Los Altos Weather
Town • San Francisco Bay Area
Los Altos is a leafy residential town on the gently rising ground between the Mountain View flats and the foothills. Its small, walkable downtown is wedged between Foothill Expressway and San Antonio Road. Its streets climb toward Los Altos Hills, and Monte Bello Ridge and Black Mountain form the skyline behind it. Adobe Creek winds through town and through Redwood Grove Nature Preserve. Emma Halsey planted its redwoods as saplings in the 1920s, bringing them down from the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Plan your week
10-Day Forecast
Hour by hour
Hourly Forecast
Current Conditions
Comfort Breakdown
Los Altos weather today and through the year
It's 53°F at Los Altos right now (feels like 49°F), with 6 mph wind and a comfort score of 76. Monday's forecast high at Los Altos is 56°F, 10°F below the mid November normal of 66°F. The best window today is 10 AM to 1 PM, at about 54°F with a 3 mph wind (comfort 64).
August is the warmest month at Los Altos, with an average high of 79°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 41°F. February is the wettest month (3.6 in.), out of about 17.8 in. a year. By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Los Altos are June, July, and September. The best hours are usually 10 AM to 1 PM in June, 10 AM to 1 PM in July, and 10 AM to 1 PM in September.
Los Altos is a step back from the Bay compared with Mountain View and Palo Alto, and a step up toward the hills. The afternoon breeze that comes down the Bay reaches it a little later and a little weaker. Summer afternoons tend to run a touch warmer than on the bayside flats. The town still sits well below the foothill slopes that bake in full sun.
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 Los Altos in the next few days
No active National Weather Service alerts for this location.
Best time to go
The best window today is 10 AM to 1 PM, at about 54°F with a 3 mph wind (comfort 64).
Best day this week
Of the next 7 days, Friday looks best for Los Altos, with a 60°F high and midday comfort near 79. Today looks weakest (52).
Rain
Next good chance of rain: today (87%, about 0.26 in.).
Live weather map
Weather around Los Altos right now
Overcast and 53° at Los Altos right now.
About the live weather map for Los Altos
The map centers on Los Altos 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.
Los Altos vs nearby places
Typical summer conditions compared with Los Altos, 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 Los Altos |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain View | 1.7 mi | -2°F | 17% | 10 mph | a very similar climate |
| Los Altos Hills | 1.8 mi | same | 16% | 9 mph | a very similar climate |
| Palo Alto | 4.2 mi | -2°F | 12% | 9 mph | a very similar climate |
| Año Nuevo State Park | 22.1 mi | -21°F | 42% | 14 mph | about 21°F cooler on summer afternoons and about 77% more rain a year |
| Año Nuevo Point | 22.8 mi | -21°F | 42% | 14 mph | about 21°F cooler on summer afternoons and about 77% more rain a year |
| Montara | 24.6 mi | -23°F | 60% | 8 mph | about 23°F cooler on summer afternoons and more summer morning fog (60% vs 14% of morning hours) |
Places with a climate like Los Altos'
- Union City (15 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
- Fremont (13 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
- Belmont (13 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
Climate Dashboard
Current conditions vs. NOAA normals and recent destination baseline
What the Los Altos climate comparisons mean
These cards compare recent conditions at Los Altos 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 Los Altos 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.
Los Altos weather by month
August is the warmest month at Los Altos, with an average high of 79°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 41°F. February is the wettest month (3.6 in.), out of about 17.8 in. a year. Morning fog peaks in July, when fog or low cloud covers 16% of the hours from 6 to 10 AM. June has the clearest middays, with clouds covering about 13% of the sky from 11 AM to 3 PM.
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Los Altos are June, July, and September. The best hours are usually 10 AM to 1 PM in June, 10 AM to 1 PM in July, and 10 AM to 1 PM in September.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Rainy days | Morning fog | Midday cloud | Afternoon wind | Daylight | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 60°F | 41°F | 3.5 in | 8 | 12% | 31% | 5 mph | 9.9 h | 61 |
| Feb | 63°F | 43°F | 3.6 in | 8 | 9% | 26% | 7 mph | 10.8 h | 64 |
| Mar | 66°F | 45°F | 2.8 in | 7 | 8% | 30% | 8 mph | 11.9 h | 67 |
| Apr | 68°F | 46°F | 1.3 in | 5 | 6% | 25% | 9 mph | 13.2 h | 78 |
| May | 72°F | 50°F | 0.6 in | 3 | 8% | 22% | 9 mph | 14.2 h | 81 |
| Jun | 77°F | 53°F | 0.1 in | 2 | 9% | 13% | 9 mph | 14.7 h | 89 |
| Jul | 79°F | 55°F | 0.0 in | 0 | 16% | 13% | 9 mph | 14.5 h | 88 |
| Aug | 79°F | 55°F | 0.0 in | 1 | 16% | 13% | 9 mph | 13.6 h | 87 |
| Sep | 79°F | 54°F | 0.1 in | 1 | 11% | 16% | 8 mph | 12.3 h | 88 |
| Oct | 75°F | 50°F | 0.7 in | 4 | 10% | 16% | 7 mph | 11.1 h | 84 |
| Nov | 66°F | 44°F | 1.7 in | 5 | 10% | 20% | 5 mph | 10.1 h | 77 |
| Dec | 59°F | 41°F | 3.4 in | 8 | 16% | 32% | 5 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 Los Altos' weather different
When the fog burns off
10 AMwhen July fog usually thins (25% foggy at 8 AM)
Fog or low cloud covers Los Altos in 25% of 8 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 10 AM. April mornings are the least foggy (6%).
When the wind picks up
1 PMwhen afternoon wind builds, February–October
From February through October, wind at Los Altos typically builds after 1 PM. In May it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 10 mph with 2% of those hours windy, while mornings average 4 mph.
Daylight
9.6–14.7 hof daylight, Dec to Jun
Days at Los Altos range from about 9.6 hours in December to 14.7 hours in June. In mid-June the sun sets around 8:29 PM, and in mid-December around 4:56 PM.
Seasons at Los Altos
- Warm seasonJun 30 – Sep 26 · highs 78°F+
The warm season lasts about 2.9 months, from Jun 30 to Sep 26, when the average high is 78°F or warmer. Highs peak around Aug 8 at about 79°F.
- Cool seasonNov 27 – Feb 28 · highs 64°F or lower
The cool season runs from Nov 27 to Feb 28, when the average high is 64°F or lower. The coldest nights come around Dec 8, with an average low near 41°F.
- Rainy seasonNov 24 – Mar 26 · 74% of the year's rain
The rainy season runs from Nov 24 to Mar 26, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 74% 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 5 and half of its annual total by Jan 27.
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, Los Altos averaged 12 days a year at 90°F or hotter and no freezing nights. It averaged 12 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 48 mornings a year had 3 or more hours of fog or low cloud.
In the same record, the hottest day was Jun 11, 2026 (99°F) and the coldest night was Feb 10, 2025 (35°F). The wettest day was Feb 5, 2025 (1.74 in.), and the strongest 2 PM gust was 53 mph on Mar 12, 2025.
- 12days at 90°F or hotter
- 0nights at or below freezing
- 12days with ½ in. of rain or more
- 1afternoon with 20+ mph wind
- 48mornings with 3+ hours of fog or low cloud
- Hottest day99°FJun 11, 2026
- Coldest night35°FFeb 10, 2025
- Wettest day1.74 inFeb 5, 2025
- Strongest 2 PM gust53 mphMar 12, 2025
What shapes Los Altos' weather
The Santa Cruz Mountains to the west govern the weather in Los Altos. They block most of the coastal fog, which shows up here mainly as morning low clouds in July and August. That happens when the marine layer, the cool, moist air the ocean feeds ashore, is deep enough to spill over the range. The mountains also put the town on the dry side of the range. Winter storms drop more rain here than in Sunnyvale or along the Bay, but far less than on Skyline Ridge a few miles west.
Mature trees and creeks shape small differences in weather around Los Altos. Redwood Grove and the Adobe Creek corridor stay shaded and cool on hot afternoons. On clear, calm winter nights, cold air sliding off the hills settles along the creek bottoms. Adobe Creek runs in the wet winter and spring months and is often dry the rest of the year.
Tips for visiting Los Altos
Cool off at Redwood Grove
Trails at Redwood Grove Nature Preserve, off University Avenue, run under redwood shade along Adobe Creek, a good refuge on a hot afternoon.
Expect a dry creek in summer
Visit Redwood Grove in winter or spring if you want to see Adobe Creek running, since it is often dry by summer.
Check your flood risk before winter
Valley Water urges Santa Clara County residents to check whether their address is in a FEMA flood zone before the rainy season.
Head uphill for big views
Monte Bello Ridge and Black Mountain form the town's western backdrop. Monte Bello Preserve, up Page Mill Road, puts you on top of them, with views across the Santa Clara Valley.
Los Altos through the seasons
- Spring (March–May)
- Adobe Creek is still flowing and the native meadow at Redwood Grove greens up. Mild, sunny afternoons return.
- Summer (June–August)
- Summer afternoons are warm and sunny, with a lighter breeze than the bayside cities. Gray mornings come mostly in July and August, when the marine layer is deep.
- Fall (September–November)
- Offshore winds, which blow dry air from inland toward the coast, are most common in fall. They can bring some of the hottest, driest days of the year to the Santa Clara Valley.
- Winter (December–February)
- Winter is the rainy season. Most of the valley's yearly rain falls between November and March, and creeks rise quickly in strong storms.
Activities and the weather that matters
- Strolling downtown: The tree-lined downtown streets are pleasant most of the year. Summer evenings are mild, and winter afternoons are cool and short.
- Walking Redwood Grove: The trail stays shaded and cool under the redwoods on hot days. Low spots in the meadow stay wet after winter rain.
- Cycling toward the foothills: Ride early in summer before the afternoon heat on the climbs, and avoid the hills on Red Flag Warning days, when fire danger is critical.
Official sources and current conditions
- Grassroots Ecology: Redwood Grove Nature Preserve
- Valley Water: Flood Ready
- National Weather Service, San Francisco Bay Area forecast office
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 | 85 | 63.9° / 46.3° | 6.5h | 1d | 2.09" | 23 |
| December 2024 | 76 | 61.8° / 45.4° | 5.3h | 6d | 3.86" | 13 |
| January 2025 | 85 | 60.7° / 41.4° | 7h | 3d | 0.1" | 22 |
| February 2025 | 80 | 62.5° / 44.7° | 6.9h | 1d | 5.87" | 17 |
| March 2025 | 86 | 63.6° / 46.2° | 8.6h | 1d | 2.25" | 24 |
| April 2025 | 92 | 68.9° / 48.7° | 9.7h | 1d | 0.43" | 26 |
| May 2025 | 96 | 75.8° / 52.2° | 11.9h | 0d | 0.12" | 31 |
| June 2025 | 95 | 76.5° / 54.4° | 12.6h | 0d | 0" | 30 |
| July 2025 | 94 | 77.7° / 57.7° | 11.5h | 5d | 0" | 31 |
| August 2025 | 92 | 81.6° / 59° | 10.8h | 2d | 0" | 31 |
| September 2025 | 93 | 80.5° / 61.6° | 9.6h | 1d | 0.08" | 29 |
| October 2025 | 91 | 73.3° / 54° | 8.1h | 1d | 0.95" | 29 |
| November 2025 | 81 | 65.4° / 49.8° | 6.4h | 8d | 2.68" | 17 |
| December 2025 | 74 | 59.2° / 45.6° | 5.3h | 9d | 3.1" | 7 |
| January 2026 | 82 | 62.1° / 44.2° | 6.7h | 3d | 3.28" | 23 |
| February 2026 | 81 | 64.7° / 46.9° | 6.5h | 3d | 3.47" | 18 |
| March 2026 | 95 | 77.2° / 51.9° | 9.7h | 0d | 0" | 30 |
| April 2026 | 90 | 69.5° / 50.5° | 9h | 0d | 2.54" | 25 |
| May 2026 | 94 | 73.7° / 53.6° | 11.5h | 0d | 0.21" | 30 |
| June 2026 | 95 | 78.9° / 57.2° | 12.1h | 0d | 0.01" | 29 |
| July 2026 | 94 | 80.8° / 58.5° | 11.5h | 0d | 0" | 30 |
| August 2026 | 93 | 79.4° / 59.4° | 10.7h | 4d | 0" | 31 |
| September 2026 | 94 | 79.6° / 56.9° | 10h | 1d | 0.02" | 30 |
| October 2026 | 91 | 76.5° / 53.7° | 8.3h | 2d | 0.07" | 29 |
Climate Trends
Average Temperature by Month
About the Los Altos climate charts
The temperature chart compares average monthly highs and lows at Los Altos, 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 Los Altos. 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 Los Altos, the warmest typical hour is 3 PM in August (81°F). The coldest is 7 AM in January (45°F).
- Fog: Fog or low cloud covers Los Altos in 25% of 8 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 10 AM. April mornings are the least foggy (6%).
- Wind: From February through October, wind at Los Altos typically builds after 1 PM. In May it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 10 mph with 2% of those hours windy, while mornings average 4 mph.
- Cloud Cover: June middays are the clearest at Los Altos (13% average cloud cover), and December middays are the cloudiest (32%).
- Solar Radiation: The strongest typical sun at Los Altos comes at 1 PM in June, averaging 980 W/m².
How to read the hourly heatmaps for Los Altos
This heatmap shows how average temperature at Los Altos 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 Los Altos. 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 Los Altos 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 Los Altos 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 Los Altos 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 Los Altos
- October 2026 recap: October 2026 at Los Altos averaged a high of 77°F, 2°F warmer than the 1991-2020 normal of 75°F. It brought 0.07 in. of rain, compared with a normal of 0.74 in.
- Rain year: The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 16.3 in. of rain to Los Altos, 91% of the 17.8 in. normal.
Location Details
Los Altos weather questions
Everything you need to know about weather and visiting Los Altos
What is the weather like at Los Altos today?
It's 53°F at Los Altos right now, with a comfort score of 76 (great). Monday's forecast high at Los Altos is 56°F, 10°F below the mid November normal of 66°F. The best window today is 10 AM to 1 PM, at about 54°F with a 3 mph wind (comfort 64).
What is the best month to visit Los Altos?
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Los Altos are June, July, and September. The best hours are usually 10 AM to 1 PM in June, 10 AM to 1 PM in July, and 10 AM to 1 PM in September. The warm season lasts about 2.9 months, from Jun 30 to Sep 26, when the average high is 78°F or warmer. Highs peak around Aug 8 at about 79°F.
What are the warmest and coldest months at Los Altos?
August is the warmest month at Los Altos, with an average high of 79°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 41°F.
When does the fog burn off at Los Altos?
Fog or low cloud covers Los Altos in 25% of 8 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 10 AM. April mornings are the least foggy (6%).
When is it windiest at Los Altos?
From February through October, wind at Los Altos typically builds after 1 PM. In May it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 10 mph with 2% of those hours windy, while mornings average 4 mph.
How much rain does Los Altos get?
February is the wettest month (3.6 in.), out of about 17.8 in. a year. The rainy season runs from Nov 24 to Mar 26, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 74% of the year's rain. The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 16.3 in. of rain to Los Altos, 91% of the 17.8 in. normal.
What kind of place is Los Altos?
Los Altos is a leafy residential town on the gently rising ground between the Mountain View flats and the foothills. Its small, walkable downtown is wedged between Foothill Expressway and San Antonio Road. Its streets climb toward Los Altos Hills, and Monte Bello Ridge and Black Mountain form the skyline behind it. Adobe Creek winds through town and through Redwood Grove Nature Preserve. Emma Halsey planted its redwoods as saplings in the 1920s, bringing them down from the Santa Cruz Mountains.
What is Los Altos weather like in November?
November at Los Altos averages a high of 66°F and a low of 44°F, with 1.7 in. of rain over about 5 rainy days. Afternoon wind averages 5 mph.
More about Los Altos 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.
- Grassroots Ecology, Redwood Grove Nature Preserve (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Valley Water, Flood Ready (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, Monte Bello Preserve (accessed 2026-10-27)
- National Weather Service, Climate of San Jose (NOAA Technical Memorandum NWS WR-259) (accessed 2026-10-27)
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