Skyline Ridge Open Space Weather
Park • San Francisco Bay Area
Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve covers 2,143 acres along Skyline Boulevard (Highway 35), just south of the Page Mill and Alpine Road crossing. The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District manages it. Where its neighbors are mostly bare grass, this preserve is built around water and woods. Alpine Pond, overlooked by the Daniels Nature Center, and Horseshoe Lake were both built as ranch ponds in the 1950s, and a Christmas tree farm still operates here. Its Ipiwa Trail, part of the Bay Area Ridge Trail, looks west over the Lambert Creek watershed toward Butano Ridge.
Plan your week
10-Day Forecast
Hour by hour
Hourly Forecast
Current Conditions
Comfort Breakdown
Skyline Ridge Open Space weather today and through the year
It's 48°F at Skyline Ridge Open Space right now (feels like 43°F), with 9 mph wind and a comfort score of 63. Today's forecast high at Skyline Ridge Open Space is 55°F, 6°F below the mid November normal of 61°F. Fog is forecast to linger into the afternoon today at Skyline Ridge Open Space. In November, fog here often lingers all day. The best window today is 10 AM to 1 PM, at about 46°F with a 8 mph wind (comfort 47).
August is the warmest month at Skyline Ridge Open Space, with an average high of 80°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 40°F. February is the wettest month (8.1 in.), out of about 40.9 in. a year. By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Skyline Ridge Open Space are July, August, and September. The best hours are usually 10 AM to 1 PM in July, 10 AM to 1 PM in August, and 10 AM to 1 PM in September.
Skyline Ridge sits on the crest of the Santa Cruz Mountains, right at the height where the summer marine layer either stops or spills over. The marine layer is the deck of cool, foggy ocean air that fills the coastal canyons. On many summer days fog fills the coastal canyons to the west and the ponds sit in sunshine above it. When the marine layer deepens, the crest disappears into wet, wind-driven cloud while Palo Alto and Los Altos below stay clear.
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 Skyline Ridge Open Space in the next few days
No active National Weather Service alerts for this location.
Fog
Fog is forecast to linger into the afternoon today at Skyline Ridge Open Space. In November, fog here often lingers all day.
Best time to go
The best window today is 10 AM to 1 PM, at about 46°F with a 8 mph wind (comfort 47).
Hiking conditions
Best hiking day this week: Friday, with 3 daylight hours that are dry, 45 to 80°F, and under 18 mph wind. 0 of the next 7 days have at least 4 such hours.
Best day this week
Of the next 7 days, Friday looks best for Skyline Ridge Open Space, with a 52°F high and midday comfort near 60. Thursday looks weakest (39).
Rain
Next good chance of rain: today (86%, about 0.36 in.).
Live weather map
Weather around Skyline Ridge Open Space right now
Overcast and 48° at Skyline Ridge Open Space right now.
About the live weather map for Skyline Ridge Open Space
The map centers on Skyline Ridge Open Space 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.
Skyline Ridge Open Space vs nearby places
Typical summer conditions compared with Skyline Ridge Open Space, 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 Skyline Ridge Open Space |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monte Bello Open Space Preserve | 1.1 mi | same | 26% | 8 mph | a very similar climate |
| Russian Ridge Open Space | 1.3 mi | -2°F | 36% | 9 mph | a very similar climate |
| La Honda | 4.7 mi | -4°F | 44% | 8 mph | more summer morning fog (44% vs 26% of morning hours) and 1,779 ft lower |
| Año Nuevo State Park | 15.7 mi | -16°F | 42% | 14 mph | about 16°F cooler on summer afternoons and windier summer afternoons (14 vs 8 mph) |
| Moss Beach | 23.2 mi | -15°F | 66% | 9 mph | more summer morning fog (66% vs 26% of morning hours) and about 15°F cooler on summer afternoons |
| Montara | 24 mi | -17°F | 60% | 8 mph | about 17°F cooler on summer afternoons and more summer morning fog (60% vs 26% of morning hours) |
Places with a climate like Skyline Ridge Open Space's
- Austin Creek State Recreation Area (99 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
- Uvas Canyon County Park (27 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
- Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve (95 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
Climate Dashboard
Current conditions vs. NOAA normals and recent destination baseline
What the Skyline Ridge Open Space climate comparisons mean
These cards compare recent conditions at Skyline Ridge Open Space 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 Skyline Ridge Open Space 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.
Skyline Ridge Open Space weather by month
August is the warmest month at Skyline Ridge Open Space, with an average high of 80°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 40°F. February is the wettest month (8.1 in.), out of about 40.9 in. a year. Morning fog peaks in May, when fog or low cloud covers 35% of the hours from 6 to 10 AM. July has the clearest middays, with clouds covering about 13% of the sky from 11 AM to 3 PM.
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Skyline Ridge Open Space are July, August, and September. The best hours are usually 10 AM to 1 PM in July, 10 AM to 1 PM in August, and 10 AM to 1 PM in September.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Rainy days | Morning fog | Midday cloud | Afternoon wind | Daylight | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 56°F | 41°F | 8.1 in | 12 | 21% | 33% | 9 mph | 9.9 h | 11 |
| Feb | 56°F | 40°F | 8.1 in | 12 | 19% | 29% | 10 mph | 10.8 h | 14 |
| Mar | 59°F | 40°F | 6.0 in | 10 | 23% | 34% | 10 mph | 11.9 h | 16 |
| Apr | 62°F | 41°F | 2.9 in | 7 | 28% | 29% | 9 mph | 13.1 h | 57 |
| May | 67°F | 45°F | 1.3 in | 5 | 35% | 27% | 9 mph | 14.2 h | 69 |
| Jun | 74°F | 49°F | 0.3 in | 2 | 26% | 15% | 9 mph | 14.7 h | 86 |
| Jul | 79°F | 53°F | 0.0 in | 1 | 25% | 13% | 8 mph | 14.5 h | 92 |
| Aug | 80°F | 54°F | 0.1 in | 1 | 28% | 13% | 8 mph | 13.5 h | 92 |
| Sep | 79°F | 53°F | 0.1 in | 2 | 23% | 17% | 8 mph | 12.3 h | 91 |
| Oct | 72°F | 49°F | 1.8 in | 6 | 15% | 17% | 8 mph | 11.1 h | 81 |
| Nov | 61°F | 43°F | 4.2 in | 8 | 16% | 23% | 8 mph | 10.1 h | 60 |
| Dec | 55°F | 40°F | 8.0 in | 12 | 25% | 32% | 9 mph | 9.6 h | 10 |
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 Skyline Ridge Open Space's weather different
When the fog burns off
2 PMwhen May fog usually thins (39% foggy at 8 AM)
Fog or low cloud covers Skyline Ridge Open Space in 39% of 8 AM hours in May, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 2 PM. October mornings are the least foggy (15%).
Wind
9 mphtypical afternoon wind, with no strong daily build-up
Skyline Ridge Open Space has no strong afternoon wind build-up. Afternoons average about 9 mph year-round, and February is the windiest month, with hourly averages near 10 mph.
Elevation
−4°Fsummer afternoons at La Honda, 1,779 ft down
La Honda sits 1,779 ft lower, 4.7 miles away. Its summer highs average 4°F cooler and its winter lows 1°F milder than Skyline Ridge Open Space.
Daylight
9.6–14.7 hof daylight, Dec to Jun
Days at Skyline Ridge Open Space range from about 9.6 hours in December to 14.7 hours in June. In mid-June the sun sets around 8:30 PM, and in mid-December around 4:57 PM.
Seasons at Skyline Ridge Open Space
- Warm seasonJun 29 – Sep 29 · highs 76°F+
The warm season lasts about 3.1 months, from Jun 29 to Sep 29, when the average high is 76°F or warmer. Highs peak around Aug 8 at about 80°F.
- Cool seasonDec 2 – Mar 2 · highs 58°F or lower
The cool season runs from Dec 2 to Mar 2, when the average high is 58°F or lower. The coldest nights come around Dec 8, with an average low near 40°F.
- Rainy seasonOct 26 – Apr 25 · 91% of the year's rain
The rainy season runs from Oct 26 to Apr 25, when a day has at least a 21% 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 18 and half of its annual total by Jan 25.
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, Skyline Ridge Open Space averaged 3 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 1 night a year at or below freezing. It averaged 18 days a year with at least half an inch of rain and 7 afternoons with wind of 20 mph or more at 2 PM. About 119 mornings a year had 3 or more hours of fog or low cloud.
In the same record, the hottest day was Oct 4, 2026 (91°F) and the coldest night was Feb 18, 2026 (31°F). The wettest day was Feb 5, 2025 (3.25 in.), and the strongest 2 PM gust was 53 mph on Feb 4, 2025.
- 3days at 90°F or hotter
- 1night at or below freezing
- 18days with ½ in. of rain or more
- 7afternoons with 20+ mph wind
- 119mornings with 3+ hours of fog or low cloud
- Hottest day91°FOct 4, 2026
- Coldest night31°FFeb 18, 2026
- Wettest day3.25 inFeb 5, 2025
- Strongest 2 PM gust53 mphFeb 4, 2025
What shapes Skyline Ridge Open Space's weather
Shelter is what sets Skyline Ridge apart from Russian Ridge across Alpine Road. Its trails loop around ponds, oak woodland and the tree farm instead of crossing open summits. Much of the preserve is less exposed to the northwest wind that scours the grassland around Borel Hill. The pond basins also hold cool, damp air on still mornings.
Height cuts both ways in winter. Pacific storms rise over the ridge and drop much more rain here than on the valley floor, and the coldest storms can dust the Skyline hilltops with snow. On clear, calm nights the opposite happens. Cold air drains off the crest and pools in low spots like Portola Valley and Stevens Creek Canyon, so the open ridge can stay milder than the valleys.
Fall brings the least foggy mornings of the year once the fog season fades. It also brings the driest grass and the offshore winds that raise fire danger along the Skyline corridor.
Tips for visiting Skyline Ridge Open Space
Park at Russian Ridge for Alpine Pond
To reach the Daniels Nature Center, park in the Russian Ridge lot at the Page Mill/Alpine Road and Skyline intersection and walk through the tunnel under Alpine Road.
Main lot is a mile south
The Skyline Ridge Circle parking area, about 100 spaces with room for horse trailers, is about a mile south of the Page Mill/Alpine and Skyline intersection.
Visit the nature center on spring to fall weekends
The Daniels Nature Center is open on Saturdays and Sundays from April through November. The trails and the pond loop stay open all year.
Dress in layers
Temperatures on the ridge change through the day, so bring layers. The crest can be in cold, blowing fog while the valley is warm.
No dogs, no wading
Dogs aren't allowed in this preserve, and swimming or wading in the ponds is prohibited.
Skyline Ridge Open Space through the seasons
- Spring (March–May)
- Meadows green up in spring, and the Daniels Nature Center reopens for weekends in April. Mornings on the crest can still be cold and windy.
- Summer (June–August)
- Summer is often sunny above the coastal fog, though a deep marine layer can wrap the ridge in drizzle. Dragonflies and damselflies are out along the edge of Alpine Pond.
- Fall (September–November)
- Fall brings crisp, clear days with long views west from the Ipiwa Trail. The nature center closes for the winter at the end of November.
- Winter (December–February)
- Winter is wet, often foggy and cold on the crest. Storms occasionally dust the hilltops with snow.
Activities and the weather that matters
- Easy pond loops: The Alpine Pond and Horseshoe Lake loops are short and accessible for wheelchairs and strollers. Any dry day works, and calm mornings are best for spotting pond life.
- Hiking the Ipiwa Trail: This Bay Area Ridge Trail section needs a clear day for its views of Butano Ridge and Portola Redwoods State Park. Fog days hide them completely.
- Birding at Horseshoe Lake: Migrating birds stop at the lake. Still, sunny mornings are best, before the afternoon wind ruffles the water.
Official sources and current conditions
- Midpen: Skyline Ridge Preserve
- Midpen: David C. Daniels Nature Center
- National Weather Service, San Francisco Bay Area forecast office
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 | 73 | 54° / 44.9° | 6.4h | 6d | 4.43" | 13 |
| December 2024 | 69 | 56.2° / 47.6° | 5.2h | 12d | 7.45" | 15 |
| January 2025 | 76 | 53.3° / 43.1° | 6.9h | 6d | 0.19" | 18 |
| February 2025 | 67 | 53.5° / 43.4° | 6.3h | 9d | 11.63" | 12 |
| March 2025 | 64 | 52.4° / 41.9° | 7.1h | 16d | 4.52" | 10 |
| April 2025 | 78 | 58.1° / 46° | 9.1h | 10d | 0.86" | 19 |
| May 2025 | 86 | 65.6° / 49.3° | 11.3h | 10d | 0.22" | 22 |
| June 2025 | 95 | 71.7° / 56.9° | 12.9h | 2d | 0" | 30 |
| July 2025 | 92 | 72.9° / 56.4° | 12.2h | 8d | 0" | 29 |
| August 2025 | 94 | 78.4° / 63.3° | 11.4h | 3d | 0" | 29 |
| September 2025 | 87 | 73.3° / 59.3° | 9.4h | 10d | 0.27" | 22 |
| October 2025 | 84 | 64.2° / 51.7° | 7.6h | 6d | 1.54" | 21 |
| November 2025 | 75 | 60.4° / 50.7° | 6h | 9d | 5.36" | 17 |
| December 2025 | 72 | 58.4° / 49.6° | 5.4h | 8d | 6.37" | 17 |
| January 2026 | 75 | 58.3° / 49.6° | 6.3h | 6d | 6.92" | 20 |
| February 2026 | 70 | 56.6° / 47° | 6.8h | 7d | 6.08" | 14 |
| March 2026 | 92 | 68.6° / 56.1° | 9.6h | 3d | 0" | 26 |
| April 2026 | 77 | 57.9° / 46° | 8.8h | 9d | 4.27" | 17 |
| May 2026 | 86 | 64.1° / 49.9° | 11.7h | 11d | 0.32" | 22 |
| June 2026 | 92 | 71.3° / 54.6° | 12.2h | 6d | 0.01" | 26 |
| July 2026 | 94 | 75.1° / 59.9° | 11.7h | 6d | 0.07" | 30 |
| August 2026 | 92 | 77.8° / 64.2° | 11.2h | 5d | 0" | 28 |
| September 2026 | 92 | 71.3° / 56.4° | 10.2h | 7d | 0.05" | 25 |
| October 2026 | 86 | 70.1° / 58° | 8.2h | 4d | 0.13" | 24 |
Climate Trends
Average Temperature by Month
About the Skyline Ridge Open Space climate charts
The temperature chart compares average monthly highs and lows at Skyline Ridge Open Space, 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 Skyline Ridge Open Space. 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 Skyline Ridge Open Space, the warmest typical hour is 2 PM in August (77°F). The coldest is 7 AM in February (44°F).
- Fog: Fog or low cloud covers Skyline Ridge Open Space in 39% of 8 AM hours in May, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 2 PM. October mornings are the least foggy (15%).
- Wind: Skyline Ridge Open Space has no strong afternoon wind build-up. Afternoons average about 9 mph year-round, and February is the windiest month, with hourly averages near 10 mph.
- Cloud Cover: July middays are the clearest at Skyline Ridge Open Space (13% average cloud cover), and March middays are the cloudiest (34%).
- Solar Radiation: The strongest typical sun at Skyline Ridge Open Space comes at 1 PM in July, averaging 1001 W/m².
How to read the hourly heatmaps for Skyline Ridge Open Space
This heatmap shows how average temperature at Skyline Ridge Open Space 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 Skyline Ridge Open Space. 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 Skyline Ridge Open Space 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 Skyline Ridge Open Space 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 Skyline Ridge Open Space 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 Skyline Ridge Open Space
- October 2026 recap: October 2026 at Skyline Ridge Open Space averaged a high of 70°F, 6°F warmer than October 2025 (64°F).
- Rain year: The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 31.0 in. of rain to Skyline Ridge Open Space, 76% of the 40.9 in. normal.
Location Details
Skyline Ridge Open Space weather questions
Everything you need to know about weather and visiting Skyline Ridge Open Space
What is the weather like at Skyline Ridge Open Space today?
It's 48°F at Skyline Ridge Open Space right now, with a comfort score of 63 (good). Today's forecast high at Skyline Ridge Open Space is 55°F, 6°F below the mid November normal of 61°F. The best window today is 10 AM to 1 PM, at about 46°F with a 8 mph wind (comfort 47).
What is the best month to visit Skyline Ridge Open Space?
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Skyline Ridge Open Space are July, August, and September. The best hours are usually 10 AM to 1 PM in July, 10 AM to 1 PM in August, and 10 AM to 1 PM in September. The warm season lasts about 3.1 months, from Jun 29 to Sep 29, when the average high is 76°F or warmer. Highs peak around Aug 8 at about 80°F.
What are the warmest and coldest months at Skyline Ridge Open Space?
August is the warmest month at Skyline Ridge Open Space, with an average high of 80°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 40°F.
When does the fog burn off at Skyline Ridge Open Space?
Fog or low cloud covers Skyline Ridge Open Space in 39% of 8 AM hours in May, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by 2 PM. October mornings are the least foggy (15%).
How much rain does Skyline Ridge Open Space get?
February is the wettest month (8.1 in.), out of about 40.9 in. a year. The rainy season runs from Oct 26 to Apr 25, when a day has at least a 21% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 91% of the year's rain. The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 31.0 in. of rain to Skyline Ridge Open Space, 76% of the 40.9 in. normal.
How does Skyline Ridge Open Space weather compare with La Honda?
La Honda sits 1,779 ft lower, 4.7 miles away. Its summer highs average 4°F cooler and its winter lows 1°F milder than Skyline Ridge Open Space.
What kind of place is Skyline Ridge Open Space?
Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve covers 2,143 acres along Skyline Boulevard (Highway 35), just south of the Page Mill and Alpine Road crossing. The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District manages it. Where its neighbors are mostly bare grass, this preserve is built around water and woods. Alpine Pond, overlooked by the Daniels Nature Center, and Horseshoe Lake were both built as ranch ponds in the 1950s, and a Christmas tree farm still operates here. Its Ipiwa Trail, part of the Bay Area Ridge Trail, looks west over the Lambert Creek watershed toward Butano Ridge.
What is Skyline Ridge Open Space weather like in November?
November at Skyline Ridge Open Space averages a high of 61°F and a low of 43°F, with 4.2 in. of rain over about 8 rainy days. About 16% of morning hours are foggy. Afternoon wind averages 8 mph.
More about Skyline Ridge Open Space 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.
- Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, Skyline Ridge Preserve (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, David C. Daniels Nature Center (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, Russian Ridge Preserve (accessed 2026-10-27)
Rendered 2026-11-15T12:16:27.076Z.