Shell Beach Weather
Beach • San Francisco Bay Area
Shell Beach is a small rocky cove off Highway 1 a few miles south of Jenner, between Wright's Beach and Blind Beach in Sonoma Coast State Park. Its rock shelves make it the park's best-known tidepooling spot, and schools use it as an outdoor classroom. Where the neighboring beaches are mostly sand, a visit here is about what a low tide uncovers.
Plan your week
10-Day Forecast
Hour by hour
Hourly Forecast
Current Conditions
Comfort Breakdown
Shell Beach weather today and through the year
It's 59°F at Shell Beach right now (feels like 54°F), with 15 mph wind and a comfort score of 62. Today's forecast high at Shell Beach is 60°F, close to the mid November normal of 61°F. No fog in the forecast for today at Shell Beach. In November, 27% of morning hours here are foggy on average. The best window today is 2 PM to 5 PM, at about 50°F with a 4 mph wind (comfort 71).
September is the warmest month at Shell Beach, with an average high of 68°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 44°F. December is the wettest month (10.6 in.), out of about 50.6 in. a year. By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Shell Beach are September, August, and July. The best hours are usually 1 PM to 4 PM in September, 1 PM to 4 PM in August, and noon to 3 PM in July.
Shell Beach sits in a notch in the coastal bluffs. The rocks on either side block some of the northwest wind that sweeps the longer sand beaches to the south. The cove still faces the open Pacific and takes the full force of incoming swell.
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 Shell Beach 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 Shell Beach. In November, 27% of morning hours here are foggy on average.
Best time to go
The best window today is 2 PM to 5 PM, at about 50°F with a 4 mph wind (comfort 71).
Best day this week
Of the next 7 days, Friday looks best for Shell Beach, with a 59°F high and midday comfort near 76. Tuesday looks weakest (53).
Rain
Next good chance of rain: today (90%, about 1.00 in.).
Live weather map
Weather around Shell Beach right now
Light rain and 59° at Shell Beach right now.
About the live weather map for Shell Beach
The map centers on Shell Beach 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.
Shell Beach vs nearby places
Typical summer conditions compared with Shell Beach, 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 Shell Beach |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wright's Beach | 1.1 mi | -6°F | 47% | 9 mph | about 6°F cooler on summer afternoons and more summer morning fog (47% vs 37% of morning hours) |
| Goat Rock State Beach | 2.1 mi | +3°F | 34% | 11 mph | a very similar climate |
| Jenner | 2.2 mi | +3°F | 34% | 11 mph | a very similar climate |
| Windsor | 18 mi | +23°F | 30% | 9 mph | about 23°F warmer on summer afternoons and about 32% less rain a year |
| Healdsburg | 18.4 mi | +26°F | 25% | 9 mph | about 26°F warmer on summer afternoons and less summer morning fog (25% vs 37% of morning hours) |
| Geyserville | 22.5 mi | +27°F | 22% | 9 mph | about 27°F warmer on summer afternoons and less summer morning fog (22% vs 37% of morning hours) |
Places with a climate like Shell Beach's
- Salt Point State Park (16 mi away): nearly the same temperatures every month
- Tomales Bay State Park (23 mi away): nearly the same temperatures every month
- Point Reyes National Seashore (28 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
Climate Dashboard
Current conditions vs. NOAA normals and recent destination baseline
What the Shell Beach climate comparisons mean
These cards compare recent conditions at Shell Beach 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 Shell Beach 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.
Shell Beach weather by month
September is the warmest month at Shell Beach, with an average high of 68°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 44°F. December is the wettest month (10.6 in.), out of about 50.6 in. a year. Morning fog peaks in July, when fog or low cloud covers 43% of the hours from 6 to 10 AM. June has the clearest middays, with clouds covering about 25% of the sky from 11 AM to 3 PM.
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Shell Beach are September, August, and July. The best hours are usually 1 PM to 4 PM in September, 1 PM to 4 PM in August, and noon to 3 PM in July.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Rainy days | Morning fog | Midday cloud | Afternoon wind | Daylight | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 57°F | 44°F | 9.8 in | 13 | 35% | 40% | 8 mph | 9.8 h | 29 |
| Feb | 58°F | 44°F | 9.7 in | 13 | 20% | 30% | 10 mph | 10.7 h | 30 |
| Mar | 59°F | 45°F | 6.8 in | 11 | 23% | 34% | 11 mph | 11.9 h | 36 |
| Apr | 60°F | 46°F | 3.7 in | 8 | 21% | 30% | 13 mph | 13.2 h | 55 |
| May | 63°F | 48°F | 1.6 in | 5 | 24% | 30% | 13 mph | 14.3 h | 64 |
| Jun | 66°F | 50°F | 0.5 in | 3 | 27% | 25% | 13 mph | 14.8 h | 72 |
| Jul | 67°F | 51°F | 0.0 in | 1 | 43% | 35% | 10 mph | 14.6 h | 73 |
| Aug | 68°F | 52°F | 0.1 in | 1 | 41% | 34% | 10 mph | 13.6 h | 78 |
| Sep | 68°F | 52°F | 0.2 in | 2 | 36% | 28% | 10 mph | 12.3 h | 80 |
| Oct | 67°F | 50°F | 2.2 in | 6 | 31% | 26% | 9 mph | 11.1 h | 68 |
| Nov | 61°F | 46°F | 5.5 in | 10 | 27% | 28% | 8 mph | 10.0 h | 46 |
| Dec | 57°F | 44°F | 10.6 in | 14 | 35% | 42% | 8 mph | 9.5 h | 28 |
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 Shell Beach average about 5°F cooler than the 1991-2020 normals. The normals average over a wider area that also covers warmer land behind the shoreline. Read the monthly highs as a rough range, and use the recent months below for what Shell Beach has actually seen.
What makes Shell Beach's weather different
Among the 17 San Francisco Bay Area beaches we track, Shell Beach has the 3rd-least foggy summer mornings and the 3rd-sunniest summer middays.
- #3of 17
least foggy summer morningsamong San Francisco Bay Area beaches
- #3of 17
sunniest summer middaysamong San Francisco Bay Area beaches
When the fog burns off
noonwhen July fog usually thins (52% foggy at 6 AM)
Fog or low cloud covers Shell Beach in 52% of 6 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by noon, but 18% of mid-afternoon hours are still foggy. February mornings are the least foggy (20%).
When the wind picks up
noonwhen afternoon wind builds, February–October
From February through October, wind at Shell Beach typically builds after noon. In May it peaks around 4 PM, averaging 13 mph with 39% of those hours windy, while mornings average 7 mph.
Microclimate
−6°FWright's Beach, 1.1 mi away, on summer afternoons
Wright's Beach, 1.1 miles away, runs about 6°F cooler than Shell Beach on summer afternoons. It also has more summer morning fog, 47% of morning hours compared with 37%.
Daylight
9.5–14.8 hof daylight, Dec to Jun
Days at Shell Beach range from about 9.5 hours in December to 14.8 hours in June. In mid-June the sun sets around 8:36 PM, and in mid-December around 4:57 PM.
Seasons at Shell Beach
- Warm seasonJul 31 – Oct 5 · highs 67°F+
The warm season lasts about 2.2 months, from Jul 31 to Oct 5, when the average high is 67°F or warmer. Highs peak around Sep 8 at about 68°F.
- Cool seasonNov 30 – Mar 25 · highs 59°F or lower
The cool season runs from Nov 30 to Mar 25, when the average high is 59°F or lower. The coldest nights come around Jan 8, with an average low near 44°F.
- Rainy seasonOct 26 – Apr 24 · 91% of the year's rain
The rainy season runs from Oct 26 to Apr 24, when a day has at least a 24% 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 15 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, Shell Beach averaged no days at 90°F or hotter and no freezing nights. It averaged 25 days a year with at least half an inch of rain and 28 afternoons with wind of 20 mph or more at 2 PM. About 142 mornings a year had 3 or more hours of fog or low cloud.
In the same record, the hottest day was Sep 9, 2026 (83°F) and the coldest night was Feb 20, 2026 (37°F). The wettest day was Nov 21, 2024 (7.32 in.), and the strongest 2 PM gust was 46 mph on Nov 20, 2024.
- 0days at 90°F or hotter
- 0nights at or below freezing
- 25days with ½ in. of rain or more
- 28afternoons with 20+ mph wind
- 142mornings with 3+ hours of fog or low cloud
- Hottest day83°FSep 9, 2026
- Coldest night37°FFeb 20, 2026
- Wettest day7.32 inNov 21, 2024
- Strongest 2 PM gust46 mphNov 20, 2024
What shapes Shell Beach's weather
For tidepoolers, the tide clock matters as much as the weather. On this coast the lowest daytime tides fall in early morning in late spring and summer, often under the marine layer of cool, foggy ocean air. In winter they move to the afternoon. A calm, foggy low-tide morning is ideal, while a big winter swell can bury the rock shelves even at low water.
Like the rest of this stretch, Shell Beach is often gray on summer mornings, and the fog usually burns off by midday. Cold water that wells up from the deep offshore keeps the air cool here even during inland heat waves.
Tips for visiting Shell Beach
Time your visit to a low tide
Check a tide table and arrive an hour or so before low tide. Docent tidepool programs are scheduled for the lowest tides, and roving naturalists staff some Sonoma Coast beaches on weekends.
Watch the swell, not just the tide
State Parks warns of heavy surf and sudden ground swells. Never turn your back to the ocean on the rocks.
Stay off the bluffs
Bluffs and shale formations along this coast are unstable, so use the trail and heed warning signs.
Pack layers for the rocks
When the fog rolls in, the temperature drops quickly.
Reach Shell Beach on foot
The three-mile Pomo Canyon Trail runs inland from Highway 1, just east of Shell Beach, to the Pomo Canyon camp off Willow Creek Road. It is open to hikers only.
Shell Beach through the seasons
- Spring (March–May)
- Daytime low tides shift into the morning hours, opening the best tidepool season. Expect wind on clear days.
- Summer (June–August)
- Summer brings foggy mornings over the morning low tides, and the fog usually burns off by midday.
- Fall (September–October)
- Fall brings calmer days, though daytime low tides are less extreme.
- Winter (November–February)
- Low tides move to the afternoon, but winter swells can make the rocks dangerous. Check the surf before going out.
Activities and the weather that matters
- Tidepooling: Tidepooling needs a low tide and a small swell. Docent-led programs are scheduled around the lowest tides.
- Beachcombing: State Parks calls Shell Beach a favorite spot for beachcombing. Calm, low-tide mornings expose the most.
- Fishing: Shell Beach has a reputation as a good fishing spot. Fish from the rocks only on calm days with a small swell.
Official sources and current conditions
- California State Parks: Sonoma Coast State Park
- Stewards: Sonoma Coast facilities and tidepool programs
- NWS forecast for Shell Beach
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 | 72 | 56.6° / 48° | 6.1h | 6d | 16.95" | 12 |
| December 2024 | 64 | 56.4° / 48.3° | 4.7h | 10d | 11.38" | 9 |
| January 2025 | 77 | 55.7° / 45.9° | 6.8h | 8d | 0.57" | 17 |
| February 2025 | 67 | 54.6° / 45.1° | 5.7h | 9d | 13.53" | 8 |
| March 2025 | 71 | 53.9° / 45.3° | 7.6h | 7d | 4.96" | 12 |
| April 2025 | 77 | 54.8° / 46.4° | 9.3h | 9d | 0.71" | 14 |
| May 2025 | 84 | 59.1° / 48.6° | 12.2h | 3d | 0.15" | 24 |
| June 2025 | 81 | 58.4° / 49.1° | 11.6h | 7d | 0" | 17 |
| July 2025 | 78 | 59.6° / 51.3° | 9.5h | 13d | 0" | 12 |
| August 2025 | 84 | 64.4° / 53.6° | 9.9h | 12d | 0" | 22 |
| September 2025 | 83 | 66.3° / 55.9° | 8h | 9d | 0.12" | 20 |
| October 2025 | 78 | 62.3° / 53° | 6.8h | 13d | 1.34" | 18 |
| November 2025 | 69 | 58.8° / 50.8° | 5.4h | 17d | 5.81" | 9 |
| December 2025 | 62 | 54.5° / 46.4° | 4.6h | 22d | 8.19" | 3 |
| January 2026 | 74 | 57.2° / 48.4° | 6.4h | 8d | 7.24" | 16 |
| February 2026 | 71 | 57.7° / 48.8° | 6.4h | 4d | 6.43" | 11 |
| March 2026 | 89 | 63.7° / 52.1° | 9.8h | 2d | 0.06" | 26 |
| April 2026 | 79 | 57° / 48.3° | 9.2h | 8d | 4.82" | 19 |
| May 2026 | 81 | 58.4° / 49.8° | 11.1h | 7d | 0.66" | 14 |
| June 2026 | 81 | 60.6° / 51.7° | 10.6h | 9d | 0.02" | 17 |
| July 2026 | 83 | 62.6° / 52.5° | 11.2h | 6d | 0" | 21 |
| August 2026 | 82 | 62.3° / 53.1° | 10h | 15d | 0" | 17 |
| September 2026 | 83 | 64.1° / 54.3° | 9.7h | 12d | 0.33" | 19 |
| October 2026 | 85 | 64.4° / 53.1° | 8.2h | 4d | 0.13" | 23 |
Climate Trends
Average Temperature by Month
About the Shell Beach climate charts
The temperature chart compares average monthly highs and lows at Shell Beach, 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 Shell Beach. 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 Shell Beach, the warmest typical hour is 3 PM in September (65°F). The coldest is 6 AM in February (46°F).
- Fog: Fog or low cloud covers Shell Beach in 52% of 6 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by noon, but 18% of mid-afternoon hours are still foggy. February mornings are the least foggy (20%).
- Wind: From February through October, wind at Shell Beach typically builds after noon. In May it peaks around 4 PM, averaging 13 mph with 39% of those hours windy, while mornings average 7 mph.
- Cloud Cover: June middays are the clearest at Shell Beach (25% average cloud cover), and December middays are the cloudiest (42%).
- Solar Radiation: The strongest typical sun at Shell Beach comes at 1 PM in June, averaging 905 W/m².
How to read the hourly heatmaps for Shell Beach
This heatmap shows how average temperature at Shell Beach 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 Shell Beach. 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 Shell Beach 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 Shell Beach 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 Shell Beach 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 Shell Beach
- October 2026 recap: October 2026 at Shell Beach averaged a high of 64°F, 2°F warmer than October 2025 (62°F).
- Rain year: The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 34.9 in. of rain to Shell Beach, 69% of the 50.6 in. normal.
Location Details
Shell Beach weather questions
Everything you need to know about weather and visiting Shell Beach
What is the weather like at Shell Beach today?
It's 59°F at Shell Beach right now, with a comfort score of 62 (good). Today's forecast high at Shell Beach is 60°F, close to the mid November normal of 61°F. The best window today is 2 PM to 5 PM, at about 50°F with a 4 mph wind (comfort 71).
What is the best month to visit Shell Beach?
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Shell Beach are September, August, and July. The best hours are usually 1 PM to 4 PM in September, 1 PM to 4 PM in August, and noon to 3 PM in July. The warm season lasts about 2.2 months, from Jul 31 to Oct 5, when the average high is 67°F or warmer. Highs peak around Sep 8 at about 68°F.
What are the warmest and coldest months at Shell Beach?
September is the warmest month at Shell Beach, with an average high of 68°F. January is the coldest, with an average low of 44°F.
When does the fog burn off at Shell Beach?
Fog or low cloud covers Shell Beach in 52% of 6 AM hours in July, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by noon, but 18% of mid-afternoon hours are still foggy. February mornings are the least foggy (20%).
When is it windiest at Shell Beach?
From February through October, wind at Shell Beach typically builds after noon. In May it peaks around 4 PM, averaging 13 mph with 39% of those hours windy, while mornings average 7 mph.
How much rain does Shell Beach get?
December is the wettest month (10.6 in.), out of about 50.6 in. a year. The rainy season runs from Oct 26 to Apr 24, when a day has at least a 24% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 91% of the year's rain. The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 34.9 in. of rain to Shell Beach, 69% of the 50.6 in. normal.
How does Shell Beach weather compare with Wright's Beach?
Wright's Beach, 1.1 miles away, runs about 6°F cooler than Shell Beach on summer afternoons. It also has more summer morning fog, 47% of morning hours compared with 37%.
What kind of place is Shell Beach?
Shell Beach is a small rocky cove off Highway 1 a few miles south of Jenner, between Wright's Beach and Blind Beach in Sonoma Coast State Park. Its rock shelves make it the park's best-known tidepooling spot, and schools use it as an outdoor classroom. Where the neighboring beaches are mostly sand, a visit here is about what a low tide uncovers.
What is Shell Beach weather like in November?
November at Shell Beach averages a high of 61°F and a low of 46°F, with 5.5 in. of rain over about 10 rainy days. About 27% of morning hours are foggy. Afternoon wind averages 8 mph.
More about Shell Beach 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.
- Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods, Sonoma Coast facilities and activities (accessed 2026-10-27)
- California State Parks, Sonoma Coast State Park (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods, Sonoma Coast climate (accessed 2026-10-27)
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