Seasonal Events in San Diego

Beautiful January Beach Day in Pacific Beach

El Niño and La Niña are two climate forces that occasionally occur in the Pacific Ocean due to trade winds. Since San Diego lies right along the coast, its weather and overall climate are often impacted by these two events.

These intricate weather patterns, which impact ocean temperatures and every aspect of the global climate, were first noted by South American fishermen in the 1600s. They recur, on average, every 2 to 7 years.

El Niño typically affects North America during the winter, bringing higher than average temperatures and greater than average rainfall over the western USA, including San Diego. Water temperatures tend to rise with the advent of an El Nino event.

La Nina events produce opposite effects, so they typically bring with them cooler temperatures and less precipitation. The temperature of the ocean waters will also be lower than average during La Nina years.

Loving the Beach in Winter in Mission Beach

The Santa Anas are strong winds that blow down from the mountains, across the great basin and the Mojave Desert, towards the Pacific Ocean.

They most often occur in the Fall but have been known to appear at other times of the year. With wind speeds that can exceed 64 km/h, these hot, dry air currents can have a catastrophic effect on wildfires, especially after the summer droughts and at times when rainfall is still scarce. This has only gotten worse with climate change, as California experiences more frequent wildfires that spread further and faster than before.

It’s not all bad though; the Santa Anas are known to contribute to larger and more consistent waves which are beloved by thrill-seeking surfers. When weather conditions allow, it’s fun to take these challenging waves on, or to simply sit back on the shore and watch local pros surf.

Sunsetting on a Spring Day in Pacific Beach

When arranging your next family vacation, couples’ weekend or business trip to San Diego, it’s important to know what to expect from the weather based on the time of year you are planning to arrive. The monthly and seasonal forecasts do vary based on time of year but the day-to-day forecasts in San Diego are usually very similar – great temperatures and lots of sunshine!

Forecasters from the local television networks as well as online will provide the latest 7-day forecasts in advance of your travels. You can also get the very latest using one of the many popular weather apps such as the weather channel app or weather apps installed directly for Apple and Android phones and tablets.

Rest assured knowing that most of the year in San Diego is sunny and mild with a cool breeze by the coast and mild average temperatures, peaking in the 60’s and 70’s in the afternoons and dipping 10-15 degrees for overnight lows.