San Rafael Weather
Town • San Francisco Bay Area
San Rafael is Marin's oldest and largest city, with a downtown of Victorian buildings, restaurants, and boutiques. It sits in a valley that opens east toward San Rafael Bay, and the SMART train stops a block from the Bettini Transit Center. On the north side of the city, the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Marin County Civic Center hosts one of California's largest farmers markets every Sunday. China Camp State Park lines the San Pablo Bay shore about four miles northeast.
Plan your week
10-Day Forecast
Hour by hour
Hourly Forecast
Current Conditions
Comfort Breakdown
San Rafael weather today and through the year
It's 54°F at San Rafael right now (feels like 52°F), with 6 mph wind and a comfort score of 78. Monday's forecast high at San Rafael is 57°F, 5°F below the mid November normal of 62°F. No fog in the forecast for today at San Rafael. In November, 23% 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 57).
September is the warmest month at San Rafael, with an average high of 73°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 43°F. December is the wettest month (7.1 in.), out of about 32.9 in. a year. By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at San Rafael are September, July, and August. The best hours are usually 11 AM to 2 PM in September, 11 AM to 2 PM in July, and 11 AM to 2 PM in August.
Distance from the Golden Gate is what makes downtown San Rafael sunnier than Sausalito or Mill Valley. Mount Tamalpais and the ridges around the Ross Valley block the ocean to the west. Marine air coming through the Golden Gate has to cross miles of bay before it arrives. In summer it shows up on some mornings as a thin overcast drifting in from San Rafael Bay, which usually burns off well before noon.
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 San Rafael in the next few days
No active National Weather Service alerts for this location.
Fog
No fog in the forecast for today at San Rafael. In November, 23% 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 57).
Best day this week
Of the next 7 days, Friday looks best for San Rafael, with a 61°F high and midday comfort near 75. Today looks weakest (45).
Rain
Next good chance of rain: today (81%, about 0.51 in.).
Live weather map
Weather around San Rafael right now
Overcast and 54° at San Rafael right now.
About the live weather map for San Rafael
The map centers on San Rafael 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.
San Rafael vs nearby places
Typical summer conditions compared with San Rafael, 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 San Rafael |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ross | 1.5 mi | +1°F | 17% | 7 mph | a very similar climate |
| San Anselmo | 1.7 mi | same | 16% | 8 mph | a very similar climate |
| Kentfield | 2 mi | +1°F | 17% | 7 mph | a very similar climate |
| Rodeo Beach | 9.7 mi | -23°F | 48% | 13 mph | about 23°F cooler on summer afternoons and more summer morning fog (48% vs 17% of morning hours) |
| Ocean Beach | 14.8 mi | -22°F | 49% | 11 mph | about 22°F cooler on summer afternoons and more summer morning fog (49% vs 17% of morning hours) |
| Pacifica | 25 mi | -23°F | 56% | 9 mph | about 23°F cooler on summer afternoons and more summer morning fog (56% vs 17% of morning hours) |
Places with a climate like San Rafael's
- Visitacion Valley (19 mi away): nearly the same temperatures every month
- San Bruno (25 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
- Foster City (32 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
Climate Dashboard
Current conditions vs. NOAA normals and recent destination baseline
What the San Rafael climate comparisons mean
These cards compare recent conditions at San Rafael 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 San Rafael 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.
San Rafael weather by month
September is the warmest month at San Rafael, with an average high of 73°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 43°F. December is the wettest month (7.1 in.), out of about 32.9 in. a year. Morning fog peaks in December, when fog or low cloud covers 37% of the hours from 6 to 10 AM. July has the clearest middays, with clouds covering about 12% of the sky from 11 AM to 3 PM.
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at San Rafael are September, July, and August. The best hours are usually 11 AM to 2 PM in September, 11 AM to 2 PM in July, and 11 AM to 2 PM in August.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Rainy days | Morning fog | Midday cloud | Afternoon wind | Daylight | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 56°F | 43°F | 6.5 in | 11 | 34% | 36% | 5 mph | 9.8 h | 37 |
| Feb | 59°F | 45°F | 6.5 in | 11 | 18% | 27% | 6 mph | 10.7 h | 47 |
| Mar | 61°F | 46°F | 4.5 in | 9 | 17% | 30% | 7 mph | 11.9 h | 65 |
| Apr | 64°F | 47°F | 2.0 in | 6 | 11% | 24% | 8 mph | 13.2 h | 76 |
| May | 67°F | 50°F | 0.9 in | 4 | 10% | 23% | 8 mph | 14.2 h | 80 |
| Jun | 71°F | 52°F | 0.2 in | 2 | 11% | 12% | 8 mph | 14.8 h | 86 |
| Jul | 72°F | 54°F | 0.0 in | 0 | 19% | 12% | 6 mph | 14.5 h | 87 |
| Aug | 73°F | 55°F | 0.1 in | 1 | 21% | 14% | 6 mph | 13.6 h | 87 |
| Sep | 73°F | 55°F | 0.1 in | 1 | 16% | 15% | 7 mph | 12.3 h | 90 |
| Oct | 70°F | 52°F | 1.5 in | 5 | 18% | 19% | 6 mph | 11.1 h | 84 |
| Nov | 62°F | 47°F | 3.4 in | 8 | 23% | 24% | 5 mph | 10.0 h | 69 |
| Dec | 56°F | 44°F | 7.1 in | 11 | 37% | 41% | 5 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 San Rafael average about 8°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 San Rafael has actually seen.
What makes San Rafael's weather different
When the fog burns off
2 PMwhen December fog usually thins (42% foggy at 8 AM)
Fog or low cloud covers San Rafael in 42% 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 (10%).
When the wind picks up
1 PMwhen afternoon wind builds, March–September
From March through September, wind at San Rafael typically builds after 1 PM. In May it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 10 mph with 10% of those hours windy, while mornings average 5 mph.
Microclimate
−23°FRodeo Beach, 9.7 mi away, on summer afternoons
Rodeo Beach, 9.7 miles away, runs about 23°F cooler than San Rafael on summer afternoons. It also has far more summer morning fog, 48% of morning hours compared with 17%.
Daylight
9.5–14.8 hof daylight, Dec to Jun
Days at San Rafael 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 San Rafael
- Warm seasonJun 27 – Oct 3 · highs 71°F+
The warm season lasts about 3.3 months, from Jun 27 to Oct 3, when the average high is 71°F or warmer. Highs peak around Sep 8 at about 73°F.
- Cool seasonNov 29 – Feb 26 · highs 60°F or lower
The cool season runs from Nov 29 to Feb 26, when the average high is 60°F or lower. The coldest nights come around Jan 8, with an average low near 43°F.
- Rainy seasonOct 29 – Apr 15 · 89% of the year's rain
The rainy season runs from Oct 29 to Apr 15, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 89% 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 21 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, San Rafael averaged 19 days a year at 90°F or hotter and no freezing nights. It averaged 22 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 89 mornings a year had 3 or more hours of fog or low cloud.
In the same record, the hottest day was Sep 9, 2026 (101°F) and the coldest night was Feb 10, 2025 (36°F). The wettest day was Nov 23, 2024 (2.78 in.), and the strongest 2 PM gust was 47 mph on Feb 4, 2025.
- 19days at 90°F or hotter
- 0nights at or below freezing
- 22days with ½ in. of rain or more
- 1afternoon with 20+ mph wind
- 89mornings with 3+ hours of fog or low cloud
- Hottest day101°FSep 9, 2026
- Coldest night36°FFeb 10, 2025
- Wettest day2.78 inNov 23, 2024
- Strongest 2 PM gust47 mphFeb 4, 2025
What shapes San Rafael's weather
Downtown San Rafael sits low in a narrow valley between San Rafael Hill and the ridge to the south. When the afternoon bay breeze is light, that valley floor heats up on summer and early fall afternoons. The pavement and buildings then hold the warmth into the evening.
San Rafael's winters are wet, but not as wet as the towns pressed against Mount Tamalpais. Storms drop much of their rain on the mountain's slopes before reaching the bay shore, so Kentfield, about two miles southwest at the mountain's foot, gets noticeably more. Most of San Rafael's rain falls from November through March, and summers are nearly dry.
Tips for visiting San Rafael
Take SMART downtown
The San Rafael station is at 680 3rd Street, one block from the Bettini Transit Center buses. There's no park-and-ride lot, but nearby public parking is available.
Shop the Sunday market, rain or shine
The Sunday Marin Farmers Market at the Civic Center runs every Sunday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine, with over 150 year-round vendors.
Head to China Camp for the bay shore
China Camp State Park, about four miles northeast on San Pablo Bay, is open 8 a.m. to sunset.
Plan shade for summer afternoons
Downtown gets warm on calm summer afternoons. Save outdoor walking for the morning or evening.
San Rafael through the seasons
- Spring (March–May)
- Rain tapers off and the hills around downtown green up. Warm spells arrive early here compared with the coast.
- Summer (June–August)
- Summer is mostly sunny and warm, with brief morning overcast on some days. The San Rafael City Plaza downtown hosts Thursday night farmers markets and summer concerts.
- Fall (September–October)
- September is usually the warmest month, and October brings the first rain. Hot, windy days raise fire danger in the open hills around the city.
- Winter (November–February)
- Winter is the wettest season, with December the rainiest month. Gray, foggy mornings are common in December and January, and clear nights between storms turn cool.
Activities and the weather that matters
- Farmers markets: The Sunday Civic Center market goes ahead in any weather. The Thursday evening market downtown is best on warm summer nights.
- Downtown dining and shopping: Downtown San Rafael is comfortable for walking most of the year. On hot afternoons, shaded side streets beat the open plaza.
- Hiking and biking at China Camp: Trails run through oak woodland and along the shore of San Pablo Bay. Afternoons on the shore are often cooler and breezier than downtown.
Official sources and current conditions
- SMART: San Rafael station
- California State Parks: China Camp State Park
- Agricultural Institute of Marin: Sunday Marin Farmers Market
- Visit Marin: San Rafael
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 | 78 | 62.8° / 47.3° | 6.3h | 8d | 7.52" | 17 |
| December 2024 | 67 | 58.2° / 46.4° | 4.8h | 15d | 9.52" | 11 |
| January 2025 | 82 | 59.7° / 42.7° | 6.9h | 8d | 0.31" | 19 |
| February 2025 | 74 | 60.6° / 44.7° | 6.6h | 7d | 10.8" | 15 |
| March 2025 | 80 | 61.8° / 46° | 7.9h | 4d | 3.07" | 17 |
| April 2025 | 92 | 68.2° / 47.9° | 10.1h | 3d | 0.35" | 28 |
| May 2025 | 95 | 75.2° / 51.8° | 12.3h | 0d | 0.15" | 31 |
| June 2025 | 95 | 77.4° / 52.9° | 12.5h | 0d | 0" | 30 |
| July 2025 | 95 | 77.8° / 55.4° | 11.9h | 0d | 0" | 31 |
| August 2025 | 93 | 84.7° / 57.6° | 11.5h | 0d | 0" | 31 |
| September 2025 | 93 | 80.5° / 59.6° | 9.9h | 0d | 0.19" | 28 |
| October 2025 | 88 | 72.4° / 53.9° | 8.1h | 6d | 1.24" | 26 |
| November 2025 | 76 | 63.7° / 50.8° | 6.1h | 11d | 4.58" | 11 |
| December 2025 | 61 | 54.2° / 46° | 4.2h | 20d | 6.63" | 3 |
| January 2026 | 76 | 59.7° / 45.7° | 6.5h | 7d | 6.6" | 20 |
| February 2026 | 76 | 63.1° / 47.4° | 6.3h | 5d | 7.28" | 16 |
| March 2026 | 94 | 77.2° / 52.3° | 9.7h | 0d | 0.05" | 30 |
| April 2026 | 87 | 68.3° / 49.7° | 9.1h | 3d | 4.27" | 23 |
| May 2026 | 93 | 73.2° / 52.9° | 11.6h | 3d | 0.77" | 30 |
| June 2026 | 95 | 78.8° / 55.5° | 12.6h | 1d | 0" | 29 |
| July 2026 | 94 | 81.3° / 56.7° | 11.8h | 2d | 0" | 31 |
| August 2026 | 93 | 81.1° / 56.6° | 11.2h | 3d | 0" | 31 |
| September 2026 | 92 | 79.3° / 56° | 10h | 2d | 0.26" | 29 |
| October 2026 | 91 | 77.9° / 52.9° | 8.4h | 2d | 0.25" | 28 |
Climate Trends
Average Temperature by Month
About the San Rafael climate charts
The temperature chart compares average monthly highs and lows at San Rafael, 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 San Rafael. 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 San Rafael, the warmest typical hour is 4 PM in August (82°F). The coldest is 7 AM in February (46°F).
- Fog: Fog or low cloud covers San Rafael in 42% 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 (10%).
- Wind: From March through September, wind at San Rafael typically builds after 1 PM. In May it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 10 mph with 10% of those hours windy, while mornings average 5 mph.
- Cloud Cover: July middays are the clearest at San Rafael (12% average cloud cover), and December middays are the cloudiest (41%).
- Solar Radiation: The strongest typical sun at San Rafael comes at 1 PM in June, averaging 979 W/m².
How to read the hourly heatmaps for San Rafael
This heatmap shows how average temperature at San Rafael 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 San Rafael. 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 San Rafael 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 San Rafael 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 San Rafael 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 San Rafael
- October 2026 recap: October 2026 at San Rafael averaged a high of 78°F, 8°F warmer than the 1991-2020 normal of 70°F. It brought 0.25 in. of rain, compared with a normal of 1.48 in.
- Rain year: The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 31.7 in. of rain to San Rafael, 96% of the 32.9 in. normal.
Location Details
San Rafael weather questions
Everything you need to know about weather and visiting San Rafael
What is the weather like at San Rafael today?
It's 54°F at San Rafael right now, with a comfort score of 78 (great). Monday's forecast high at San Rafael is 57°F, 5°F below the mid November normal of 62°F. The best window today is 8 AM to 11 AM, at about 54°F with a 3 mph wind (comfort 57).
What is the best month to visit San Rafael?
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at San Rafael are September, July, and August. The best hours are usually 11 AM to 2 PM in September, 11 AM to 2 PM in July, and 11 AM to 2 PM in August. The warm season lasts about 3.3 months, from Jun 27 to Oct 3, when the average high is 71°F or warmer. Highs peak around Sep 8 at about 73°F.
What are the warmest and coldest months at San Rafael?
September is the warmest month at San Rafael, with an average high of 73°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 43°F.
When does the fog burn off at San Rafael?
Fog or low cloud covers San Rafael in 42% 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 (10%).
When is it windiest at San Rafael?
From March through September, wind at San Rafael typically builds after 1 PM. In May it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 10 mph with 10% of those hours windy, while mornings average 5 mph.
How much rain does San Rafael get?
December is the wettest month (7.1 in.), out of about 32.9 in. a year. The rainy season runs from Oct 29 to Apr 15, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 89% of the year's rain. The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 31.7 in. of rain to San Rafael, 96% of the 32.9 in. normal.
How does San Rafael weather compare with Rodeo Beach?
Rodeo Beach, 9.7 miles away, runs about 23°F cooler than San Rafael on summer afternoons. It also has far more summer morning fog, 48% of morning hours compared with 17%.
What kind of place is San Rafael?
San Rafael is Marin's oldest and largest city, with a downtown of Victorian buildings, restaurants, and boutiques. It sits in a valley that opens east toward San Rafael Bay, and the SMART train stops a block from the Bettini Transit Center. On the north side of the city, the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Marin County Civic Center hosts one of California's largest farmers markets every Sunday. China Camp State Park lines the San Pablo Bay shore about four miles northeast.
What is San Rafael weather like in November?
November at San Rafael averages a high of 62°F and a low of 47°F, with 3.4 in. of rain over about 8 rainy days. About 23% of morning hours are foggy. Afternoon wind averages 5 mph.
More about San Rafael 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.
- SMART, San Rafael station (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Agricultural Institute of Marin, Sunday Marin Farmers Market (accessed 2026-10-27)
- California State Parks, China Camp State Park (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Visit Marin, San Rafael (accessed 2026-10-27)
Rendered 2026-11-15T12:16:30.766Z.