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Salinas, CA Weather by Month and Climate Averages
Monthly normals · Rain · Snow
Sunshine · Freeze dates · Records · Best time to visit
What is the weather like in Salinas, CA?
Salinas, CA gets 12.6 in of precipitation a year over about 56 rainy days. September is the warmest month (average high 74°F) and December the coldest (average low 41°F).
Mediterranean climate
Salinas, CA has warm summers and mild winters. Daytime highs range from about 62°F in December to 74°F in September. January is usually the wettest month. The most comfortable time to visit is typically February to November, when daytime highs sit near 69°F.
| Season | Months | Avg low | Avg high |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | Dec–Feb | 42° | 62° |
| Spring | Mar–May | 48° | 67° |
| Summer | Jun–Aug | 55° | 71° |
| Autumn | Sep–Nov | 50° | 72° |
How much rain does Salinas get?
Salinas gets 12.6 in of precipitation in an average year, spread over about 56 days with measurable rain. That is fewer rainy days than 78% of the US.
January is the wettest month, with 2.6 in. July is the driest, with 0.0 in. January has the most rainy days, about 9.
The longest dry spell in the last five years lasted 115 days, to September 29, 2023.
From September 2025 to August 2026 Salinas got 13.8 in of rain, against a normal of 12.6 in for those months. February 2026 had the most, with 4.0 in.
See where Salinas ranks: rainiest cities in the US, US cities with the most rainy days, rainiest cities in California.
Salinas weather by month
Salinas weather in January
In January, Salinas averages a high of 62°F and a low of 42°F. It gets 2.6 in of precipitation over about 9 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 43% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The January record high is 86°F (2014) and the record low is 22°F (2007).
Salinas weather in February
In February, Salinas averages a high of 63°F and a low of 43°F. It gets 2.4 in of precipitation over about 9 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 60% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The February record high is 88°F (2022) and the record low is 26°F (1989). February is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Salinas weather in March
In March, Salinas averages a high of 65°F and a low of 45°F. It gets 2.1 in of precipitation over about 9 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 46% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The March record high is 94°F (2026) and the record low is 29°F (1971). March is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Salinas weather in April
In April, Salinas averages a high of 67°F and a low of 47°F. It gets 0.9 in of precipitation over about 6 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 54% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The April record high is 100°F (2004) and the record low is 33°F (1976). April is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Salinas weather in May
In May, Salinas averages a high of 68°F and a low of 51°F. It gets 0.4 in of precipitation over about 3 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 59% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The May record high is 99°F (1976) and the record low is 38°F (1977). May is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Salinas weather in June
In June, Salinas averages a high of 70°F and a low of 53°F. It gets 0.1 in of precipitation over about 1 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 62% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The June record high is 105°F (2019) and the record low is 42°F (1970). June is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Salinas weather in July
In July, Salinas averages a high of 71°F and a low of 55°F. It gets 0.0 in of precipitation over about 0 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 63% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The July record high is 95°F (1970) and the record low is 46°F (2006). July is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Salinas weather in August
In August, Salinas averages a high of 72°F and a low of 56°F. It gets 0.0 in of precipitation over about 1 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 65% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The August record high is 97°F (2009) and the record low is 44°F (1975). August is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Salinas weather in September
In September, Salinas averages a high of 74°F and a low of 54°F. It gets 0.1 in of precipitation over about 1 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 69% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The September record high is 109°F (2017) and the record low is 40°F (1970). September is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Salinas weather in October
In October, Salinas averages a high of 74°F and a low of 50°F. It gets 0.6 in of precipitation over about 3 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 69% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The October record high is 105°F (1980) and the record low is 31°F (1971). October is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Salinas weather in November
In November, Salinas averages a high of 68°F and a low of 45°F. It gets 1.3 in of precipitation over about 6 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 60% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The November record high is 96°F (2012) and the record low is 27°F (2004). November is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Salinas weather in December
In December, Salinas averages a high of 62°F and a low of 41°F. It gets 2.1 in of precipitation over about 8 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 43% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The December record high is 85°F (2021) and the record low is 24°F (1998).
Sunshine, humidity and wind in Salinas
September is the sunniest month in Salinas, with estimated sunshine of 69% of daylight hours from ERA5 cloud cover. January is the cloudiest, at 43%. The annual cloud-cover estimate is 58% of daylight hours; it is not a measurement of sunshine duration. Salinas is sunnier than 82% of the US.
Humidity peaks in July at 80% and is lowest in February at 72%.
Wind averages 8 mph over the year, and June is the windiest month at 9 mph.
Salinas has about 6 days a year above 90°F. Salinas is cooler than 87% of the US.
Thunderstorms occur on about 3 days a year.
See where Salinas ranks: sunniest cities in the US, cloudiest cities in the US, hottest cities in the US.
First and last freeze in Salinas
The first fall freeze in Salinas typically comes around December 6, and the last spring freeze around February 9. That leaves a frost-free growing season of about 300 days.
Salinas weather records
These records cover SALINAS AP during 1970–2026. Earlier records or other stations in the city may differ.
The hottest temperature on record at the Salinas station is 109°F, on September 2, 2017. The coldest is 22°F, on January 13, 2007.
The wettest day in the available station history brought 3.2 in of precipitation, on December 11, 2014.
25 all-time records have been set at the station since 1970.
The annual mean temperature has changed by +0.4°F per decade since 1970.
The best time to visit Salinas
The most comfortable time to visit is typically February to November, when daytime highs sit near 69°F.
Winter (December–February) is mild, with average highs around 62°F and lows near 42°F.
Spring (March–May) is mild, with average highs around 67°F and lows near 48°F.
Summer (June–August) is warm, with average highs around 71°F and lows near 55°F. It can feel humid.
Autumn (September–November) is warm, with average highs around 72°F and lows near 50°F.
Monthly climate
| Month | Average low | Average high | Precip | Rain days | Wind | Humidity | Estimated sunshine | Record high | Record low |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 42° | 62° | 2.6 in | 9 | 7 mph | 77% | 43% | 86° | 22° |
| February | 43° | 63° | 2.4 in | 9 | 8 mph | 72% | 60% | 88° | 26° |
| March | 45° | 65° | 2.1 in | 9 | 7 mph | 76% | 46% | 94° | 29° |
| April | 47° | 67° | 0.95 in | 6 | 8 mph | 77% | 54% | 100° | 33° |
| May | 51° | 68° | 0.38 in | 3 | 9 mph | 78% | 59% | 99° | 38° |
| June | 53° | 70° | 0.07 in | 1 | 9 mph | 77% | 62% | 105° | 42° |
| July | 55° | 71° | 0.01 in | 0 | 9 mph | 80% | 63% | 95° | 46° |
| August | 56° | 72° | 0.03 in | 1 | 8 mph | 80% | 65% | 97° | 44° |
| September | 54° | 74° | 0.05 in | 1 | 7 mph | 79% | 69% | 109° | 40° |
| October | 50° | 74° | 0.60 in | 3 | 7 mph | 74% | 69% | 105° | 31° |
| November | 45° | 68° | 1.3 in | 6 | 6 mph | 72% | 60% | 96° | 27° |
| December | 41° | 62° | 2.1 in | 8 | 7 mph | 78% | 43% | 85° | 24° |
Station: SALINAS AP, 4 km from the city. Temperature normal baseline: 1991–2020, calculated from available NOAA GHCN-Daily observations. Available station history: 1970–2026; record values refer to this station and period, not the entire city’s history. Precipitation includes rain and the water equivalent of frozen precipitation; snowfall depth is shown separately when available. Sources and methods
From ERA5 reanalysis. Sunshine is estimated from cloud cover.
Salinas climate questions
How much rain does Salinas get?
Salinas gets 12.6 in of precipitation in an average year, over about 56 rainy days.
What is the wettest month in Salinas?
January is the wettest month in Salinas, with 2.6 in. July is the driest, with 0.0 in.
How many rainy days does Salinas have a year?
Salinas has about 56 days with measurable rain in an average year. January has the most, about 9.
What is the hottest month in Salinas?
September is the warmest month in Salinas, with an average high of 74°F.
What is the coldest month in Salinas?
December is the coldest month in Salinas, with an average low of 41°F.
What is the record high temperature in Salinas?
Within the available 1970–2026 station history, the record high at the Salinas station is 109°F, set on September 2, 2017. The record low is 22°F, on January 13, 2007.
What is the sunniest month in Salinas?
September is the sunniest month in Salinas, with estimated sunshine of 69% of daylight hours from ERA5 cloud cover. January is the cloudiest.
When is the first frost in Salinas?
The first fall freeze in Salinas typically comes around December 6. The last spring freeze is around February 9.
What is the best time to visit Salinas?
The most comfortable time to visit is typically February to November, when daytime highs sit near 69°F.