Scotts Valley Weather
Town • San Francisco Bay Area
Coming over Highway 17 from the Santa Clara Valley, Scotts Valley is the first city you reach. It is a suburban town of neighborhoods, business parks, and oak- and redwood-covered hills between the summit and downtown Santa Cruz. It takes its name from Hiram Scott, who built a house here in 1853. Its open space runs from the 166-acre Glenwood Open Space Preserve beside the high school to the eastern trailheads of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.
Plan your week
10-Day Forecast
Hour by hour
Hourly Forecast
Current Conditions
Comfort Breakdown
Scotts Valley weather today and through the year
It's 51°F at Scotts Valley right now (feels like 47°F), with 3 mph wind and a comfort score of 74. Monday's forecast high at Scotts Valley is 56°F, 10°F below the mid November normal of 66°F. No fog in the forecast for today at Scotts Valley. In November, 14% of morning hours here are foggy on average. The best window today is 8 AM to 11 AM, at about 57°F with a 8 mph wind (comfort 58).
August is the warmest month at Scotts Valley, with an average high of 80°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 39°F. January is the wettest month (8.1 in.), out of about 37.0 in. a year. By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Scotts Valley are September, July, and August. The best hours are usually 11 AM to 2 PM in September, 5 PM to 8 PM in July, and 11 AM to 2 PM in August.
Scotts Valley sits about 600 feet up in a basin behind the first line of hills north of Santa Cruz. That small rise and the hills in front of it shape its weather. Summer mornings here are often gray, but the low cloud tends to clear by midmorning, earlier than at the beaches a few miles south. Summer afternoons then run much warmer than in Santa Cruz.
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 Scotts Valley in the next few days
No active National Weather Service alerts for this location.
Fog
No fog in the forecast for today at Scotts Valley. In November, 14% of morning hours here are foggy on average.
Best time to go
The best window today is 8 AM to 11 AM, at about 57°F with a 8 mph wind (comfort 58).
Best day this week
Of the next 7 days, Friday looks best for Scotts Valley, with a 57°F high and midday comfort near 72. Thursday looks weakest (53).
Rain
Next good chance of rain: today (77%, about 0.12 in.).
Live weather map
Weather around Scotts Valley right now
Overcast and 51° at Scotts Valley right now.
About the live weather map for Scotts Valley
The map centers on Scotts 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.
Scotts Valley vs nearby places
Typical summer conditions compared with Scotts 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 Scotts Valley |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz Main Beach | 6.1 mi | -11°F | 33% | 12 mph | about 11°F cooler on summer afternoons and windier summer afternoons (12 vs 7 mph) |
| Capitola | 6.2 mi | -7°F | 36% | 8 mph | about 7°F cooler on summer afternoons and about 26% less rain a year |
| Santa Cruz Westside | 7.2 mi | -17°F | 44% | 15 mph | about 17°F cooler on summer afternoons and windier summer afternoons (15 vs 7 mph) |
| Almaden Valley | 14.9 mi | +9°F | 7% | 9 mph | less summer morning fog (7% vs 46% of morning hours) and about 9°F warmer on summer afternoons |
| Año Nuevo Point | 18.3 mi | -18°F | 42% | 14 mph | about 18°F cooler on summer afternoons and windier summer afternoons (14 vs 7 mph) |
| Año Nuevo State Park | 18.3 mi | -18°F | 42% | 14 mph | about 18°F cooler on summer afternoons and windier summer afternoons (14 vs 7 mph) |
Places with a climate like Scotts Valley's
- La Honda (23 mi away): nearly the same temperatures every month
- Pescadero Creek County Park (22 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
- Portola Redwoods State Park (18 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
Climate Dashboard
Current conditions vs. NOAA normals and recent destination baseline
What the Scotts Valley climate comparisons mean
These cards compare recent conditions at Scotts 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 Scotts 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.
Scotts Valley weather by month
August is the warmest month at Scotts Valley, with an average high of 80°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 39°F. January is the wettest month (8.1 in.), out of about 37.0 in. a year. Morning fog peaks in July, when fog or low cloud covers 51% of the hours from 6 to 10 AM. October 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 Scotts Valley are September, July, and August. The best hours are usually 11 AM to 2 PM in September, 5 PM to 8 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 | 61°F | 39°F | 8.1 in | 12 | 14% | 29% | 5 mph | 9.9 h | 45 |
| Feb | 62°F | 40°F | 7.0 in | 11 | 14% | 26% | 6 mph | 10.8 h | 48 |
| Mar | 65°F | 42°F | 5.3 in | 10 | 15% | 31% | 7 mph | 11.9 h | 53 |
| Apr | 67°F | 44°F | 2.5 in | 7 | 22% | 29% | 7 mph | 13.1 h | 68 |
| May | 72°F | 47°F | 0.9 in | 4 | 27% | 29% | 7 mph | 14.2 h | 77 |
| Jun | 77°F | 49°F | 0.2 in | 2 | 39% | 21% | 7 mph | 14.7 h | 85 |
| Jul | 79°F | 53°F | 0.0 in | 1 | 51% | 18% | 6 mph | 14.4 h | 90 |
| Aug | 80°F | 53°F | 0.0 in | 1 | 47% | 19% | 6 mph | 13.5 h | 89 |
| Sep | 80°F | 51°F | 0.1 in | 2 | 36% | 18% | 6 mph | 12.3 h | 91 |
| Oct | 75°F | 47°F | 1.4 in | 5 | 21% | 16% | 6 mph | 11.1 h | 85 |
| Nov | 66°F | 42°F | 3.8 in | 8 | 14% | 19% | 5 mph | 10.1 h | 71 |
| Dec | 60°F | 39°F | 7.7 in | 12 | 16% | 29% | 5 mph | 9.6 h | 44 |
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 Scotts Valley's weather different
When the fog burns off
10 AMwhen July fog usually thins (71% foggy at 6 AM)
Fog or low cloud covers Scotts Valley in 71% of 6 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 10 AM. November mornings are the least foggy (14%).
When the wind picks up
noonwhen afternoon wind builds, April–September
From April through September, wind at Scotts Valley typically builds after noon. In April it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 8 mph with 2% of those hours windy, while mornings average 4 mph.
Microclimate
−17°FSanta Cruz Westside, 7.2 mi away, on summer afternoons
Santa Cruz Westside, 7.2 miles away, runs about 17°F cooler than Scotts Valley on summer afternoons.
Daylight
9.6–14.7 hof daylight, Dec to Jun
Days at Scotts Valley range from about 9.6 hours in December to 14.7 hours in June. In mid-June the sun sets around 8:29 PM, and in mid-December around 4:56 PM.
Seasons at Scotts Valley
- Warm seasonJul 1 – Sep 29 · highs 78°F+
The warm season lasts about 3 months, from Jul 1 to Sep 29, when the average high is 78°F or warmer. Highs peak around Aug 8 at about 80°F.
- Cool seasonDec 1 – Feb 27 · highs 63°F or lower
The cool season runs from Dec 1 to Feb 27, when the average high is 63°F or lower. The coldest nights come around Dec 8, with an average low near 39°F.
- Rainy seasonOct 28 – Apr 21 · 91% of the year's rain
The rainy season runs from Oct 28 to Apr 21, 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 22 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, Scotts Valley averaged 10 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 1 night a year at or below freezing. It averaged 23 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 104 mornings a year had 3 or more hours of fog or low cloud.
In the same record, the hottest day was Sep 9, 2026 (103°F) and the coldest night was Jan 28, 2025 (32°F). The wettest day was Nov 14, 2025 (3.99 in.), and the strongest 2 PM gust was 45 mph on Mar 12, 2025.
- 10days at 90°F or hotter
- 1night at or below freezing
- 23days with ½ in. of rain or more
- 1afternoon with 20+ mph wind
- 104mornings with 3+ hours of fog or low cloud
- Hottest day103°FSep 9, 2026
- Coldest night32°FJan 28, 2025
- Wettest day3.99 inNov 14, 2025
- Strongest 2 PM gust45 mphMar 12, 2025
What shapes Scotts Valley's weather
The marine layer is the cool, moist ocean air that forms low cloud. Scotts Valley is close enough to Monterey Bay that this layer often pushes up the Highway 17 corridor and over town on summer nights. Those mornings usually give way to sun by midmorning. On the Santa Cruz Westside, by contrast, fog can hang on into the afternoon.
Winter is the flip side. Away from the ocean's moderating influence, clear and calm nights let cold air settle on the valley floor. Winter mornings here run colder than in Santa Cruz. Storms also drop more rain than at the beaches as they climb toward the Highway 17 summit.
Tips for visiting Scotts Valley
Take the dog to West Glenwood
The west side of Glenwood Open Space Preserve has about four miles of pet-friendly trails. Dogs and bikes are barred on the east side.
Park once for both Glenwood sections
The lot at 350 Glenwood Drive is roughly 100 yards from both the west and east trail entrances.
Use Lodato Park for shade
This 49-acre park has a 1.2-mile loop through second-growth redwoods, and leashed dogs are welcome. Watch for poison oak on narrow sections.
Walk Pine Trail to the bay overlook
Henry Cowell's Pine Trail, reached from Scotts Valley, has an observation deck overlooking Monterey Bay.
Scotts Valley through the seasons
- Spring (March–May)
- Spring brings green hills and mild afternoons. Poison oak leafs out along trail edges at places like Lodato Park.
- Summer (June–August)
- Summer mornings are often foggy, and afternoons turn warm and sunny, well ahead of Santa Cruz. The open grassland at Glenwood gets hot by midday.
- Fall (September–November)
- September is as warm as August, and October has the clearest middays of the year until the first storms arrive.
- Winter (December–February)
- Winter brings cold mornings on the valley floor and more rain than on the coast. Trails and fields can stay soggy after storms.
Activities and the weather that matters
- Hiking Glenwood Open Space Preserve: The rolling grassland trails have little shade, so cool mornings are best in summer. Dry days after winter rain are pleasant.
- Redwood walks at Lodato Park and Henry Cowell: The redwood trails stay shady and cool on hot afternoons. Henry Cowell's Powder Mill fire road makes a quiet loop of nearly 8 miles.
- Swimming at Siltanen Pool: The city pool is the place to cool off on the warm inland afternoons that Santa Cruz's beaches don't always get.
Official sources and current conditions
- City of Scotts Valley: Parks and Recreation
- City of Scotts Valley: Emergency preparedness
- California State Parks: Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Scotts Valley Fire District
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 | 81 | 62.5° / 43.3° | 6.9h | 2d | 5.79" | 20 |
| December 2024 | 75 | 61.6° / 44.4° | 5.6h | 4d | 7.94" | 15 |
| January 2025 | 85 | 60.6° / 39.3° | 7h | 3d | 0.29" | 24 |
| February 2025 | 76 | 61.1° / 42.6° | 6.6h | 6d | 14.44" | 17 |
| March 2025 | 79 | 60.3° / 42.7° | 7.6h | 5d | 5.44" | 17 |
| April 2025 | 88 | 65.1° / 45.1° | 9.7h | 5d | 0.77" | 22 |
| May 2025 | 94 | 73.1° / 47.9° | 12.1h | 2d | 0.2" | 30 |
| June 2025 | 93 | 73° / 49.4° | 12.1h | 8d | 0" | 30 |
| July 2025 | 92 | 73.1° / 52.6° | 11.5h | 11d | 0" | 31 |
| August 2025 | 93 | 80.2° / 54.3° | 11.1h | 5d | 0" | 31 |
| September 2025 | 89 | 77.6° / 56.8° | 9.2h | 10d | 0.21" | 28 |
| October 2025 | 89 | 70.7° / 50.5° | 8.1h | 7d | 2.48" | 26 |
| November 2025 | 82 | 65.5° / 47.4° | 6.5h | 7d | 8.49" | 19 |
| December 2025 | 78 | 62.9° / 45° | 5.7h | 6d | 5.72" | 20 |
| January 2026 | 82 | 64.7° / 44° | 6.5h | 5d | 9.3" | 23 |
| February 2026 | 78 | 64.1° / 45.4° | 6.6h | 2d | 9.48" | 17 |
| March 2026 | 93 | 76.6° / 49.9° | 9.8h | 2d | 0.03" | 30 |
| April 2026 | 84 | 67.1° / 47.6° | 9h | 6d | 6.4" | 22 |
| May 2026 | 91 | 70.6° / 49.4° | 11.4h | 4d | 0.9" | 29 |
| June 2026 | 92 | 72.9° / 52.3° | 11.4h | 9d | 0" | 27 |
| July 2026 | 92 | 78.1° / 54.3° | 11.4h | 8d | 0" | 30 |
| August 2026 | 92 | 77.5° / 55° | 10.6h | 7d | 0" | 30 |
| September 2026 | 92 | 78.1° / 52.7° | 10.1h | 4d | 0.07" | 28 |
| October 2026 | 90 | 76.6° / 50.8° | 8.3h | 1d | 0.37" | 26 |
Climate Trends
Average Temperature by Month
About the Scotts Valley climate charts
The temperature chart compares average monthly highs and lows at Scotts 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 Scotts 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 Scotts Valley, the warmest typical hour is 3 PM in August (79°F). The coldest is 7 AM in February (45°F).
- Fog: Fog or low cloud covers Scotts Valley in 71% of 6 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 10 AM. November mornings are the least foggy (14%).
- Wind: From April through September, wind at Scotts Valley typically builds after noon. In April it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 8 mph with 2% of those hours windy, while mornings average 4 mph.
- Cloud Cover: October middays are the clearest at Scotts Valley (16% average cloud cover), and March middays are the cloudiest (31%).
- Solar Radiation: The strongest typical sun at Scotts Valley comes at 1 PM in July, averaging 953 W/m².
How to read the hourly heatmaps for Scotts Valley
This heatmap shows how average temperature at Scotts 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 Scotts 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 Scotts 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 Scotts 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 Scotts 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 Scotts Valley
- October 2026 recap: October 2026 at Scotts Valley averaged a high of 77°F, 6°F warmer than October 2025 (71°F).
- Rain year: The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 42.9 in. of rain to Scotts Valley, 116% of the 37.0 in. normal.
Location Details
Scotts Valley weather questions
Everything you need to know about weather and visiting Scotts Valley
What is the weather like at Scotts Valley today?
It's 51°F at Scotts Valley right now, with a comfort score of 74 (very good). Monday's forecast high at Scotts Valley is 56°F, 10°F below the mid November normal of 66°F. The best window today is 8 AM to 11 AM, at about 57°F with a 8 mph wind (comfort 58).
What is the best month to visit Scotts Valley?
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Scotts Valley are September, July, and August. The best hours are usually 11 AM to 2 PM in September, 5 PM to 8 PM in July, and 11 AM to 2 PM in August. The warm season lasts about 3 months, from Jul 1 to Sep 29, when the average high is 78°F or warmer. Highs peak around Aug 8 at about 80°F.
What are the warmest and coldest months at Scotts Valley?
August is the warmest month at Scotts Valley, with an average high of 80°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 39°F.
When does the fog burn off at Scotts Valley?
Fog or low cloud covers Scotts Valley in 71% of 6 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 10 AM. November mornings are the least foggy (14%).
When is it windiest at Scotts Valley?
From April through September, wind at Scotts Valley typically builds after noon. In April it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 8 mph with 2% of those hours windy, while mornings average 4 mph.
How much rain does Scotts Valley get?
January is the wettest month (8.1 in.), out of about 37.0 in. a year. The rainy season runs from Oct 28 to Apr 21, 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 42.9 in. of rain to Scotts Valley, 116% of the 37.0 in. normal.
How does Scotts Valley weather compare with Santa Cruz Westside?
Santa Cruz Westside, 7.2 miles away, runs about 17°F cooler than Scotts Valley on summer afternoons.
What kind of place is Scotts Valley?
Coming over Highway 17 from the Santa Clara Valley, Scotts Valley is the first city you reach. It is a suburban town of neighborhoods, business parks, and oak- and redwood-covered hills between the summit and downtown Santa Cruz. It takes its name from Hiram Scott, who built a house here in 1853. Its open space runs from the 166-acre Glenwood Open Space Preserve beside the high school to the eastern trailheads of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.
What is Scotts Valley weather like in November?
November at Scotts Valley averages a high of 66°F and a low of 42°F, with 3.8 in. of rain over about 8 rainy days. About 14% of morning hours are foggy. Afternoon wind averages 5 mph.
More about Scotts Valley 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.
- Visit Santa Cruz County, Explore the Trails of Scotts Valley (accessed 2026-10-27)
- City of Scotts Valley, Parks and Recreation (accessed 2026-10-27)
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