Santa Cruz, California Weather History

California, United States  •  45 yrs data 📍 37.0025°N, 122.0338°W
°F / °C
☀️

Quick Climate Facts

(1981 – 2025)
Hottest Month
🔥
Sep
Avg 71.3°F
Min 48.3°F
Max 94.3°F
Coldest Month
❄️
Dec
Avg 50.7°F
Min 33.3°F
Max 68°F
Wettest Month
🌧️
Jan
108 mm
Driest Month
🏜️
Jul
1 mm
Most Humid
💧
Feb
82%
Least Humid
🌬️
Sep
67%
Highest Ever
🌡️
107°F
Sep 2017
Lowest Ever
🧊
23.9°F
Dec 1990
Monthly Climate Data
Month 🌤️ High Low Avg Humid % Rain (mm) Wind (m/s) Solar (kWh/m²)

Showing average climate conditions across 45 years (1981–2025)

🌍 Weather in Santa Cruz Across Seasons

❄️ Winter in Santa Cruz

December is Santa Cruz's coldest month, with average lows reaching 33.3°F.
🌡️ December to February (avg)  ·  34°F68.9°F

🧥 Light layers are sufficient — this Mild Winter stays cool without prolonged hard freezes.

☀️ Summer in Santa Cruz

Summer temperatures in Santa Cruz peak in September, climbing to 94.3°F.
🌡️ July to September (avg)  ·  48.7°F92.8°F

🌤️ Early mornings and evenings are most comfortable during this Hot Summer season.

🌧️ Rainy Season in Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz sees its highest rainfall in January, receiving approximately 108 mm of precipitation.
🌧️ December to February (avg)  ·  up to 108 mm

☔ Moderate Rainfall expected — carry rain gear and plan outdoor activities around these months.

📅 Monthly Averages

🌡️ Temperature Patterns

Monthly averages · 1981–2025 climate normals · °F

🌡️ Santa Cruz Monthly Temperature Guide

Sep is the hottest month in Santa Cruz, with average highs reaching 94.3°F, while Dec is the coldest with lows dropping to 33.3°F.

Temperatures rise steadily from spring, peak in Sep, and gradually decline through fall into winter.

These seasonal patterns offer comfortable conditions year-round, with warm summers and mild winters.

🌧️ Rainfall Distribution

Monthly rainfall · 1981–2025 seasonal trends · mm/month

💨 Humidity & Wind Speed

Monthly averages · 1981–2025

💧 Rainfall & Humidity in Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz receives its highest rainfall in Jan, while humidity peaks during winter months.
🌧️ Wettest: Jan — 108 mm ☀️ Driest: Jul — 1 mm

💧 Humidity peaks at 82% in Feb · annual avg 75%

🌍 Climate Summary

Avg Annual Temp:61.7°F
Avg Annual Rainfall:559 mm
Avg Humidity:75%
Data Period:1981 – 2025

Santa Cruz Climate Overview

Santa Cruz has a warm temperate climate with warm summers and mild winters.

Temperatures peak in Sep and drop to their lowest in Dec, while rainfall is highest during winter months.

Humidity remains moderate throughout the year, especially during winter months, creating warm and humid conditions.

📈 Yearly Trends

The warmest year in Santa Cruz's recorded history was 2014 (avg: 64.4°F), while the coldest year was 1982 (avg: 58.8°F), based on annual average temperatures.

📊 Key Climate Trends

🌡️ Annual Temperature Trend

View Range:

Average annual high/low · Last 10 years · °F

Santa Cruz's temperatures has remained relatively stable over the past decade. The highest recorded temperature reached 107°F in Sep 2017, while the lowest dropped to 23.9°F in Dec 1990.

🌧️ Annual Precipitation

View Range:

Total annual precipitation · Last 10 years · mm/year

Annual rainfall in Santa Cruz shows noticeable variation. Rainfall varies year-to-year without a clear long-term trend.
📋 Yearly Climate Data Overview

🔥 hottest  ·  ❄️ coldest  ·  🌧️ wettest

Year Min Temp Avg Temp Max Temp Rainfall (mm) Avg Humidity Avg Wind

🏙️ Other Cities in California

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hottest month in Santa Cruz?
Based on 45 years of data (1981–2025), Sep is typically the hottest month in Santa Cruz, California, with average high temperatures around 94.3°F.
What is the coldest month in Santa Cruz?
Dec is the coldest month in Santa Cruz, with average low temperatures around 33.3°F.
What is the rainiest month in Santa Cruz?
Jan receives the most rainfall with approximately 108 mm, while Jul is the driest with 1 mm.
What was the highest temperature ever recorded in Santa Cruz?
The highest recorded temperature was 107°F in Sep 2017. This is part of the historical record spanning 1981–2025.
What was the lowest temperature ever recorded in Santa Cruz?
The lowest recorded temperature was 23.9°F in Dec 1990.
How many years of data does this page cover?
This page covers 45 years of climate data from 1981 to 2025. As new data is added to the database the page automatically reflects the updated coverage.
How much sunlight does Santa Cruz get?
Santa Cruz receives the most sunlight in Jun with an average solar radiation of 7.12 kWh/m²/day. This solar radiation data, sourced from NASA POWER, is useful for solar energy planning, agriculture, and understanding seasonal sunshine availability in California.
Where does this weather data come from?
All climate data is sourced from NASA POWER (Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources), based on MERRA-2 satellite and model data. It provides monthly averages for temperature, precipitation, humidity, wind speed, and solar radiation.

📚 Data Source

All weather data is sourced from NASA POWER (Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources), a NASA project providing solar and meteorological data for renewable energy, building efficiency, and agricultural research.

Parameters included:
  • Temperature (Min, Max)
  • Precipitation
  • Relative Humidity
  • Wind Speed
  • Solar Radiation
Data specifications:
  • Resolution: Monthly
  • Spatial: 0.5° × 0.625°
  • Source: MERRA-2
  • Coverage: 1981–2025
  • Years: 45