Moss Beach Weather
Town • San Francisco Bay Area
Moss Beach is a bluff-top village a mile south of Montara, best known for the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve at the end of Nevada Avenue. There a broad rocky shelf between the tide lines is exposed at low tide. San Mateo County Parks runs the reserve, which lies within the Montara State Marine Reserve, so nothing living may be taken and no fishing is allowed. Instead of a swimming beach, the draw here is the reef, the bluff-top Coastal Trail, and the harbor seals. Pillar Point and its harbor lie just to the south.
Plan your week
10-Day Forecast
Hour by hour
Hourly Forecast
Current Conditions
Comfort Breakdown
Moss Beach weather today and through the year
It's 57°F at Moss Beach right now (feels like 53°F), with 9 mph wind and a comfort score of 79. Monday's forecast high at Moss Beach is 56°F, 5°F below the mid November normal of 61°F. No fog in the forecast for today at Moss Beach. In November, 22% of morning hours here are foggy on average. The best window today is 11 AM to 2 PM, at about 53°F with a 4 mph wind (comfort 57).
September is the warmest month at Moss Beach, with an average high of 69°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 45°F. December is the wettest month (5.8 in.), out of about 28.0 in. a year. By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Moss Beach are September, October, and August. The best hours are usually 2 PM to 5 PM in September, 2 PM to 5 PM in October, and 3 PM to 6 PM in August.
Moss Beach sits where the coastal terrace starts to widen south of Montara Mountain. The village is fully exposed to the summer marine layer, the cool, moist air that comes straight off the ocean. Most summer days start gray, and many stay that way at the reef.
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 Moss Beach 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 Moss Beach. In November, 22% of morning hours here are foggy on average.
Best time to go
The best window today is 11 AM to 2 PM, at about 53°F with a 4 mph wind (comfort 57).
Best day this week
Of the next 7 days, Friday looks best for Moss Beach, with a 60°F high and midday comfort near 78. Thursday looks weakest (45).
Rain
Next good chance of rain: today (76%, about 0.54 in.).
Tides (Pillar Point Harbor (Half Moon Bay))
- Low 3.5 ft at 7:41 AM today
- High 4.7 ft at 1:15 PM today
- Low 0.4 ft at 9:12 PM today
- High 4.1 ft at 4:56 AM tomorrow
Live weather map
Weather around Moss Beach right now
Overcast and 57° at Moss Beach right now.
About the live weather map for Moss Beach
The map centers on Moss Beach 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.
Moss Beach vs nearby places
Typical summer conditions compared with Moss Beach, 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 Moss Beach |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montara | 1 mi | -2°F | 60% | 8 mph | a very similar climate |
| Half Moon Bay State Beach | 5.1 mi | +3°F | 54% | 9 mph | less summer morning fog (54% vs 66% of morning hours) |
| Pacifica | 6.1 mi | -2°F | 56% | 9 mph | a very similar climate |
| Burlingame | 9 mi | +16°F | 9% | 9 mph | less summer morning fog (9% vs 66% of morning hours) and about 16°F warmer on summer afternoons |
| San Carlos | 13.9 mi | +18°F | 7% | 10 mph | less summer morning fog (7% vs 66% of morning hours) and about 18°F warmer on summer afternoons |
| Atherton | 17.9 mi | +19°F | 9% | 10 mph | less summer morning fog (9% vs 66% of morning hours) and about 19°F warmer on summer afternoons |
Places with a climate like Moss Beach's
- Pescadero (20 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
- Daly City (13 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
- West Portal (15 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
Climate Dashboard
Current conditions vs. NOAA normals and recent destination baseline
What the Moss Beach climate comparisons mean
These cards compare recent conditions at Moss Beach 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 Moss Beach 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.
Moss Beach weather by month
September is the warmest month at Moss Beach, with an average high of 69°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 45°F. December is the wettest month (5.8 in.), out of about 28.0 in. a year. Morning fog peaks in July, when fog or low cloud covers 73% of the hours from 6 to 10 AM. November has the clearest middays, with clouds covering about 28% of the sky from 11 AM to 3 PM.
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Moss Beach are September, October, and August. The best hours are usually 2 PM to 5 PM in September, 2 PM to 5 PM in October, and 3 PM to 6 PM in August.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Rainy days | Morning fog | Midday cloud | Afternoon wind | Daylight | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 57°F | 45°F | 5.5 in | 10 | 17% | 37% | 8 mph | 9.9 h | 37 |
| Feb | 58°F | 46°F | 5.3 in | 10 | 16% | 32% | 11 mph | 10.8 h | 35 |
| Mar | 60°F | 47°F | 4.0 in | 8 | 25% | 38% | 11 mph | 11.9 h | 53 |
| Apr | 61°F | 48°F | 1.9 in | 6 | 32% | 43% | 11 mph | 13.2 h | 58 |
| May | 63°F | 50°F | 0.9 in | 4 | 41% | 53% | 10 mph | 14.2 h | 54 |
| Jun | 66°F | 52°F | 0.3 in | 2 | 54% | 52% | 10 mph | 14.7 h | 63 |
| Jul | 67°F | 54°F | 0.0 in | 1 | 73% | 61% | 8 mph | 14.5 h | 65 |
| Aug | 68°F | 55°F | 0.1 in | 1 | 70% | 60% | 8 mph | 13.6 h | 72 |
| Sep | 69°F | 55°F | 0.1 in | 2 | 57% | 50% | 9 mph | 12.3 h | 77 |
| Oct | 68°F | 52°F | 1.3 in | 5 | 34% | 35% | 9 mph | 11.1 h | 74 |
| Nov | 61°F | 48°F | 2.8 in | 7 | 22% | 28% | 8 mph | 10.1 h | 64 |
| Dec | 57°F | 45°F | 5.8 in | 10 | 20% | 37% | 8 mph | 9.6 h | 36 |
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 Moss Beach average about 7°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 Moss Beach has actually seen.
What makes Moss Beach's weather different
Among the 163 San Francisco Bay Area towns we track, Moss Beach has the foggiest summer mornings and the 3rd-cloudiest summer middays.
- #1of 163
foggiest summer morningsamong San Francisco Bay Area towns
- #3of 163
cloudiest summer middaysamong San Francisco Bay Area towns
When the fog burns off
80%of 9 AM hours foggy in July
Fog or low cloud covers Moss Beach in 80% of 9 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It often lingers, and 53% of mid-afternoon hours are still foggy. February mornings are the least foggy (16%).
When the wind picks up
1 PMwhen afternoon wind builds, February–October
From February through October, wind at Moss Beach typically builds after 1 PM. In April it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 12 mph with 28% of those hours windy, while mornings average 7 mph.
Microclimate
+16°FBurlingame, 9 mi away, on summer afternoons
Burlingame, 9 miles away, runs about 16°F warmer than Moss Beach on summer afternoons. It also has far less summer morning fog, 9% of morning hours compared with 66%.
Daylight
9.6–14.7 hof daylight, Dec to Jun
Days at Moss Beach range from about 9.6 hours in December to 14.7 hours in June. In mid-June the sun sets around 8:31 PM, and in mid-December around 4:58 PM.
Seasons at Moss Beach
- Warm seasonJul 6 – Oct 25 · highs 67°F+
The warm season lasts about 3.7 months, from Jul 6 to Oct 25, when the average high is 67°F or warmer. Highs peak around Sep 8 at about 69°F.
- Cool seasonDec 1 – Feb 28 · highs 59°F or lower
The cool season runs from Dec 1 to Feb 28, when the average high is 59°F or lower. The coldest nights come around Jan 1, with an average low near 45°F.
- Rainy seasonNov 5 – Apr 12 · 85% of the year's rain
The rainy season runs from Nov 5 to Apr 12, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 85% 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, Moss Beach averaged no days at 90°F or hotter and no freezing nights. It averaged 16 days a year with at least half an inch of rain and 7 afternoons with wind of 20 mph or more at 2 PM. About 192 mornings a year had 3 or more hours of fog or low cloud.
In the same record, the hottest day was Oct 15, 2026 (75°F) and the coldest night was Jan 20, 2025 (44°F). The wettest day was Nov 23, 2024 (2.67 in.), and the strongest 2 PM gust was 57 mph on Feb 4, 2025.
- 0days at 90°F or hotter
- 0nights at or below freezing
- 16days with ½ in. of rain or more
- 7afternoons with 20+ mph wind
- 192mornings with 3+ hours of fog or low cloud
- Hottest day75°FOct 15, 2026
- Coldest night44°FJan 20, 2025
- Wettest day2.67 inNov 23, 2024
- Strongest 2 PM gust57 mphFeb 4, 2025
What shapes Moss Beach's weather
At Moss Beach, the flat reef and low bluffs give the northwest wind a clear run. Afternoons are often breezy and raw on the Coastal Trail, especially in spring. Pillar Point, a short distance south, puts a headland between its harbor and that wind. A visit here is about timing the tide more than chasing sun.
Tide and weather work together at the Fitzgerald reef. The best tidepooling comes on the lowest tides, and a big swell or strong onshore wind can push water over rocks that would otherwise be dry. Winter storms bring the largest surf and the highest tides of the year to this exposed shelf. October and November often bring calmer seas and clearer skies.
Tips for visiting Moss Beach
Aim for a tide of 1 foot or less
The Friends of Fitzgerald Marine Reserve say the best exploring comes when tides are predicted at 1 foot or lower. The lowest tides fall around full and new moons.
Check closing time before a late low tide
The reserve opens at 8 a.m. daily. Closing time shifts with the season, from 5 p.m. in winter to 8 p.m. from April through Labor Day.
Leave the dog on the Coastal Trail
Dogs are not allowed at the tidepools. In the reserve they are permitted on the Coastal Trail only.
Look, don't touch
Don't handle marine life, pull animals off rocks, or put them in containers. Stay at least 300 feet from harbor seals and other marine mammals.
Watch your footing
The county asks visitors to walk carefully around the pools, both for their own safety and to avoid crushing barnacles, anemones, and mussels.
Moss Beach through the seasons
- Spring (March–May)
- Longer evening hours return (the reserve closes at 8 p.m. from April), and spring often brings the strongest northwest winds of the year to the bluffs.
- Summer (June–August)
- Summer is foggy, cool, and busy. Expect gray skies at the reef on most mornings, so pack a warm layer even in July.
- Fall (September–November)
- September is the warmest month but often still foggy, and October and November bring more clear days. Closing time steps back after Labor Day and reaches 5 p.m. in November.
- Winter (December–February)
- Winter brings storm surf, the year's highest tides and an early 5 p.m. closing. Check the county's park advisories after big storms.
Activities and the weather that matters
- Tidepooling: Go on a daytime tide of 1 foot or lower. Calm swell makes the outer reef safer to reach, and fog does not hurt the viewing.
- Walking the Coastal Trail: The trail is open to leashed dogs. Clear days give the best views, and afternoon northwest wind can make it cold.
- Guided group tidepool tours: Groups can reserve tidepool tours through the county. A low daytime tide and small swell make for the best outing.
Official sources and current conditions
- San Mateo County Parks: Fitzgerald Marine Reserve
- Fitzgerald Marine Reserve hours
- Fitzgerald Marine Reserve regulations
- NOAA tide predictions: Pillar Point Harbor
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 | 73 | 57.8° / 50.6° | 6.2h | 6d | 4.37" | 13 |
| December 2024 | 69 | 58° / 51° | 5.2h | 8d | 6.03" | 12 |
| January 2025 | 80 | 56.4° / 48.2° | 6.8h | 4d | 0.18" | 21 |
| February 2025 | 68 | 56° / 48.3° | 5.9h | 8d | 7.1" | 9 |
| March 2025 | 72 | 55.6° / 48.7° | 6.7h | 7d | 2.17" | 12 |
| April 2025 | 72 | 55.4° / 49.6° | 7.5h | 16d | 0.45" | 6 |
| May 2025 | 73 | 56.4° / 50.7° | 9h | 20d | 0.18" | 8 |
| June 2025 | 69 | 56.9° / 52.6° | 7.1h | 25d | 0" | 4 |
| July 2025 | 68 | 59.4° / 55.3° | 5.4h | 30d | 0" | 1 |
| August 2025 | 71 | 61.2° / 56.3° | 6.1h | 26d | 0" | 6 |
| September 2025 | 74 | 63.8° / 58.7° | 6.2h | 25d | 0.19" | 4 |
| October 2025 | 77 | 61.6° / 56° | 6.8h | 13d | 0.91" | 16 |
| November 2025 | 73 | 59.8° / 53.2° | 5.7h | 11d | 3.47" | 11 |
| December 2025 | 72 | 59.7° / 52.2° | 5.2h | 8d | 4.54" | 16 |
| January 2026 | 78 | 60.7° / 53.1° | 6.3h | 4d | 4.99" | 20 |
| February 2026 | 73 | 58.9° / 52.4° | 6h | 3d | 4.11" | 13 |
| March 2026 | 81 | 58.6° / 50.8° | 9.3h | 8d | 0.02" | 18 |
| April 2026 | 76 | 58.7° / 53.4° | 8h | 10d | 3.56" | 14 |
| May 2026 | 73 | 56.7° / 52.4° | 8.1h | 16d | 0.39" | 8 |
| June 2026 | 73 | 58.9° / 54.6° | 8.2h | 22d | 0" | 7 |
| July 2026 | 72 | 60.3° / 56.4° | 6.5h | 24d | 0" | 8 |
| August 2026 | 70 | 61.6° / 57.8° | 5.3h | 31d | 0" | 1 |
| September 2026 | 78 | 62.5° / 57.9° | 7h | 15d | 0.05" | 13 |
| October 2026 | 83 | 62.6° / 56.1° | 7.9h | 9d | 0.17" | 20 |
Climate Trends
Average Temperature by Month
About the Moss Beach climate charts
The temperature chart compares average monthly highs and lows at Moss Beach, 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 Moss Beach. 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 Moss Beach, the warmest typical hour is 3 PM in October (63°F). The coldest is 6 AM in February (49°F).
- Fog: Fog or low cloud covers Moss Beach in 80% of 9 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It often lingers, and 53% of mid-afternoon hours are still foggy. February mornings are the least foggy (16%).
- Wind: From February through October, wind at Moss Beach typically builds after 1 PM. In April it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 12 mph with 28% of those hours windy, while mornings average 7 mph.
- Cloud Cover: November middays are the clearest at Moss Beach (28% average cloud cover), and July middays are the cloudiest (61%).
- Solar Radiation: The strongest typical sun at Moss Beach comes at 1 PM in April, averaging 651 W/m².
How to read the hourly heatmaps for Moss Beach
This heatmap shows how average temperature at Moss Beach 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 Moss Beach. 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 Moss Beach 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 Moss Beach 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 Moss Beach 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 Moss Beach
- October 2026 recap: October 2026 at Moss Beach averaged a high of 63°F, about the same as October 2025 (62°F).
- Rain year: The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 22.0 in. of rain to Moss Beach, 79% of the 28.0 in. normal.
Location Details
Moss Beach weather questions
Everything you need to know about weather and visiting Moss Beach
What is the weather like at Moss Beach today?
It's 57°F at Moss Beach right now, with a comfort score of 79 (great). Monday's forecast high at Moss Beach is 56°F, 5°F below the mid November normal of 61°F. The best window today is 11 AM to 2 PM, at about 53°F with a 4 mph wind (comfort 57).
What is the best month to visit Moss Beach?
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Moss Beach are September, October, and August. The best hours are usually 2 PM to 5 PM in September, 2 PM to 5 PM in October, and 3 PM to 6 PM in August. The warm season lasts about 3.7 months, from Jul 6 to Oct 25, when the average high is 67°F or warmer. Highs peak around Sep 8 at about 69°F.
What are the warmest and coldest months at Moss Beach?
September is the warmest month at Moss Beach, with an average high of 69°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 45°F.
When does the fog burn off at Moss Beach?
Fog or low cloud covers Moss Beach in 80% of 9 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It often lingers, and 53% of mid-afternoon hours are still foggy. February mornings are the least foggy (16%).
When is it windiest at Moss Beach?
From February through October, wind at Moss Beach typically builds after 1 PM. In April it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 12 mph with 28% of those hours windy, while mornings average 7 mph.
How much rain does Moss Beach get?
December is the wettest month (5.8 in.), out of about 28.0 in. a year. The rainy season runs from Nov 5 to Apr 12, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 85% of the year's rain. The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 22.0 in. of rain to Moss Beach, 79% of the 28.0 in. normal.
How does Moss Beach weather compare with Burlingame?
Burlingame, 9 miles away, runs about 16°F warmer than Moss Beach on summer afternoons. It also has far less summer morning fog, 9% of morning hours compared with 66%.
What kind of place is Moss Beach?
Moss Beach is a bluff-top village a mile south of Montara, best known for the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve at the end of Nevada Avenue. There a broad rocky shelf between the tide lines is exposed at low tide. San Mateo County Parks runs the reserve, which lies within the Montara State Marine Reserve, so nothing living may be taken and no fishing is allowed. Instead of a swimming beach, the draw here is the reef, the bluff-top Coastal Trail, and the harbor seals. Pillar Point and its harbor lie just to the south.
What is Moss Beach weather like in November?
November at Moss Beach averages a high of 61°F and a low of 48°F, with 2.8 in. of rain over about 7 rainy days. About 22% of morning hours are foggy. Afternoon wind averages 8 mph.
More about Moss Beach 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.
- San Mateo County Parks, Fitzgerald Marine Reserve (accessed 2026-10-27)
- San Mateo County Parks, Fitzgerald Marine Reserve hours (accessed 2026-10-27)
- San Mateo County Parks, Fitzgerald Marine Reserve regulations and tidepool etiquette (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Friends of Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, Learn about the tidepools (accessed 2026-10-27)
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