Russian Ridge Open Space Weather
Park • San Francisco Bay Area
Russian Ridge is the open, grassy stretch of Skyline Boulevard north of the Page Mill and Alpine Road crossing. The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District manages it as a 3,137-acre preserve. Its high point, Borel Hill, is the highest named point in San Mateo County. The Bay Area Ridge Trail runs its crest, and a separate trail heads west through cattle-grazed grassland to the top of Mindego Hill. It is known above all for spring wildflowers and for raptors, golden eagles among them, hunting over the grass. The name comes from a Russian immigrant who ran a dairy here from about 1920 to 1950.
Plan your week
10-Day Forecast
Hour by hour
Hourly Forecast
Current Conditions
Comfort Breakdown
Russian Ridge Open Space weather today and through the year
It's 49°F at Russian Ridge Open Space right now (feels like 44°F), with 9 mph wind and a comfort score of 64. Today's forecast high at Russian Ridge Open Space is 55°F, 7°F below the mid November normal of 62°F. Fog is forecast to linger into the afternoon today at Russian Ridge Open Space. In November, fog here usually thins by 4 PM. The best window today is 10 AM to 1 PM, at about 46°F with a 8 mph wind (comfort 47).
August is the warmest month at Russian Ridge Open Space, with an average high of 80°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 40°F. December is the wettest month (8.0 in.), out of about 39.8 in. a year. By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Russian Ridge Open Space are August, September, and July. The best hours are usually 11 AM to 2 PM in August, 11 AM to 2 PM in September, and 10 AM to 1 PM in July.
Russian Ridge is the most exposed of the Skyline preserves. The crest is almost all open grass, with forest only in the steep canyons. The northwest wind that comes off the Pacific and up over the Santa Cruz Mountains blows straight across it. Borel Hill's 360-degree view comes with almost no shelter, and walkers feel the wind most on spring and summer afternoons. Hawks and eagles use the same wind to hang over the ridge.
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 Russian Ridge Open Space in the next few days
No active National Weather Service alerts for this location.
Fog
Fog is forecast to linger into the afternoon today at Russian Ridge Open Space. In November, fog here usually thins by 4 PM.
Best time to go
The best window today is 10 AM to 1 PM, at about 46°F with a 8 mph wind (comfort 47).
Hiking conditions
Best hiking day this week: Friday, with 4 daylight hours that are dry, 45 to 80°F, and under 18 mph wind. 1 of the next 7 days have at least 4 such hours.
Best day this week
Of the next 7 days, Friday looks best for Russian Ridge Open Space, with a 52°F high and midday comfort near 61. Thursday looks weakest (39).
Rain
Next good chance of rain: today (86%, about 0.36 in.).
Live weather map
Weather around Russian Ridge Open Space right now
Overcast and 49° at Russian Ridge Open Space right now.
About the live weather map for Russian Ridge Open Space
The map centers on Russian Ridge Open Space 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.
Russian Ridge Open Space vs nearby places
Typical summer conditions compared with Russian Ridge Open Space, 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 Russian Ridge Open Space |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skyline Ridge Open Space | 1.3 mi | +2°F | 26% | 8 mph | a very similar climate |
| Monte Bello Open Space Preserve | 2 mi | +2°F | 26% | 8 mph | a very similar climate |
| La Honda | 3.6 mi | -2°F | 44% | 8 mph | 1,683 ft lower |
| Año Nuevo State Park | 15.7 mi | -13°F | 42% | 14 mph | about 13°F cooler on summer afternoons and 2,053 ft lower |
| Año Nuevo Point | 16.4 mi | -13°F | 42% | 14 mph | about 13°F cooler on summer afternoons and 2,073 ft lower |
| Montara | 22.7 mi | -15°F | 60% | 8 mph | about 15°F cooler on summer afternoons and more summer morning fog (60% vs 36% of morning hours) |
Places with a climate like Russian Ridge Open Space's
- Mount Burdell Open Space Preserve (61 mi away): nearly the same temperatures every month
- Occidental (85 mi away): nearly the same temperatures every month
- Olompali State Historic Park (61 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
Climate Dashboard
Current conditions vs. NOAA normals and recent destination baseline
What the Russian Ridge Open Space climate comparisons mean
These cards compare recent conditions at Russian Ridge Open Space 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 Russian Ridge Open Space 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.
Russian Ridge Open Space weather by month
August is the warmest month at Russian Ridge Open Space, with an average high of 80°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 40°F. December is the wettest month (8.0 in.), out of about 39.8 in. a year. Morning fog peaks in August, when fog or low cloud covers 40% of the hours from 6 to 10 AM. August has the clearest middays, with clouds covering about 16% of the sky from 11 AM to 3 PM.
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Russian Ridge Open Space are August, September, and July. The best hours are usually 11 AM to 2 PM in August, 11 AM to 2 PM in September, 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 | 57°F | 41°F | 8.0 in | 12 | 20% | 34% | 9 mph | 9.9 h | 12 |
| Feb | 58°F | 41°F | 7.7 in | 12 | 17% | 29% | 10 mph | 10.8 h | 15 |
| Mar | 61°F | 41°F | 5.8 in | 10 | 22% | 35% | 10 mph | 11.9 h | 24 |
| Apr | 63°F | 42°F | 2.9 in | 7 | 28% | 30% | 10 mph | 13.1 h | 57 |
| May | 69°F | 46°F | 1.2 in | 5 | 38% | 30% | 10 mph | 14.2 h | 66 |
| Jun | 75°F | 49°F | 0.3 in | 2 | 32% | 19% | 10 mph | 14.7 h | 84 |
| Jul | 80°F | 53°F | 0.0 in | 1 | 36% | 17% | 9 mph | 14.5 h | 89 |
| Aug | 80°F | 53°F | 0.1 in | 1 | 40% | 16% | 9 mph | 13.5 h | 91 |
| Sep | 79°F | 53°F | 0.1 in | 2 | 29% | 19% | 9 mph | 12.3 h | 90 |
| Oct | 73°F | 50°F | 1.7 in | 5 | 18% | 18% | 8 mph | 11.1 h | 80 |
| Nov | 62°F | 43°F | 4.0 in | 8 | 15% | 24% | 8 mph | 10.1 h | 60 |
| Dec | 56°F | 40°F | 8.0 in | 12 | 25% | 33% | 9 mph | 9.6 h | 11 |
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 Russian Ridge Open Space average about 8°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 Russian Ridge Open Space has actually seen.
What makes Russian Ridge Open Space's weather different
When the fog burns off
11 AMwhen August fog usually thins (44% foggy at 6 AM)
Fog or low cloud covers Russian Ridge Open Space in 44% of 6 AM hours in August, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 11 AM. November mornings are the least foggy (15%).
When the wind picks up
1 PMwhen afternoon wind builds, April–August
From April through August, wind at Russian Ridge Open Space typically builds after 1 PM. In May it peaks around 4 PM, averaging 11 mph with 12% of those hours windy, while mornings average 7 mph.
Daylight
9.6–14.7 hof daylight, Dec to Jun
Days at Russian Ridge Open Space 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 Russian Ridge Open Space
- Warm seasonJul 1 – Sep 28 · highs 77°F+
The warm season lasts about 3 months, from Jul 1 to Sep 28, when the average high is 77°F or warmer. Highs peak around Aug 8 at about 80°F.
- Cool seasonNov 29 – Mar 3 · highs 60°F or lower
The cool season runs from Nov 29 to Mar 3, when the average high is 60°F or lower. The coldest nights come around Dec 8, with an average low near 40°F.
- Rainy seasonOct 28 – Apr 22 · 90% of the year's rain
The rainy season runs from Oct 28 to Apr 22, when a day has at least a 21% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 90% 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 19 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, Russian Ridge Open Space averaged no days 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 6 afternoons with wind of 20 mph or more at 2 PM. About 135 mornings a year had 3 or more hours of fog or low cloud.
In the same record, the hottest day was Sep 9, 2026 (88°F) and the coldest night was Feb 17, 2026 (31°F). The wettest day was Feb 5, 2025 (3.25 in.), and the strongest 2 PM gust was 53 mph on Feb 4, 2025.
- 0days at 90°F or hotter
- 1night at or below freezing
- 18days with ½ in. of rain or more
- 6afternoons with 20+ mph wind
- 135mornings with 3+ hours of fog or low cloud
- Hottest day88°FSep 9, 2026
- Coldest night31°FFeb 17, 2026
- Wettest day3.25 inFeb 5, 2025
- Strongest 2 PM gust53 mphFeb 4, 2025
What shapes Russian Ridge Open Space's weather
Russian Ridge, like the rest of Skyline, sits near the top of the summer marine layer, the cool, foggy ocean air that fills the coastal valleys. One trail here is even named Fog Drift Vista. On many summer days fog fills the coastal valleys to the west and stops short of the crest, and the late evening sun turns the dry hills gold. On others it pours over the ridge and swallows the view.
Fall brings the clearest mornings on Russian Ridge. The open space district points to fall, when the fog recedes, as the time for crisp views of San Francisco Bay and the Santa Cruz Mountains. Winter storms hit the ridge harder than the Bay side towns below, and the coldest ones occasionally leave a dusting of snow on the hilltops.
Dry grass and wind make fire weather a real concern from late summer into fall. The district closes the Mindego Hill area whenever the National Weather Service issues a Red Flag Warning, its alert for high fire danger.
Tips for visiting Russian Ridge Open Space
Skip peak spring hours
Parking runs short on spring weekends, holidays and weekday evenings. The district suggests carpooling or visiting another preserve at peak times.
Stay on trail in wildflower season
All of Russian Ridge is closed to off-trail use during wildflower season.
Check for Red Flag closures
The Mindego Hill area closes when the National Weather Service declares a Red Flag Warning.
Bring a windbreaker even on warm days
The open crest has little shelter, and wind on the ridge can make a mild valley day feel cold.
Leave dogs at home
Dogs aren't allowed in Russian Ridge Preserve.
Walk a piece of the Ridge Trail
The Bay Area Ridge Trail is about 400 miles long and still growing. Russian Ridge is one stretch of it, and trail maps are on the Ridge Trail Council's website.
Russian Ridge Open Space through the seasons
- Spring (March–May)
- Spring brings peak wildflowers, led by poppies and lupine. Gumweed, mule's ears, farewell-to-spring and brodiaea follow in May and June. Expect crowds and afternoon wind.
- Summer (June–August)
- The hills turn gold in the late evening light. Fog often fills the coastal side, and the ridge may sit in sun above it or disappear inside it.
- Fall (September–November)
- The fog recedes and the air turns crisp and clear, the best time for long views. Red Flag days close the Mindego Hill area.
- Winter (December–February)
- Winter is cold, wet and windy on the crest, and storms occasionally dust the hilltops with snow.
Activities and the weather that matters
- Wildflower walks: Calm, sunny spring mornings are best, before the afternoon wind picks up on the open grassland.
- Raptor watching: Red-tailed, Cooper's and sharp-shinned hawks, turkey vultures and golden eagles use the ridge. Breezy, sunny days keep them soaring.
- Sunset on Borel Hill: Clear evenings with the fog held to the west give the classic view. On deep-fog evenings there is nothing to see.
- Hiking to Mindego Hill: The trail crosses open grazing land with little shade, so avoid hot afternoons. The area is closed on Red Flag days.
Official sources and current conditions
- Midpen: Russian Ridge Preserve
- Bay Area Ridge Trail
- National Weather Service, San Francisco Bay Area forecast office
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 | 52.5° / 44.9° | 6.5h | 6d | 4.43" | 14 |
| December 2024 | 68 | 55.8° / 47.8° | 5.2h | 10d | 7.45" | 13 |
| January 2025 | 76 | 53.3° / 43.9° | 6.8h | 4d | 0.19" | 18 |
| February 2025 | 66 | 52.4° / 43.8° | 6.3h | 7d | 11.63" | 10 |
| March 2025 | 63 | 50.8° / 42.1° | 7.2h | 13d | 4.52" | 10 |
| April 2025 | 75 | 55.7° / 46.4° | 9.1h | 11d | 0.86" | 15 |
| May 2025 | 83 | 62° / 49.6° | 11.2h | 11d | 0.22" | 20 |
| June 2025 | 92 | 67.4° / 56.2° | 12.7h | 7d | 0" | 28 |
| July 2025 | 88 | 68.8° / 56.1° | 11.8h | 12d | 0" | 25 |
| August 2025 | 91 | 74.5° / 63.2° | 11.2h | 8d | 0" | 29 |
| September 2025 | 85 | 70.2° / 59.3° | 9.2h | 12d | 0.27" | 22 |
| October 2025 | 83 | 61.7° / 51.7° | 7.8h | 8d | 1.54" | 20 |
| November 2025 | 73 | 59.5° / 50.8° | 5.9h | 9d | 5.36" | 17 |
| December 2025 | 71 | 57.1° / 49.1° | 5.5h | 8d | 6.37" | 15 |
| January 2026 | 75 | 57.4° / 49.5° | 6.4h | 5d | 6.92" | 19 |
| February 2026 | 69 | 54.8° / 46.7° | 6.8h | 6d | 6.08" | 13 |
| March 2026 | 92 | 65.7° / 56° | 9.6h | 3d | 0" | 26 |
| April 2026 | 73 | 54.3° / 45.7° | 8.9h | 14d | 4.27" | 14 |
| May 2026 | 82 | 61.1° / 50° | 11.2h | 11d | 0.32" | 19 |
| June 2026 | 89 | 67.5° / 55.2° | 12h | 9d | 0.01" | 26 |
| July 2026 | 90 | 71.4° / 60.4° | 11.5h | 11d | 0.07" | 29 |
| August 2026 | 91 | 75.8° / 65.2° | 10.9h | 12d | 0" | 27 |
| September 2026 | 90 | 68.4° / 57° | 10h | 8d | 0.05" | 25 |
| October 2026 | 86 | 68.1° / 58.4° | 8.2h | 3d | 0.13" | 25 |
Climate Trends
Average Temperature by Month
About the Russian Ridge Open Space climate charts
The temperature chart compares average monthly highs and lows at Russian Ridge Open Space, 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 Russian Ridge Open Space. 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 Russian Ridge Open Space, the warmest typical hour is 2 PM in August (74°F). The coldest is 6 AM in February (44°F).
- Fog: Fog or low cloud covers Russian Ridge Open Space in 44% of 6 AM hours in August, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 11 AM. November mornings are the least foggy (15%).
- Wind: From April through August, wind at Russian Ridge Open Space typically builds after 1 PM. In May it peaks around 4 PM, averaging 11 mph with 12% of those hours windy, while mornings average 7 mph.
- Cloud Cover: August middays are the clearest at Russian Ridge Open Space (16% average cloud cover), and March middays are the cloudiest (35%).
- Solar Radiation: The strongest typical sun at Russian Ridge Open Space comes at 1 PM in June, averaging 983 W/m².
How to read the hourly heatmaps for Russian Ridge Open Space
This heatmap shows how average temperature at Russian Ridge Open Space 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 Russian Ridge Open Space. 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 Russian Ridge Open Space 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 Russian Ridge Open Space 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 Russian Ridge Open Space 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 Russian Ridge Open Space
- October 2026 recap: October 2026 at Russian Ridge Open Space averaged a high of 68°F, 6°F warmer than October 2025 (62°F).
- Rain year: The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 31.0 in. of rain to Russian Ridge Open Space, 78% of the 39.8 in. normal.
Location Details
Russian Ridge Open Space weather questions
Everything you need to know about weather and visiting Russian Ridge Open Space
What is the weather like at Russian Ridge Open Space today?
It's 49°F at Russian Ridge Open Space right now, with a comfort score of 64 (good). Today's forecast high at Russian Ridge Open Space is 55°F, 7°F below the mid November normal of 62°F. The best window today is 10 AM to 1 PM, at about 46°F with a 8 mph wind (comfort 47).
What is the best month to visit Russian Ridge Open Space?
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Russian Ridge Open Space are August, September, and July. The best hours are usually 11 AM to 2 PM in August, 11 AM to 2 PM in September, and 10 AM to 1 PM in July. The warm season lasts about 3 months, from Jul 1 to Sep 28, when the average high is 77°F or warmer. Highs peak around Aug 8 at about 80°F.
What are the warmest and coldest months at Russian Ridge Open Space?
August is the warmest month at Russian Ridge Open Space, with an average high of 80°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 40°F.
When does the fog burn off at Russian Ridge Open Space?
Fog or low cloud covers Russian Ridge Open Space in 44% of 6 AM hours in August, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 11 AM. November mornings are the least foggy (15%).
When is it windiest at Russian Ridge Open Space?
From April through August, wind at Russian Ridge Open Space typically builds after 1 PM. In May it peaks around 4 PM, averaging 11 mph with 12% of those hours windy, while mornings average 7 mph.
How much rain does Russian Ridge Open Space get?
December is the wettest month (8.0 in.), out of about 39.8 in. a year. The rainy season runs from Oct 28 to Apr 22, when a day has at least a 21% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 90% of the year's rain. The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 31.0 in. of rain to Russian Ridge Open Space, 78% of the 39.8 in. normal.
What kind of place is Russian Ridge Open Space?
Russian Ridge is the open, grassy stretch of Skyline Boulevard north of the Page Mill and Alpine Road crossing. The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District manages it as a 3,137-acre preserve. Its high point, Borel Hill, is the highest named point in San Mateo County. The Bay Area Ridge Trail runs its crest, and a separate trail heads west through cattle-grazed grassland to the top of Mindego Hill. It is known above all for spring wildflowers and for raptors, golden eagles among them, hunting over the grass. The name comes from a Russian immigrant who ran a dairy here from about 1920 to 1950.
What is Russian Ridge Open Space weather like in November?
November at Russian Ridge Open Space averages a high of 62°F and a low of 43°F, with 4.0 in. of rain over about 8 rainy days. About 15% of morning hours are foggy. Afternoon wind averages 8 mph.
More about Russian Ridge Open Space 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.
- Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, Russian Ridge Preserve (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Bay Area Ridge Trail Council (accessed 2026-10-27)
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