The state of California (California) is the third largest state in the United States, which is also clearly noticeable when you talk about the weather and climate of California. With an area of 423,970 square kilometers, this most southwestern state of the US is about ten times the size of the Netherlands. You notice this in the number of climate zones that California has and the large differences that can arise in the weather within the state at the same time. Anyone who makes a tour through California will certainly notice this. In the summer, temperature differences of as much as 30 degrees or more can occur between the coolest and the hottest place in California. While Crescent Cityin the north the maximum temperature is less than twenty degrees, it can reach fifty degrees in the sweltering hot Death Valley (in the shade!).
Most of California has a Mediterranean climate. Along the coast there is mainly a moderate Mediterranean climate (type Csb according to the Köppen-Geiger classification ), slightly more inland and along the southern part of the coast there is a warm Mediterranean climate (type Csa).
In northwestern California there is a small zone ( Shasta Cascade ) with a temperate continental climate (type Dsb), because behind the western mountain slopes of the Sierra Nevada the influence of the sea is rapidly diminishing and this part is too northerly to be like the southern regions. have a desert climate. The eastern part of the state, especially southeast of Lake Tahoe and southeastern California, has Bwh (warm) and Bwk (cold) desert climates. This concerns the southern part of the Sierra Nevada, the Mohave Desert and Imperial Valley.
Precipitation
There are significant differences in the annual amounts of precipitation measured in California.
The southeastern part of California, which consists of desert areas and mountains, is very dry. The amounts of precipitation here are limited to a maximum of a few centimeters per year. This area is one of the driest areas in the United States.
The Central Valley is quite dry due to its sheltered location behind the Coast Ranges. North of the town of Stockton, precipitation levels are increasing rapidly. The Sierra Nevada is quite wet, especially the western strip, where the rain that is brought in from the sea, as it were, lingers.
Northwest California is the wettest, with precipitation rates exceeding three thousand millimeters per year in some places. The quantities can vary considerably from year to year.
Sun
California is a sunny destination, except for the northwestern coastal areas. The capital Sacramento scores best with no less than 73% sunny hours of the total possible hours of sunshine. The coastal cities of Los Angeles (72%) and San Francisco also score very well in terms of sunshine. It is not without reason that LA has the image of a city where the sun almost always shines and the stars in their expensive convertibles enjoy the wonderful weather. You will not experience a white Christmas in LA, for that you really have to go into the mountains in California.
Winter weather
While enjoying the winter sun along California’s southwest coast, heavy amounts of snow can fall in the mountains in the northeast. The record for inches of snow in one calendar month has been set in California. In January 1911, Alpine County recorded a whopping 991 inches of snow. That is almost ten metres, enough to make almost every Dutch house completely disappear in the snow, unless you own a canal house in the center of Amsterdam. In the higher parts of the Sierra Nevada it regularly snows in the winter months. The highest regions can count on an average of 750 to 1000 centimeters of snow per year, which falls mainly in the period November to March. Snow and frost can also occur in northwestern California, but to a much lesser extent than in the mountains.
Hurricanes
Several hundred miles south of San Diego, hurricane seasons are prone to hurricanes, tropical storms, and tropical depressions. These may deflect slightly northerly, but never far enough to reach California as a tropical storm. A natural phenomenon that you do have to take into account here, but that has nothing to do with the climate, are earthquakes. California lies on an active fault line (the San Andreas fault), where tremors and earthquakes are regularly registered. Scientists therefore also expect that Los Angeles will one day be destroyed by a major earthquake or at least be damaged to such an extent that reconstruction will almost lead to bankruptcy of the United States.
Fog
The cool Gulf Stream known as the California Current supplies relatively cool seawater, tempering temperatures along the coast in summer. A characteristic Californian phenomenon that occurs as a result of the relatively cool seawater is the fog that moves from the sea onto the land. Not infrequently, San Francisco is shrouded in fog that moves inland from the sea. This fog is caused by rising warm air in the east, so that relatively much cooler moist air is sucked in from the sea, as it were. This fog is created by the temperature differences between the aspirated air and the earth. This phenomenon can be observed regularly along almost the entire coast, with the exception of the southern part (south of Santa Barbara). ). The fog not only ensures that the temperatures in the summer often turn out to be on the low side, the perceived temperature is also often lower than what the thermometers indicate due to the moist air.
Heat
The southeastern part of California is known for the extremely high temperatures that can be reached here. Death Valley is one of the hottest places on Earth in the summer months. It is not without reason that these extreme weather conditions are gratefully used to test new cars in their development phase in this region. The name Death Valley didn’t come out of nowhere. In the summer it is not long here without water or other liquids. Daytime temperatures of well over forty degrees in the shade provide weather conditions that are experienced as pleasant by few.
100 degrees
Fun fact is that the difference between the highest and lowest recorded temperature ever recorded in California is exactly one hundred degrees. The highest temperature of 57 degrees Celsius was recorded in Death Valley on July 10, 1913. A quarter of a century later, a lowest temperature of -43 degrees has been recorded in Boca, near the Nevada border. That was on January 20, 1937.
Climate figures
The figures below are based on long-term average climate statistics. The temperatures are displayed in degrees Celsius (°C).
| maximum temperature | minimum temperature | hours of sunshine per day | days of rainfall per month | water temperature | |
| January | 19℃ | 8℃ | 7 | 7 | 14℃ |
| February | 20℃ | 9℃ | 8 | 5 | 14℃ |
| March | 21℃ | 10℃ | 9 | 6 | 14℃ |
| April | 22℃ | 11℃ | 10 | 3 | 15℃ |
| May | 24℃ | 13℃ | 9 | 2 | 16℃ |
| June | 26℃ | 15℃ | 10 | 1 | 17℃ |
| July | 29℃ | 17℃ | 12 | 1 | 18℃ |
| August | 30℃ | 18℃ | 11 | 2 | 19℃ |
| September | 29℃ | 17℃ | 9 | 2 | 18℃ |
| October | 26℃ | 15℃ | 8 | 3 | 17℃ |
| November | 22℃ | 11℃ | 7 | 4 | 16℃ |
| December | 20℃ | 8℃ | 7 | 5 | 15℃ |
The climate of the 17 Mile Drive
The 17 Mile Drive is a tourist route on the Monterey Peninsula. As the name implies, the total length of the route is 17 miles. For us Dutch, who work with the metric measurement system, that comes down to just over 27 kilometers. Make no mistake about the distance. The speed limits mean that you need more than an hour to drive the entire route anyway. Those who want to admire the various sights along the route will make regular stops. On average, it takes you about 2.5 to 3.5 hours to discover the entire 17 Mile Drive. The best are the different panoramic views. The view of “The Lone Cypress” is for most the highlight of this beautiful driving route. Good to know that the entire route is located within a closed neighborhood.
If you want to ‘do’ the 17 Mile Drive, you are lucky that you have a mild climate here, which mainly entails dry and mostly sunny weather. The location on the coast of the Pacific Ocean causes tempering in the temperature. Summer doesn’t get too hot so easily, while winter never gets seriously cold. It should be noted that the perceived temperature along the route is sometimes somewhat lower than the actual measured values. This mainly occurs on somewhat wetter winter days, in combination with a westerly wind. The cooler ocean water can then provide a fresh breeze from the coast.
The climate of Alcatraz
The island of Alcatraz is located in the San Francisco Bay and is one of the main attractions of this American city. Initially, the island served as a military base. The fort built on Alcatraz in the mid-1800s was soon used as a military prison. Alcatraz didn’t really become famous until it became a federal prison in 1933. The most serious criminals from the United States were imprisoned here for almost thirty years. The most famous resident was Al Capone. This mobster was born in New York City, but built his criminal career in Chicago. It was impossible to escape from Alcatraz. Every escape attempt has failed, partly because the island is one and a half kilometers from the mainland.
Alcatraz has a temperate maritime climate, with mild winters and temperate summers. Due to its location in San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz is fairly sensitive to fog, which is caused by the relatively cool water. Even in the summer, the water around Alcatraz is barely warmer than 13 to 14 degrees. Winters on Alcatraz are quite mild, with temperatures usually rising to an average of 13 to 16 degrees in the afternoon. There is a reasonable chance of days with precipitation. As spring progresses, the chance of rain decreases. The maximum temperatures then rise gradually. In summer, highs of around or slightly above 20 degrees are common on Alcatraz. The chance of rain is then quite small. In particular, June, July and August hardly have any rain. However, there can be fog in these months.
If you want to visit Alcatraz, you should know that it can feel quite cool on the deck during the ferry crossing. The combination of wind over the bay and the cool water means that it can certainly feel unpleasant when you are outside. If you still want to fully enjoy the view, it is better to dress a bit warmer during the excursion to Alcatraz. By doing this in layers, you have the opportunity to take off something on the island itself when it is warmer there.
The climate of Anaheim
Anaheim is a city in California, Orange County. The city is often mentioned in the same breath as the Disneyland resort that lies here. The resort consists of two theme parks and a number of hotels around it. Anaheim was founded in the mid-19th century by a number of German families and has since grown to become the county’s second-largest town. The Anaheim Ducks are the most famous sports team here and were founded after the Disney movie The Mighty Ducks. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim also play in this city.
Anaheim’s warm maritime climate provides the city with mild weather, combined with year-round sunshine, and you can see why Anaheim is a popular vacation destination. The weather here is typical of Californian weather, with an annual average temperature of 21°C. During the summer months, the climate in Anaheim is very warm, with many beautiful sunny days. The summer months of July, August and September are the hottest of the year, with temperatures reaching around 29°C. The summer months are also the driest months of the year. Always keep in mind that smog can occur in Anaheim. The winter months are also the wettest, the winter period here starts around November and continues until April. January and February are the wettest months of the year, when storms are at their strongest.
The climate of Beverly Hills
Beverly Hills is a city in the county of Los Angeles, in the state of California. Beverly Hills is in the Hollywood area but does not belong to the district. Beverly Hills is completely surrounded by Los Angeles. Beverly Hills owes its fame mainly to the fact that almost every major Hollywood actor lives here or at least has a house. Shopping is excellent here on the famous Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica Boulevard and Sunset Boulevard. Of course, don’t forget Beverly Drive and the world famous Rodeo Drive. Another reason everyone knows this not-so-great place is due to the fact that Beverly Hills has been the stage for feature films and television series on several occasions. The best known are the movie Beverly Hills Cop and the 90s series Beverly Hills 90210. The latter is – I think – also the most famous zip code in the world.
Beverly Hills has a warm maritime climate. The general picture in this place is that the summers are pleasantly warm, but never extremely hot, and the rainy days in the summer period can be counted on one hand. The winters are very mild, extreme frost rarely or never occurs here. The winter period is also the wettest time of the year and from time to time strong storms can pass by.
The climate of Big Sur
Big Sur is an area in central California. The name Big Sur is derived from the Spanish name “el sur grande” which means as much as the great south. The Big Sur is the original habitat of the Ohlone, Esselen and the Salinan (Indians). Today the rich of the earth live in this area. The average house price here is $2 million. A large nature reserve in this region is the Los Padres National Forest, which can be visited almost completely free of charge.
It is impossible to generalize about the weather in Big Sur, as the erratic topography creates many distinct microclimates. Big Sur generally enjoys a mild climate throughout the year, with sunny, dry summer and autumn, and cool, wet winter. Coastal temperatures vary little throughout the year. Further inland, away from the influence of the ocean, temperatures are much more variable. The average annual rainfall in the State Park is 42 inches, with measurable precipitation days of 62 days per year. The wettest year was 1983 with 88.85 cm and the driest year was 1990 with 17.9 cm. Measurable snowfall has not yet been recorded in coastal areas of Big Sur, but it is quite common for snow to remain on the higher ridges of the Santa Lucia Mountains during the winter months. In the winter months, the abundant rain can cause rock and mudslides, which can cut the roads through this area. Along with much of California’s central and northern coasts, Big Sur is also often caught in thick fog during the summer. The summer fog and dry summer have the same cause: a massive high pressure area forming over the northern Pacific Ocean.
The climate of Carmel-by-the-Sea
Carmel-by-the-Sea is the most charming seaside town along the California coast. Together with Monterey just above, Carmel is a much-loved stopover on California travel routes. In the case of Carmel-by-the-Sea, in addition to the beach, it is above all the many boutiques and art galleries that have a huge attraction for visitors. It is striking that there are a number of special local laws in Carmel, such as the ban on wearing high heels, unless you have a permit to do so. Anyone visiting Carmel-by-the-Sea will wonder why on earth you should walk around in stiletto heels. Here you mainly see easy yet fashionable casual shoes, often combined with an equally relaxed but tasteful outfit.
Carmel-by-the-Sea has a fairly pleasant climate, which can best be described as a Mediterranean climate. The town owes this purely to the relatively high annual temperature. If you look at the average maximum temperatures per month, you will see few similarities with what we Europeans see as typical weather conditions for a destination on the Mediterranean Sea, on which this climate type is based. The fairly cool seawater (maximum 15 degrees in the summer) ensures that the temperatures can be considerably tempered. As a result, maximum temperatures in summer are on average not much higher than 21-22 degrees. Pleasant sunny days with summer temperatures alternate with cooler days, in which the sea fog so typical of northern California occurs.
The climate of Central Valley
The Central Valley is a valley that runs almost the entire length of the US state of California. This valley consists of two parts, the Sacramento Valley and the San Joaquin Valley. The San Joaquin Valley is located in the southern part of the Central Valley. This part of the valley is mainly used for agriculture. Some major cities in this area are Stockton, Modesto and Fresno. Sacramento Valley is the northern part of the Central Valley. Agriculture is also the main source of income on this side of the Sacramento Valley. There are mainly fruit and nut trees here. The largest cities in this area are Redding, Sacramento and Davis. Because the Central Valley is almost completely enclosed by high mountains, the chance of smog in this area is quite high.
The northern Central Valley has a warm Mediterranean climate. The more southern parts are dry enough to be characterized as a Mediterranean climate (around the Fresno area) or even a desert climate (southeast of Bakersfield). It is hot and dry in the summer and cool and humid in the winter, in summer the daytime temperature can reach 32°C, and occasionally during heat waves even up to 46°C. Early spring is the rainy season here and strong storms can occur. Floods also occur regularly in this area. This is especially true in the southern half of the San Joaquin Valley, but occasionally in Sacramento Valley as well. The northern half of the Central Valley receives more precipitation than the semi-southern half. Frost sometimes occurs in the winter months, but snow is extremely rare there. Low-hanging fog is common in the Central Valley, known in this area as “Tule fog”.
The climate of Crescent City
Crescent City is a small town in northern California, in Del Norte County. Crescent City is located on Redwood National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This national park contains a number of sequoias, one of the largest tree species in the world. These had almost completely disappeared due to the activity of prospectors and loggers. Crescent City is located in an area that is very prone to tsunamis. More than 17 tsunamis have occurred here since 1946. Most of these tsunamis are barely noticeable, but some have caused minor damage. One tsunami in 1964 caused massive damage and also claimed several lives.
Crescent City has a temperate climate, which in short means that the place does not experience large temperature fluctuations, but there is a clear difference between the seasons. Crescent City is one of the wettest places in California, the annual rainfall here is 1,800 mm. The wettest months are from October to March, the wettest month is January with 340mm and the driest month is August, with less than 13mm. The highest temperature recorded in Crescent City was 34°C. The lowest temperature was -7°C.
The Climate of the Death Valley
Death Valley is a valley that lies at a depth of 85.5 meters below sea level in the national park of the same name, in eastern California. The sheltered location between the mountains ensures an extremely dry and hot climate. Death Valley is one of the hottest places on earth and has a warm desert climate (type Bwh according to the Köppen-Geiger classification). Daytime temperatures in the summer months of 45 to 50 degrees in the shade make it almost unbearable outside your air-conditioned rental car. If you want to take pictures or film in the summer, you will have to take into account that the lens will fog up almost immediately as soon as you take the camera out of the car. Depending on the humidity and time of day, you will need about 10 to 25 minutes for your camera to acclimate.
A very special phenomenon that occurs on the racetrack plain in Death Valley are the mysterious walking stones. These Sailing Stones, sometimes weighing several hundred kilos, move over the ground of the plain. Each stone follows its own path and there is no scientific explanation for the way the stones move. Several theories have been proposed, but to date there is no scientific explanation.
The amount of precipitation that falls here is limited to about 40 to 50 millimeters on an annual basis, most of which falls in the winter months. In the hot summers the chance of precipitation is very small. Strange as it may seem, in the winter months you can see a white layer in Death Valley. Although winter sports are definitely not an option in this region, snowfall is certainly possible in the cooler months of December, January and to a lesser extent November and February. In winter, the temperature regularly dips below freezing at night.
The climate of Desert Hot Springs
Desert Hot Springs is a small town in the interior of the US state of California. Geographically, Desert Hot Springs is located in the Coachella Valley. This is an arid rift valley within the Colorado desert. If you look at the name Desert Hot Springs, you will already understand what this town will be known for. Desert Hot Springs has several natural springs. As a result, in the middle of the last century, not long after the foundation of the place, tourism developed. Desert Hot Springs has several small spa hotels and boutique hotels. Characteristic is the emphatic presence of the Pueblo Revival architecture, which is more common in this region.
Desert Hot Springs has a warm desert climate. Within the Köppen-Geiger climate classification we are talking about the BWh climate. The desert hot springs’ climate is characterized by high temperatures and low amounts of precipitation. Due to the somewhat higher location within the Coachella Valley and the typical summer winds, Desert Hot Springs is several degrees cooler than in other places in the region. In winter, thanks to its sheltered location, it is slightly warmer. Desert Hot Springs is a popular tourist destination, especially during the winter season. Then the maximum temperatures are usually between 18 and 26 degrees.
In the summer it gets sweltering in Desert Hot Springs. The average maximums in July and August rise to above 40 degrees. During the hottest days, the mercury can reach up to 50 degrees. Very occasionally, that extremely high limit is even reached. The chance of rain in Desert Hot Springs is not that great. During the ‘wettest’ months (January and February) there is on average some precipitation for three days in the month. In the summer it hardly rains.
The climate of Fresno
Fresno is one of the largest cities in the US state of California. In total, more than half a million people live here, making it the fifth largest city in all of California. Fresno is located in the San Joaquin Valley, which in turn is part of the greater Central Valley. Geographically, Fresno is close to the center of California. From a touristic point of view, Fresno is mainly a stopping point during a tour through the southwest of the US. The location at the intersection of various routes through California ensures that quite a few tourists plan an overnight stay here. In terms of places of interest, they can, for example, visit the Fresno Art Museum or the Forestiere Underground Gardens. The Shinzen Japanese Garden is also a popular destination. You will find this Japanese garden in Woodward Park.
Fresno has a warm steppe climate. Within the Köppen climate system, this climate type is indicated by the letter code BSh. It is also referred to as a semi-arid climate. Fresno’s climate statistics show quite impressive values: on an annual basis you can count on more than 3500 hours of sunshine, while the number of days per year with precipitation is below fifty. The annual precipitation sum is on average just under three hundred millimeters. There can be considerable differences. For example, the rainfall total during a dry year can fall below 150 millimeters, while the wetter years sometimes register more than 500 mm.
Winters in Fresno are mild to warm. The average maximum temperatures in winter are between 20 and 23 degrees. In the summer months, these rise to an average of 33 to 37 degrees, sometimes with peaks of well above 40 degrees. The relatively low relative humidity in the summer means that it is quite bearable in Fresno.
The climate of Hollywood
Hollywood is a place in the state of California, in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Hollywood is attached to the city of Los Angeles, but is not part of the city. Hollywood is known all over the world as the mecca of the film industry: almost all major film productions come from here. The Hollywood sign in the hills is perhaps as famous as the city itself. The Hollywood Walk of Fame is also a famous attraction here. Even the streets and neighborhoods here almost all sound familiar, just think of Mulholland Drive and Melrose Avenue. Because Hollywood is tied to both Los Angeles and Beverly Hills, the climate is virtually no different from that of these two places.
Hollywood has a Mediterranean climate, receiving just enough annual precipitation to avoid being classified as a warm Mediterranean climate. Hollywood enjoys plenty of sunshine year-round, with an average of 320 days of sunshine and only 40 days of measurable precipitation per year. The period from May to October is warm to hot and dry, with high temperatures. The period from November to April is mild and rainy. As in the rest of California, dense fog can be frequent here, especially in the morning hours. The climate here is generally pleasantly mild.
The climate of Huntington Beach
When talking about a beach vacation in California, many people immediately think of the metropolis of Los Angeles, especially Venice Beach and Santa Monica Beach. Huntington Beach, a little further south, is less known to the general public. A pity, because this seaside resort offers excellent weather conditions for a beach holiday almost all year round. Huntington Beach is also suitable for a winter sun holiday because of the very mild climate. Here you will find a no less than 15.3 kilometers long sandy beach where you can sunbathe.
Surf City
Huntington Beach is one of the best destinations in the US for surfers to practice their sport. Not only is the weather cooperating, the wave conditions are generally excellent for surfing. The ocean waves are amplified by a natural effect caused by the fringe diffraction of open ocean waves off Santa Catalina Island. Due to the relatively low sea water temperature, you will see many surfers surfing with a wetsuit. The ocean water along Huntington Beach doesn’t get much warmer than 19 to 20 degrees. Some years there are peaks of 21 or even 22 degrees, but then you are lucky. In winter, the water temperature is on average around 14 to 15 degrees.
Climate
Huntington Beach’s climate is on the border of the semi-arid BSk climate and the Mediterranean Csb climate. The amount of precipitation is very limited with an average of 240 to 270 millimeters on an annual basis and the sun shines exuberantly. With an average of 3,200 hours of annual sunshine, Huntington Beach is one of the sunniest beach resorts in the United States. In the period May to mid-September it even hardly rains in Huntington Beach. Combine that with 9 to 11 hours of sunshine per day and maximum temperatures that are mainly around the very pleasant value of 20 to 25 degrees, and you understand that it is wonderful to stay in Huntington Beach in the summer.
The climate of Imperial Valley
Imperial Valley is a region in southeastern California. Imperial Valley is also known as Imperial County. The capital of this county is El Centro. Two other great places are Calexico and Brawley. The main source of income is agriculture, but in recent years tourism here has also become more and more popular and many people who go to Salton Sea spend their holidays in this region. Because the Imperial Valley also has a desert part, the region is also very popular with the major Hollywood producers and several major blockbusters have already been filmed here.
The Imperial Valley often has temperatures well above 40 degrees Celsius in summer, but from late October to mid-April the temperature is relatively mild and can sometimes get quite cold. The sun doesn’t shine all the time, but Imperial Valley has the most hours of sunshine in the United States. Even during the winter months, the Imperial Valley averages more than eight hours of sunshine per day. Historically the lowest minimum temperature ever recorded in the Imperial Valley was -8 degrees Celsius. The highest temperature ever recorded is 49 degrees Celsius. It has snowed only once since it was measured in the Imperial Valley.
The climate of Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park is a national park in the southeastern US state of California. The park is named after the Yucca brevifolia (trees) that occur here. These yuccas are called Joshua trees. The more than 1,700 square kilometer area consists of desert landscapes with many open spaces. The vegetation mainly consists of the Joshua trees, low shrubs and the California juniper. Two deserts converge within Joshua Tree National Park: the Colorado and Mohave Deserts. This latter desert is slightly cooler due to its higher location.
Characteristic of the Joshua Tree National Park are the rock formations. Many hills consist of loose fragments, the so-called boulders. This makes Joshua Tree National Park very popular among rock climbers who enjoy bouldering.
Joshua Tree National Park has a warm desert climate. This causes quite large differences between the highest and lowest temperatures. In the coolest months (December and January), minimum temperatures are just above freezing, measured at 946 meters above sea level. In the same spot, at the Cottonwood Visitor Center, maximum temperatures in the summer months average around 34 to 37 degrees Celsius. During the warmer days it can easily reach over 40 degrees. The low relative humidity makes it somewhat bearable in the desert landscape of Joshua Tree National Park. Drinking enough water (bring your own!) is essential during the hottest days, especially if you are going to be active.
The climate of Kings Canyon National Park
Immediately north of Sequoia National Park is Kings Canyon National Park. Both parks are actually managed as one national park. Within the national park, the namesake, the Kings Canyon, is considered a highlight. Or should we say low point? Because this gorge formed by a glacier has a depth of about a whole mile, which is roughly 1600 meters. In the mountainous Kings Canyon National Park, there are also considerable mountain peaks. The highest mountains have peaks of around four thousand meters, with a highest point of 4343 meters above sea level. By car there is only one direct access to the park. That’s the entrance at Grant Grove. There are mainly sequoias here, the so-called sequoias.
Large parts of Kings Canyon National Park have a warm or temperate Mediterranean climate. Only at higher altitudes do you see different climate types, such as the temperate continental climate and the tundra climate. The altitude largely determines what kind of climate you have to deal with in Kings Canyon National Park. The winters are cool and have quite a bit of snow. It is not for nothing that the access road to the Kings Canyon is closed in the winter. It is then impassable.
About 1000 millimeters of precipitation falls on an annual basis. There may be some differences per area within the park. For the mountains it makes a significant difference whether you are on the windward or leeward side. In all cases, there is considerably more precipitation in winter than in the much drier summer months.
The climate of Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach is located in Orange County, in southern California. This place is best known for its beaches, which some say are among the most beautiful in California. For example, 1000 Steps Beach is a popular beach in Laguna Beach. But the hotels, shops and galleries in Laguna Beach are also of high quality. Laguna Beach is one of California’s oldest cities and was founded just after the Civil War. If you head inland from here, you’ll soon come across the San Joaquin Hills. This is a low ridge, but it does have some influence on the climate of Laguna Beach.
Due to its location in a warm Mediterranean climate, Laguna Beach has a warm and dry climate all year round. The average annual temperature is 16.6 degrees Celsius and the annual precipitation is 344 millimeters. Summer is characterized by long periods of drought. The hottest months are July, August and September, with a monthly average temperature of over 20 degrees. Without the coastal location it would be much warmer, but the sea breeze tempers the temperature. The highest temperature measured here is 42.2 degrees. In the summer months it rarely rains. In winter it is slightly cooler. The coldest months are January, February and December, with an average of 13 degrees Celsius. Almost the entire annual precipitation falls in the period from December to March. Laguna Beach also suffers from the so-called Santa Ana winds, which penetrate through the Santa Ana Mountains northeast of the city. These can sometimes lead to severe heat waves in Laguna Beach.
The climate of Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is a large lake on the border of California and Nevada. Lake Tahoe is one of the largest freshwater lakes in the United States. The lake is located in the Sierra Nevada, a mountain range that is very popular among winter sports enthusiasts. Around the lake on the various slopes of the Sierra Nevada are several ski areas, including that of Squaw Valley, where the 1960 Winter Olympics were hosted. In the summer months, the area is also ideal for mountain biking and mountain walks. The lake itself is of course ideal for various water sports, especially diving is a popular activity here. The area around the lake was originally inhabited by the Washoe, a native Indian tribe.
Average annual precipitation ranges from above 1,400 mm in the areas on the western side of the basin to 660 mm on the eastern side of the basin. Most of the precipitation falls as snow between November and April. There is significant runoff of snowmelt in late spring and early summer, which can cause flooding. In summer, storms from the Great Basin can bring heavy rainfall, especially on the eastern side of the basin. August is typically the hottest month around Lake Tahoe. January is the coolest month. The highest temperature measured here is 37.2 °C, the lowest -33.9 °C. Temperatures below freezing can occur here any month of the year.
The climate of Long Beach
Long Beach is located in the south of the state of California on the Pacific Ocean, in the county of Los Angeles. Long Beach has one of the largest ports in the world and is one of the most important in America. The first inhabitants of this region were the Tongva Indians, who lived here until the 19th century. A tropical storm made landfall here in the last century, the Long Beach Tropical Storm. This storm caused a lot of damage in Long Beach and the places behind it, there were also several deaths during this tropical storm.
Due to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, temperatures in Long Beach are moderate throughout the year. During the summer months, low clouds and fog can be common, developing at night and blanketing the area. This fog usually disappears in the afternoon. Due to the western sea wind that blows here, high temperatures and precipitation rarely occur together. This ensures that the humidity remains low and that the many heat waves in Long Beach remain bearable. The Palos Verde Hills block the airflow from east to west and also keep the rain out of Long Beach that affects other coastal towns in Los Angeles County, such as Manhattan Beach and Santa Monica. As in most places in southern California, the majority of rainfall falls during the winter months.
The climate of Los Angeles
Los Angeles (city of angels), is located on the west coast of the United States in the state of California. It has a warm Mediterranean climate, with spring-like winters and warm summers. The number of hours of sunshine here is at a high level almost all year round, precipitation is relatively little in this part of the state of California. Most precipitation falls in the form of rain in the winter months. Snow and sleet are phenomena for which you should not be in LA. Yet it is not always the beautiful weather here as you often see in the films and television series. Especially in January and February there is a chance of a few days with mainly gray weather and wet, giving the city a completely different look.
A striking fact is that it is almost always sunny spring-like weather at Christmas. The feeling of a white Christmas so often evoked by movies produced in Los Angeles (Hollywood) is something that is not known in real life in LA. The winters are much too mild for that.
The climate of Malibu
Malibu is a city in the US state of California. Malibu is often seen as a suburb of the more southerly metropolis of Los Angeles. However, the atmosphere in Malibu is different than in the big city. Malibu is much more relaxed, partly due to the prominent surf scene on the coast. In total Malibu has about 34 kilometers of coastline, along which several beaches are located. The mostly good weather, in combination with the almost always present waves, ensures that you have excellent conditions for surfing along the coast near Malibu.
The mild Mediterranean climate in Malibu means that it never really gets winter, that the summers are generally pleasantly warm and that the amounts of rain are limited. On an annual basis, there is an average of 300 to 350 millimeters of precipitation. That is not even half of what we are used to in the Netherlands. That the sun shines exuberantly is an added advantage of the typical climate for Malibu. Spring and summer in particular are very sunny, but you don’t have to be afraid of longer periods with gray and gloomy weather in Malibu even during the winter months. Average maximum temperatures range from about 16 to 18 degrees in winter to about 21 to 23 degrees in summer. Minimum temperatures are always above freezing. In exceptional circumstances, Malibu can occasionally experience frost on the ground in winter.
The climate of Malibu Beach
Some confuse Malibu with Malibu Beach. What few know is that the city of Malibu has a coastline of no less than 21 miles (34 kilometers), which is bordered by several beaches. Malibu Beach is just one of Malibu’s beaches. The most famous part is Malibu Colony Beach. This is mainly referred to by locals as simply Malibu Beach. It is a much filmed part of Malibu. The 23000 block of Malibu Colony Road is particularly well known. For example, a part of the leader of the popular television series ‘Two and a half Men’ was filmed there. The indoor shots were made in a studio. The Hollywood movie set looks exactly like a Malibu Beach house.
There is no public access to this beach, on which the capital beach houses stand. At low tide you can go to the beach via the wet part. Otherwise, there is another unofficial access at 24056 Malibu Road, which requires a climb over large boulders.
Malibu Beach has a wonderful climate, which is seen as a Mediterranean climate within the Köppen-Geiger climate classification . The air temperature is pleasant and mild for much of the year. On average, the maximum temperatures are mainly between 15 and 25 degrees. In winter it rarely gets much cooler and in summer the maximum temperature rarely rises to values above the tropical limit of 30 degrees. The perceived temperature is mainly influenced by the wind direction. With a westerly to southerly wind, the ocean water can provide a cooling factor.
The climate of Marina del Rey
Marina del Rey is an unincorporated community within the metropolitan area of Los Angeles. It is also the largest man-made marina in the United States, with room for as many as 5,000 boats. All kinds of boat trips are organized from Marina del Rey. You can also rent all kinds of equipment here to go out on the water. This includes kayaks and paddleboards. In Marina del Rey, the buildings mainly consist of apartment complexes. Many of the residences in these buildings are ‘second homes’. An artificial sandy beach has been created within the marina, the Marina Beach. The true beach lover prefers to visit the beach of Venice Beach, which is only 750 meters away as the crow flies.
Marina del Rey has a Mediterranean climate. This means that the winter months are a bit wetter, but still very mild in terms of temperature. The summer period is mainly dry and warm. Precipitation is rare in the period June to October. Sometimes it can be completely dry for weeks, while the sun shows itself a lot. It is not for nothing that such a huge marina has been built on this location. Here you can make the most of your boat. In the period from June to October maximum temperatures of 24 to 28 degrees are normal. During heat waves, in which warm air is brought in from the interior, the mercury can rise to well above thirty degrees.
The climate of Monterey
Monterey is one of the nicer towns on the California coast. The seaside resort has an attractive historic center and great beach life. It’s not for nothing that Monterey fills up with people from big cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles during the weekends and holidays. Many a person with deep pockets owns a second home in Monterey. A normal home costs about 50% more than what you pay on average within California. If you want a view of the Pacific Ocean, you lose a small fortune. For tourists driving the scenic route along the California coast, Monterey is a popular stopover. The fact that the famous 17 Mile Drive is located near Monterey certainly contributes to this.
Monterey has a Mediterranean climate (Csb climate within the Köppen-Geiger climate classification), which tends to a temperate maritime climate. This is mainly because the maximum temperatures in the summer are clearly tempered by the relatively cool seawater of the Pacific Ocean. If you want to swim in it, you should not be afraid of cold feet. The average water temperature in winter is between 12-13 degrees and a maximum of 15 degrees in the summer months. That’s not exactly a warm bath, so to speak. The air temperatures are getting higher. In winter the maximums are around 14 to 16 degrees Celsius, while in summer the average maximum is 20 to 22 degrees Celsius. The nice thing about Monterey is that you have the chance of spring-like or warm days almost all year round. It can easily get well above twenty degrees in November.
The climate of Oakland
Oakland is a large city on the San Francisco Bay. Oakland is located east of the city of San Francisco. Along with San Francisco, Berkeley, and San Jose, Oakland forms the San Francisco Bay Area. This makes it a metropolitan area that is one of the largest in the United States. Oakland originated during the gold rush that was going on in California in the mid-1800s. The rapidly rising land prices in San Francisco caused people to settle on the other side of the bay. After the necessary setbacks in the twentieth century, Oakland recovered after the turn of the millennium. This resulted in sharply increasing prices for real estate. Oakland is now one of the most expensive cities in America in terms of rent.
Oakland has a warm Mediterranean climate. Winters are very mild, with the weather best described as spring-like. In summer the maximum temperatures are often somewhere between 20 and 25 degrees. It is striking that fairly rapid increases or decreases in temperature can occur, especially in the warmer summer months. It all has to do with cooler air moving inland from the Pacific Ocean. In the morning, this can create a layer of fog in Oakland.
The climate of Palm Springs
Palm Springs is located in southern California in Riverside County. Palm Springs is located about 150 kilometers from Los Angeles and is therefore very popular as an outdoor destination for people from Los Angeles and the surrounding area. Both the mountains and the desert have a great attraction for this group. The many oases in this area provide a magnificent spectacle of colors that has attracted artists for many years. The cable car on Mount San Jacinto offers an amazing view of Palm Springs and its surroundings.
Palm Springs is located in the Coachella Valley desert, sheltered by the San Bernardino Mountains to the north, the Santa Rosa Mountains to the south, the San Jacinto Mountains to the west, and the small San Bernardino Mountains to the east. Due to this sheltered location, Palm Springs has a hot, dry climate, with 354 days of sunshine per year and less than 150mm of rainfall per year. The winter months are warm, with daily high temperatures and low temperatures rarely falling below 6°C. The dry desert heat of summer pushes daytime temperatures well above 41°C. The temperature record in Palm Springs is 51 °C.
The climate of Sacramento
Sacramento is the capital of the state of California and is located on the river of the same name, in Sacramento County. Sacramento is located on the north side of the Central Valley, which is also known as the Sacramento Valley. Sacramento is originally a gold prospector city, before that the Nisenan and Plains Miwok (Indians) lived in this region.
Sacramento has a Mediterranean climate, characterized by cool, wet winters and hot, dry summers. Most precipitation generally falls from October to April. The highest temperature ever recorded here is 46 degrees Celsius. The lowest temperature was -8 degrees Celsius. Normally, even on the coldest winter days, the temperature always stays above freezing. During the summer heat waves, the temperature regularly exceeds 40 degrees Celsius for several days in a row. The summer heat is often tempered by a sea breeze known as the “Delta Breeze”. This wind comes from the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta from the San Francisco Bay.
On average almost 100 days a year there is some degree of fog, which usually occurs in the morning and is also called tulle fog. The months with the most fog are December and January. Tule fog can be extremely dense and affect visibility on the road in such a way that it can create dangerous situations. Snowfall is extremely rare in Sacramento.
The climate of Salton Sea
Salton Sea is a saltwater lake in southeastern California. The lake is fed by the New river, the Alomo and the Whitewater. The lake has a higher salinity than the Pacific Ocean, the salt enters the water here due to the high salt and mineral content of the soil here. Several mud volcanoes form around the Salton Sea, a natural phenomenon caused by mud and gas emerging from underground reservoirs. The area around the Salton Sea is home to many bird species, including pelicans. Fish species are becoming less common here, mainly because the salinity here is increasing and no fish is actually resistant to this.
The Salton Sea often has temperatures well above 40 degrees Celsius in summer, but from the end of October to mid-April the climate here is somewhat milder and therefore also somewhat cooler. The sun doesn’t shine all the time, but Salton Sea, like the Imperial Valley, has the most hours of sunshine in the United States. Even during the winter months, the Imperial Valley averages more than eight hours of sunshine per day. Historically the lowest minimum temperature ever recorded in the Salton Sea was -8 degrees Celsius. The highest temperature ever recorded is 49 degrees Celsius.
The climate of San Diego
San Diego is located in the county of the same name on the west coast of the state of California. San Diego is one of the top five richest cities in America. San Diego is rich in a large number of museums, the most important of which are found together in Balboa Park. San Diego also has a rich sports culture and almost every branch of sport is represented at the highest level. San Diego is also known for its skate and surf culture. San Diego is also very popular with tourists, especially for its many animal and amusement parks, such as Seaworld and Legoland.
According to the Köppen climate classification, San Diego and the area around this place have a Mediterranean climate in the north and a warm steppe climate in the south and east. San Diego’s climate is characterized by warm, dry summers and mild winters, with most of the annual precipitation falling between November and March. The climate in the San Diego area, as in many of the areas in California, often varies widely over short geographic distances, leading to microclimates. In the case of San Diego, this is primarily due to the city’s topography (the bay, its many hills, mountains, and canyons). A thick cloud cover keeps the air cool and moist a few miles from the coast, but won’t release the rain until about ten kilometers inland.
The climate of San Francisco
San Francisco is located on the west coast of the United States and is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful cities in America. Alcatraz Island, the Golden Gate Bridge, historic funiculars and hills are signature symbols of this gay-friendly city. The San Francisco metropolitan area includes the cities of San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland, and Berkeley. This urban area is also often referred to as the San Francisco Bay Area.
San Francisco has a temperate maritime climate, with mild winters and fairly cool summers due to the cold seawater tempering the temperature in the summer. The cold seawater is caused by the supply of the water by the California Gulf Stream. San Francisco is a great city, but as a beach destination only suitable for tough guys and tough girls who dare to brave seawater temperatures of up to 15 degrees.
What is striking about the climate of San Francisco is the fact that the temperature differences between winter and summer are quite small and they also increase very gradually towards the warmest month of September. The fact that September is the hottest month and not July or August—which is common in similar climates in the Northern Hemisphere—is one of the typical traits of Bay Area weather. Also characteristic is that during the summer the chance of rain is very low and the sun shines on average 95% of the theoretically possible time during the months of July, August and September. The number of hours of sunshine here in the summer months is therefore at a very high level by American standards and even exceeds a fairly large number of sun destinations on our own Mediterranean Sea.
The winter period is a bit less sunny. In the months of December and January it is completely cloudy over San Francisco half the time. In the spring and autumn there is a good chance of fog moving onto the land from the sea. This phenomenon is somewhat typical for this region and is caused by the temperature differences between the cool seawater and the heat further inland. In the summer months you mainly experience this in the morning hours, after that it clears up quickly and the relative humidity drops to very low values of around 30 percent for this time of year in America.
The climate of Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara is located in southwestern California in Santa Barbara County. Santa Barbara is located on the Pacific Ocean. The city is also known as the American Riviera. This is also the reason why so many tourists visit this beach town and provide Santa Barbara’s main source of income. For the tourists, many spectacular events are organized every year. The Los Padres National Forest is located a few kilometers inland, a very large nature reserve that includes the Big Sur area. Santa Barbara owes its great name recognition in the rest of the world mainly to the soap opera of the same name.
Santa Barbara has a Mediterranean climate, with pleasantly warm summers and mild winters. The rainfall here is mainly concentrated in the autumn and winter months. Like almost the entire southwest coast of California, Santa Barbara regularly has to deal with the so-called tulle fog, which can cause problems on the roads, especially in the early morning. The coastal area here is considerably drier than if you go a few kilometers inland. Also in this region you have to take into account the formation of smog.
The climate of Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz is located on the Pacific Ocean in western California. Santa Cruz is the capital of the county of the same name. Santa Cruz’s location on the Monterey Bay makes the city very popular with tourists. Located on a bay, Santa Cruz is graced by quiet beaches with a unique flora and fauna. There are even dolphins in the bay. Santa Cruz is very popular with surfers and a number of major manufacturers have important branches in this city. The size and shape of the waves here seem to be unique to this region. Since beach life is the main attraction of Santa Cruz, the place is also known as Santa Cruz Beach. It’s actually about the same town along the California coast.
Santa Cruz has a Mediterranean climate, characterized by cool, wet winters and warm, mainly dry summers. Due to its proximity to Monterey Bay, fog and low cloud are common during the night and early morning hours, especially in summer. The highest temperature ever recorded here is 42°C. The lowest temperature -7 °C. Most of the rain in Santa Cruz falls from November to April. There are an average of 65 measurable rainy days per year. Sporadically severe storms occur here, causing heavy rains and strong wind gusts.
The climate of Santa Monica
Santa Monica is located in western Los Angeles County on Santa Monica Bay in the state of California. The coastal part of this place is also called Dogtown. This mainly among the youth and in the surf and skateboard community. Many software companies have their headquarters or at least a branch in Santa Monica. The best known of these are Microsoft, Yahoo and Google. There are also many computer game designers in Santa Monica. One of the main tourist attractions is the Santa Monica pier. A small permanent amusement park can be found on this pier.
Santa Monica has an average of 310 sunny days per year. In the summer months, dense fog and low-hanging clouds regularly occur here, causing light rain showers in early summer. The fog is usually dispelled by the sun, but some days it is too thick and remains populated here, while the rest of Los Angeles County is sunny and dry. As a general rule, you can say that the coastal areas here are 3 to 5 degrees cooler than the places more inland. September is generally the warmest month in Santa Monica. In the winter months there are regular dry winds that come from the Santa Anas. The rainy season lasts from the end of October to the end of March.
Santa Monica usually enjoys a cool breeze from the ocean, which keeps the air fresh and clean. That’s why Santa Monica is less affected by smog than elsewhere in Los Angeles.
The climate of Sausalito
The name Sausalito will ring a bell with few potential tourists for the state of California. Yet many visitors to California and specifically to the city of San Francisco also end up in Sausalito. That’s because this village is across the street from San Francisco crossing the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge. About two kilometers after crossing US 101 over the Golden Gate, you arrive in almost idyllic Sausalito. At least that’s how it feels when you arrive here from the big city. If you have come to Sausalito by bike over the Golden Gate Bridge, you can return to San Francisco from here by ferry. During this crossing you come fairly close to the island of Alcatrazwhere famous mobster Al Capone was imprisoned.
The weather in Sausalito is influenced by two factors: latitude and the Pacific Ocean. Where Sausalito is located, there is a cool Gulf Stream. The relatively cool ocean water means that you notice that the temperatures are tempered, especially in the summer. In the winter period, the ocean has a slightly warming effect, but a sea breeze can also cause the temperature to drop. The difference between the average highest and lowest maximum temperatures within a year is quite small. In winter the maximums are around 13 to 16 degrees, while during the warmer summer months they average just above twenty degrees.
The climate of Sequoia National Park
Sequoia National Park is one of the great national parks to discover during your California vacation. Sequoia National Park is best known for the many giant sequoias that grow here. Some of these huge trees reach heights of up to 100 meters and are thousands of years old. Within the park, the Giant Forest is the most famous forest. This includes the largest tree in the park, General Sherman. This Sequoiadendron giganteum is no less than 83.8 meters high and has a diameter of more than 11 meters. In terms of trunk volume, it is the largest tree in the world. In Sequoia National Park is also the highest mountain of the 48 contiguous states of the US, Mount Whitney. Because of its elevation, Mount Whitney’s climate differs markedly from much of the rest of Sequoia National Park.
If we look at the weather in Sequoia National Park, you can see that there are sometimes reasonable differences within the park. This is partly caused by differences in height and vegetation. You can see that at the visitor center of the Giant Forest (1721 meters altitude) the average maximum temperature in summer is between 23 and 27 degrees. On Mount Whitney, it’s only 9 to 12 degrees. On this mountain, the maximums from November to May are even below freezing, while the temperatures at night can dip towards freezing levels.
In Sequoia National Park, the chance of precipitation is higher in the winter season. The summer months (July and August) can even be described as very dry. The higher you go within the park, the more likely it is that precipitation will fall in the form of snow instead of rain.
The climate of Shasta Cascade
Shasta Cascade is a region in northeastern California. The capital of this region is Redding. There are eight counties in this region, namely Butte, Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Siskiyou, Tehama and Trinity. This region also has no fewer than seven so-called National Forests. The area is best known for its many rivers, lakes and waterfalls. The many water features make the Shasta Cascade very popular with the more adventurous traveler. But it also has a huge attraction for anglers who can be found everywhere here.
The winter, which lasts from October to April, offers the most precipitation of all seasons, in general it is rainy or foggy here almost every day. Summers are hot and dry, but rain is possible, usually from a thunderstorm. The average daily maximum temperature in July remains close to 36 degrees Celsius.
The climate of Solvang
Solvang sounds Scandinavian, but is located in the American state of California. The un-English name is not a coincidence. Solvang was founded in 1911 by Danish pioneers. These Danes have deliberately moved west to avoid the cold winters of the US Midwest. She did that just fine. In Solvang it is a lot warmer and sunnier than the mountainous areas further east. Due to its quintessential Danish appearance, Solvang has become a much-loved tourist attraction, located fairly close to the popular auto route between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Here you can walk among the Danish architecture such as half-timbered houses and a real Danish windmill, or you can visit the Hans Christian Andersen Museum.
In Solvang you have a Mediterranean climate, just as the Danish founders wanted it to be. The winters here are a lot milder than inland and the summers are warm, without it often getting too hot. Its location about twenty kilometers from the Pacific Ocean ensures that this enormous body of water has a significant influence on the weather in Solvang. During the cooler winter months it is therefore still quite pleasant, with maximums averaging 16 to 22 degrees and minimums averaging just under 10 degrees. In summer it is often very pleasant in Solvang. Count on maximum temperatures of about 22 to 27 degrees and minimums around 15 degrees.
The sun is visible for a large part of the year. Relatively speaking, March, April and May are the sunniest. In the absolute number of hours of sunshine, the summer month of July is the winner. It mainly rains in Solvang in the period from December to March. On average, less than 500 millimeters of precipitation falls on an annual basis. That is almost always in the form of rain. Very sporadically, a single flake of snow can fall during the night.
The climate of Tahoe City
Tahoe City (also called Sunnyside) is located in the eastern part of the state of California in the County Placer. Tahoe City is part of the Sacramento–Arden-Arcade–Roseville Metropolitan Statistical Area. Tahoe City is located on the northwest shore of Lake Tahoe. Placer County is located entirely in the Sierra Nevada and used to be called Gold County. Until the arrival of the prospectors, the Nisenan Indians lived in this area. The old Indian camps have been restored here and are now an important tourist attraction. The old gold mines can still be visited.
Lake Tahoe has a major influence on the climate here and ensures that the climate here is somewhat milder than in the rest of the Sierra Nevada. However, the presence of the lake also means that there is slightly more than average precipitation, but still less than on the west side of Lake Tahoe. Precipitation generally falls as snow in the winter months. Winters can be very cold and temperatures can’t rise above freezing for weeks on end.
The climate of Venice Beach
Venice Beach is located in the west of the county of Los Angeles in the state of California. Venice Beach is located on the Pacific Ocean and also borders the popular beach destination of Santa Monica. Venice Beach is the most popular beach in California. This is mainly because of its beautiful beaches, but also because of the many canals that run through the city. Venice Beach also owes its name to these canals. Venice Beach has many times been the scene of various Hollywood productions and a number of greats in the music industry have also paid tribute to this seaside resort. The band The Doors is said to have formed here on the beach. Venice Beach is very popular with surfers because of the separate gulf stream here.
Venice Beach has a mild Mediterranean climate, with more than 300 days of sunshine a year. Like most coastal towns in the state of California, the dry summers are due to a semi-permanent high pressure area that sits in the Pacific Ocean off Venice Beach and forms the more northerly portions of California. This causes the rain to fall more inland. In the summer months and in late spring, the so-called tulle fog is created here. This fog mainly occurs during the evening and early morning hours, but always disappears during the afternoon. The rainy season is November to early April, but this area receives about 12 inches of rainfall per year. Flash floods can occur when a large amount of rain falls in a short period of time.
The climate of Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is the most visited national park in the US state of California. Within the United States, Yosemite is number 5 on the list of most visited national parks. Yosemite National Park is located in eastern California, in the middle of the Sierra Nevada. Yosemite National Park is one of the oldest national parks in America and has also been a UNESCO World Heritage Site for several years. Yosemite National Park is best known for its giant sequoia trees and its spectacular granite mountains and precipices. The park is very popular with the more active holidaymaker. Most tourists spend a few days or weeks in this area and then take long walks or climb one of the beautiful rock formations. In the winter months you can ski in Badger Pass Ski Area.
Yosemite has a Mediterranean climate, which means that most precipitation falls in the mild winter, the other seasons are almost dry. The orographic lift takes the precipitation up to 2,400 meters. Snow falls in the higher regions almost all year round, but usually does not remain; in the winter months thick packs of snow collect here. The difference in the high and low pressure areas regularly causes severe thunderstorms here, which in turn cause forest fires. In recent years, unfortunately, wildfires have been increasing in Yosemite National Park. This is partly due to the combination of increasing heat and stronger winds that spread the fires at breakneck speed.
