Updated October 2026
Channel Islands National Park Weather by Month
Channel Islands National Park is warmest in August, when the nearest NOAA climate station averages a high of 72°F and a low of 57°F, and coldest in December, with an average high of 63°F and an average low of 42°F. January is the wettest month, with about 4.7 inches of precipitation.
These figures are NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals, the 30-year average for each calendar month, from the nearest long-record weather station, 29.6 miles from the park's reference point. A single station cannot describe a whole park: temperatures elsewhere in Channel Islands National Park can differ from these, particularly with elevation.
Warmest month
Aug
72°F avg high
Coldest month
Dec
42°F avg low
Wettest month
Jan
4.7 in avg
Longest days
Jun
14.3 h of daylight
Average weather at Channel Islands by month
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Precipitation | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 64°F | 43°F | 4.7 in | 10.0 h |
| February | 62°F | 44°F | 4.3 in | 10.8 h |
| March | 65°F | 46°F | 3.3 in | 11.7 h |
| April | 65°F | 48°F | 1.0 in | 12.9 h |
| May | 68°F | 51°F | 0.5 in | 13.8 h |
| June | 68°F | 54°F | 0.1 in | 14.3 h |
| July | 71°F | 57°F | 0.1 in | 14.1 h |
| August | 72°F | 57°F | 0.0 in | 13.3 h |
| September | 71°F | 56°F | 0.1 in | 12.2 h |
| October | 72°F | 51°F | 0.8 in | 11.1 h |
| November | 68°F | 46°F | 1.2 in | 10.2 h |
| December | 63°F | 42°F | 2.8 in | 9.7 h |
| Year total | 18.9 in |
NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals from station USW00053152, 29.6 miles from the park's reference point. Daylight is the monthly average, computed from the park's latitude. Each month links to how crowded Channel Islands is at that time of year.
Channel Islands weather by season
Winter: December to February
Average highs hold near 63°F in all three months, with average lows near 43°F. Together the three months average 11.8 inches of precipitation, about 62% of the yearly total and more than in any other season. Daylight is at its shortest, about 9.7 hours in December.
Spring: March to May
Average highs climb from 65°F in March to 68°F in May, with average lows between 46°F and 51°F. Together the three months average 4.8 inches of precipitation, about 25% of the yearly total. Daylight lengthens from about 11.7 hours in March to 13.8 in May.
Summer: June to August
Average highs climb from 68°F in June to 72°F in August, with average lows between 54°F and 57°F. Together the three months average 0.2 inches of precipitation, about 1% of the yearly total and less than in any other season. Daylight is at its longest, about 14.3 hours in June.
Fall: September to November
Average highs peak at 72°F in October, between 71°F in September and 68°F in November, with average lows between 46°F and 56°F. Together the three months average 2.1 inches of precipitation, about 11% of the yearly total. Daylight shortens from about 12.2 hours in September to 10.2 in November.
What the National Park Service says about the weather
In general, the islands have a Mediterranean climate year-round. Temperatures are relatively stable, with highs averaging in the mid-60s (°F) and lows in the low-50s. However, there are seasonal differences that visitors should take into consideration when visiting the park. In addition, visitors also should be aware that ocean and weather conditions vary considerably from day-to-day and island-to-island. For more information visit: http://www.nps.gov/chis/planyourvisit/weather.htm
Weather description courtesy of the National Park Service — official park site.
Today's forecast for Channel Islands
Averages describe a typical month, not this week. For current conditions and the seven-day outlook, the National Weather Service issues a forecast for the park's reference point at 33.99°N, 119.91°W. It covers that one spot, so other elevations in the park can differ from it, as they do from the averages above.
National Weather Service forecast for Channel Islands National Park →
Weather and crowds together
August, the warmest month, sees about 1.3× the visitors of the park's average month. July is the busiest month of the year and January the quietest. To see those crowds set against the weather for all twelve months, read the best time to visit Channel Islands National Park. For hotels, cabins and rentals close to the park, see where to stay near Channel Islands.
Where to stay near Channel Islands
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Top-rated places to stay near Channel Islands
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Frequently Asked Questions
August is the warmest month at Channel Islands National Park, with an average high of 72°F and an average low of 57°F. That is the 1991–2020 average at the nearest long-record NOAA station, 29.6 miles from the park's reference point. Temperatures inside the park can differ, particularly with elevation.
December is the coldest month at Channel Islands National Park, with an average low of 42°F and an average high of 63°F, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.
January is the wettest month, with about 4.7 inches of precipitation. August is the driest, averaging close to zero. The station records about 18.9 inches of precipitation in an average year.
Daylight at Channel Islands National Park runs from about 9.7 hours a day in December to about 14.3 hours in June, computed from the park's latitude.
Weather at nearby parks
Keep exploring
Sources: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (station USW00053152), daylight computed from latitude, weather description from the National Park Service, crowd levels from National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1979–2025). Updated 2026-10-11. Lodging results are provided by Stay22; WhenToVisitParks may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.