Russian Hill Weather
Town • San Francisco Bay Area
Russian Hill rises steeply between North Beach and the Marina. It is a residential hilltop of apartment houses, stair streets, and narrow lanes, and the Powell/Hyde cable car climbs it on the way to Fisherman's Wharf. The famous crooked block of Lombard Street winds down its eastern face. Its summit blocks look north over Alcatraz and the bay. Its spot on the city's eastern side gives it more sun than the Marina flats just to the west.
Plan your week
10-Day Forecast
Hour by hour
Hourly Forecast
Current Conditions
Comfort Breakdown
Russian Hill weather today and through the year
It's 55°F at Russian Hill right now (feels like 52°F), with 7 mph wind and a comfort score of 79. Monday's forecast high at Russian Hill is 56°F, 7°F below the mid November normal of 63°F. No fog in the forecast for today at Russian Hill. In November, 12% of morning hours here are foggy on average. The best window today is 10 AM to 1 PM, at about 51°F with a 4 mph wind (comfort 57).
September is the warmest month at Russian Hill, with an average high of 74°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 43°F. December is the wettest month (5.2 in.), out of about 24.9 in. a year. By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Russian Hill 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 San Francisco Public Utilities Commission places Russian Hill in the city's sun belt, together with Telegraph Hill and South of Market. The Marina, a mile west, falls in the cooler transition zone. The difference is distance from the Golden Gate. By the time the afternoon sea breeze reaches Russian Hill, it has crossed the Marina and passed the Pacific Heights ridge. Some of its chill has worn off on the way.
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 Hill 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 Russian Hill. 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 51°F with a 4 mph wind (comfort 57).
Best day this week
Of the next 7 days, Friday looks best for Russian Hill, with a 60°F high and midday comfort near 79. Today looks weakest (44).
Rain
Next good chance of rain: today (72%, about 0.55 in.).
Live weather map
Weather around Russian Hill right now
Overcast and 55° at Russian Hill right now.
About the live weather map for Russian Hill
The map centers on Russian Hill 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 Hill vs nearby places
Typical summer conditions compared with Russian Hill, 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 Hill |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Beach | 0.5 mi | same | 33% | 13 mph | same 3 km weather-model cell, so our hourly data cannot tell them apart |
| Chinatown | 0.8 mi | same | 33% | 13 mph | same 3 km weather-model cell, so our hourly data cannot tell them apart |
| Marina District | 1 mi | -9°F | 34% | 19 mph | about 9°F cooler on summer afternoons and windier summer afternoons (19 vs 13 mph) |
| Walnut Creek | 20.7 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 | 22 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 | 24.4 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 Russian Hill's
- Santa Cruz Main Beach (62 mi away): nearly the same temperatures every month
- Capitola (63 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
- Samuel P. Taylor State Park (23 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
Climate Dashboard
Current conditions vs. NOAA normals and recent destination baseline
What the Russian Hill climate comparisons mean
These cards compare recent conditions at Russian Hill 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 Hill 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 Hill weather by month
September is the warmest month at Russian Hill, with an average high of 74°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 43°F. December is the wettest month (5.2 in.), out of about 24.9 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 Russian Hill 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 | 43°F | 4.7 in | 9 | 16% | 35% | 6 mph | 9.8 h | 56 |
| Feb | 60°F | 45°F | 4.8 in | 9 | 14% | 28% | 8 mph | 10.7 h | 60 |
| Mar | 62°F | 46°F | 3.5 in | 8 | 14% | 31% | 9 mph | 11.9 h | 62 |
| Apr | 64°F | 47°F | 1.7 in | 5 | 12% | 26% | 11 mph | 13.2 h | 67 |
| May | 67°F | 50°F | 0.8 in | 4 | 16% | 29% | 13 mph | 14.2 h | 70 |
| Jun | 70°F | 52°F | 0.2 in | 2 | 25% | 23% | 13 mph | 14.8 h | 78 |
| Jul | 71°F | 54°F | 0.0 in | 1 | 39% | 27% | 12 mph | 14.5 h | 79 |
| Aug | 73°F | 54°F | 0.1 in | 1 | 34% | 26% | 12 mph | 13.6 h | 84 |
| Sep | 74°F | 54°F | 0.1 in | 2 | 23% | 23% | 11 mph | 12.3 h | 89 |
| Oct | 71°F | 52°F | 1.1 in | 4 | 16% | 22% | 8 mph | 11.1 h | 82 |
| Nov | 63°F | 47°F | 2.8 in | 7 | 12% | 24% | 6 mph | 10.0 h | 67 |
| Dec | 57°F | 43°F | 5.2 in | 10 | 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 Russian Hill average about 6°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 Hill has actually seen.
What makes Russian Hill's weather different
When the fog burns off
11 AMwhen July fog usually thins (47% foggy at 8 AM)
Fog or low cloud covers Russian Hill 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 Russian Hill 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
−9°FMarina District, 1 mi away, on summer afternoons
Marina District, 1 mile away, runs about 9°F cooler than Russian Hill on summer afternoons.
Model resolution
4 placesshare one 3 km NOAA HRRR grid cell
Russian Hill shares one 3 km grid cell in NOAA's HRRR model with Pacific Heights, North Beach and Chinatown. 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 Russian Hill 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 Russian Hill
- Warm seasonJul 3 – Oct 6 · highs 71°F+
The warm season lasts about 3.2 months, from Jul 3 to Oct 6, when the average high is 71°F or warmer. Highs peak around Sep 8 at about 74°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 43°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 28 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, Russian Hill 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 (3.27 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 day3.27 inNov 23, 2024
- Strongest 2 PM gust41 mphMar 12, 2025
What shapes Russian Hill's weather
Russian Hill's height works both ways. The marine layer is the deck of cool, foggy ocean air that rolls in through the Golden Gate. On mornings when it is shallow, the crest sits above fog that fills the bay and the Marina. That gives the hill its clear views over a white bay. The exposed north side faces the water directly and catches the wind that does get through. The east-facing slopes toward North Beach and Columbus Avenue are more sheltered.
Fall is the warm season, when the sea breeze weakens and the hilltop gets its clearest, warmest days. In winter, Pacific storms hit the crest with gusty south winds, and rain makes the steep sidewalks and stairways slick.
Tips for visiting Russian Hill
Prepay before boarding the Powell/Hyde car
Boarding at Powell and Market or at Hyde and Beach requires advance purchase from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Paying through MuniMobile or Clipper avoids the turntable lines.
Save the stair streets for dry days
The hill's stairways and steep sidewalks are much easier going when they're dry. After rain, take the cable car up instead.
Bring a light layer for the north side
Russian Hill sees sun more often than the Marina, but the north-facing crest still catches cold ocean wind on summer afternoons.
Carry exact change
Cable car fares can be paid with MuniMobile or a Clipper card. Cash is accepted, but exact change is required.
Russian Hill through the seasons
- Spring (March–May)
- Spring brings cool days, often with good visibility across the bay. Afternoon wind on the north side grows through May.
- Summer (June–August)
- Summer mornings are often sunny above shallow fog, with breezy afternoons on the crest and fog spilling in some evenings.
- Fall (September–October)
- September and October bring the warmest weeks of the year and the best time for long walks over the top.
- Winter (November–February)
- Rain comes in storms, and the days right after them bring the sharpest views of Alcatraz, Angel Island, and Marin.
Activities and the weather that matters
- Riding the Powell/Hyde cable car: The line runs from Powell and Market to the Fisherman's Wharf area. Open running boards are pleasant on sunny days and cold in evening fog.
- Stairway and lane walks: Walk on dry, clear days, and skip the steepest stairs after rain.
- Bay viewpoints: The views are most dramatic on mornings when a shallow fog layer fills the bay below the crest, and clearest after winter storms.
Official sources and current conditions
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 | 60.3° / 50.5° | 6.6h | 3d | 5.04" | 20 |
| December 2024 | 69 | 57.8° / 49.4° | 5.1h | 9d | 6.21" | 13 |
| January 2025 | 82 | 57.9° / 46.9° | 7.1h | 5d | 0.2" | 21 |
| February 2025 | 74 | 58.7° / 47.5° | 6.6h | 7d | 7.84" | 12 |
| March 2025 | 80 | 59.2° / 48.1° | 8.2h | 1d | 1.9" | 17 |
| April 2025 | 84 | 60.4° / 49.8° | 9.6h | 8d | 0.47" | 22 |
| May 2025 | 89 | 63.9° / 51.7° | 12h | 3d | 0.17" | 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" | 28 |
| September 2025 | 88 | 69.7° / 59.7° | 9.3h | 8d | 0.11" | 25 |
| October 2025 | 86 | 66.9° / 56.5° | 8.1h | 7d | 1.07" | 25 |
| November 2025 | 78 | 61.5° / 53° | 6.7h | 9d | 2.93" | 14 |
| December 2025 | 66 | 54.9° / 48.1° | 4.8h | 11d | 5.43" | 5 |
| January 2026 | 79 | 59.5° / 49.3° | 6.7h | 2d | 3.8" | 21 |
| February 2026 | 75 | 61.1° / 50.5° | 6.3h | 5d | 5.13" | 14 |
| March 2026 | 94 | 69.9° / 54.2° | 9.4h | 3d | 0.06" | 26 |
| April 2026 | 84 | 62.9° / 52.1° | 9.4h | 5d | 4.11" | 21 |
| May 2026 | 87 | 63.7° / 52.9° | 11.4h | 9d | 0.65" | 23 |
| June 2026 | 87 | 65.4° / 54.8° | 11.9h | 10d | 0.03" | 23 |
| July 2026 | 87 | 66.1° / 56.1° | 11.2h | 11d | 0" | 24 |
| August 2026 | 86 | 66° / 56.7° | 10.6h | 15d | 0" | 27 |
| September 2026 | 90 | 68.3° / 57.6° | 9.6h | 7d | 0.05" | 26 |
| October 2026 | 90 | 68.6° / 55.9° | 8.4h | 4d | 0.19" | 29 |
Climate Trends
Average Temperature by Month
About the Russian Hill climate charts
The temperature chart compares average monthly highs and lows at Russian Hill, 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 Hill. 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 Hill, 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 Russian Hill 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 Russian Hill 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 Russian Hill (22% average cloud cover), and December middays are the cloudiest (36%).
- Solar Radiation: The strongest typical sun at Russian Hill comes at 1 PM in June, averaging 933 W/m².
How to read the hourly heatmaps for Russian Hill
This heatmap shows how average temperature at Russian Hill 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 Hill. 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 Hill 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 Hill 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 Hill 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 Hill
- October 2026 recap: October 2026 at Russian Hill averaged a high of 69°F, 2°F warmer than October 2025 (67°F).
- Rain year: The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 23.3 in. of rain to Russian Hill, 93% of the 24.9 in. normal.
Location Details
Russian Hill weather questions
Everything you need to know about weather and visiting Russian Hill
What is the weather like at Russian Hill today?
It's 55°F at Russian Hill right now, with a comfort score of 79 (great). Monday's forecast high at Russian Hill 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 51°F with a 4 mph wind (comfort 57).
What is the best month to visit Russian Hill?
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Russian Hill 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 3.2 months, from Jul 3 to Oct 6, when the average high is 71°F or warmer. Highs peak around Sep 8 at about 74°F.
What are the warmest and coldest months at Russian Hill?
September is the warmest month at Russian Hill, with an average high of 74°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 43°F.
When does the fog burn off at Russian Hill?
Fog or low cloud covers Russian Hill 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 Russian Hill?
From February through October, wind at Russian Hill 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 Russian Hill get?
December is the wettest month (5.2 in.), out of about 24.9 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 23.3 in. of rain to Russian Hill, 93% of the 24.9 in. normal.
How does Russian Hill weather compare with Marina District?
Marina District, 1 mile away, runs about 9°F cooler than Russian Hill on summer afternoons.
What kind of place is Russian Hill?
Russian Hill rises steeply between North Beach and the Marina. It is a residential hilltop of apartment houses, stair streets, and narrow lanes, and the Powell/Hyde cable car climbs it on the way to Fisherman's Wharf. The famous crooked block of Lombard Street winds down its eastern face. Its summit blocks look north over Alcatraz and the bay. Its spot on the city's eastern side gives it more sun than the Marina flats just to the west.
What is Russian Hill weather like in November?
November at Russian Hill averages a high of 63°F and a low of 47°F, with 2.8 in. of rain over about 7 rainy days. About 12% of morning hours are foggy. Afternoon wind averages 6 mph.
More about Russian Hill 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.
- San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, San Francisco's climate zones (gardening supplement) (accessed 2026-10-27)
- SFMTA, Cable cars (accessed 2026-10-27)
Rendered 2026-11-15T12:16:28.568Z.