We know the question on your mind, San Diegans — when’s it going to get warm again? Thanks to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center , we know what temperatures and precipitation trends to expect in the City of San Diego for March, April, and May. While exact weather conditions typically can’t be predicted more than a week in advance, here’s a seasonal outlook to help you prepare for what spring will bring.
Reminder: The first day of spring is Monday, March 20.
Typical spring temps are predicted in San Diego — and we’re totally OK with this.
🌡️ Temperature
Think warm thoughts. The National Weather Service says our city is predicted to experience typical spring temps for the area — at times above normal, at times below.
🌨️ Precipitation
Our city is predicted to experience ordinary rainfall amounts for the season — although, with the wet winter we’ve had, we know things could change.
☀️ Drought
Looks like the storms may have helped — drought conditions are expected to improve this season.
An April day on the shoreline is such a treat.
Photo via Monica Garske + SDtoday
March gladness
Typically in San Diego, March temperatures are pleasant, with an average low of 52.7° and average high of 64.4° — practically the same high as February. The Farmers’ Almanac predicts a mix of showers and nice spring weather in the Southwest US, so keep the umbrella handy. Historically, the average accumulated rainfall for March is 0.83 inches over 7.6 days of rain. Pro tip: The average UV Index is 4, so don’t slack on the sunscreen.
April’s appeal
April is usually another comfortable spring month in San Diego, with temps averaging 54.1°-66.2°. The days have gotten longer — averaging 13 hours and 1 minute — and the sun shines for an average of 10.9 hours daily, so sunscreen is a must. And the ocean temp? It averages 60.6°, finally out of the frigid 50s. We see a beach day on the horizon, though more sitting or strolling on the shoreline, less going in the water.
Spring in San Diego, overlooking San Diego Bay from Liberty Station.
Photo via Monica Garske + SDtoday
May Gray
There comes a time in every San Diegan’s life when we have to deal with the dreary “May Gray
” — the annual pattern of darker, gloomier skies in May caused by the marine layer
and temperature inversion
. Cloud coverage is typically 22% (the highest is December, at 24%), and temps average between 56.3°-67.6°. Ocean temperatures tend to increase to an average of 62.6°, and it typically rains for 5.7 days — though only accumulating ~0.39 inches of precipitation.