Carmel-by-the-Sea Weather by Month: Temps, Rain, Fog
Carmel-by-the-Sea weather by month: cool summers, warm falls, and wet winters
Carmel-by-the-Sea has a mild coastal climate with a twist: summer is often gray and cool, and the warmest days come in September and October. Here is each month from NOAA’s official 1991–2020 climate normals, plus how much warmer it gets a few miles inland in Carmel Valley.
The short version: NOAA doesn’t publish climate normals for a station inside Carmel-by-the-Sea, so this page uses the nearest coastal station, in Monterey about three miles north. There, average highs run from about 59°F in December to about 71°F in September, lows stay in the mid-40s to mid-50s, and about 20 inches of rain falls in a normal year, mostly November through March. Summer fog is common from July through September. Carmel Valley, about 12 miles inland, averages highs near 80°F in late summer.
Warmest month
September’s average high on the coast.
Coolest high
December’s average high on the coast.
Rain in a normal year
At the Monterey coastal station.
Fog season
Per California State Parks at Point Lobos.
Average highs, lows, and rain
NOAA 1991–2020 monthly climate normals. Monterey is the nearest coastal station to Carmel-by-the-Sea; Carmel Valley shows the inland contrast.
| Monterey (coast): high / low | Monterey: rain | Carmel Valley: high / low | Carmel Valley: rain | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 60°F / 45°F | 4.35 in | 63°F / 40°F | 3.94 in |
| February | 61°F / 45°F | 3.99 in | 64°F / 41°F | 3.51 in |
| March | 63°F / 46°F | 3.32 in | 67°F / 42°F | 2.80 in |
| April | 63°F / 47°F | 1.48 in | 69°F / 43°F | 1.36 in |
| May | 64°F / 49°F | 0.60 in | 71°F / 46°F | 0.54 in |
| June | 66°F / 51°F | 0.15 in | 76°F / 48°F | 0.14 in |
| July | 67°F / 53°F | 0.05 in | 78°F / 51°F | 0.03 in |
| August | 69°F / 54°F | 0.06 in | 80°F / 51°F | 0.06 in |
| September | 71°F / 53°F | 0.09 in | 81°F / 51°F | 0.05 in |
| October | 71°F / 52°F | 0.91 in | 78°F / 48°F | 0.78 in |
| November | 64°F / 48°F | 1.80 in | 69°F / 42°F | 1.74 in |
| December | 59°F / 44°F | 3.62 in | 62°F / 40°F | 2.99 in |
Monterey: NOAA station USC00045795, about three miles north of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Carmel Valley: station USC00041534, about 12 miles east. Rounded to the nearest degree. Monterey normals (CSV) Carmel Valley normals (CSV)
What each season is like on the coast
Numbers from the Monterey station; the fog note is from State Parks.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
The coolest and wettest stretch. Average highs are about 59°F to 61°F, with lows near 44–45°F. January averages about 4.35 inches of rain, the most of any month.
Spring (Mar–May)
Rain tapers off fast: about 3.3 inches in March, 1.5 in April, and 0.6 in May. Highs are in the low 60s.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Nearly dry, with highs of about 66°F to 69°F. Fog is common from July through September, according to California State Parks, so mornings are often gray and cool.
Fall (Sep–Nov)
The warmest highs of the year: about 71°F in September and 71°F in October. Rain returns in November, at about 1.8 inches.
How much warmer is Carmel Valley?
A few miles inland makes a real difference, especially in summer.
Summer and fall
Carmel Valley averages highs of about 80°F in August and 81°F in September, roughly 10 degrees warmer than the coast.
Nights
Inland nights are cooler. Carmel Valley lows average about 40°F in winter, against 44–45°F on the coast.
Rain
Similar seasons, a bit less rain: about 17.9 inches a year in Carmel Valley against 20.4 in Monterey.
Microclimates
Two homes a couple of miles apart can have very different weather. Neighborhoods just inland from the town often get more sun. See Carmel vs Carmel-by-the-Sea vs Carmel Valley.
What the climate means for a home here
Practical points buyers ask about.
See it in summer fog
A house that glows on an October afternoon can feel different on a gray July morning. Visit at both times if you can.
Winter storms
Most of the year’s rain falls from November through March. Ask about drainage, roofs, and trees during inspections.
Inland for sun
If you want warm summers, the neighborhoods around the town and Carmel Valley are sunnier. See buying a home in Carmel.
Plan outdoor time
Beach days and outdoor events are often best in September and October. See the Carmel Beach guide and Point Lobos guide.
Choosing where to live on the Peninsula?
Weather is often what decides between the coast and a few miles inland. I’ll show you homes in both, and tell you what each spot is like in July and in January.
Carmel-by-the-Sea homesCarmel homesPebble Beach homes
Looking for the right microclimate?
Call or text 831-747-0310, or book a 30-minute call.
Before you rely on this
- Climate normals are 30-year averages (1991–2020) from NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information, downloaded Nov 2, 2026. Any given year can be much warmer, cooler, wetter, or drier.
- NOAA has no normals station inside Carmel-by-the-Sea; the Monterey coastal station is about three miles north and is used as the closest match.
- For a forecast, use the National Weather Service.
Carmel-by-the-Sea weather: quick questions
What is the warmest month in Carmel-by-the-Sea?
September, with an average high of about 71°F at the nearest coastal NOAA station in Monterey. October is nearly as warm, at about 71°F.
What is the rainiest month in Carmel-by-the-Sea?
January, with about 4.35 inches on average at the Monterey coastal station. Most rain falls from November through March.
How much rain does Carmel-by-the-Sea get a year?
About 20.4 inches in a normal year at the Monterey coastal station, per NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals.
Is Carmel-by-the-Sea foggy in summer?
Often. California State Parks describes the coast here as moderated by fog from July through September.
How cold does it get in Carmel-by-the-Sea in winter?
Average winter lows are about 44–45°F at the Monterey coastal station, with highs around 59°F to 61°F.
Is Carmel Valley warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea?
Yes, in summer and fall. Carmel Valley averages highs near 80°F in August and September, about 10 degrees warmer than the coast, with cooler nights.
What is the weather like in Carmel-by-the-Sea in October?
Usually one of the warmest months, with an average high of about 71°F, a low near 52°F, and under an inch of rain at the Monterey coastal station.
What is the weather like in Carmel-by-the-Sea in December?
Cool and wetter, with an average high of about 59°F, a low near 44°F, and about 3.6 inches of rain at the Monterey coastal station.
Updated November 2026 · Facts checked Nov 2, 2026 against NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals and California State Parks
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