Monthly climate in Big Sur, California, United States

Last updated: March 2, 2024

Under the Köppen–Geiger climate classification Big Sur features a warm-summer Mediterranean climate (Csb). Temperatures typically range between 10 °C (51 °F) and 16 °C (62 °F) through the year, but rarely can drop to 2 °C (36 °F) or can rise to as high as 33 °C (91 °F). The average annual precipitation amounts to about 615 mm (24.2 inches) and receives 53 rainy days on the 1 mm (0.04 inches) threshold annually. Big Sur enjoys an average of 3476 hours of sunshine throughout the year, and daylight varies from 9 hours 43 minutes to 14 hours 34 minutes per day.

Monthly average temperatures in Big Sur, California, United States §

The warmest months in Big Sur are July, August and September, with daily mean temperatures ranging from 15 to 16 °C (60 - 62 °F) throughout the day. The coldest temperatures usually occur in January, February and March, when daily mean temperatures range from 10 to 10 °C (51 - 51 °F) throughout the day. On average each year, Big Sur experiences 5 days above 25 °C (77.0 °F) and 0 days below 0 °C (32.0 °F).

Monthly average temperatures with daily means, minimums and maximums for period, average high and low temperatures in Big Sur, California, United States. Generated using Copernicus Climate Change Service information. Data for period from January 2017 to June 2022.
  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Maximum 20°C
(69°F)
23°C
(74°F)
21°C
(70°F)
25°C
(78°F)
24°C
(75°F)
27°C
(81°F)
24°C
(75°F)
28°C
(82°F)
33°C
(91°F)
31°C
(88°F)
24°C
(75°F)
23°C
(74°F)
Mean maximum 18°C
(65°F)
19°C
(66°F)
19°C
(67°F)
21°C
(70°F)
21°C
(69°F)
23°C
(74°F)
23°C
(73°F)
25°C
(77°F)
27°C
(81°F)
26°C
(80°F)
22°C
(72°F)
19°C
(67°F)
Average high 13°C
(56°F)
13°C
(56°F)
13°C
(56°F)
14°C
(58°F)
15°C
(59°F)
17°C
(64°F)
19°C
(66°F)
20°C
(68°F)
20°C
(68°F)
19°C
(66°F)
16°C
(62°F)
14°C
(57°F)
Daily mean 10°C
(51°F)
10°C
(51°F)
10°C
(51°F)
11°C
(53°F)
12°C
(54°F)
14°C
(58°F)
15°C
(60°F)
16°C
(62°F)
16°C
(62°F)
15°C
(59°F)
13°C
(55°F)
11°C
(52°F)
Average low 8°C
(47°F)
8°C
(46°F)
8°C
(46°F)
9°C
(48°F)
9°C
(49°F)
11°C
(52°F)
12°C
(54°F)
13°C
(56°F)
13°C
(56°F)
12°C
(54°F)
10°C
(50°F)
8°C
(47°F)
Mean minimum 4°C
(39°F)
4°C
(39°F)
4°C
(40°F)
5°C
(42°F)
7°C
(45°F)
8°C
(47°F)
10°C
(51°F)
11°C
(53°F)
10°C
(50°F)
9°C
(48°F)
6°C
(43°F)
5°C
(41°F)
Minimum 3°C
(38°F)
2°C
(36°F)
4°C
(39°F)
5°C
(41°F)
5°C
(42°F)
7°C
(45°F)
9°C
(49°F)
11°C
(51°F)
9°C
(49°F)
7°C
(45°F)
4°C
(40°F)
4°C
(40°F)

Compare climate in Big Sur with other places

Compare temperature, precipitation, sunshine, UV index in Big Sur, California, United States with other places around the world.

Monthly average precipitation in Big Sur, California, United States §

Big Sur usually has the most precipitation in January, February and December, with an average of 8 rainy days and 126 mm (5.0 inches) of precipitation per month. The driest months in Big Sur are June, July and August. On average, 1 mm (0.0 inches) of precipitation falls during these months.

Monthly average precipitation and precipitation days in Big Sur, California, United States. Generated using Copernicus Climate Change Service information. Data for period from January 2017 to January 2022.
  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Average precipitation mm (inches) 140 (5.5) 120 (4.7) 109 (4.3) 33 (1.3) 23 (0.9) 2 (0.1) 1 (0.0) 1 (0.0) 4 (0.2) 21 (0.8) 43 (1.7) 118 (4.6)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1 mm) 8 9 13 5 3 0 0 0 0 1 5 9

Monthly sunshine hours in Big Sur, California, United States §

The sunniest months in Big Sur are May, June and July, when the sun shines an average of 12 hours 12 minutes a day. Least sunny months in Big Sur: January, February and December receive an average of 6 hours 29 minutes of sunshine daily.

Mean monthly sunshine duration, average sunshine hours per day and mean daily daylight hours in Big Sur, California, United States. Generated using Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service information. Data for period from January 2017 to January 2022.
  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Mean monthly sunshine hours 162 219 264 302 358 376 388 356 314 289 235 208
Mean daily daylight hours 9h 59m 10h 52m 11h 59m 13h 8m 14h 6m 14h 34m 14h 18m 13h 27m 12h 21m 11h 12m 10h 13m 9h 43m

Solar UV radiation in Big Sur, California, United States §

Big Sur experiences the highest level of ultraviolet (UV) radiation in May, June and August, when the maximum UV index can reach values of 11 - 12, which corresponds to the Extreme category of sun exposure. January, February and December are in the Moderate exposure category. In these months, the maximum values of the UV index do not exceed 5. For more detailed information, check out our hourly Big Sur UV Index data.

Average daily maximum UV levels by month for Big Sur, California, United States. Generated using Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service information. Data for period from January 2022 to January 2023.
  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
UV Index (month maximum) 4 5 8 9 11 12 11 11 9 7 5 3

Detailed Monthly Weather Insights for Big Sur, California, United States

Discover in-depth weather details for every month in Big Sur. Click through the links below for comprehensive overviews of temperature trends, precipitation levels, sunshine hours, and solar UV radiation specifics. Whether planning a visit or simply curious about Big Sur's climate nuances, these monthly breakdowns provide the information you need for an informed understanding of what to expect throughout the year.

Each link leads to a detailed account of the typical weather conditions for that month, providing both locals and tourists with vital information to plan their daily activities, wardrobe, and travel itineraries accordingly.