Novato Weather
Town • San Francisco Bay Area
Novato, Marin's northernmost city, spreads across a broad valley between Mount Burdell to the north and Big Rock Ridge to the southwest. Diked marshes along San Pablo Bay line its east side. Old Town's Grant Avenue is the historic center, and the former Hamilton Air Force Base sits at the south end. Three stations on SMART, the Sonoma-Marin commuter train, link the city to the rest of the North Bay. Unlike the creek canyons of central Marin, Novato is open and spread out, with grassy oak hills on almost every edge.
Plan your week
10-Day Forecast
Hour by hour
Hourly Forecast
Current Conditions
Comfort Breakdown
Novato weather today and through the year
It's 53°F at Novato right now (feels like 52°F), with 3 mph wind and a comfort score of 78. Monday's forecast high at Novato is 58°F, 6°F below the mid November normal of 64°F. No fog in the forecast for today at Novato. In November, 25% of morning hours here are foggy on average. The best window today is 8 AM to 11 AM, at about 54°F with a 3 mph wind (comfort 59).
September is the warmest month at Novato, with an average high of 77°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 41°F. December is the wettest month (6.1 in.), out of about 29.3 in. a year. By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Novato are September, July, and August. The best hours are usually 10 AM to 1 PM in September, 10 AM to 1 PM in July, and 10 AM to 1 PM in August.
Novato is about as far from the Golden Gate as you can get and still be in Marin. Big Rock Ridge and the hills of Lucas Valley block the direct path of the marine layer, the fog and low cloud that form over the ocean. The ridges of West Marin screen off the open Pacific. That makes Novato one of the warmest and sunniest places in the county in summer, closer in feel to Petaluma than to Mill Valley.
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 Novato in the next few days
No active National Weather Service alerts for this location.
Fog
No fog in the forecast for today at Novato. In November, 25% of morning hours here are foggy on average.
Best time to go
The best window today is 8 AM to 11 AM, at about 54°F with a 3 mph wind (comfort 59).
Best day this week
Of the next 7 days, Friday looks best for Novato, with a 61°F high and midday comfort near 74. Today looks weakest (51).
Rain
Next good chance of rain: today (83%, about 0.40 in.).
Live weather map
Weather around Novato right now
Overcast and 53° at Novato right now.
About the live weather map for Novato
The map centers on Novato 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.
Novato vs nearby places
Typical summer conditions compared with Novato, 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 Novato |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Burdell Open Space Preserve | 2.9 mi | -2°F | 35% | 9 mph | more summer morning fog (35% vs 17% of morning hours) and 1,512 ft higher |
| Olompali State Historic Park | 3.1 mi | -2°F | 35% | 9 mph | more summer morning fog (35% vs 17% of morning hours) |
| Fairfax | 8.4 mi | -2°F | 15% | 9 mph | about 28% more rain a year |
| Rodeo Beach | 19.1 mi | -25°F | 48% | 13 mph | about 25°F cooler on summer afternoons and more summer morning fog (48% vs 17% of morning hours) |
| Dillon Beach | 23.6 mi | -26°F | 43% | 12 mph | about 26°F cooler on summer afternoons and more summer morning fog (43% vs 17% of morning hours) |
| Ocean Beach | 24.3 mi | -24°F | 49% | 11 mph | about 24°F cooler on summer afternoons and more summer morning fog (49% vs 17% of morning hours) |
Places with a climate like Novato's
- Woodside (50 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
- Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve (38 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
- Guerneville (36 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
Climate Dashboard
Current conditions vs. NOAA normals and recent destination baseline
What the Novato climate comparisons mean
These cards compare recent conditions at Novato 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 Novato 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.
Novato weather by month
September is the warmest month at Novato, with an average high of 77°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 41°F. December is the wettest month (6.1 in.), out of about 29.3 in. a year. Morning fog peaks in December, when fog or low cloud covers 38% of the hours from 6 to 10 AM. July has the clearest middays, with clouds covering about 10% of the sky from 11 AM to 3 PM.
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Novato are September, July, and August. The best hours are usually 10 AM to 1 PM in September, 10 AM to 1 PM in July, and 10 AM to 1 PM in August.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Rainy days | Morning fog | Midday cloud | Afternoon wind | Daylight | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 57°F | 41°F | 5.8 in | 10 | 35% | 37% | 6 mph | 9.8 h | 37 |
| Feb | 60°F | 43°F | 5.7 in | 10 | 18% | 27% | 7 mph | 10.7 h | 48 |
| Mar | 63°F | 43°F | 4.1 in | 8 | 17% | 30% | 8 mph | 11.9 h | 65 |
| Apr | 66°F | 45°F | 1.8 in | 6 | 10% | 24% | 10 mph | 13.2 h | 75 |
| May | 69°F | 48°F | 0.9 in | 4 | 9% | 22% | 10 mph | 14.2 h | 79 |
| Jun | 75°F | 51°F | 0.2 in | 2 | 12% | 10% | 10 mph | 14.8 h | 84 |
| Jul | 76°F | 52°F | 0.0 in | 0 | 20% | 10% | 9 mph | 14.5 h | 85 |
| Aug | 77°F | 53°F | 0.0 in | 1 | 20% | 11% | 8 mph | 13.6 h | 85 |
| Sep | 77°F | 52°F | 0.1 in | 1 | 16% | 13% | 9 mph | 12.3 h | 87 |
| Oct | 73°F | 49°F | 1.4 in | 5 | 18% | 18% | 7 mph | 11.1 h | 83 |
| Nov | 64°F | 44°F | 3.1 in | 8 | 25% | 23% | 6 mph | 10.0 h | 68 |
| Dec | 57°F | 41°F | 6.1 in | 10 | 38% | 41% | 6 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.
In summer, recent daily NOAA readings at Novato average about 4°F warmer 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 Novato has actually seen.
What makes Novato's weather different
When the fog burns off
2 PMwhen December fog usually thins (43% foggy at 8 AM)
Fog or low cloud covers Novato in 43% of 8 AM hours in December, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 2 PM. May mornings are the least foggy (9%).
When the wind picks up
2 PMwhen afternoon wind builds, March–October
From March through October, wind at Novato typically builds after 2 PM. In May it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 12 mph with 20% of those hours windy, while mornings average 6 mph.
Elevation
−2°Fsummer afternoons at Mount Burdell Open Space Preserve, 1,512 ft up
Mount Burdell Open Space Preserve sits 1,512 ft higher, 2.9 miles away. Its summer highs average 2°F cooler and its winter lows 1°F colder than Novato.
Daylight
9.5–14.8 hof daylight, Dec to Jun
Days at Novato range from about 9.5 hours in December to 14.8 hours in June. In mid-June the sun sets around 8:34 PM, and in mid-December around 4:55 PM.
Seasons at Novato
- Warm seasonJun 27 – Oct 1 · highs 75°F+
The warm season lasts about 3.2 months, from Jun 27 to Oct 1, when the average high is 75°F or warmer. Highs peak around Sep 8 at about 77°F.
- Cool seasonNov 30 – Feb 24 · highs 61°F or lower
The cool season runs from Nov 30 to Feb 24, when the average high is 61°F or lower. The coldest nights come around Dec 8, with an average low near 41°F.
- Rainy seasonOct 30 – Apr 12 · 87% of the year's rain
The rainy season runs from Oct 30 to Apr 12, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 87% 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 22 and half of its annual total by Jan 22.
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, Novato averaged 25 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 1 night a year at or below freezing. It averaged 18 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 92 mornings a year had 3 or more hours of fog or low cloud.
In the same record, the hottest day was Jun 11, 2026 (102°F) and the coldest night was Feb 10, 2025 (32°F). The wettest day was Nov 21, 2024 (2.71 in.), and the strongest 2 PM gust was 44 mph on Feb 4, 2025.
- 25days at 90°F or hotter
- 1night at or below freezing
- 18days with ½ in. of rain or more
- 2afternoons with 20+ mph wind
- 92mornings with 3+ hours of fog or low cloud
- Hottest day102°FJun 11, 2026
- Coldest night32°FFeb 10, 2025
- Wettest day2.71 inNov 21, 2024
- Strongest 2 PM gust44 mphFeb 4, 2025
What shapes Novato's weather
Summer cooling reaches Novato from the bay side rather than straight off the ocean. On most summer afternoons a breeze comes in off San Pablo Bay to the east and up the Petaluma River marshes to the north. On nights when the ocean fog runs deep, low clouds can work their way into the valley by morning before burning off early.
The flat, open valley loses heat fast on clear nights, so a few winter mornings each year bring frost. December and January are Novato's foggiest months. On cold, still nights, dense ground fog often settles over the low eastern side of town near the marshes.
Rain is lighter than in Fairfax or the Ross Valley because Novato sits well north of Mount Tamalpais. The eastern neighborhoods are built on former marsh behind levees, so they are the parts of town most exposed to flooding when heavy rain meets high bay tides. The grassy hills around the city dry out by early summer. In fall, dry offshore wind blowing from inland toward the coast can then turn that grass into a fire risk.
Tips for visiting Novato
Take SMART to three Novato stops
SMART trains stop at Novato San Marin (7700 Redwood Blvd.), Novato Downtown (695 Grant Ave.), and Novato Hamilton (10 Main Gate Rd.).
Spend a hot afternoon on Grant Avenue
Old Town's Grant Avenue has the city's historic shops and restaurants, a short walk from the Novato Downtown station.
Hike Mount Burdell before the heat
The trails up Mount Burdell from Novato are steep and rocky with little shade, and the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council advises starting early in summer.
Leave Olompali by 5 p.m.
Olompali State Historic Park, just north of town, is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the gate closes promptly at 5 p.m.
Novato through the seasons
- Spring (March–May)
- Spring brings green hills and wildflowers to Mount Burdell and the other open space ridges. Mild, often sunny days make this the best hiking season.
- Summer (June–August)
- Summer is warm to hot, dry, and usually clear, with an afternoon breeze off the bay. Plan outdoor exercise for the morning.
- Fall (September–November)
- Warm days continue into October, and the dry grass on the hills makes offshore wind events a fire concern.
- Winter (December–February)
- Winter mornings are cool and often foggy near the marshes, and a few clear nights bring frost. Heavy rain at high tide can flood the low eastern side of town.
Activities and the weather that matters
- Hiking the open space hills: Best on cool spring mornings. Summer afternoons on the shadeless grassland are hot, and trails get muddy after winter rain.
- Cycling: Mornings are calm and mild most of the year. The afternoon breeze off San Pablo Bay picks up on the flat eastern roads.
- Train trips north or south: SMART makes an easy escape to cooler San Rafael and Larkspur on hot days.
Official sources and 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 | 79 | 63.6° / 45.4° | 6.2h | 8d | 7.98" | 17 |
| December 2024 | 68 | 58.6° / 44.9° | 4.5h | 12d | 6.87" | 12 |
| January 2025 | 82 | 61.2° / 40.9° | 6.8h | 9d | 0.32" | 22 |
| February 2025 | 76 | 61.6° / 43.3° | 6.4h | 6d | 9.22" | 16 |
| March 2025 | 82 | 62.2° / 45.1° | 8h | 4d | 2.9" | 18 |
| April 2025 | 92 | 67.9° / 46.8° | 10.1h | 2d | 0.35" | 28 |
| May 2025 | 96 | 74.3° / 50.7° | 12.2h | 2d | 0.12" | 31 |
| June 2025 | 95 | 76.5° / 51.6° | 12.4h | 3d | 0" | 30 |
| July 2025 | 94 | 78.1° / 54.5° | 11.9h | 3d | 0" | 31 |
| August 2025 | 92 | 84.6° / 55.8° | 11.4h | 4d | 0" | 30 |
| September 2025 | 91 | 81.6° / 57.8° | 9.5h | 3d | 0.15" | 26 |
| October 2025 | 87 | 73.9° / 52.2° | 7.7h | 7d | 1.13" | 28 |
| November 2025 | 77 | 64.5° / 49.6° | 5.9h | 13d | 4.32" | 13 |
| December 2025 | 59 | 54.1° / 44.4° | 3.4h | 21d | 5.65" | 3 |
| January 2026 | 75 | 59.6° / 44° | 6.2h | 9d | 5.83" | 20 |
| February 2026 | 77 | 63.7° / 46.3° | 6.2h | 6d | 5.28" | 17 |
| March 2026 | 95 | 77.4° / 50.5° | 9.7h | 0d | 0.04" | 30 |
| April 2026 | 88 | 68.2° / 48.4° | 9.2h | 3d | 3.78" | 24 |
| May 2026 | 94 | 73.1° / 52° | 11.6h | 1d | 0.94" | 30 |
| June 2026 | 95 | 78.6° / 54.5° | 12.3h | 1d | 0.01" | 29 |
| July 2026 | 95 | 81.1° / 55.4° | 11.7h | 0d | 0" | 31 |
| August 2026 | 93 | 82.8° / 55.3° | 10.6h | 4d | 0.04" | 31 |
| September 2026 | 91 | 80.7° / 54.7° | 9.7h | 4d | 0.21" | 27 |
| October 2026 | 90 | 79.7° / 50.1° | 8.5h | 2d | 0.12" | 27 |
Climate Trends
Average Temperature by Month
About the Novato climate charts
The temperature chart compares average monthly highs and lows at Novato, 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 Novato. 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 Novato, the warmest typical hour is 3 PM in August (83°F). The coldest is 7 AM in January (45°F).
- Fog: Fog or low cloud covers Novato in 43% of 8 AM hours in December, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 2 PM. May mornings are the least foggy (9%).
- Wind: From March through October, wind at Novato typically builds after 2 PM. In May it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 12 mph with 20% of those hours windy, while mornings average 6 mph.
- Cloud Cover: July middays are the clearest at Novato (10% average cloud cover), and December middays are the cloudiest (41%).
- Solar Radiation: The strongest typical sun at Novato comes at 1 PM in June, averaging 976 W/m².
How to read the hourly heatmaps for Novato
This heatmap shows how average temperature at Novato 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 Novato. 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 Novato 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 Novato 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 Novato 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 Novato
- October 2026 recap: October 2026 at Novato averaged a high of 80°F, 7°F warmer than the 1991-2020 normal of 73°F. It brought 0.12 in. of rain, compared with a normal of 1.45 in.
- Rain year: The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 27.2 in. of rain to Novato, 93% of the 29.3 in. normal.
Location Details
Novato weather questions
Everything you need to know about weather and visiting Novato
What is the weather like at Novato today?
It's 53°F at Novato right now, with a comfort score of 78 (great). Monday's forecast high at Novato is 58°F, 6°F below the mid November normal of 64°F. The best window today is 8 AM to 11 AM, at about 54°F with a 3 mph wind (comfort 59).
What is the best month to visit Novato?
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Novato are September, July, and August. The best hours are usually 10 AM to 1 PM in September, 10 AM to 1 PM in July, and 10 AM to 1 PM in August. The warm season lasts about 3.2 months, from Jun 27 to Oct 1, when the average high is 75°F or warmer. Highs peak around Sep 8 at about 77°F.
What are the warmest and coldest months at Novato?
September is the warmest month at Novato, with an average high of 77°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 41°F.
When does the fog burn off at Novato?
Fog or low cloud covers Novato in 43% of 8 AM hours in December, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 2 PM. May mornings are the least foggy (9%).
When is it windiest at Novato?
From March through October, wind at Novato typically builds after 2 PM. In May it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 12 mph with 20% of those hours windy, while mornings average 6 mph.
How much rain does Novato get?
December is the wettest month (6.1 in.), out of about 29.3 in. a year. The rainy season runs from Oct 30 to Apr 12, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 87% of the year's rain. The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 27.2 in. of rain to Novato, 93% of the 29.3 in. normal.
How does Novato weather compare with Mount Burdell Open Space Preserve?
Mount Burdell Open Space Preserve sits 1,512 ft higher, 2.9 miles away. Its summer highs average 2°F cooler and its winter lows 1°F colder than Novato.
What kind of place is Novato?
Novato, Marin's northernmost city, spreads across a broad valley between Mount Burdell to the north and Big Rock Ridge to the southwest. Diked marshes along San Pablo Bay line its east side. Old Town's Grant Avenue is the historic center, and the former Hamilton Air Force Base sits at the south end. Three stations on SMART, the Sonoma-Marin commuter train, link the city to the rest of the North Bay. Unlike the creek canyons of central Marin, Novato is open and spread out, with grassy oak hills on almost every edge.
What is Novato weather like in November?
November at Novato averages a high of 64°F and a low of 44°F, with 3.1 in. of rain over about 8 rainy days. About 25% of morning hours are foggy. Afternoon wind averages 6 mph.
More about Novato 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.
- Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART), Stations (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Visit Marin, Novato (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Bay Area Ridge Trail, Mount Burdell Open Space Preserve (accessed 2026-10-27)
- California State Parks, Olompali State Historic Park (accessed 2026-10-27)
Rendered 2026-11-15T12:04:16.849Z.