Pope Valley Weather
Town • San Francisco Bay Area
Pope Valley lies over the back of Howell Mountain from Napa Valley. It is a long, quiet farming valley of scattered ranches and vineyards in the Vaca Mountains of northern Napa County. It sits north of Angwin and west of Lake Berryessa, and Pope Creek drains it east toward the lake. At its western end, off Aetna Springs Road, the Oat Hill Mine Trail climbs toward Calistoga along an old stagecoach route.
Plan your week
10-Day Forecast
Hour by hour
Hourly Forecast
Current Conditions
Comfort Breakdown
Pope Valley weather today and through the year
It's 50°F at Pope Valley right now (feels like 48°F), with 3 mph wind and a comfort score of 73. Today's forecast high at Pope Valley is 58°F, 5°F below the mid November normal of 63°F. No fog in the forecast for today at Pope Valley. In November, 26% of morning hours here are foggy on average. The best window today is 8 AM to 11 AM, at about 52°F with a 6 mph wind (comfort 56).
July is the warmest month at Pope Valley, with an average high of 90°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 38°F. December is the wettest month (8.0 in.), out of about 38.1 in. a year. By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Pope Valley are May, September, and October. The best hours are usually 10 AM to 1 PM in May, 9 AM to noon in September, and 10 AM to 1 PM in October.
Pope Valley has two ranges between it and the bay. The Mayacamas rise on the far side of Napa Valley, and Howell Mountain sits right next door. By the time marine air gets this far inland it has warmed and dried, so summer afternoons are almost always clear. They tend to run hotter than on the Napa Valley floor, closer to the heat around Lake Berryessa.
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 Pope Valley in the next few days
No active National Weather Service alerts for this location.
Fog
No fog in the forecast for today at Pope Valley. In November, 26% of morning hours here are foggy on average.
Best time to go
The best window today is 8 AM to 11 AM, at about 52°F with a 6 mph wind (comfort 56).
Best day this week
Of the next 7 days, Friday looks best for Pope Valley, with a 57°F high and midday comfort near 69. Today looks weakest (48).
Rain
Next good chance of rain: today (75%, about 0.35 in.).
Live weather map
Weather around Pope Valley right now
Overcast and 50° at Pope Valley right now.
About the live weather map for Pope Valley
The map centers on Pope Valley 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.
Pope Valley vs nearby places
Typical summer conditions compared with Pope Valley, 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 Pope Valley |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angwin | 3 mi | -6°F | 14% | 10 mph | about 6°F cooler on summer afternoons |
| St. Helena | 7.9 mi | -1°F | 24% | 7 mph | a very similar climate |
| Calistoga | 8.6 mi | -4°F | 29% | 9 mph | about 4°F cooler on summer afternoons |
| Robert Louis Stevenson State Park | 9.5 mi | -10°F | 8% | 10 mph | about 10°F cooler on summer afternoons and less summer morning fog (8% vs 20% of morning hours) |
| Sugarloaf Ridge State Park | 12.8 mi | -10°F | 17% | 10 mph | about 10°F cooler on summer afternoons |
| Rohnert Park | 24.1 mi | -10°F | 34% | 8 mph | about 10°F cooler on summer afternoons and more summer morning fog (34% vs 20% of morning hours) |
Places with a climate like Pope Valley's
- San Ramon (63 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
- Middletown (14 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
- Sonoma (22 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
Climate Dashboard
Current conditions vs. NOAA normals and recent destination baseline
What the Pope Valley climate comparisons mean
These cards compare recent conditions at Pope Valley 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 Pope Valley 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.
Pope Valley weather by month
July is the warmest month at Pope Valley, with an average high of 90°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 38°F. December is the wettest month (8.0 in.), out of about 38.1 in. a year. Morning fog peaks in December, when fog or low cloud covers 39% of the hours from 6 to 10 AM. July has the clearest middays, with clouds covering about 2% of the sky from 11 AM to 3 PM.
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Pope Valley are May, September, and October. The best hours are usually 10 AM to 1 PM in May, 9 AM to noon in September, and 10 AM to 1 PM in October.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Rainy days | Morning fog | Midday cloud | Afternoon wind | Daylight | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 56°F | 38°F | 7.6 in | 12 | 35% | 32% | 5 mph | 9.8 h | 38 |
| Feb | 59°F | 40°F | 7.0 in | 11 | 20% | 26% | 7 mph | 10.7 h | 47 |
| Mar | 63°F | 42°F | 5.4 in | 10 | 22% | 29% | 7 mph | 11.9 h | 55 |
| Apr | 68°F | 44°F | 2.5 in | 7 | 17% | 20% | 8 mph | 13.2 h | 73 |
| May | 75°F | 49°F | 1.5 in | 5 | 18% | 13% | 9 mph | 14.3 h | 83 |
| Jun | 84°F | 54°F | 0.3 in | 2 | 13% | 4% | 10 mph | 14.9 h | 78 |
| Jul | 90°F | 57°F | 0.0 in | 0 | 21% | 2% | 9 mph | 14.6 h | 76 |
| Aug | 89°F | 57°F | 0.1 in | 1 | 27% | 3% | 8 mph | 13.6 h | 76 |
| Sep | 86°F | 56°F | 0.1 in | 2 | 21% | 7% | 8 mph | 12.3 h | 83 |
| Oct | 76°F | 50°F | 1.8 in | 6 | 24% | 14% | 7 mph | 11.1 h | 83 |
| Nov | 63°F | 43°F | 3.8 in | 8 | 26% | 20% | 5 mph | 10.0 h | 70 |
| Dec | 55°F | 39°F | 8.0 in | 12 | 39% | 34% | 5 mph | 9.5 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.
What makes Pope Valley's weather different
When the fog burns off
1 PMwhen December fog usually thins (43% foggy at 5 AM)
Fog or low cloud covers Pope Valley in 43% of 5 AM hours in December, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 1 PM. June mornings are the least foggy (13%).
When the wind picks up
2 PMwhen afternoon wind builds, April–September
From April through September, wind at Pope Valley typically builds after 2 PM. In June it peaks around 6 PM, averaging 12 mph with 18% of those hours windy, while mornings average 4 mph.
Hot hours
8 habove 85°F on a typical July afternoon
In July, the average temperature stays at or above 85°F for 8 hours a day.
Microclimate
−6°FAngwin, 3 mi away, on summer afternoons
Angwin, 3 miles away, runs about 6°F cooler than Pope Valley on summer afternoons.
Daylight
9.5–14.9 hof daylight, Dec to Jun
Days at Pope Valley range from about 9.5 hours in December to 14.9 hours in June. In mid-June the sun sets around 8:37 PM, and in mid-December around 4:55 PM.
Seasons at Pope Valley
- Warm seasonJun 26 – Sep 24 · highs 85°F+
The warm season lasts about 3 months, from Jun 26 to Sep 24, when the average high is 85°F or warmer. Highs peak around Jul 8 at about 90°F.
- Cool seasonNov 27 – Feb 28 · highs 61°F or lower
The cool season runs from Nov 27 to Feb 28, when the average high is 61°F or lower. The coldest nights come around Jan 8, with an average low near 38°F.
- Rainy seasonOct 23 – Apr 27 · 91% of the year's rain
The rainy season runs from Oct 23 to Apr 27, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 91% 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 17 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, Pope Valley averaged 51 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 7 nights a year at or below freezing. It averaged 24 days a year with at least half an inch of rain and 3 afternoons with wind of 20 mph or more at 2 PM. About 86 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 20, 2026 (29°F). The wettest day was Nov 21, 2024 (6.42 in.), and the strongest 2 PM gust was 42 mph on Feb 13, 2025.
- 51days at 90°F or hotter
- 7nights at or below freezing
- 24days with ½ in. of rain or more
- 3afternoons with 20+ mph wind
- 86mornings with 3+ hours of fog or low cloud
- Hottest day102°FJun 11, 2026
- Coldest night29°FFeb 20, 2026
- Wettest day6.42 inNov 21, 2024
- Strongest 2 PM gust42 mphFeb 13, 2025
What shapes Pope Valley's weather
Pope Valley's floor works as a basin for cold air. On clear, calm nights, air cooled on Howell Mountain and the surrounding ridges slides down and settles over the fields. Dawn here is often colder than in Napa Valley, and frost arrives earlier in fall and hangs on later into spring. Expect a big swing from a chilly sunrise to a warm afternoon in every season.
Most rain falls between November and March, when the creeks feeding Pope Creek run high and low crossings can flood. In summer and fall, dry grass, oak woodland, and chaparral on the surrounding hills make fire weather the valley's main hazard.
Tips for visiting Pope Valley
Bring all the water you need
There's no drinking water along the Oat Hill Mine Trail, so carry your own, especially on warm days.
Start the Oat Hill Mine Trail early
From the Aetna Springs trailhead the trail runs 8.3 miles to Calistoga with about 1,500 feet of elevation change. It's open sunrise to sunset, so start early to finish in daylight and before the afternoon heat.
Walk down Pope Canyon to the lake
The Bureau of Reclamation's Pope Canyon route follows two miles of old roadway from Pope Canyon Road down to Pope Creek.
Watch creek crossings after storms
At Moore Creek Park, south of the valley on Chiles Pope Valley Road, creek crossings can be difficult or impossible at high water.
Pope Valley through the seasons
- Spring (March–May)
- Spring is the best season to visit. The park district calls the wildflowers on the Oat Hill Mine Trail exceptional, and chilly mornings give way to mild afternoons.
- Summer (June–August)
- Summer is hot, dry, and almost always sunny, with cool mornings. Hike and ride at first light.
- Fall (September–November)
- Fall brings harvest in the valley's vineyards, warm afternoons, and the first frosts by November. Fire danger stays high until the first soaking rain.
- Winter (December–February)
- Winter brings cold mornings, some of them frosty, and the bulk of the year's rain. Creeks rise quickly after storms, and the park district warns that crossings at Moore Creek Park can become impassable.
Activities and the weather that matters
- Hiking the Oat Hill Mine Trail: Spring is prime, with wildflowers and moderate temperatures. Summer afternoons are hot on the exposed chaparral, and there is no water on the route.
- Road cycling: Quiet valley roads suit cool spring and fall mornings. Summer afternoons are hot, and winter mornings can be icy in shaded spots.
- Hiking at Moore Creek Park: The park is best from fall through spring and is open sunrise to sunset. After heavy rain, check creek levels before planning a route with crossings.
Official sources and current conditions
- Napa Open Space District: Oat Hill Mine Trail
- Napa Open Space District: Moore Creek Park
- Bureau of Reclamation: Lake Berryessa trails
- National Weather Service, San Francisco Bay Area
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 | 76 | 60.9° / 41.9° | 6.1h | 5d | 16.59" | 17 |
| December 2024 | 69 | 59° / 42.3° | 4.9h | 13d | 9.74" | 13 |
| January 2025 | 83 | 60.9° / 39.9° | 7.3h | 7d | 0.41" | 20 |
| February 2025 | 75 | 59.7° / 40.7° | 6.5h | 6d | 13.66" | 14 |
| March 2025 | 80 | 60.1° / 42° | 8.5h | 6d | 4.45" | 18 |
| April 2025 | 91 | 68.5° / 46.1° | 10h | 4d | 0.66" | 26 |
| May 2025 | 93 | 78.7° / 51.5° | 12.6h | 0d | 0.21" | 30 |
| June 2025 | 92 | 84.6° / 54° | 12.9h | 0d | 0" | 30 |
| July 2025 | 93 | 85.9° / 55.6° | 12.5h | 0d | 0" | 31 |
| August 2025 | 87 | 91.8° / 59.1° | 11.6h | 2d | 0" | 27 |
| September 2025 | 88 | 83.9° / 58.7° | 9.7h | 2d | 0.12" | 26 |
| October 2025 | 86 | 72.1° / 51.2° | 7.6h | 11d | 1.91" | 24 |
| November 2025 | 81 | 64.9° / 47.2° | 6.6h | 11d | 5.49" | 18 |
| December 2025 | 69 | 59.6° / 43.5° | 5.1h | 21d | 10.2" | 11 |
| January 2026 | 79 | 62.5° / 42.5° | 6.5h | 5d | 7.03" | 21 |
| February 2026 | 76 | 62° / 43.3° | 6.1h | 9d | 6.08" | 14 |
| March 2026 | 94 | 77.1° / 50.4° | 9.8h | 2d | 0" | 30 |
| April 2026 | 85 | 66.6° / 46.4° | 9.2h | 5d | 5.39" | 21 |
| May 2026 | 91 | 75.7° / 52° | 11.8h | 1d | 1.87" | 28 |
| June 2026 | 93 | 84.7° / 55.7° | 12.9h | 0d | 0" | 29 |
| July 2026 | 90 | 89.3° / 57.1° | 12.2h | 0d | 0" | 29 |
| August 2026 | 86 | 89.8° / 57.5° | 11.2h | 8d | 0" | 26 |
| September 2026 | 89 | 82.5° / 54.5° | 10.2h | 7d | 0.23" | 28 |
| October 2026 | 86 | 79.6° / 51.4° | 8.2h | 3d | 0.11" | 23 |
Climate Trends
Average Temperature by Month
About the Pope Valley climate charts
The temperature chart compares average monthly highs and lows at Pope Valley, 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 Pope Valley. 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 Pope Valley, the warmest typical hour is 4 PM in July (93°F). The coldest is 7 AM in December (43°F).
- Fog: Fog or low cloud covers Pope Valley in 43% of 5 AM hours in December, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 1 PM. June mornings are the least foggy (13%).
- Wind: From April through September, wind at Pope Valley typically builds after 2 PM. In June it peaks around 6 PM, averaging 12 mph with 18% of those hours windy, while mornings average 4 mph.
- Cloud Cover: July middays are the clearest at Pope Valley (2% average cloud cover), and December middays are the cloudiest (34%).
- Solar Radiation: The strongest typical sun at Pope Valley comes at 1 PM in July, averaging 990 W/m².
How to read the hourly heatmaps for Pope Valley
This heatmap shows how average temperature at Pope Valley 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 Pope Valley. 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 Pope Valley 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 Pope Valley 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 Pope Valley 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 Pope Valley
- October 2026 recap: October 2026 at Pope Valley averaged a high of 80°F, 8°F warmer than October 2025 (72°F).
- Rain year: The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 38.2 in. of rain to Pope Valley, 100% of the 38.1 in. normal.
Location Details
Pope Valley weather questions
Everything you need to know about weather and visiting Pope Valley
What is the weather like at Pope Valley today?
It's 50°F at Pope Valley right now, with a comfort score of 73 (very good). Today's forecast high at Pope Valley is 58°F, 5°F below the mid November normal of 63°F. The best window today is 8 AM to 11 AM, at about 52°F with a 6 mph wind (comfort 56).
What is the best month to visit Pope Valley?
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Pope Valley are May, September, and October. The best hours are usually 10 AM to 1 PM in May, 9 AM to noon in September, and 10 AM to 1 PM in October. The warm season lasts about 3 months, from Jun 26 to Sep 24, when the average high is 85°F or warmer. Highs peak around Jul 8 at about 90°F.
What are the warmest and coldest months at Pope Valley?
July is the warmest month at Pope Valley, with an average high of 90°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 38°F.
When does the fog burn off at Pope Valley?
Fog or low cloud covers Pope Valley in 43% of 5 AM hours in December, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 1 PM. June mornings are the least foggy (13%).
When is it windiest at Pope Valley?
From April through September, wind at Pope Valley typically builds after 2 PM. In June it peaks around 6 PM, averaging 12 mph with 18% of those hours windy, while mornings average 4 mph.
How much rain does Pope Valley get?
December is the wettest month (8.0 in.), out of about 38.1 in. a year. The rainy season runs from Oct 23 to Apr 27, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 91% of the year's rain. The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 38.2 in. of rain to Pope Valley, 100% of the 38.1 in. normal.
How does Pope Valley weather compare with Angwin?
Angwin, 3 miles away, runs about 6°F cooler than Pope Valley on summer afternoons.
What kind of place is Pope Valley?
Pope Valley lies over the back of Howell Mountain from Napa Valley. It is a long, quiet farming valley of scattered ranches and vineyards in the Vaca Mountains of northern Napa County. It sits north of Angwin and west of Lake Berryessa, and Pope Creek drains it east toward the lake. At its western end, off Aetna Springs Road, the Oat Hill Mine Trail climbs toward Calistoga along an old stagecoach route.
What is Pope Valley weather like in November?
November at Pope Valley averages a high of 63°F and a low of 43°F, with 3.8 in. of rain over about 8 rainy days. About 26% of morning hours are foggy. Afternoon wind averages 5 mph.
More about Pope Valley weather
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.
- Napa County Regional Park and Open Space District, Oat Hill Mine Trail (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Napa County Regional Park and Open Space District, Moore Creek Park (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Bureau of Reclamation, Lake Berryessa Trails (accessed 2026-10-27)
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