San Francisco’s summer is notoriously chilly and shrouded in fog, but if you’ve been feeling particularly extreme this year, it’s not just you. This summer has been officially colder than usual, with multiple reports showing that SF is experiencing its coldest summer in decades.
According to the Bay Area National Weather Service, the average temperature in SF from June to July was 57.6 degrees, which is the 17th coolest recorded temperature during the same period. It’s also the coolest during the same period since 1999, over two decades ago. The National Weather Service is attributing the cool temperatures to cool sea surface levels, northwest wind, and fog and low clouds, among other factors. Between June 1 and July 24, the average temp of daily highs and lows has been 58.4°F, tying it for the 23rd coolest summer since 2002.
The forecast for the rest of the week shows some warmer temperatures, with highs of 68 °F on Monday and Tuesday. Some drizzling and cloud cover are expected this weekend, but you can expect some sunshine starting on Sunday. The lows for this weekend range from 55 to 57 °F at night.
The cooler temperatures come as the rest of the country has experienced frequent heat waves, with the East Coast hitting real-feel temperatures of 100 °F . New York City experienced a massive heat wave in June, resulting in a state of emergency. So, while the persistent fog and chilly summer may be gloomy, SF is lucky to avoid the extreme heatwaves from other areas across the United States.
Luckily, there are plenty of things to do in SF while we wait for our beloved warm fall to come. From spending time at local coffee shops to exploring the numerous museum exhibitions in the city, check out our full guide on things to do on a rainy day in SF.