Santa Monica, California

:For the Philippine municipality, see Santa Monica, Surigao del Norte

Weather

Santa Monica enjoys an average of 325 days of sunshine a year. Because of its location, nestled on a vast opened bay (Santa Monica Bay), morning fog and haze is a common phenomenon in the months of May, June and early July (caused by ocean temperature variations and currents). Locals have a particular terminology for this phenomenon: the "May Gray" and the well-known "June Gloom". Overcast skies are common for June mornings, but usually the strong sun burns it off by noon. Nonetheless, it will sometimes stay cloudy and cool all day during the month of June as other parts of the Los Angeles area will enjoy sunny skies and warmer temperatures. As a general rule, the temperature is from 5 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit (3 to 5.5 degrees Celsius) cooler than it is inland. A typical spring day (Mid-April) is sunny, pleasant and about 68 °F (20 °C). In the summer, which stretches basically from May to late October, temperatures can reach up to the mid-80's Fahrenheit (about 30 °C) at the beach. The average temperature for August is 71 °F (21 °C). September is the warmest month of the year in Santa Monica, with an average of 73 °F (22 °C). It is also in September that records tend to be broken. In early September 2004, temperatures of 92 °F to 98 °F (33 °C to 37 °C) were recorded.

Related Topics:
Santa Monica Bay - June Gloom

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In early November, it is about 68 °F (20 °C). In late January, temperatures are around 63 °F (17 °C). It is winter, however, when the hot, dry winds of the Santa Anas are most common. In mid-December 2004, temperatures soared to 84 °F (28 °C) in Santa Monica, for a few straight days, with perfectly sunny skies.

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The rainy season is from late October through late March. Winter storms usually approach from the northwest, and pass quickly through the LA area. There is very little rain during the rest of the year, especially the summer months.

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Santa Monica usually enjoys a cool breeze blowing in from the ocean, keeping the air fresh and clean. Therefore, smog is less a problem for Santa Monica residents than elsewhere around Los Angeles. However, in the autumn months of September through November, the Santa Ana winds will sometimes blow from the East, bringing smoggy inland air to the beaches. Those dry, hot Santa Anas also make conditions ripe for the devastating brush fires for which Los Angeles is known.

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