California Climate – July 2026 Update
Top 5 Cities: Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento, and San Jose
Summary
California experienced its 9th warmest May–July on record, driven by triple-digit heatwaves that prompted state officials to update extreme heat strategies as summer conditions intensified. Globally, July 2026 registered as the 3rd warmest on record for the month, coinciding with a moderate El Niño forecast to peak at Very Strong in Sep–Nov. The lingering heat combined with sparse rainfall to elevate wildfire risks across inland areas, with elevated warmth expected to persist into autumn.
This month in numbers
July 2026 recorded an average temperature of 25.33°C, which sits 1.5°C above the 1961–1990 baseline to rank as the 16th warmest for the month in 77 years of data. Maximum temperatures reached 33.39°C (+1.3°C anomaly), placing 19th highest on record. Rainfall was extremely sparse at 1.52 mm, marking a 3.4 mm deficit against baseline and ranking 68th driest. Over the broader May–July period, average temperatures averaged 21.85°C (+1.7°C anomaly), securing the 9th warmest ranking overall.
What changed
The three-month trend highlights sustained regional warmth that reflects a broader North American pattern, where 7 of the top 10 highest 12-month temperature anomalies globally were US states. Globally, the May–July period ranked as the 2nd warmest on record. Within the US West climate region, California ran 0.39°C cooler than the group average, placing 132nd out of 232 global regions tracked for one-month anomalies.
What’s driving change?
The relentless summer heat was intensified by stagnant trapping hot air across the interior, alongside that prevented natural moisture cooling. On a macro level, a moderate El Niño event (+0.98°C RONI anomaly) remains active in the tropical Pacific. While Pacific tropical signals historically have variable mid-summer impacts in the region, live tracking at ENSO shows an intensifying system that is expected to influence winter precipitation patterns across the Southwest.
Looking ahead
Seasonal climate models indicate a strong likelihood of above-average temperatures continuing over the coming months as the Pacific climate driver heads towards its autumn peak.
Generated by Gemini from climate data and web sources
At a Glance
Temperature – Average
Climate Map – USUnited States
Source: NOAA Climate at a Glance — US states & climate regions (tavg, pcp), plus GPCC (Snow, water-equivalent). Anomalies are vs the 1961–1990 baseline. See methodology.
Typical Climate – California
Köppen Csa · TemperateCalifornia has a temperate climate (Köppen Csa: Mediterranean - hot summer), with both a warm/cold cycle and a wet/dry cycle through the year. July is typically the warmest month, averaging 25.6°C, while January is the coldest at 7.3°C. Annual precipitation averages around 566mm, concentrated mostly in the wet season.
Monthly climate normals (2016–2025) - bar colour and height show average temperature, the shaded area shows average monthly rain, with snow (water-equivalent) shown separately.
Data: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (temperature/precipitation; frost: World Bank CCKP; snow: GPCC (DWD)).
Long-Term Trends
Combined Timeline – California
Precipitation, Sunshine, Frost and Snow are converted to standard deviations from their own average so they can share an axis with Temperature.
Data: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (temperature/precipitation; frost: World Bank CCKP; snow: GPCC (DWD)).
Heatwave Days – California
Warm Spell Duration Index (WSDI) - days in a 6+ day run above the local 90th-percentile temperature for that time of year.
Data: World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal (ERA5-derived). Refreshed roughly 1-2x/year, ~7-8 months behind present.
Year-on-Year Trends
The 4byo Climate Helix – California
Data: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (temperature/precipitation; frost: World Bank CCKP; snow: GPCC (DWD)).
Monthly Temperature – California
Background lines show the last 40 years (plus the record year and its opposite, wherever they fall).
Data: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (temperature/precipitation; frost: World Bank CCKP; snow: GPCC (DWD)).
Records – California
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (frost: World Bank CCKP; snow: GPCC (DWD)) - Anomalies vs 1901-2000 mean
Shifting Seasons
Warm/cold + wet/dryKöppen Csa · TemperateCalifornia has both a clear warm/cold cycle (±9.2°C) and a wet/dry cycle (23× wet:dry ratio). Both sides of the annual rhythm are shown below.
Monthly precipitation climatology. A “wet month” exceeds the baseline monthly mean (dashed gold line). Biggest month-to-month shift: Mar (+25 mm, +35%).
Data: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (temperature/precipitation; frost: World Bank CCKP; snow: GPCC (DWD)).
Climate Systems
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Emissions & Energy
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Data Sources
Data Sources for California
Every figure on this page is sourced from official, openly published climate datasets. Anomalies are calculated against the 1961–1990 baseline (temperature) and 1991–2020 (rainfall, sunshine, frost) - see the Methodology & Sources page for the complete dataset list and update calendar.
Statewide monthly temperature and precipitation (nClimDiv).
Frost Days and Heatwave Days (Warm Spell Duration Index), ERA5-derived. World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal.
Monthly snow water-equivalent, Global Precipitation Climatology Centre (DWD).
FAQs
FAQs
How is the climate in California changing?
California is warming in line with the rest of the world. The page above shows the latest monthly temperature anomaly versus the 1961-1990 baseline, the long-term annual trend, and the region's rank in the historical record. The headline panel also shows the long-term trend rate per decade and the warmest and coolest years on file.
What is the climate like in California?
California has a temperate climate (Köppen Csa: Mediterranean - hot summer), with both a warm/cold cycle and a wet/dry cycle through the year. July is typically the warmest month, averaging 25.6°C, while January is the coldest at 7.3°C. Annual precipitation averages around 566mm, concentrated mostly in the wet season.
Where does the climate data for California come from?
Climate data for California comes from NOAA Climate at a Glance (temperature and precipitation), refreshed every month, when the upstream temperature and rainfall data are refreshed.
What is the climate baseline used on this page?
Anomalies on this page are calculated against the 1961-1990 climatological baseline, which is the standard reference period used by the Met Office, NOAA, IPCC and most national climate services. Some panels also show the source-native 1901-2000 (NOAA) or 1991-2020 (WMO) baselines for verification. See Methodology & Sources for the full reference.
Which areas does the California climate data cover?
The California climate profile covers Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento and surrounding areas. Solar leader, drought cycles and wildfire seasons
How often is the California climate update refreshed?
The California climate update is refreshed monthly, typically a few days after the previous month closes and the upstream provider (Met Office HadUK-Grid, NOAA Climate at a Glance, Copernicus ERA5 or the Global Carbon Project) publishes its update. See the Climate Rankings for cross-region comparisons.
What counts as a Heatwave Day on the California climate page?
Heatwave Days use the Warm Spell Duration Index (WSDI) - the WMO/ETCCDI-standard heatwave measure: days that are part of a run of 6 or more consecutive days above the local 90th-percentile temperature for that calendar day. The 90th-percentile threshold varies by time of year (a hot day in January is judged differently to one in July) but is fixed to the 1961-1990 baseline for every year shown - it does not shift as the climate warms, which is why Heatwave Days trend upward over time.
Does the California climate page include frost and snow data?
Yes. Frost Days (days with a minimum temperature below 0°C, World Bank CCKP) and snow water-equivalent (GPCC) are shown alongside temperature and precipitation, each measured against the 1961-1990 baseline where a like-for-like historical comparison is available.