Best time to go
The best window today is 9 AM to noon, at about 54°F with a 2 mph wind (comfort 58).
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 Lake Merritt, with a 61°F high and midday comfort near 79. Thursday looks weakest (50).
Rain
Next good chance of rain: today (73%, about 0.33 in.).
Live weather map
Weather around Lake Merritt right now
Overcast and 54° at Lake Merritt right now.
About the live weather map for Lake Merritt
The map centers on Lake Merritt 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.
Lake Merritt vs nearby places
Typical summer conditions compared with Lake Merritt, 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 Lake Merritt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Oakland | 0.8 mi | -1°F | 29% | 7 mph | a very similar climate |
| Jack London Square | 1.3 mi | -1°F | 29% | 7 mph | a very similar climate |
| Piedmont | 1.9 mi | -2°F | 53% | 8 mph | more summer morning fog (53% vs 30% of morning hours) |
| Alcatraz Island | 9.2 mi | -14°F | 34% | 19 mph | windier summer afternoons (19 vs 7 mph) and about 14°F cooler on summer afternoons |
| Marina District | 9.9 mi | -14°F | 34% | 19 mph | windier summer afternoons (19 vs 7 mph) and about 14°F cooler on summer afternoons |
| Pacifica | 18.2 mi | -16°F | 56% | 9 mph | about 16°F cooler on summer afternoons and more summer morning fog (56% vs 30% of morning hours) |
Places with a climate like Lake Merritt's
- Coyote Hills Regional Park (20 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
- Don Edwards Wildlife Refuge (23 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
- China Camp State Park (19 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
Climate Dashboard
Current conditions vs. NOAA normals and recent destination baseline
What the Lake Merritt climate comparisons mean
These cards compare recent conditions at Lake Merritt 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 Lake Merritt 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.
Lake Merritt weather by month
September is the warmest month at Lake Merritt, with an average high of 74°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 44°F. December is the wettest month (4.4 in.), out of about 21.6 in. a year. Morning fog peaks in July, when fog or low cloud covers 32% of the hours from 6 to 10 AM. October 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 Lake Merritt are September, August, and June. The best hours are usually 11 AM to 2 PM in September, noon to 3 PM in August, and noon to 3 PM in June.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Rainy days | Morning fog | Midday cloud | Afternoon wind | Daylight | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 58°F | 44°F | 4.1 in | 8 | 14% | 35% | 5 mph | 9.8 h | 60 |
| Feb | 61°F | 46°F | 4.2 in | 8 | 13% | 28% | 6 mph | 10.7 h | 62 |
| Mar | 63°F | 48°F | 3.2 in | 7 | 14% | 33% | 7 mph | 11.9 h | 65 |
| Apr | 66°F | 49°F | 1.5 in | 5 | 14% | 28% | 8 mph | 13.2 h | 74 |
| May | 69°F | 52°F | 0.7 in | 3 | 16% | 30% | 8 mph | 14.2 h | 76 |
| Jun | 73°F | 55°F | 0.1 in | 2 | 25% | 23% | 7 mph | 14.8 h | 88 |
| Jul | 73°F | 56°F | 0.0 in | 0 | 32% | 25% | 7 mph | 14.5 h | 87 |
| Aug | 74°F | 57°F | 0.0 in | 1 | 32% | 24% | 7 mph | 13.6 h | 89 |
| Sep | 74°F | 56°F | 0.1 in | 1 | 23% | 23% | 7 mph | 12.3 h | 92 |
| Oct | 72°F | 53°F | 1.0 in | 4 | 15% | 21% | 6 mph | 11.1 h | 84 |
| Nov | 64°F | 48°F | 2.2 in | 6 | 11% | 24% | 5 mph | 10.0 h | 70 |
| Dec | 58°F | 44°F | 4.4 in | 9 | 19% | 36% | 4 mph | 9.6 h | 59 |
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 Lake Merritt's weather different
When the fog burns off
noonwhen July fog usually thins (36% foggy at 8 AM)
Fog or low cloud covers Lake Merritt in 36% of 8 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by noon. November mornings are the least foggy (11%).
When the wind picks up
1 PMwhen afternoon wind builds, March–September
From March through September, wind at Lake Merritt typically builds after 1 PM. In April it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 8 mph with 2% of those hours windy, while mornings average 4 mph.
Microclimate
−14°FAlcatraz Island, 9.2 mi away, on summer afternoons
Alcatraz Island, 9.2 miles away, runs about 14°F cooler than Lake Merritt on summer afternoons.
Daylight
9.6–14.8 hof daylight, Dec to Jun
Days at Lake Merritt range from about 9.6 hours in December to 14.8 hours in June. In mid-June the sun sets around 8:33 PM, and in mid-December around 4:57 PM.
Seasons at Lake Merritt
- Warm seasonJul 5 – Sep 30 · highs 73°F+
The warm season lasts about 2.9 months, from Jul 5 to Sep 30, when the average high is 73°F or warmer. Highs peak around Sep 8 at about 74°F.
- Cool seasonNov 28 – Feb 28 · highs 62°F or lower
The cool season runs from Nov 28 to Feb 28, when the average high is 62°F or lower. The coldest nights come around Jan 8, with an average low near 44°F.
- Rainy seasonNov 13 – Apr 2 · 81% of the year's rain
The rainy season runs from Nov 13 to Apr 2, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 81% 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 Nov 1 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, Lake Merritt averaged 3 days a year at 90°F or hotter and no freezing nights. It averaged 16 days a year with at least half an inch of rain and 0 afternoons with wind of 20 mph or more at 2 PM. About 119 mornings a year had 3 or more hours of fog or low cloud.
In the same record, the hottest day was Sep 9, 2026 (97°F) and the coldest night was Dec 13, 2025 (37°F). The wettest day was Nov 23, 2024 (2.24 in.), and the strongest 2 PM gust was 36 mph on Feb 4, 2025.
- 3days at 90°F or hotter
- 0nights at or below freezing
- 16days with ½ in. of rain or more
- 0afternoons with 20+ mph wind
- 119mornings with 3+ hours of fog or low cloud
- Hottest day97°FSep 9, 2026
- Coldest night37°FDec 13, 2025
- Wettest day2.24 inNov 23, 2024
- Strongest 2 PM gust36 mphFeb 4, 2025
What shapes Lake Merritt's weather
Lake Merritt sits low in a shallow bowl. Adams Point, the Grand Lake area, and the Piedmont slopes rise gently around it, and the higher Oakland hills stand a few miles east. The marine layer is the low sheet of fog and cloud that forms over the cold ocean. On summer mornings when it reaches inland, the lake is under it like the rest of the flats. The slopes above, such as Piedmont, rise into the base of the cloud and stay gray even more often than the lake.
Lake Merritt's water moderates the extremes. On the hottest afternoons the shore stays a little cooler than inland streets. On cold, clear winter nights the lake keeps the immediate shoreline slightly milder than low, sheltered spots away from the water.
Tips for visiting Lake Merritt
Rent a boat at the Boating Center
The city rents non-motorized boats to the public, and its boating programs run on the lake and the Oakland Estuary.
Paddle in the morning
The water is usually calmest before the afternoon sea breeze builds, especially from spring through summer.
Plan for paid parking on Bellevue
Parking inside Lakeside Park on Bellevue Avenue is paid from 7:30 a.m. until dusk, so street parking nearby or transit can be easier.
Start at the Rotary Nature Center
Built in 1953, it is the oldest municipal nature center in the United States and is open Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Lake Merritt through the seasons
- Spring (March–May)
- The gardens are at their best, and the afternoon breeze over the water starts to strengthen.
- Summer (June–August)
- Summer mornings are mild and sometimes gray, and afternoons turn breezy. The best boating is early in the day.
- Fall (September–October)
- September and October bring the warmest weeks of the year for a walk around the lake or an evening on the shore.
- Winter (November–February)
- Winter is the rainy season and the time migrating birds join the residents. The nature center runs winter bird programs around the refuge.
Activities and the weather that matters
- Walking or running the lake loop: The loop works in almost any dry weather. Expect a headwind on the exposed stretches in summer afternoons.
- Rowing, sailing, and paddling: Light morning winds suit kayaks and rowboats. Steadier afternoon breezes suit small sailboats.
- Bird watching: Calm, overcast mornings are fine for birding at the five bird islands, and winter brings the most variety.
- Picnics in Lakeside Park and the gardens: Warm fall afternoons and sunny spring days are best. Summer picnics turn cooler than they look by late afternoon.
Official sources and current conditions
- City of Oakland: Lakeside Park
- City of Oakland: Lake Merritt Boating Center
- City of Oakland: Rotary Nature Center
- Lake Merritt Institute: history
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 | 82 | 63.4° / 48.8° | 6.6h | 2d | 3.58" | 20 |
| December 2024 | 71 | 60.3° / 47.5° | 4.9h | 8d | 5.54" | 12 |
| January 2025 | 83 | 60.6° / 44.8° | 6.7h | 4d | 0.2" | 21 |
| February 2025 | 75 | 61.5° / 46.4° | 6.3h | 4d | 6.07" | 17 |
| March 2025 | 83 | 62.6° / 47.5° | 7.8h | 2d | 1.75" | 20 |
| April 2025 | 89 | 65.5° / 50.1° | 9.1h | 5d | 0.28" | 27 |
| May 2025 | 93 | 71° / 53° | 11.2h | 4d | 0.23" | 31 |
| June 2025 | 91 | 69.1° / 53.9° | 11.3h | 11d | 0" | 30 |
| July 2025 | 89 | 69.5° / 56.5° | 10.1h | 9d | 0" | 31 |
| August 2025 | 90 | 75.2° / 58.7° | 10.1h | 10d | 0" | 31 |
| September 2025 | 88 | 75.4° / 61.3° | 8.4h | 4d | 0.08" | 28 |
| October 2025 | 87 | 71.2° / 56.2° | 7.6h | 4d | 1.44" | 26 |
| November 2025 | 80 | 64.9° / 51.6° | 6.2h | 8d | 3.09" | 18 |
| December 2025 | 69 | 57.9° / 45.7° | 4.7h | 12d | 4.44" | 7 |
| January 2026 | 80 | 62.5° / 46.4° | 6.5h | 3d | 3.74" | 22 |
| February 2026 | 78 | 64.2° / 49° | 6.5h | 7d | 4.44" | 17 |
| March 2026 | 94 | 75.9° / 54.2° | 9.6h | 4d | 0.06" | 29 |
| April 2026 | 85 | 67.2° / 52.1° | 8.4h | 6d | 4.21" | 22 |
| May 2026 | 90 | 69.3° / 54.1° | 10.5h | 8d | 0.5" | 28 |
| June 2026 | 92 | 72.2° / 56.3° | 11.4h | 8d | 0" | 30 |
| July 2026 | 91 | 73.3° / 57.8° | 10.5h | 7d | 0" | 31 |
| August 2026 | 89 | 72.9° / 58.3° | 9.8h | 16d | 0" | 31 |
| September 2026 | 91 | 74.3° / 58.4° | 9.2h | 6d | 0.25" | 29 |
| October 2026 | 89 | 73.3° / 55.4° | 8h | 3d | 0.35" | 28 |
Climate Trends
Average Temperature by Month
About the Lake Merritt climate charts
The temperature chart compares average monthly highs and lows at Lake Merritt, 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 Lake Merritt. 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 Lake Merritt, the warmest typical hour is 3 PM in September (75°F). The coldest is 7 AM in December (45°F).
- Fog: Fog or low cloud covers Lake Merritt in 36% of 8 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by noon. November mornings are the least foggy (11%).
- Wind: From March through September, wind at Lake Merritt typically builds after 1 PM. In April it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 8 mph with 2% of those hours windy, while mornings average 4 mph.
- Cloud Cover: October middays are the clearest at Lake Merritt (21% average cloud cover), and December middays are the cloudiest (36%).
- Solar Radiation: The strongest typical sun at Lake Merritt comes at 1 PM in June, averaging 919 W/m².
How to read the hourly heatmaps for Lake Merritt
This heatmap shows how average temperature at Lake Merritt 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 Lake Merritt. 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 Lake Merritt 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 Lake Merritt 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 Lake Merritt 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 Lake Merritt
- October 2026 recap: October 2026 at Lake Merritt averaged a high of 73°F, 2°F warmer than the 1991-2020 normal of 72°F. It brought 0.35 in. of rain, compared with a normal of 0.98 in.
- Rain year: The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 22.2 in. of rain to Lake Merritt, 103% of the 21.6 in. normal.
Location Details
Lake Merritt weather questions
Everything you need to know about weather and visiting Lake Merritt
What is the weather like at Lake Merritt today?
It's 54°F at Lake Merritt right now, with a comfort score of 77 (great). Monday's forecast high at Lake Merritt is 56°F, 8°F below the mid November normal of 64°F. The best window today is 9 AM to noon, at about 54°F with a 2 mph wind (comfort 58).
What is the best month to visit Lake Merritt?
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Lake Merritt are September, August, and June. The best hours are usually 11 AM to 2 PM in September, noon to 3 PM in August, and noon to 3 PM in June. The warm season lasts about 2.9 months, from Jul 5 to Sep 30, when the average high is 73°F or warmer. Highs peak around Sep 8 at about 74°F.
What are the warmest and coldest months at Lake Merritt?
September is the warmest month at Lake Merritt, with an average high of 74°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 44°F.
When does the fog burn off at Lake Merritt?
Fog or low cloud covers Lake Merritt in 36% of 8 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by noon. November mornings are the least foggy (11%).
When is it windiest at Lake Merritt?
From March through September, wind at Lake Merritt typically builds after 1 PM. In April it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 8 mph with 2% of those hours windy, while mornings average 4 mph.
How much rain does Lake Merritt get?
December is the wettest month (4.4 in.), out of about 21.6 in. a year. The rainy season runs from Nov 13 to Apr 2, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 81% of the year's rain. The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 22.2 in. of rain to Lake Merritt, 103% of the 21.6 in. normal.
How does Lake Merritt weather compare with Alcatraz Island?
Alcatraz Island, 9.2 miles away, runs about 14°F cooler than Lake Merritt on summer afternoons.
Is Lake Merritt really a lake?
Not quite. The Lake Merritt Institute describes it as a tidal lagoon, an estuary where creek water mixes with water from the bay. A dam built in 1869 enlarged it and limited the tidal flow, and pumps now control the water level.
What kind of place is Lake Merritt?
A tidal lagoon in the middle of Oakland, Lake Merritt was dammed in 1869 and protected by the state in 1870. The city calls it the oldest wildlife refuge in North America. A shoreline path loops the water between downtown, Adams Point, and Grand Avenue. Lakeside Park on its shore holds the Gardens at Lake Merritt, Children's Fairyland, the Rotary Nature Center, and the Boating Center. Five bird islands in the refuge draw resident and migrating birds.
What is Lake Merritt weather like in November?
November at Lake Merritt averages a high of 64°F and a low of 48°F, with 2.2 in. of rain over about 6 rainy days. About 11% of morning hours are foggy. Afternoon wind averages 5 mph.
More about Lake Merritt 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.
- City of Oakland, Lakeside Park (accessed 2026-10-27)
- City of Oakland, Boating at Lake Merritt Boating Center (accessed 2026-10-27)
- City of Oakland, Rotary Nature Center (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Lake Merritt Institute, History (accessed 2026-10-27)
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