Redwood City Weather
Town • San Francisco Bay Area
Redwood City is San Mateo County's seat, with a downtown along Broadway that includes the San Mateo County History Museum. Signs downtown carry the 1925 slogan "Climate Best by Government Test." Downtown sits on the plain along Redwood Creek, south of San Carlos and north of Atherton. East of Highway 101, the city reaches out to the Port of Redwood City, on the only deep-water channel in the southern bay. Beyond it lie the Bair Island marshes, a restoration site, and Redwood Shores, built partly on former salt ponds.
Plan your week
10-Day Forecast
Hour by hour
Hourly Forecast
Current Conditions
Comfort Breakdown
Redwood City weather today and through the year
It's 53°F at Redwood City right now (feels like 50°F), with 5 mph wind and a comfort score of 77. Monday's forecast high at Redwood City is 57°F, 8°F below the mid November normal of 65°F. The best window today is 11 AM to 2 PM, at about 54°F with a 3 mph wind (comfort 58).
August is the warmest month at Redwood City, with an average high of 78°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 41°F. January is the wettest month (3.9 in.), out of about 19.2 in. a year. By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Redwood City are September, June, and July. The best hours are usually 10 AM to 1 PM in September, 11 AM to 2 PM in June, and 10 AM to 1 PM in July.
The slogan came out of a Chamber of Commerce contest, not a government study, but the geography behind it is real. West of Redwood City the Santa Cruz Mountains rise high and unbroken from Kings Mountain south. Most of the summer marine layer, the cool, foggy ocean air that reaches San Mateo through the San Bruno and Crystal Springs gaps, stops at the ridge. Downtown gets more sun and warmer afternoons than the cities to the north.
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 Redwood City in the next few days
No active National Weather Service alerts for this location.
Best time to go
The best window today is 11 AM to 2 PM, at about 54°F with a 3 mph wind (comfort 58).
Best day this week
Of the next 7 days, Friday looks best for Redwood City, with a 60°F high and midday comfort near 74. Thursday looks weakest (52).
Rain
Next good chance of rain: today (80%, about 0.27 in.).
Live weather map
Weather around Redwood City right now
Overcast and 53° at Redwood City right now.
About the live weather map for Redwood City
The map centers on Redwood City 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.
Redwood City vs nearby places
Typical summer conditions compared with Redwood City, 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 Redwood City |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Carlos | 2 mi | -2°F | 7% | 10 mph | a very similar climate |
| Atherton | 2.7 mi | -1°F | 9% | 10 mph | a very similar climate |
| Edgewood Park & Natural Preserve | 3 mi | +1°F | 23% | 8 mph | more summer morning fog (23% vs 13% of morning hours) |
| Montara | 15.8 mi | -21°F | 60% | 8 mph | about 21°F cooler on summer afternoons and more summer morning fog (60% vs 13% of morning hours) |
| Pacifica | 16.3 mi | -22°F | 56% | 9 mph | about 22°F cooler on summer afternoons and more summer morning fog (56% vs 13% of morning hours) |
| Ocean Beach | 24.2 mi | -21°F | 49% | 11 mph | about 21°F cooler on summer afternoons and more summer morning fog (49% vs 13% of morning hours) |
Places with a climate like Redwood City's
- Novato (47 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
- Union City (13 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
- Sunnyvale (14 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
Climate Dashboard
Current conditions vs. NOAA normals and recent destination baseline
What the Redwood City climate comparisons mean
These cards compare recent conditions at Redwood City 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 Redwood City 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.
Redwood City weather by month
August is the warmest month at Redwood City, with an average high of 78°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 41°F. January is the wettest month (3.9 in.), out of about 19.2 in. a year. Morning fog peaks in August, when fog or low cloud covers 15% of the hours from 6 to 10 AM. June has the clearest middays, with clouds covering about 17% of the sky from 11 AM to 3 PM.
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Redwood City are September, June, and July. The best hours are usually 10 AM to 1 PM in September, 11 AM to 2 PM in June, and 10 AM to 1 PM in July.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Rainy days | Morning fog | Midday cloud | Afternoon wind | Daylight | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 60°F | 41°F | 3.9 in | 8 | 10% | 34% | 5 mph | 9.9 h | 61 |
| Feb | 62°F | 43°F | 3.8 in | 8 | 10% | 28% | 7 mph | 10.8 h | 64 |
| Mar | 65°F | 45°F | 3.0 in | 7 | 7% | 32% | 8 mph | 11.9 h | 66 |
| Apr | 68°F | 46°F | 1.4 in | 5 | 6% | 26% | 9 mph | 13.2 h | 76 |
| May | 71°F | 50°F | 0.6 in | 3 | 6% | 28% | 10 mph | 14.2 h | 77 |
| Jun | 76°F | 53°F | 0.1 in | 2 | 9% | 17% | 10 mph | 14.7 h | 87 |
| Jul | 78°F | 55°F | 0.0 in | 0 | 15% | 19% | 10 mph | 14.5 h | 86 |
| Aug | 78°F | 55°F | 0.0 in | 1 | 15% | 19% | 9 mph | 13.6 h | 86 |
| Sep | 78°F | 54°F | 0.1 in | 1 | 10% | 22% | 9 mph | 12.3 h | 88 |
| Oct | 74°F | 50°F | 0.8 in | 4 | 10% | 20% | 7 mph | 11.1 h | 84 |
| Nov | 65°F | 45°F | 1.9 in | 6 | 10% | 24% | 5 mph | 10.1 h | 77 |
| Dec | 59°F | 41°F | 3.8 in | 8 | 15% | 35% | 5 mph | 9.6 h | 60 |
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 Redwood City's weather different
When the fog burns off
11 AMwhen August fog usually thins (22% foggy at 9 AM)
Fog or low cloud covers Redwood City in 22% of 9 AM hours in August, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 11 AM. April mornings are the least foggy (6%).
When the wind picks up
noonwhen afternoon wind builds, February–October
From February through October, wind at Redwood City typically builds after noon. In May it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 12 mph with 12% of those hours windy, while mornings average 4 mph.
Daylight
9.6–14.7 hof daylight, Dec to Jun
Days at Redwood City range from about 9.6 hours in December to 14.7 hours in June. In mid-June the sun sets around 8:30 PM, and in mid-December around 4:57 PM.
Seasons at Redwood City
- Warm seasonJul 3 – Sep 26 · highs 77°F+
The warm season lasts about 2.8 months, from Jul 3 to Sep 26, when the average high is 77°F or warmer. Highs peak around Aug 8 at about 78°F.
- Cool seasonNov 29 – Feb 25 · highs 63°F or lower
The cool season runs from Nov 29 to Feb 25, when the average high is 63°F or lower. The coldest nights come around Dec 8, with an average low near 41°F.
- Rainy seasonNov 20 – Mar 29 · 77% of the year's rain
The rainy season runs from Nov 20 to Mar 29, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 77% 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 3 and half of its annual total by Jan 26.
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, Redwood City averaged 17 days a year at 90°F or hotter and no freezing nights. It averaged 10 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 37 mornings a year had 3 or more hours of fog or low cloud.
In the same record, the hottest day was Sep 9, 2026 (100°F) and the coldest night was Jan 10, 2026 (37°F). The wettest day was Feb 5, 2025 (1.46 in.), and the strongest 2 PM gust was 46 mph on Mar 12, 2025.
- 17days at 90°F or hotter
- 0nights at or below freezing
- 10days with ½ in. of rain or more
- 1afternoon with 20+ mph wind
- 37mornings with 3+ hours of fog or low cloud
- Hottest day100°FSep 9, 2026
- Coldest night37°FJan 10, 2026
- Wettest day1.46 inFeb 5, 2025
- Strongest 2 PM gust46 mphMar 12, 2025
What shapes Redwood City's weather
San Francisco Bay shapes the afternoon wind in Redwood City. A northwest breeze slides down the bay, and the Port, Bair Island, and Redwood Shores sit on flat former marsh in its path. They catch far more of it than downtown, a couple of miles inland. A walk on the Bair Island levees can feel like a different season from Broadway on the same afternoon.
Redwood City's sheltered spot means heat waves hit downtown harder than towns farther north. In late-summer and fall heat waves, when the sea breeze collapses, downtown can run much hotter than San Mateo or Foster City. On calm, clear winter nights the inland flats cool off quickly, while the bayfront stays a bit milder.
Tips for visiting Redwood City
Take Caltrain downtown
Redwood City station at 1 James Avenue has about 557 parking spaces in three lots and 24-hour secure bike parking through BikeHub.
Visit the county history museum
The San Mateo County History Museum, at 2200 Broadway, is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Walk Bair Island for marsh views
The Inner Bair Island restoration added a Bay Trail section with a bike and pedestrian bridge and raised observation platforms over the restored marsh.
Bring a layer to the bayfront
On summer afternoons the wind at the Port and Bair Island is much stronger than downtown, even when Broadway feels warm.
Redwood City through the seasons
- Spring (March–May)
- Spring is mild and increasingly sunny, with breezy afternoons on the bayfront as the sea breeze strengthens.
- Summer (June–August)
- Summer brings sunny, warm afternoons downtown while fog stays on the coast side of the ridge. The Port and Redwood Shores are windy.
- Fall (September–October)
- Some of the year's hottest days come in September, when the sea breeze fades and inland heat reaches the Peninsula.
- Winter (November–February)
- Winter is the rainy season. Clear spells between storms bring cold mornings on the inland flats.
Activities and the weather that matters
- Bay Trail ride: A ride of about 17 miles runs from Coyote Point through San Mateo and Foster City to Redwood City, mostly on paved Bay Trail. Plan for a headwind heading north on summer afternoons.
- Birding at Bair Island: Calm mornings and low tides are best. Afternoon wind on the open levees makes for chilly, blustery viewing.
- Downtown dining and museum visits: Downtown is sheltered from the bay wind, so evenings outdoors on Broadway are pleasant from spring through fall.
Official sources and current conditions
- Caltrain: Redwood City station
- San Mateo County History Museum
- San Francisco Bay Trail: Redwood Shores to Ravenswood Slough
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 | 84 | 63.9° / 47.3° | 6.6h | 2d | 2.26" | 23 |
| December 2024 | 76 | 61.5° / 46.7° | 5.2h | 5d | 3.72" | 14 |
| January 2025 | 85 | 60.9° / 42.9° | 6.7h | 2d | 0.09" | 22 |
| February 2025 | 79 | 62.3° / 45.6° | 6.6h | 1d | 5.02" | 16 |
| March 2025 | 86 | 63.6° / 46.9° | 8.4h | 0d | 1.86" | 24 |
| April 2025 | 92 | 68.7° / 49° | 9.5h | 0d | 0.37" | 27 |
| May 2025 | 95 | 74.2° / 51.9° | 12.1h | 0d | 0.12" | 31 |
| June 2025 | 96 | 76.1° / 54° | 12.5h | 0d | 0" | 30 |
| July 2025 | 94 | 77.4° / 57.1° | 11.5h | 2d | 0" | 31 |
| August 2025 | 93 | 82.4° / 58.8° | 11.1h | 1d | 0" | 31 |
| September 2025 | 91 | 80.6° / 61.2° | 9.4h | 1d | 0.06" | 29 |
| October 2025 | 90 | 73.6° / 54.7° | 8.1h | 0d | 0.72" | 29 |
| November 2025 | 81 | 65.9° / 50.8° | 6.4h | 5d | 2.22" | 17 |
| December 2025 | 73 | 59° / 46.5° | 5.2h | 10d | 3" | 11 |
| January 2026 | 82 | 62.6° / 45.6° | 6.8h | 3d | 3.55" | 24 |
| February 2026 | 82 | 64.6° / 47.9° | 6.8h | 3d | 2.06" | 21 |
| March 2026 | 95 | 77.9° / 52.7° | 9.6h | 0d | 0" | 30 |
| April 2026 | 90 | 68.9° / 50.8° | 9h | 1d | 1.57" | 25 |
| May 2026 | 94 | 72.8° / 53.3° | 11.4h | 2d | 0.21" | 31 |
| June 2026 | 95 | 78.3° / 56.7° | 12.1h | 1d | 0" | 30 |
| July 2026 | 95 | 79.3° / 57.9° | 11.6h | 1d | 0" | 31 |
| August 2026 | 93 | 80.4° / 59.2° | 10.7h | 2d | 0" | 31 |
| September 2026 | 93 | 79.6° / 57.1° | 10h | 1d | 0.01" | 29 |
| October 2026 | 91 | 77.3° / 54.5° | 8.1h | 2d | 0.07" | 29 |
Climate Trends
Average Temperature by Month
About the Redwood City climate charts
The temperature chart compares average monthly highs and lows at Redwood City, 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 Redwood City. 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 Redwood City, the warmest typical hour is 3 PM in August (80°F). The coldest is 6 AM in January (46°F).
- Fog: Fog or low cloud covers Redwood City in 22% of 9 AM hours in August, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 11 AM. April mornings are the least foggy (6%).
- Wind: From February through October, wind at Redwood City typically builds after noon. In May it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 12 mph with 12% of those hours windy, while mornings average 4 mph.
- Cloud Cover: June middays are the clearest at Redwood City (17% average cloud cover), and December middays are the cloudiest (35%).
- Solar Radiation: The strongest typical sun at Redwood City comes at 1 PM in July, averaging 967 W/m².
How to read the hourly heatmaps for Redwood City
This heatmap shows how average temperature at Redwood City 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 Redwood City. 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 Redwood City 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 Redwood City 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 Redwood City 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 Redwood City
- October 2026 recap: October 2026 at Redwood City averaged a high of 77°F, 3°F warmer than the 1991-2020 normal of 74°F. It brought 0.07 in. of rain, compared with a normal of 0.83 in.
- Rain year: The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 13.3 in. of rain to Redwood City, 69% of the 19.2 in. normal.
Location Details
Redwood City weather questions
Everything you need to know about weather and visiting Redwood City
What is the weather like at Redwood City today?
It's 53°F at Redwood City right now, with a comfort score of 77 (great). Monday's forecast high at Redwood City is 57°F, 8°F below the mid November normal of 65°F. The best window today is 11 AM to 2 PM, at about 54°F with a 3 mph wind (comfort 58).
What is the best month to visit Redwood City?
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Redwood City are September, June, and July. The best hours are usually 10 AM to 1 PM in September, 11 AM to 2 PM in June, and 10 AM to 1 PM in July. The warm season lasts about 2.8 months, from Jul 3 to Sep 26, when the average high is 77°F or warmer. Highs peak around Aug 8 at about 78°F.
What are the warmest and coldest months at Redwood City?
August is the warmest month at Redwood City, with an average high of 78°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 41°F.
When does the fog burn off at Redwood City?
Fog or low cloud covers Redwood City in 22% of 9 AM hours in August, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 11 AM. April mornings are the least foggy (6%).
When is it windiest at Redwood City?
From February through October, wind at Redwood City typically builds after noon. In May it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 12 mph with 12% of those hours windy, while mornings average 4 mph.
How much rain does Redwood City get?
January is the wettest month (3.9 in.), out of about 19.2 in. a year. The rainy season runs from Nov 20 to Mar 29, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 77% of the year's rain. The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 13.3 in. of rain to Redwood City, 69% of the 19.2 in. normal.
Is "Climate Best by Government Test" true?
Not literally. The slogan won a 1925 contest run by the Chamber of Commerce and Real Estate Board. Chamber president Wilbur Doxsee submitted it as "By Government Test, Our Climate Is Best." A local historian says Doxsee admitted he made it up. He may have been inspired by a 1912 German government weather survey reported in the San Francisco Chronicle.
What kind of place is Redwood City?
Redwood City is San Mateo County's seat, with a downtown along Broadway that includes the San Mateo County History Museum. Signs downtown carry the 1925 slogan "Climate Best by Government Test." Downtown sits on the plain along Redwood Creek, south of San Carlos and north of Atherton. East of Highway 101, the city reaches out to the Port of Redwood City, on the only deep-water channel in the southern bay. Beyond it lie the Bair Island marshes, a restoration site, and Redwood Shores, built partly on former salt ponds.
What is Redwood City weather like in November?
November at Redwood City averages a high of 65°F and a low of 45°F, with 1.9 in. of rain over about 6 rainy days. Afternoon wind averages 5 mph.
More about Redwood City 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.
- KQED, Can Redwood City Really Boast 'Climate Best by Government Test'? Yes and No (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Caltrain, Redwood City station (accessed 2026-10-27)
- San Mateo County Historical Association, San Mateo County History Museum (accessed 2026-10-27)
- MTC, San Francisco Bay Trail Map 5: Redwood Shores to Ravenswood Slough (accessed 2026-10-27)
Rendered 2026-11-15T12:16:31.223Z.