The climate of Carmel-by-the-Sea
Carmel-by-the-Sea,
California is nestled on the Pacific Coast with a warm Mediterranean climate, also known by the Köppen climate classification as Csb. This charming city experiences mild, wet winters and dry, warm summers, characteristics typical of a Mediterranean climate.
Throughout the year, the city experiences temperature lows from 46.9°F (8.3°C) to highs of 69.6°F (20.9°C). The hotter months, from
June to
September, see a peak average of above 65°F (18.3°C), while the colder periods,
November through
March, witness average lows below 50°F (10°C). Humidity oscillates between 70% and 79%, marginally heightening during the warmer months.
Rainfall is scarce during the temperate summer months with levels as low as 0.04" (1mm) and climbs to more substantial amounts during winter months - up to 2.48" (63mm). The number of rainy days follows a similar pattern, ranging from a high of 12.3 days in March to a low of 1.3 days in
August. The highest sea temperature, 58.1°F (14.5°C), matches the peak months of
July and September when the warmest land temperatures are also observed.
The best time to visit Carmel-by-the-Sea
The optimal period for a visit to
Carmel-by-the-Sea typically revolves around the period from
July to
September. During these months, both land and sea temperatures reach their peak, with averages from 66.7°F (19.3°C) to 69.6°F (20.9°C) and 56.8°F (13.8°C) to 58.1°F (14.5°C) respectively. These sunny days average around 11 to 11.9 hours of sunshine paired with clear skies - 14.4 to 14.6 hours of daylight and a cloud cover decreasing from 16% to 13%.
The worst time to visit Carmel-by-the-Sea
On the contrary,
Carmel-by-the-Sea may seem less inviting from
December to
February due to the cool and wet weather conditions. With the temperature lows dropping to 46.9°F (8.3°C) in December and high rainfall levels of up to 2.48" (63mm) in December, outdoor activities can become quite limited. More so, these months pack the highest number of rainy days, reaching up to 9.8 days in December.
Spring weather in Carmel-by-the-Sea
Carmel-by-the-Sea greets spring with a lovely balance of warm temperatures and minimal rain. This period, from
March to
May, experiences average highs of 58.5°F (14.7°C) to 61.9°F (16.6°C) and lows of 47.7°F (8.7°C) to 50°F (10°C). Rainfall is relatively low, from 2.05" (52mm) in March to 0.47" (12mm) in May. This delightful spring weather enjoys plentiful sunlight, running from 13.2 to 14.1 hours of daylight.
Summer weather in Carmel-by-the-Sea
Unsurprisingly, summer in
Carmel-by-the-Sea is a spectacular affair. From
June through
August, average temperatures lie between 65.1°F (18.4°C) and 68.4°F (20.2°C), and the city encounters the lowest rainfall quantities, going down to a minimal 0.04" (1mm) in August. This season also features the most extended daylight ranging from 14.4 hours to 14.6 hours and the highest amount of sun exposure, reaching up to 11.9 hours.
Autumn weather in Carmel-by-the-Sea
Autumn in
Carmel-by-the-Sea spans from
September through
November, bringing slight temperature drops with highs fluctuating from 69.6°F (20.9°C) to 61.9°F (16.6°C) and low ranges between 55.4°F (13°C) and 50.9°F (10.5°C). Rainfall increases yet remains moderate from 0.08" (2mm) in September up to 1.26" (32mm) in November. Despite declining daylight hours, there is a respectable 10.2 to 12.4 hours of daylight.
Winter weather in Carmel-by-the-Sea
Winter in
Carmel-by-the-Sea is acknowledged for the low temperatures and rain. Average highs go from 66.7°F (19.3°C) in
December to 57°F (13.9°C) in
February while lows drop from 54.3°F (12.4°C) to 46.9°F (8.3°C). December sees the highest rainfall, 2.48" (63mm) that cascade over a 9.8 day period. The shorter daylight hours of 9.7 to 10.2 and the increased cloud coverage of 30% to 33% attribute to the melancholic charm of winters in Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Weather in January
January weather in
Carmel-by-the-Sea is characterized by moderate temperatures, with the highest temperature recorded at 58.5°F (14.7°C) and the lowest at 47.7°F (8.7°C). The month witnesses higher rainfall levels compared to the rest of the year.
Weather in January » Weather in February
February in
Carmel-by-the-Sea has relatively consistent weather conditions compared to
January, with the highest temperature at 57.6°F (14.2°C) and the lowest at 47.1°F (8.4°C). However, the accumulation of rainfall decreases slightly from the previous month.
Weather in February » Weather in March
March is fairly similar to
February in terms of weather patterns, yet it is the month with the highest number of rainfall days i.e. 12.3 days. The temperatures continue to remain moderate, and the humidity tends to rise as the precipitation increases.
Weather in March »
Weather in April
By the time it’s
April, rainfall in
Carmel-by-the-Sea significantly drops to 0.87" (22mm). This month marks the start of the drier season in the area. As a result, outdoor activities become more appealing. Sunshine hours sharply rise, and sea temperatures remain mild throughout the month.
Weather in April »Weather in May
May signifies the transition from spring to summer in
Carmel-by-the-Sea. The highest temperature is 61.9°F (16.6°C) while the minimum temperature is 50°F (10°C). An increase in temperature and a decrease in rainfall mark the onset of the warmer months.
Weather in May » Weather in June
June brings about warmer weather in
Carmel-by-the-Sea. However, the temperature comes with minimal humidity, hence it feels comfortable rather than stifling. With the increase in temperatures, sea temperatures also rise to 54.4°F (12.4°C).
Weather in June »
Weather in July
July is the warmest month in
Carmel-by-the-Sea with temperatures peaking at 67.6°F (19.8°C). The weather remains dry, with sporadic rainfall witnessed throughout the month. Taking advantage of the warm sea temperatures, many residents and tourists engage in water activities.
Weather in July » Weather in August
August maintains the heat of
July with a slight increase in the highest temperature to 68.4°F (20.2°C). As the month progresses, daylight hours gradually reduce, marking the slow transition towards autumn. However, this does not affect the ample sunshine hours the city receives.
Weather in August » Weather in September
In
September,
Carmel-by-the-Sea experiences a slight drop in maximum temperature to 69.6°F (20.9°C). This coincides with the start of the downward trend toward more fall-like weather conditions. However, the sunshine hours and daylight are still abundant, making it a pleasant time to visit the city.
Weather in September »
Weather in October
October witnesses a significant decrease in maximum temperatures, with a high of 66.7°F (19.3°C) and a low temperature of 54.3°F (12.4°C). This marks the onset of autumn in
Carmel-by-the-Sea. Rainfall is minimal but gradually starts picking up towards
November.
Weather in October » Weather in November
November marks the beginning of cooler weather in
Carmel-by-the-Sea. However, there is a sharp rise in rainfall amounts compared to the previous month, with 1.26" (32mm) recorded. The rainfall signals the imminent arrival of winter.
Weather in November » Weather in December
December is the coldest month in
Carmel-by-the-Sea, with the lowest temperature recorded at 46.9°F (8.3°C). This month also receives the highest rainfall in the year at 2.48" (63mm), marking the onset of winter. Despite the chilly temperatures, the sea temperature is mild enough to allow certain water activities.
Weather in December »