California (MD) Temperatures: Monthly Averages and Year-Round Insights
On this page, we’ll explore California’s temperature statistics in detail, including day and night variations and monthly averages. We’ll also compare the annual temperature to other cities in the United States of America.
Monthly Temperature Averages
Depending on the time of the year, temperatures range from very warm to cold in California. Typically, maximum daytime temperatures range from a very warm 30°C in July to a cold 7°C in the coolest month, February. Nights are cooler, with temperatures generally dropping to -2°C, particularly during the colder months.
The chart below illustrates the average maximum day and minimum night temperatures in California by month:
The coldest temperatures are usually recorded between 4 AM and 6 AM, while the hottest temperatures occur near 3 PM, at the peak of the sun's warmth.
The chart below shows the average temperature throughout the year:
February, the city’s coldest month, receives about 68 mm of rainfall spread over roughly 10 days. For more information, please visit our California Precipitation page.
Annual Temperatures in the United States of America Compared
The map below shows the annual temperature across the United States of America. You can also select the different months in case you are interested in a specific month.
very warm
warm
pleasant
moderate
cold
very cold
California Temperatures Compared World Wide
California’s average annual maximum temperature is 19°C. Let’s compare this with some popular tourist destinations:
The city of Rome, Italy, has an average annual temperature of 20°C, known for its sunny summers and comfortable winters.
In contrast, in Oslo, Norway, the average annual temperature is significantly lower at 10°C, with mild summers and cold winters.
Meanwhile, Buenos Aires, Argentina, enjoys a humid subtropical climate with an average annual temperature of 23°C, featuring hot summers and mild winters.
In Brisbane, Australia, the average annual temperature is 26°C, making it warmer than Sydney.
How are these Temperatures Measured?
Generally, temperature data depicting climate is usually given over a 30-year average in order to reduce short-term fluctuations and reveal better long-term trends in climate conditions.
This temperature data is taken from land-based thermometers, ocean buoys, ships, and satellites. These measurements are transmitted to weather stations and climate centers around the globe where they are processed, averaged, and analyzed in order to monitor the trends and create climate models.
Global Warming and Its Effects
Climate change is affecting worldwide temperatures, including in California. It has massive impacts on both local and global levels:
- Global Temperature Rise: The average global land and sea temperatures have risen by about 1.2°C since pre-industrial times.
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Local Impacts: Most regions of the world are witnessing warmer winters with fewer frost and snowfall days. The global frequency and severity of heatwaves have increased. For example, Europe's summers of 2018, 2019, and 2020 all broke records. Summers are also becoming drier; however, during winter, inland regions have experienced increased rainfall. This has caused elevated river levels and more cases of flooding.
Many countries are experiencing earlier springs and later autumns. This is why some bird species have shifted their migration dates.
For more detailed information about California’s weather, including monthly rainfall, sunshine hours, and humidity levels, visit our California climate page.
Current temperature in California (MD)
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