We know the question on your mind, San Diegans — when’s it going to really, truly get cold? Thanks to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center , we know what temperatures and precipitation trends to expect in our city for December, January, and February. 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 winter will bring.
Reminder: The first day of winter is on Wednesday, Dec. 21.
Temps will likely be a bit higher than normal in San Diego County this winter.
🌡️ Temperature
Think San Diego-style cool — like a sweater or jacket with your flip-flops. This winter, our region has a 33-40% chance of temperatures being higher than normal.
🌨️ Precipitation
Expect less precipitation. San Diego has a 40-50% chance of seeing below normal rainfall amounts this winter. Think good thoughts for some much-needed soaks .
☀️ Drought
Drought conditions are expected to persist this season in San Diego County.
Winter is great for a walk on the beach in San Diego — but not necessarily a swim.
Photo via Monica Garske + SDtoday
December’s deal
Typically, December’s temps are comfortable, averaging between a low of 52.7° and high of 63.3°. If you like the rain, it’s usually the month with the most rainfall accumulated — an average of 5.8 days for a combined 1.65 inches of precipitation. It’s also the month with the least sunshine. But what about ocean temperatures? The surface water temp averages 60.4° this month — not safe for swimming without a wetsuit or drysuit, as breathing becomes more difficult in water below 70°.
Jumpin’ into January
For January, the average temperature spans 52.7° to 64.2° — close to what we might experience in December. On average, there are 5.3 days of rain. The months with the lowest UV index in SD tend to be January-March, with an average maximum UV index of 4.
February’s forecast
This final stretch of winter brings average temps between 51.8° and 63.1° — the coldest month of the year in San Diego. It’s also the coldest month for seawater, with an average ocean temperature of 58.6°. Brrr. On average, there are 6.3 rainfall days with an accumulative 1.5 inches of rain in February.