The climate of San Mateo
Welcoming one to the sunny Californian city,
San Mateo's weather bears the characteristics of a Mediterranean climate, warm summer (Csb), according to the Köppen climate classification. Nestled in the high-tech enclave of Silicon Valley and overlooking the Pacific Ocean, this city carries a mild and moderately wet weather. An analysis of the climate data reveals a spectrum of weather throughout the year.
Temperature in San Mateo varies mildly, reflecting the coastal location. High temperatures average from 56.8°F (13.8°C) in
January to a comfortable 71.2°F (21.8°C) from
July to
September. Low temperatures fluctuate between 46.9°F (8.3°C) in January to 56.7°F (13.7°C) in September, a rather consistent range indicating relatively warm winters.
Rainfall patterns display a vividly distinct seasonal divide - complete dryness from
June to
August followed by a gradual increase reaching peak levels of 0.55" (14mm) in
February. The number of rain days per month presents a similar trend, with the maximum occurring in
March and minimum in June and July with only 0.4 and 0.3 days respectively.
Humidity levels, ranging from 70% to 76%, demonstrate relatively high, consistent levels throughout the year. Moreover, San Mateo receives an average of 6 to 11.8 hours of sunshine daily, peaking in July, indicating that the city enjoys plenty of sun year-round.
The best time to visit San Mateo
The pleasant climate of
San Mateo renders it a year-round destination. However, considering numerous factors such as sunshine hours, rainfall, and temperature, the optimal window to explore the city is between
June and
September. The city virtually receives no rainfall and sees an average temperature high of about 70°F (21.1°C), making these months perfect for outdoor activities. Also, with approximately 14 to 14.7 hours of daylight, there is ample time to soak in the city's splendors.
The worst time to visit San Mateo
Although
San Mateo entertains relatively mild weather throughout the year, the period from
December to
February sees the least agreeable conditions. These months receive the highest rainfall levels, ranging from 0.35" (9mm) to 0.55" (14mm), accompanied by the lowest temperatures with average lows of 47.5°F (8.6°C) in December to 48.7°F (9.3°C) in
April.
Spring weather in San Mateo
San Mateo spring season, from
March to
May, graces the city with pleasant weather. Though March is the wettest month with 0.35" (9mm) of rainfall over 6.8 days, rain begins to diminish drastically moving into
April and May. Average high temperatures range from 59.2°F (15.1°C) in March to 63.9°F (17.7°C) in May while low temperatures progress upward between 47.7°F (8.7°C) and 50.7°F (10.4°C). Ample daylight available, from 12 hours in March to 14.2 hours in May, renders spring idyllic for outings and exploration.
Summer weather in San Mateo
Commonly referred to as the dry season, summer in
San Mateo begins in
June and extends until
August. It witnesses a range of the highest temperatures throughout the year, averaging between 68.5°F (20.3°C) and 71.2°F (21.8°C). An impressive record of no rain and elongated daylight hours reaching up to 14.7 hours in June along with low humidity level, sets the season as an ideal opportunity for a variety of outdoor activities under clear blue skies.
Autumn weather in San Mateo
Autumn, covering months from
September to
November, offers mild conditions in
San Mateo. Temperatures start to recede from 71.2°F (21.8°C) in September to 61.3°F (16.3°C) in November during daytime, and a drop from 56.7°F (13.7°C) to 50.9°F (10.5°C) is observed at night. Although the occurrence of rain starts to reappear, it still remains relatively low — 0.24" (6mm) over 2.7 days in November. The average daylight hours also decrease gradually, but still, abundant sunshine defines these months.
Winter weather in San Mateo
San Mateo experiences a relatively milder winter compared to many places, with the coldest temperatures occurring from
December to
February. The high temperatures range from 55.8°F (13.2°C) to 57.7°F (14.3°C) and lows stretch from 46.9°F (8.3°C) to 48.7°F (9.3°C). Rainfall becomes more frequent during this period with December and February witnessing a maximum of around 0.35" (9mm) across a span of 5.5 days. Yet, despite the cooler temperatures and more frequent rainfall, San Mateo continues to enjoy a considerable amount of daylight, ranging from around 9.6 to 10.8 hours a day.
Weather in January
January in
San Mateo,
California, USA, kicks off with typical winter conditions. The colder temperatures continue from the previous final month of last year, with the highest temperatures just slightly above average for this season, reaching a peak of 56.8°F (13.8°C).
Weather in January » Weather in February
February in
San Mateo remains relatively cool with an average minimum temperature of 47.1°F (8.4°C), coupled with slightly higher humidity levels. Residents and visitors should be prepared for potential rainfall, as this month records up to 0.55" (14mm) of rainfall.
Weather in February » Weather in March
The weather in
March brings warm temperatures hinting at the imminent arrival of Spring. March boasts an incremental jump in maximum temperatures, measuring at 59.2°F (15.1°C), an improvement over
February. Alongside the temperature increase, this month also experiences an uptick in humidity, which can lead to some extra moisture in the air.
Weather in March »
Weather in April
As the year progresses into
April,
San Mateo earns its reputation for pleasant and moderate weather. Marking the true commencement of spring, there's a notable rise in maximum temperatures, bringing a high of 62.2°F (16.8°C). This month is punctuated by more time basking under the sun, with a significant reduction in cloud cover.
Weather in April »Weather in May
May in
San Mateo is a joy for those who favor mild and warm climates. There's a remarkable difference in temperature, in comparison to
April. A worthwhile mention is that wind gusts continue to decrease, falling to 11mph (17.7km/h). The amount of sunshine and daylight continues to rise, gracifying every day with extended hours of daily light.
Weather in May » Weather in June
June in
San Mateo,
California, sees a marked shift towards summer. The superb weather during June is characterized by average highs reaching a comfortable 68.5°F (20.3°C). Coupled with the pleasant temperatures, residents experience the most daylight of the year, optimizing their time in the outdoors.
Weather in June »
Weather in July
July is peak summer in
San Mateo, bringing together several essential factors contributing to delightful weather. Having some of the best weather conditions, the month enjoys the highest temperature of 70.9°F (21.6°C). A unique feature of July is its very low number of rainy days, enhancing its appeal as a perfect month for beach visits and extended outdoor excursions.
Weather in July » Weather in August
August weather in
San Mateo stays in line with the warm and dry pattern established in
July. Despite minimal changes in temperature from the previous month, the peak temperature this month records 71.2°F (21.8°C). As one of the driest months of the year, August is sterling for residents and tourists enthusiastic for open-air activities.
Weather in August » Weather in September
Come
September,
San Mateo begins transitioning into autumn, yet maintaining the warmth characteristic of the summer months. September stands out as having one of the highest maximum monthly temperatures, equal to
August, resting at 71.2°F (21.8°C).
Weather in September »
Weather in October
October in
San Mateo brings the essence of autumn with a slight drop in temperature. October's weather is delightfully moderate and a stark departure from the persistent warmth experienced in
September. The focus in October shifts toward increasing amounts of rainfall, where rainfall mounts to 0.04" (1mm) much from nothing in the previous month.
Weather in October » Weather in November
November's weather in
San Mateo, tends to get cooler, mirroring the transition phase leading up to winter. With temperatures comfortably cooler in comparison to
October, November experiences a noticeable decrease in temperature.
Weather in November » Weather in December
December in
San Mateo ushers in the winter season, concluding the calendar year with the coolest temperatures. Compared to
November, December witnesses a marginal drop in average temperatures, recording a low of 47.5°F (8.6°C).
Weather in December »