Richmond Weather

April is Richmond's standout month. In April 2025, it logged a comfort score of 91 out of 100, with highs around 73F, nearly 13 hours of daily sunshine, and barely any morning fog at just 0.7 hours per day. That is about as good as it gets in the Bay Area. September and July are close runners-up, both hitting comfort scores of 87 to 88, with highs in the mid-to-upper 70s and little to no rain. If you want a reliable stretch without fog hassle or rain risk, the window from late March through October is consistently strong. Richmond averages around 245 perfect weather days per year, which puts it well above many Bay Area neighbors. The data makes a clear case: spring and early fall are when Richmond is at its best, offering the kind of bright, comfortable days that make the waterfront and parks genuinely inviting. Learn how Bay Area seasons actually work to plan your timing.

Richmond summers are warm but not punishing. July averages a high of around 77F with lows in the mid-50s, and June and August track similarly at 75 to 76F highs. Comfort scores in those months sit between 85 and 88 out of 100, which reflects genuinely pleasant conditions rather than sweltering heat. The waterfront location means afternoon breezes off the bay keep things feeling fresh even on warmer days. You are unlikely to need air conditioning or to feel trapped indoors. One caveat: June in Richmond runs a bit cooler than July, with more fog hours averaging about 4 hours per morning in June 2025 versus 2.3 hours in July. If you are hoping for the clearest summer days with the most sunshine, July is the stronger pick. For context, Richmond runs noticeably warmer than, say, Berkeley closer to the bay, but cooler than inland East Bay cities like Concord. The Bay Area microclimate pattern explains why distances of just a few miles produce such different summer temperatures.

Richmond winters are mild by almost any standard outside the Bay Area, though they can feel persistently grey and damp. December and January average highs in the upper 50s (56 to 58F) with lows dipping to the mid-40s. You are not looking at freezing temperatures, snow, or anything dramatic. But comfort scores in November and December 2025 dropped to 63 and 67 out of 100, the lowest in the 18-month dataset, which reflects more cloud cover, shorter sunshine hours (under 7 hours per day), and real rainfall. November 2025 brought nearly 6 inches of rain, and November 2024 just over 6 inches, making it consistently Richmond's wettest month. January 2025 added 5.5 more inches. The flip side: December 2024 was surprisingly pleasant with a comfort score of 80, only 0.77 inches of rain, and 7.6 hours of sunshine, a reminder that Bay Area winters can surprise you with beautiful stretches between storms. Pack layers and rain gear if you visit between November and February, but leave the heavy parka at home.

Yes, Richmond gets morning fog, but not as much as some Bay Area spots that sit closer to the Golden Gate. Across the 18-month data window, Richmond averaged about 2.3 hours of morning fog per day. The foggiest months were June 2025 (4.0 hours per morning) and November 2025 (3.9 hours), while April 2025 was almost fog-free at just 0.7 hours. The summer fog pattern is tied to the marine layer that cools the entire Bay Area during July and August, rolling in overnight and burning off by late morning. Richmond's position along the inner East Bay shoreline means it sees less of this than coastal spots like Bolinas or the Marin Headlands, but more than inland cities. For most summer visitors, fog is a non-issue by 10 or 11 in the morning. If fog bothers you, September is reliably clear at just 1.1 to 2.5 hours of morning fog, with comfortable temperatures and strong comfort scores. Read more about why Bay Area mornings fog up the way they do.

Richmond follows the Bay Area's classic Mediterranean pattern: dry from roughly May through September, then wet from October through January. In the data, May and July were both perfectly dry at 0 inches. June and August were nearly rain-free at 0.01 and 0.07 inches respectively. Then October arrives and the pattern flips. October 2024 brought 4.7 inches, November 2024 and 2025 each delivered around 6 inches, and January 2025 added 5.5 inches. February and March ease off considerably, and by April the rains are essentially done. Richmond averages about 68 rainy days per year, which is moderate for the Bay Area. One thing worth noting: the rain comes in storm pulses separated by clear stretches, not as weeks of continuous drizzle. A week in January might bring two wet days and five beautiful ones. The Bay Area's rainiest months article breaks down what to expect across the region if you want a broader picture before planning a winter trip.

Richmond is genuinely well-suited for outdoor dining across a long season. From April through October, comfort scores stay between 75 and 91 out of 100, temperatures are warm enough to sit outside comfortably, and rain is either absent or minimal. July and August evenings can be breezy off the water, so a light layer is smart if you are sitting near the waterfront. April through June and September are the sweet spot: long daylight hours, temperatures in the high 60s to low 70s at peak, and virtually no rain risk. The trickier months are November through January, when rainfall picks up significantly and comfort scores drop into the 60s and low 70s. Covered or heated outdoor patios handle those months fine, but open-air seating gets less reliable. The good news is that Richmond sees around 9.4 hours of sunshine per day on average across the full year, giving outdoor venues a long daily window to work with. Even December 2024 logged 7.6 sunshine hours, which is better than most people expect from a winter month.

Richmond, El Cerrito, and Albany sit within a few miles of each other along the East Bay shoreline, and their climates are broadly similar. All three sit at low elevations, with Richmond at just 52 feet, and share exposure to bay breezes and the marine layer. In practice, Richmond's waterfront character may amplify afternoon winds slightly compared to more inland pockets of El Cerrito or Albany. That said, the differences between these neighbors are modest compared to the dramatic variation you see across the Bay Area at larger scales. Moving even a few miles east into the Richmond hills or Wildcat Canyon Regional Park changes the equation more noticeably, as elevation adds morning coolness and can mean different fog behavior. If you are choosing between Richmond and its closest neighbors purely on weather, all three are strong options with similar comfort profiles.

Layers are the right call in Richmond, as they are throughout the Bay Area, but the specific combination depends on the season. In summer (June through August), start with a t-shirt or light shirt, and carry a mid-layer fleece or light sweatshirt for mornings and evenings, especially if you are near the waterfront. Afternoons frequently reach the mid-70s and feel comfortable in a single layer, but bay breezes can catch you off guard. In spring and fall, a light jacket or windbreaker works well for most of the day, and you will rarely need more than that. Winter visits (November through February) warrant a real jacket, a layer underneath, and rain gear if there is any storm activity in the forecast. Sturdy, comfortable walking shoes serve well year-round for Richmond's parks and waterfront paths. The one mistake visitors make consistently is underestimating how quickly the temperature drops in the evening, even after a warm afternoon. Bring more than you think you need and learn why layering is essential for Bay Area outings.

Richmond averages about 9.4 sunshine hours per day across the full year, which is a solid number for the Bay Area. The sunniest months are May and April, both logging around 12.8 to 13 hours of daily sunshine, aided by long daylight hours and reliable clearing of the marine layer. July and June clock 11.7 to 11.8 sunshine hours despite being fog-prone in the mornings, meaning the afternoons tend to be well-lit even when the day starts grey. The least sunny months are November through January, when daylight shrinks and overcast days are more common, dropping to around 5.9 to 7.6 hours of sunshine. Even those winter figures are not particularly bleak by national standards. Richmond's eastern bay position means it often catches sun that streams over or around fog banks sitting over the water, a pattern that gives East Bay towns a slight advantage over San Francisco on summer afternoons. That said, fog on the bay can create dramatic low-light conditions in mornings that clear into brilliant afternoons.

Richmond is well-suited to outdoor walks and activities through most of the year. The average comfort score over the 18-month observation period was 81 out of 100, and the city notches around 245 perfect weather days annually. The waterfront areas and parks shine most from April through October, when temperatures sit in the mid-60s to upper 70s, rain is minimal, and sunshine hours are long. Even on overcast summer mornings, a walk along the shoreline or through the parks is pleasant once you have a layer on. The windier days along the bay can feel brisk, but that is generally preferable to stagnant heat. San Pablo just to the north offers a slightly more sheltered inland feel if the bay wind is a concern on a particular day. For anyone visiting Richmond for its parks and waterfront character specifically, April, May, and September are the months where everything aligns: warm enough to be comfortable, sunny enough to appreciate the views, dry enough not to worry about the forecast, and with enough daylight to make a full day of it.