Updated October 2026
Pinnacles National Park Weather by Month
Pinnacles National Park is warmest in July, when the nearest NOAA climate station averages a high of 96°F and a low of 50°F, and coldest in December, with an average high of 62°F and an average low of 33°F. January and February are the wettest months, with about 3.5 inches of precipitation each.
These figures are NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals, the 30-year average for each calendar month, from the nearest long-record weather station, 0.6 miles from the park's reference point. A single station cannot describe a whole park: temperatures elsewhere in Pinnacles National Park can differ from these, particularly with elevation.
Warmest month
Jul
96°F avg high
Coldest month
Dec
33°F avg low
Longest days
Jun
14.5 h of daylight
Average weather at Pinnacles by month
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Precipitation | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 63°F | 34°F | 3.5 in | 9.8 h |
| February | 64°F | 36°F | 3.5 in | 10.7 h |
| March | 68°F | 38°F | 2.8 in | 11.7 h |
| April | 72°F | 39°F | 1.0 in | 12.9 h |
| May | 80°F | 43°F | 0.6 in | 13.9 h |
| June | 89°F | 47°F | 0.1 in | 14.5 h |
| July | 96°F | 50°F | 0.0 in | 14.3 h |
| August | 96°F | 50°F | 0.0 in | 13.4 h |
| September | 92°F | 48°F | 0.1 in | 12.2 h |
| October | 83°F | 43°F | 0.7 in | 11.0 h |
| November | 70°F | 37°F | 1.3 in | 10.0 h |
| December | 62°F | 33°F | 3.1 in | 9.5 h |
| Year total | 16.7 in |
NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals from station USC00046926, 0.6 miles from the park's reference point. Snowfall at the station totals about 0.1 inches in an average year. Daylight is the monthly average, computed from the park's latitude. Each month links to how crowded Pinnacles is at that time of year.
Pinnacles weather by season
Winter: December to February
Average highs hold near 63°F in all three months, with average lows between 33°F and 36°F. Together the three months average 10.1 inches of precipitation, about 60% of the yearly total and more than in any other season. Daylight is at its shortest, about 9.5 hours in December.
Spring: March to May
Average highs climb from 68°F in March to 80°F in May, with average lows between 38°F and 43°F. Together the three months average 4.4 inches of precipitation, about 26% of the yearly total. Daylight lengthens from about 11.7 hours in March to 13.9 in May.
Summer: June to August
Average highs climb from 89°F in June to 96°F in August, with average lows between 47°F and 50°F. The average high is 90°F or hotter in July and August. Together the three months average 0.1 inches of precipitation, about 1% of the yearly total and less than in any other season. Daylight is at its longest, about 14.5 hours in June.
Fall: September to November
Average highs fall from 92°F in September to 70°F in November, with average lows between 37°F and 48°F. The average high is 90°F or hotter in September. Together the three months average 2.1 inches of precipitation, about 13% of the yearly total. Daylight shortens from about 12.2 hours in September to 10.0 in November.
What the National Park Service says about the weather
Pinnacles National Park has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers, and mild winters with moderate precipitation. The park is several miles inland from the Pacific Ocean. A wider variation in seasonal temperatures can be expected in the local area. Summers are hot with temperatures above 100 degrees. Winters are cooler with highs in the 60s. Big swings in temperature occur between day and night, year round.
Weather description courtesy of the National Park Service — official park site.
Today's forecast for Pinnacles
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 36.49°N, 121.18°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 Pinnacles National Park →
Weather and crowds together
July, the warmest month, sees about 1.0× the visitors of the park's average month. March is the busiest month of the year and September the quietest. To see those crowds set against the weather for all twelve months, read the best time to visit Pinnacles National Park. For hotels, cabins and rentals close to the park, see where to stay near Pinnacles.
Where to stay near Pinnacles
Picked a month for Pinnacles National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Pinnacles
Prices for Oct 16–18, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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Frequently Asked Questions
July is the warmest month at Pinnacles National Park, with an average high of 96°F and an average low of 50°F. That is the 1991–2020 average at the nearest long-record NOAA station, 0.6 miles from the park's reference point. Temperatures inside the park can differ, particularly with elevation.
December is the coldest month at Pinnacles National Park, with an average low of 33°F and an average high of 62°F, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.
January and February are the wettest months, with about 3.5 inches of precipitation each. July and August are the driest, each averaging close to zero. The station records about 16.7 inches of precipitation in an average year.
Rarely, by the station's record. The nearest long-record NOAA station, 0.6 miles from the park's reference point, totals about 0.1 inches of snow in an average year.
Weather at nearby parks
103 mi away · warmest in August (83°F)
114 mi away · warmest in September (70°F)
116 mi away · warmest in September (70°F)
116 mi away · warmest in July (88°F)
118 mi away · warmest in September (75°F)
123 mi away · warmest in August (83°F)
Keep exploring
Sources: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (station USC00046926), 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.