West Portal Weather
Town • San Francisco Bay Area
West Portal grew up around the western mouth of the Twin Peaks Tunnel, the streetcar bore dedicated in 1917 that opened the city's southwest side to development. Its short shopping street, West Portal Avenue, starts at the station where the K, L, and M Muni Metro lines come out of the hill. The neighborhood sits low on the ocean side of the central ridge, below Forest Hill and the slopes of Mount Davidson. Ocean Beach is a little over two miles west.
Plan your week
10-Day Forecast
Hour by hour
Hourly Forecast
Current Conditions
Comfort Breakdown
West Portal weather today and through the year
It's 54°F at West Portal right now (feels like 51°F), with 6 mph wind and a comfort score of 78. Monday's forecast high at West Portal is 55°F, 7°F below the mid November normal of 62°F. No fog in the forecast for today at West Portal. In November, 14% of morning hours here are foggy on average. The best window today is 8 AM to 11 AM, at about 52°F with a 8 mph wind (comfort 55).
September is the warmest month at West Portal, with an average high of 71°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 45°F. December is the wettest month (5.7 in.), out of about 27.1 in. a year. By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at West Portal are September, October, and August. The best hours are usually 11 AM to 2 PM in September, noon to 3 PM in October, and noon to 3 PM in August.
West Portal lies on the ocean side of the ridge formed by Mount Sutro, Twin Peaks, and Mount Davidson. That puts it in the path of the summer marine layer, the deck of cool, foggy ocean air. West Portal is far enough inland that the fog thins and breaks more often than in the Outer Sunset. On a typical summer day the sun shows up here earlier than at 46th Avenue. It arrives later than in Noe Valley and the Castro on the other side of the tunnel.
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 West Portal 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 West Portal. 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 52°F with a 8 mph wind (comfort 55).
Best day this week
Of the next 7 days, Friday looks best for West Portal, with a 60°F high and midday comfort near 79. Today looks weakest (40).
Rain
Next good chance of rain: today (75%, about 0.63 in.).
Live weather map
Weather around West Portal right now
Overcast and 54° at West Portal right now.
About the live weather map for West Portal
The map centers on West Portal 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.
West Portal vs nearby places
Typical summer conditions compared with West Portal, 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 West Portal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest Hill | 0.6 mi | +3°F | 48% | 13 mph | a very similar climate |
| Twin Peaks | 1.2 mi | +3°F | 48% | 13 mph | a very similar climate |
| Inner Sunset | 1.6 mi | same | 51% | 11 mph | same 3 km weather-model cell, so our hourly data cannot tell them apart |
| Lafayette | 21.5 mi | +21°F | 13% | 9 mph | about 21°F warmer on summer afternoons and less summer morning fog (13% vs 51% of morning hours) |
| Alhambra Valley | 23.9 mi | +20°F | 14% | 11 mph | about 20°F warmer on summer afternoons and less summer morning fog (14% vs 51% of morning hours) |
| Walnut Creek | 24.8 mi | +23°F | 11% | 8 mph | about 23°F warmer on summer afternoons and less summer morning fog (11% vs 51% of morning hours) |
Places with a climate like West Portal's
- Half Moon Bay State Beach (18 mi away): nearly the same temperatures every month
- Pescadero (34 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
- Schoolhouse Beach (55 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
Climate Dashboard
Current conditions vs. NOAA normals and recent destination baseline
What the West Portal climate comparisons mean
These cards compare recent conditions at West Portal 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 West Portal 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.
West Portal weather by month
September is the warmest month at West Portal, with an average high of 71°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 45°F. December is the wettest month (5.7 in.), out of about 27.1 in. a year. Morning fog peaks in July, when fog or low cloud covers 59% of the hours from 6 to 10 AM. November has the clearest middays, with clouds covering about 26% of the sky from 11 AM to 3 PM.
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at West Portal are September, October, and August. The best hours are usually 11 AM to 2 PM in September, noon to 3 PM in October, and noon to 3 PM in August.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Rainy days | Morning fog | Midday cloud | Afternoon wind | Daylight | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 57°F | 45°F | 5.1 in | 9 | 17% | 37% | 7 mph | 9.8 h | 35 |
| Feb | 59°F | 46°F | 5.2 in | 10 | 15% | 29% | 8 mph | 10.7 h | 38 |
| Mar | 61°F | 47°F | 3.8 in | 8 | 17% | 33% | 9 mph | 11.9 h | 59 |
| Apr | 63°F | 48°F | 1.9 in | 6 | 23% | 33% | 11 mph | 13.2 h | 63 |
| May | 64°F | 50°F | 0.8 in | 4 | 31% | 40% | 12 mph | 14.2 h | 61 |
| Jun | 67°F | 52°F | 0.2 in | 2 | 43% | 37% | 11 mph | 14.8 h | 67 |
| Jul | 68°F | 54°F | 0.0 in | 1 | 59% | 46% | 11 mph | 14.5 h | 68 |
| Aug | 69°F | 55°F | 0.1 in | 1 | 51% | 44% | 10 mph | 13.6 h | 75 |
| Sep | 71°F | 55°F | 0.1 in | 2 | 38% | 37% | 9 mph | 12.3 h | 82 |
| Oct | 69°F | 53°F | 1.3 in | 5 | 21% | 28% | 8 mph | 11.1 h | 77 |
| Nov | 62°F | 49°F | 3.0 in | 7 | 14% | 26% | 7 mph | 10.0 h | 64 |
| Dec | 57°F | 45°F | 5.7 in | 10 | 22% | 37% | 7 mph | 9.6 h | 33 |
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 West Portal's weather different
Among the 163 San Francisco Bay Area towns we track, West Portal has the 3rd-mildest winter nights.
- #3of 163
mildest winter nightsamong San Francisco Bay Area towns
When the fog burns off
65%of 8 AM hours foggy in July
Fog or low cloud covers West Portal in 65% of 8 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It often lingers, and 36% of mid-afternoon hours are still foggy. November mornings are the least foggy (14%).
When the wind picks up
1 PMwhen afternoon wind builds, March–October
From March through October, wind at West Portal typically builds after 1 PM. In May it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 12 mph with 20% of those hours windy, while mornings average 7 mph.
Model resolution
3 placesshare one 3 km NOAA HRRR grid cell
West Portal shares one 3 km grid cell in NOAA's HRRR model with Sunset District and Inner Sunset. 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 West Portal 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 West Portal
- Warm seasonJul 26 – Oct 25 · highs 68°F+
The warm season lasts about 3 months, from Jul 26 to Oct 25, when the average high is 68°F or warmer. Highs peak around Sep 8 at about 71°F.
- Cool seasonNov 30 – Feb 28 · highs 60°F or lower
The cool season runs from Nov 30 to Feb 28, when the average high is 60°F or lower. The coldest nights come around Jan 8, with an average low near 45°F.
- Rainy seasonNov 3 – Apr 11 · 86% of the year's rain
The rainy season runs from Nov 3 to Apr 11, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 86% 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 25 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, West Portal averaged 1 day a year at 90°F or hotter and no freezing nights. It averaged 17 days a year with at least half an inch of rain and 4 afternoons with wind of 20 mph or more at 2 PM. About 168 mornings a year had 3 or more hours of fog or low cloud.
In the same record, the hottest day was Sep 9, 2026 (93°F) and the coldest night was Feb 20, 2026 (39°F). The wettest day was Nov 23, 2024 (3.19 in.), and the strongest 2 PM gust was 47 mph on Mar 12, 2025.
- 1day at 90°F or hotter
- 0nights at or below freezing
- 17days with ½ in. of rain or more
- 4afternoons with 20+ mph wind
- 168mornings with 3+ hours of fog or low cloud
- Hottest day93°FSep 9, 2026
- Coldest night39°FFeb 20, 2026
- Wettest day3.19 inNov 23, 2024
- Strongest 2 PM gust47 mphMar 12, 2025
What shapes West Portal's weather
The National Weather Service's climate study notes that San Francisco's heaviest rain falls on the high ground in the south-central city. There, Pacific storms are lifted over the ridge. West Portal sits at the foot of that high terrain, so winter storms here tend to be a little wetter than on the northeastern waterfront.
West Portal's commercial strip sits in low ground with hills rising on several sides. The hills take some of the edge off the afternoon sea breeze that sweeps the open Sunset grid to the west. As on the rest of the west side, the warmest weather comes in September. The fog clears out through October, when offshore winds sometimes replace the sea breeze.
Tips for visiting West Portal
Use the tunnel to reach the sun
The K, L, and M all run through the Twin Peaks Tunnel. When West Portal is gray, the sheltered east side of the ridge is a few minutes away.
Know where the warmth is
The Weather Service finds the city's warmest summer readings in wind-sheltered valleys east of the central ridge. On a cold afternoon here, head for the Castro or Noe Valley rather than the beach.
Take the L to the beach
The L Taraval runs from West Portal out Taraval Street to 46th Avenue and the San Francisco Zoo, by Ocean Beach.
Bring a layer for evening
Clear summer afternoons often turn cool and misty as the fog moves back in from the Sunset around dinnertime.
West Portal through the seasons
- Spring (March–May)
- Spring mornings are clearer than summer's, and dry spring afternoons are a good time for sidewalk tables on West Portal Avenue.
- Summer (June–August)
- Summer brings gray mornings that often break by midday or early afternoon, then a cool, misty evening as the fog returns.
- Fall (September–October)
- Fall brings the warmest weeks, and October is one of the sunniest months. Offshore wind days can be hot on this side of the city too.
- Winter (November–February)
- Storms tend to drop a little more rain here than downtown because of the high ground nearby.
Activities and the weather that matters
- Strolling and dining on West Portal Avenue: The avenue is pleasant year-round. Outdoor tables are best on calm fall afternoons.
- Climbing Mount Davidson: The city's highest summit is close by. It is often in cloud on summer mornings, so aim for afternoon or a clear fall day.
- Riding the L Taraval to Ocean Beach: The L Taraval runs from West Portal to Ocean Beach along 46th Avenue. It is an easy way to see how far the fog has come in.
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 | 77 | 60.7° / 48.9° | 6.5h | 3d | 5.15" | 17 |
| December 2024 | 69 | 58.8° / 48.2° | 4.8h | 9d | 6.59" | 12 |
| January 2025 | 82 | 58.6° / 45.4° | 7.1h | 6d | 0.21" | 19 |
| February 2025 | 71 | 58.9° / 46.1° | 6.1h | 7d | 7.84" | 11 |
| March 2025 | 75 | 58.9° / 46.6° | 7.7h | 5d | 2.06" | 12 |
| April 2025 | 78 | 59.3° / 48.4° | 9h | 13d | 0.44" | 11 |
| May 2025 | 83 | 63° / 50.3° | 11.1h | 12d | 0.18" | 18 |
| June 2025 | 75 | 61.3° / 51.6° | 9.8h | 23d | 0" | 8 |
| July 2025 | 74 | 61.9° / 54.1° | 8.3h | 28d | 0" | 4 |
| August 2025 | 80 | 66.7° / 56.2° | 8.7h | 19d | 0" | 14 |
| September 2025 | 80 | 69.1° / 58.6° | 8.1h | 19d | 0.12" | 14 |
| October 2025 | 84 | 67° / 54.8° | 7.6h | 5d | 1.17" | 23 |
| November 2025 | 75 | 61.9° / 51.8° | 6.3h | 14d | 3.49" | 8 |
| December 2025 | 66 | 55.8° / 46.7° | 5h | 12d | 5.36" | 3 |
| January 2026 | 78 | 60.5° / 48° | 6.6h | 2d | 4.64" | 21 |
| February 2026 | 75 | 61.9° / 49.2° | 6.4h | 5d | 5.16" | 16 |
| March 2026 | 90 | 69.9° / 52.5° | 9.6h | 4d | 0.05" | 26 |
| April 2026 | 80 | 62.6° / 50.8° | 9.1h | 7d | 4.36" | 17 |
| May 2026 | 82 | 62.8° / 51.4° | 10.3h | 14d | 0.54" | 17 |
| June 2026 | 80 | 64.4° / 53.6° | 9.4h | 19d | 0.02" | 14 |
| July 2026 | 80 | 65.2° / 55.1° | 9.6h | 17d | 0" | 15 |
| August 2026 | 77 | 65.1° / 56° | 8.2h | 26d | 0" | 8 |
| September 2026 | 83 | 67.6° / 56.6° | 8.6h | 14d | 0.08" | 18 |
| October 2026 | 87 | 68.9° / 54.3° | 8.2h | 6d | 0.2" | 27 |
Climate Trends
Average Temperature by Month
About the West Portal climate charts
The temperature chart compares average monthly highs and lows at West Portal, 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 West Portal. 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 West Portal, the warmest typical hour is 2 PM in October (65°F). The coldest is 7 AM in February (47°F).
- Fog: Fog or low cloud covers West Portal in 65% of 8 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It often lingers, and 36% of mid-afternoon hours are still foggy. November mornings are the least foggy (14%).
- Wind: From March through October, wind at West Portal typically builds after 1 PM. In May it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 12 mph with 20% of those hours windy, while mornings average 7 mph.
- Cloud Cover: November middays are the clearest at West Portal (26% average cloud cover), and July middays are the cloudiest (46%).
- Solar Radiation: The strongest typical sun at West Portal comes at 1 PM in June, averaging 814 W/m².
How to read the hourly heatmaps for West Portal
This heatmap shows how average temperature at West Portal 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 West Portal. 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 West Portal 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 West Portal 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 West Portal 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 West Portal
- October 2026 recap: October 2026 at West Portal averaged a high of 69°F, close to the 1991-2020 normal of 69°F. It brought 0.20 in. of rain, compared with a normal of 1.25 in.
- Rain year: The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 24.9 in. of rain to West Portal, 92% of the 27.1 in. normal.
Location Details
West Portal weather questions
Everything you need to know about weather and visiting West Portal
What is the weather like at West Portal today?
It's 54°F at West Portal right now, with a comfort score of 78 (great). Monday's forecast high at West Portal is 55°F, 7°F below the mid November normal of 62°F. The best window today is 8 AM to 11 AM, at about 52°F with a 8 mph wind (comfort 55).
What is the best month to visit West Portal?
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at West Portal are September, October, and August. The best hours are usually 11 AM to 2 PM in September, noon to 3 PM in October, and noon to 3 PM in August. The warm season lasts about 3 months, from Jul 26 to Oct 25, when the average high is 68°F or warmer. Highs peak around Sep 8 at about 71°F.
What are the warmest and coldest months at West Portal?
September is the warmest month at West Portal, with an average high of 71°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 45°F.
When does the fog burn off at West Portal?
Fog or low cloud covers West Portal in 65% of 8 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It often lingers, and 36% of mid-afternoon hours are still foggy. November mornings are the least foggy (14%).
When is it windiest at West Portal?
From March through October, wind at West Portal typically builds after 1 PM. In May it peaks around 5 PM, averaging 12 mph with 20% of those hours windy, while mornings average 7 mph.
How much rain does West Portal get?
December is the wettest month (5.7 in.), out of about 27.1 in. a year. The rainy season runs from Nov 3 to Apr 11, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 86% of the year's rain. The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 24.9 in. of rain to West Portal, 92% of the 27.1 in. normal.
What kind of place is West Portal?
West Portal grew up around the western mouth of the Twin Peaks Tunnel, the streetcar bore dedicated in 1917 that opened the city's southwest side to development. Its short shopping street, West Portal Avenue, starts at the station where the K, L, and M Muni Metro lines come out of the hill. The neighborhood sits low on the ocean side of the central ridge, below Forest Hill and the slopes of Mount Davidson. Ocean Beach is a little over two miles west.
What is West Portal weather like in November?
November at West Portal averages a high of 62°F and a low of 49°F, with 3.0 in. of rain over about 7 rainy days. About 14% of morning hours are foggy. Afternoon wind averages 7 mph.
More about West Portal 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 History in Motion, Twin Peaks Tunnel: A Portal to the West (accessed 2026-10-27)
- SFMTA, L Taraval route (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Jan Null, Climate of San Francisco, NOAA Technical Memorandum NWS WR-126 (3rd revision, 1995) (accessed 2026-10-27)
Rendered 2026-11-15T12:16:31.824Z.