Chinatown Weather
Town • San Francisco Bay Area
Packed onto the eastern slope of Nob Hill between the Financial District and North Beach, Chinatown is a grid of narrow, steep blocks climbing west from Kearny Street. Grant Avenue is the visitor spine, Stockton Street the neighborhood's market street, and Portsmouth Square, the city's first public space, its gathering place. City planners describe it as the most densely populated urban area west of Manhattan. That tight wall of buildings shapes how sun and wind reach the sidewalk more than any hill does.
Plan your week
10-Day Forecast
Hour by hour
Hourly Forecast
Current Conditions
Comfort Breakdown
Chinatown weather today and through the year
It's 55°F at Chinatown right now (feels like 53°F), with 7 mph wind and a comfort score of 80. Monday's forecast high at Chinatown is 56°F, 7°F below the mid November normal of 63°F. No fog in the forecast for today at Chinatown. In November, 12% of morning hours here are foggy on average. The best window today is 10 AM to 1 PM, at about 52°F with a 4 mph wind (comfort 58).
September is the warmest month at Chinatown, with an average high of 72°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 44°F. December is the wettest month (5.0 in.), out of about 24.0 in. a year. By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Chinatown are September, August, and October. The best hours are usually noon to 3 PM in September, 11 AM to 2 PM in August, and noon to 3 PM in October.
Chinatown sits on the sheltered east side of Nob Hill, about four miles from the Golden Gate and well into San Francisco's sunnier eastern half. By the time the afternoon sea breeze arrives, it has crossed the Marina, Pacific Heights, and Nob Hill. The wind on Grant Avenue is usually lighter than at the Marina or along the Embarcadero.
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 Chinatown in the next few days
Active National Weather Service alerts
- High Surf Advisory until Tue 4:00 AM
Fog
No fog in the forecast for today at Chinatown. In November, 12% of morning hours here are foggy on average.
Best time to go
The best window today is 10 AM to 1 PM, at about 52°F with a 4 mph wind (comfort 58).
Best day this week
Of the next 7 days, Friday looks best for Chinatown, with a 61°F high and midday comfort near 80. Today looks weakest (44).
Rain
Next good chance of rain: today (72%, about 0.55 in.).
Live weather map
Weather around Chinatown right now
Overcast and 55° at Chinatown right now.
About the live weather map for Chinatown
The map centers on Chinatown 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.
Chinatown vs nearby places
Typical summer conditions compared with Chinatown, 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 Chinatown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Beach | 0.5 mi | same | 33% | 13 mph | same 3 km weather-model cell, so our hourly data cannot tell them apart |
| Downtown San Francisco | 0.7 mi | -6°F | 27% | 10 mph | about 6°F cooler on summer afternoons |
| Russian Hill | 0.8 mi | same | 33% | 13 mph | same 3 km weather-model cell, so our hourly data cannot tell them apart |
| Walnut Creek | 20.3 mi | +16°F | 11% | 8 mph | about 16°F warmer on summer afternoons and less summer morning fog (11% vs 33% of morning hours) |
| Pleasant Hill | 21.7 mi | +17°F | 10% | 7 mph | about 17°F warmer on summer afternoons and less summer morning fog (10% vs 33% of morning hours) |
| Concord | 24.2 mi | +17°F | 9% | 8 mph | about 17°F warmer on summer afternoons and less summer morning fog (9% vs 33% of morning hours) |
Places with a climate like Chinatown's
- Santa Cruz Main Beach (61 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
- San Pablo (12 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
- Capitola (62 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
Climate Dashboard
Current conditions vs. NOAA normals and recent destination baseline
What the Chinatown climate comparisons mean
These cards compare recent conditions at Chinatown 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 Chinatown 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.
Chinatown weather by month
September is the warmest month at Chinatown, with an average high of 72°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 44°F. December is the wettest month (5.0 in.), out of about 24.0 in. a year. Morning fog peaks in July, when fog or low cloud covers 39% of the hours from 6 to 10 AM. October has the clearest middays, with clouds covering about 22% of the sky from 11 AM to 3 PM.
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Chinatown are September, August, and October. The best hours are usually noon to 3 PM in September, 11 AM to 2 PM in August, and noon to 3 PM in October.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Rainy days | Morning fog | Midday cloud | Afternoon wind | Daylight | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 57°F | 44°F | 4.6 in | 9 | 16% | 35% | 6 mph | 9.8 h | 56 |
| Feb | 60°F | 46°F | 4.6 in | 9 | 14% | 28% | 8 mph | 10.7 h | 60 |
| Mar | 62°F | 47°F | 3.4 in | 8 | 14% | 31% | 9 mph | 11.9 h | 62 |
| Apr | 64°F | 49°F | 1.6 in | 5 | 12% | 26% | 11 mph | 13.2 h | 67 |
| May | 66°F | 51°F | 0.8 in | 4 | 16% | 29% | 13 mph | 14.2 h | 70 |
| Jun | 70°F | 53°F | 0.2 in | 2 | 25% | 23% | 13 mph | 14.8 h | 78 |
| Jul | 70°F | 55°F | 0.0 in | 0 | 39% | 27% | 12 mph | 14.5 h | 79 |
| Aug | 72°F | 56°F | 0.1 in | 1 | 34% | 26% | 12 mph | 13.6 h | 84 |
| Sep | 72°F | 55°F | 0.1 in | 1 | 23% | 23% | 11 mph | 12.3 h | 89 |
| Oct | 70°F | 53°F | 1.1 in | 4 | 16% | 22% | 8 mph | 11.1 h | 82 |
| Nov | 63°F | 48°F | 2.6 in | 7 | 12% | 24% | 6 mph | 10.0 h | 67 |
| Dec | 57°F | 45°F | 5.0 in | 9 | 21% | 36% | 6 mph | 9.6 h | 36 |
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 Chinatown average about 5°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 Chinatown has actually seen.
What makes Chinatown's weather different
When the fog burns off
11 AMwhen July fog usually thins (47% foggy at 8 AM)
Fog or low cloud covers Chinatown in 47% of 8 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 11 AM. April mornings are the least foggy (12%).
When the wind picks up
2 PMwhen afternoon wind builds, February–October
From February through October, wind at Chinatown typically builds after 2 PM. In June it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 15 mph with 41% of those hours windy, while mornings average 6 mph.
Microclimate
−6°FDowntown San Francisco, 0.7 mi away, on summer afternoons
Downtown San Francisco, 0.7 miles away, runs about 6°F cooler than Chinatown on summer afternoons.
Model resolution
4 placesshare one 3 km NOAA HRRR grid cell
Chinatown shares one 3 km grid cell in NOAA's HRRR model with Pacific Heights, Russian Hill and North Beach. The places in that cell range from 52 to 360 ft. The hourly fog, wind, cloud, and temperature patterns on this site are the same for all of them. Real differences between them come from hills, elevation, and wind exposure that the model cannot resolve.
Daylight
9.6–14.8 hof daylight, Dec to Jun
Days at Chinatown range from about 9.6 hours in December to 14.8 hours in June. In mid-June the sun sets around 8:34 PM, and in mid-December around 4:58 PM.
Seasons at Chinatown
- Warm seasonJun 29 – Oct 7 · highs 70°F+
The warm season lasts about 3.3 months, from Jun 29 to Oct 7, when the average high is 70°F or warmer. Highs peak around Sep 8 at about 72°F.
- Cool seasonNov 29 – Feb 28 · highs 61°F or lower
The cool season runs from Nov 29 to Feb 28, when the average high is 61°F or lower. The coldest nights come around Jan 8, with an average low near 44°F.
- Rainy seasonNov 6 – Apr 7 · 84% of the year's rain
The rainy season runs from Nov 6 to Apr 7, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 84% 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 29 and half of its annual total by Jan 23.
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, Chinatown averaged no days at 90°F or hotter and no freezing nights. It averaged 15 days a year with at least half an inch of rain and 2 afternoons with wind of 20 mph or more at 2 PM. About 121 mornings a year had 3 or more hours of fog or low cloud.
In the same record, the hottest day was Sep 9, 2026 (89°F) and the coldest night was Feb 10, 2025 (41°F). The wettest day was Nov 23, 2024 (2.96 in.), and the strongest 2 PM gust was 41 mph on Mar 12, 2025.
- 0days at 90°F or hotter
- 0nights at or below freezing
- 15days with ½ in. of rain or more
- 2afternoons with 20+ mph wind
- 121mornings with 3+ hours of fog or low cloud
- Hottest day89°FSep 9, 2026
- Coldest night41°FFeb 10, 2025
- Wettest day2.96 inNov 23, 2024
- Strongest 2 PM gust41 mphMar 12, 2025
What shapes Chinatown's weather
In Chinatown the buildings matter more than the terrain. Grant Avenue and Stockton Street run north to south between continuous walls of buildings, so they spend much of the day in shade. That is especially true in winter, when the sun stays low in the southern sky. The cross streets that climb the slope, such as Clay, Washington, and Sacramento, catch more sun but can funnel the westerly breeze downhill toward Kearny.
Summer fog often covers Chinatown in the early morning and usually thins by late morning. It spills back over Nob Hill toward evening, so middays are often brighter than on the west side of the city. Fall brings the warmest, stillest days, and winter rain arrives with Pacific storms that make the steep sidewalks slick.
Tips for visiting Chinatown
Wear grippy shoes in the rain
Chinatown's cross streets climb steeply toward Nob Hill, and their sidewalks turn slick in winter rain.
Ride the Central Subway in
The T Third line's Chinatown/Rose Pak station connects the neighborhood underground with Union Square, SoMa, and the 4th Street Caltrain station.
Walk the sunny side of the street
On cool afternoons, walk the east side of the north-south streets, which catches the afternoon sun. On warm days, the narrow blocks offer shade.
Use the California Street cable car
The California line runs from California and Market up over Nob Hill to Van Ness Avenue, crossing the southern edge of Chinatown.
Chinatown through the seasons
- Spring (March–May)
- Spring afternoons are mild and often sunny on the east slope, though March still brings regular rain.
- Summer (June–August)
- Summer mornings are often gray, and middays are sunnier than on the city's west side. Fog and a cool breeze arrive over Nob Hill toward evening.
- Fall (September–October)
- September is usually the warmest month of the year. The narrow, shaded streets stay more comfortable than open plazas on hot afternoons.
- Winter (November–February)
- Winter brings rain and short days, with Lunar New Year celebrations in January or February. Low winter sun leaves the north-south streets in shade most of the day.
Activities and the weather that matters
- Walking Grant Avenue and Stockton Street: These streets work in most weather. The shaded blocks are cool on gray days, so bring a layer.
- Dim sum and bakeries: Indoor meals are a good choice on rainy or foggy days, when the slope's sidewalks are slick and windy.
- Riding the California Street cable car: The open-sided cars are breezy on summer afternoons, so ride with a layer. Clear fall days give the longest views down California Street.
Official sources and current conditions
- SF Rec and Park: Portsmouth Square Improvement Project
- SF Planning: Portsmouth Square Area Project
- SFMTA: Cable cars
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 | 79 | 60.3° / 50.5° | 6.6h | 3d | 4.49" | 20 |
| December 2024 | 69 | 57.8° / 49.4° | 5.1h | 9d | 5.55" | 13 |
| January 2025 | 82 | 57.9° / 46.9° | 7.1h | 5d | 0.18" | 21 |
| February 2025 | 74 | 58.7° / 47.5° | 6.6h | 7d | 6.94" | 12 |
| March 2025 | 80 | 59.2° / 48.1° | 8.2h | 1d | 1.65" | 17 |
| April 2025 | 84 | 60.4° / 49.8° | 9.6h | 8d | 0.38" | 23 |
| May 2025 | 89 | 63.9° / 51.7° | 12h | 3d | 0.15" | 27 |
| June 2025 | 83 | 62.3° / 52.8° | 11.9h | 14d | 0" | 19 |
| July 2025 | 82 | 63° / 55° | 11h | 20d | 0" | 19 |
| August 2025 | 88 | 67.7° / 57.2° | 10.8h | 10d | 0.02" | 28 |
| September 2025 | 88 | 69.7° / 59.7° | 9.3h | 8d | 0.12" | 25 |
| October 2025 | 87 | 66.9° / 56.5° | 8.1h | 7d | 1.02" | 25 |
| November 2025 | 78 | 61.5° / 53° | 6.7h | 9d | 2.61" | 14 |
| December 2025 | 66 | 54.9° / 48.1° | 4.8h | 11d | 4.91" | 5 |
| January 2026 | 79 | 59.5° / 49.3° | 6.7h | 2d | 3.43" | 21 |
| February 2026 | 76 | 61.1° / 50.5° | 6.3h | 5d | 4.56" | 14 |
| March 2026 | 94 | 69.9° / 54.2° | 9.4h | 3d | 0.05" | 26 |
| April 2026 | 84 | 62.9° / 52.1° | 9.4h | 5d | 3.72" | 21 |
| May 2026 | 87 | 63.7° / 52.9° | 11.4h | 9d | 0.62" | 23 |
| June 2026 | 87 | 65.4° / 54.8° | 11.9h | 10d | 0.03" | 22 |
| July 2026 | 87 | 66.1° / 56.1° | 11.2h | 11d | 0.02" | 24 |
| August 2026 | 86 | 66° / 56.7° | 10.6h | 15d | 0" | 27 |
| September 2026 | 90 | 68.3° / 57.6° | 9.6h | 7d | 0.04" | 26 |
| October 2026 | 90 | 68.6° / 55.9° | 8.4h | 4d | 0.17" | 29 |
Climate Trends
Average Temperature by Month
About the Chinatown climate charts
The temperature chart compares average monthly highs and lows at Chinatown, 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 Chinatown. 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 Chinatown, the warmest typical hour is 2 PM in September (71°F). The coldest is 6 AM in February (47°F).
- Fog: Fog or low cloud covers Chinatown in 47% of 8 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 11 AM. April mornings are the least foggy (12%).
- Wind: From February through October, wind at Chinatown typically builds after 2 PM. In June it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 15 mph with 41% of those hours windy, while mornings average 6 mph.
- Cloud Cover: October middays are the clearest at Chinatown (22% average cloud cover), and December middays are the cloudiest (36%).
- Solar Radiation: The strongest typical sun at Chinatown comes at 1 PM in June, averaging 933 W/m².
How to read the hourly heatmaps for Chinatown
This heatmap shows how average temperature at Chinatown 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 Chinatown. 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 Chinatown 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 Chinatown 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 Chinatown 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 Chinatown
- October 2026 recap: October 2026 at Chinatown averaged a high of 69°F, 1°F cooler than the 1991-2020 normal of 70°F. It brought 0.17 in. of rain, compared with a normal of 1.08 in.
- Rain year: The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 21.0 in. of rain to Chinatown, 87% of the 24.0 in. normal.
Location Details
Chinatown weather questions
Everything you need to know about weather and visiting Chinatown
What is the weather like at Chinatown today?
It's 55°F at Chinatown right now, with a comfort score of 80 (great). Monday's forecast high at Chinatown is 56°F, 7°F below the mid November normal of 63°F. The best window today is 10 AM to 1 PM, at about 52°F with a 4 mph wind (comfort 58).
What is the best month to visit Chinatown?
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Chinatown are September, August, and October. The best hours are usually noon to 3 PM in September, 11 AM to 2 PM in August, and noon to 3 PM in October. The warm season lasts about 3.3 months, from Jun 29 to Oct 7, when the average high is 70°F or warmer. Highs peak around Sep 8 at about 72°F.
What are the warmest and coldest months at Chinatown?
September is the warmest month at Chinatown, with an average high of 72°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 44°F.
When does the fog burn off at Chinatown?
Fog or low cloud covers Chinatown in 47% of 8 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 11 AM. April mornings are the least foggy (12%).
When is it windiest at Chinatown?
From February through October, wind at Chinatown typically builds after 2 PM. In June it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 15 mph with 41% of those hours windy, while mornings average 6 mph.
How much rain does Chinatown get?
December is the wettest month (5.0 in.), out of about 24.0 in. a year. The rainy season runs from Nov 6 to Apr 7, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 84% of the year's rain. The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 21.0 in. of rain to Chinatown, 87% of the 24.0 in. normal.
How does Chinatown weather compare with Downtown San Francisco?
Downtown San Francisco, 0.7 miles away, runs about 6°F cooler than Chinatown on summer afternoons.
What kind of place is Chinatown?
Packed onto the eastern slope of Nob Hill between the Financial District and North Beach, Chinatown is a grid of narrow, steep blocks climbing west from Kearny Street. Grant Avenue is the visitor spine, Stockton Street the neighborhood's market street, and Portsmouth Square, the city's first public space, its gathering place. City planners describe it as the most densely populated urban area west of Manhattan. That tight wall of buildings shapes how sun and wind reach the sidewalk more than any hill does.
What is Chinatown weather like in November?
November at Chinatown averages a high of 63°F and a low of 48°F, with 2.6 in. of rain over about 7 rainy days. About 12% of morning hours are foggy. Afternoon wind averages 6 mph.
More about Chinatown 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.
- SFMTA press release, Central Subway opening schedule (accessed 2026-10-27)
- SFMTA, Cable cars (accessed 2026-10-27)
Rendered 2026-11-15T12:04:20.973Z.