San Francisco weather in January
Replies: 5 - Last Post: Jan 4, 2010 1:09 PM Last Post By: getyoung
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San Francisco weather in January
I'm thinking of visiting San Francisco and am would like to know whether the San Francisco weather in January is pleasant enough to spend long hours outside? I understand the average weather would be approximately 55 degrees, but would like to know whether that doesn't interfere with enjoying a pleasant afternoon outdoors. Is a sweater and sweatshirt enough for being outdoors? Is being on a boat enjoyable in such weather, or is it too chilly for that?Thanks for your help!
2
It could easily be raining or foggy. (January historically is the wettest month.) It could be windy, which might make a boat pretty uncomfortable. 55 is the average high temperature. Lows are around 45. You might run into a nice sunny day; you might not. Today's forecast is a high of 61; a low of 48 "becoming cloudy." The rest of the week looks foggy. SF is a city with lots of microclimates. It might be sunny in one neighborhood & foggy and chilly on the beach. On the water will be cold. The day after a rainstorm is often very clear.If I were packing for SF in January, I would think layers. I'd bring a raincoat and umbrella, as well as a sweater. Long sleeves. If I were planning something outdoors, I'd bring a jacket. If it's windy, it can feel pretty cold. I don't think I'd plan on boating unless I woke up one morning and discovered that an unusual warm & dry day was in store. On the other hand, if you plan on fishing, you'll go out no mater what, so just plan for cold & wind.
3
P. S. Mark Twain never said that the coldest winter he ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.4
January here in SF is very rarely foggy. However, it is very often rainy. Rain often takes the form of showers that come, go, and return several times during the course of a day, with pleasant sunny breaks in between, or it can mean long dreary days of storms.When it's not raining, it's warm enough to spend the whole day out and about, though you'd probably want more than just a sweatshirt -- either multiple layers as Nutrax suggested, or a medium-weight coat. And I'd bundle up heavily if I were planning to be out on a boat, because the wind and spray is chilling.
5
San Francisco is sunny this whole week. A fleece jacket is generally suffice in the city on most days. As for boating, it is always cold here. The benefit of doing it in the winter is it has minimal or no wind.
