Monthly climate guide

San Diego in September

San Diego is in early autumn during September, a shoulder-season month where conditions can vary between warmer or cooler week to week. It tends to be warmly comfortable through the day, and a gentle drop-off once the sun goes down. You get a comfortable daylight window for day trips and sightseeing. Conditions tend to feel steady, which makes planning simple.

Annual ranking snapshot

Ranked across 12 months

September in context

How it compares to the rest of the year in San Diego.

Hottest (avg)
WARMER
#2 / 12

One of the warmer months.

Wettest (avg)
IN-BETWEEN
#9 / 12

Typical rainfall for the year.

Daylight Hours
IN-BETWEEN
#6 / 12

Around the yearly average.

Windiest (avg)
WIND
#8 / 12

Close to the yearly wind average.

Highest UV
UV
#6 / 12

Near the middle of the yearly UV range.

Most Humid
HUMID
#3 / 12

Humidity sits on the higher side.

Climate normals

Four planning pillars

Monthly climate breakdown

A detailed look at the typical climate conditions for September.

Thermal profile

Temperature

Typical daytime high

Nighttime low
Feels like (avg)

Light window

Sunshine

12.4 h

Average daylight

UV index (max)
8
Typical sun hours
05:32 - 17:53

Wet-day pattern

Rain & Snow

Typical rainfall

Rainy days
1 days
Cloud cover (avg)
29%

Air feel

Humidity & Wind

78%

Average humidity

Wind (avg)
Wind (max gusts)

Historical daily baseline

Daily climate explorer

Pick a day to inspect the usual conditions through September in San Diego. Based on a 30-year historical climate baseline, not a forecast.

Primary control

Select a day

Scroll to compare daily conditions. The summary updates with your selection.

Secondary context

Monthly trend

Day 15 selected

Median daytime highs across the month, with a softer low line.

Daily climate explorer for SeptemberMonthly trend chart for the selected climate metric, with the chosen day marked.152025303511630°C
Median temperatureMedian lowTypical range

Day 15 selected for September. Temperature 24.2°C.

Historical disruption baseline

Typical disruptions in September

Based on 30 years of historical data, these are the disruption patterns most likely to affect plans in September.

Heat Moderate

Hot feels-like days Measures: Hot feels-like days (>=32C). Observed about 7% of days (2.2 days/month) in September. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

2.2 days / month

Share of days
~7% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~37°C (P95)
Why this matters

Feels-like heat >=32C is possible on ~2 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.

Heat Moderate

Hot days Measures: Hot days (>=30C). Observed about 7% of days (2.0 days/month) in September. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

2.0 days / month

Share of days
~7% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~36°C (P95)
Why this matters

Hot days are possible on ~2 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.

Humidity Moderate

Muggy days Measures: Muggy days (dew point >=20C). Observed about 5% of days (1.6 days/month) in September. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

1.6 days / month

Share of days
~5% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~22°C (P95)
Why this matters

Muggy conditions are possible on ~2 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Show all disruptions (18 more)
Rain High impact

Rain disruption Measures: Likely rain disruption days. Observed about 1% of days (0.3 days/month) in September. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.3 days / month

Share of days
~1% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~33mm (P95)
Why this matters

Rain disruption risk appears on ~0 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Rain High impact

Washout risk Measures: Washout day risk. Observed about 1% of days (0.3 days/month) in September. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.3 days / month

Share of days
~1% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~34mm (P95)
Why this matters

Washout conditions are possible on ~0 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Humidity Minor

High humidity Measures: High humidity days (RH >=80%). Observed about 45% of days (13.6 days/month) in September. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

13.6 days / month

Share of days
~45% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~88% (P95)
Why this matters

High humidity is possible on ~14 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.

Humidity Minor

Humid days Measures: Humid days (dew point >=18C). Observed about 27% of days (8.0 days/month) in September. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

8.0 days / month

Share of days
~27% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~21°C (P95)
Why this matters

Humid conditions are possible on ~8 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.

Cloud Minor

Cloudy days Measures: Cloudy days (cloud cover >=60%). Observed about 12% of days (3.5 days/month) in September. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

3.5 days / month

Share of days
~12% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~98% (P95)
Why this matters

Cloudy skies are possible on ~3 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Rain Minor

Wet days Measures: Wet days (>=0.1mm). Observed about 11% of days (3.3 days/month) in September. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

3.3 days / month

Share of days
~11% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~7.5mm (P95)
Why this matters

Measurable rain is possible on ~3 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Wind Minor

Gusty days Measures: Gusty days (>=40 km/h). Observed about 6% of days (1.8 days/month) in September. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

1.8 days / month

Share of days
~6% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~47km/h (P95)
Why this matters

Gusty conditions are possible on ~2 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.

Rain Minor

Rainy hours Measures: Rain-hours signal (>=3h rain). Observed about 5% of days (1.5 days/month) in September. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

1.5 days / month

Share of days
~5% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~15h (P95)
Why this matters

Several rainy hours are possible on ~1 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Cloud Minor

Mostly cloudy days Measures: Mostly cloudy days (cloud cover >=80%). Observed about 4% of days (1.2 days/month) in September. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

1.2 days / month

Share of days
~4% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~99% (P95)
Why this matters

Mostly cloudy skies are possible on ~1 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Heat Minor

Warm nights Measures: Warm nights (min >=22C). Observed about 3% of days (0.8 days/month) in September. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.8 days / month

Share of days
~3% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~24°C (P95)
Why this matters

Warm nights are possible on ~1 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Rain Minor

Wet most of day Measures: Wet-most-of-day signal (>=6h rain). Observed about 2% of days (0.7 days/month) in September. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.7 days / month

Share of days
~2% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~16h (P95)
Why this matters

Wet-most-of-day conditions are possible on ~1 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Heat Minor

Very hot feels-like Measures: Very hot feels-like days (>=35C). Observed about 1% of days (0.4 days/month) in September. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.4 days / month

Share of days
~1% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~38°C (P95)
Why this matters

Very hot feels-like conditions are possible on ~0 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.

Cloud Minor

Overcast days Measures: Overcast days (cloud cover >=95%). Observed about 1% of days (0.4 days/month) in September. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.4 days / month

Share of days
~1% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~100% (P95)
Why this matters

Overcast skies are possible on ~0 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Humidity Minor

Convective risk Measures: Convective storm risk proxy. Observed about 1% of days (0.3 days/month) in September. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.3 days / month

Share of days
~1% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~22°C (P95)
Why this matters

Convective risk signal appears on ~0 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Heat Minor

Feels-like heatwave Measures: Feels-like heatwave runs (>=3 days). Observed about 0.3 days/month in September. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.3 days / month

Share of days
Upper edge
Up to ~36°C (P95)
Why this matters

Feels-like heatwave runs are possible on ~0 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.

Heat Minor

Heat stress risk Measures: High heat stress days. Observed about 1% of days (0.3 days/month) in September. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.3 days / month

Share of days
~1% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~38°C (P95)
Why this matters

Heat stress is possible on ~0 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.

Heat Minor

Very hot days Measures: Very hot days (>=35C). Observed about 1% of days (0.2 days/month) in September. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.2 days / month

Share of days
~1% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~36°C (P95)
Why this matters

Very hot days are possible on ~0 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.

Heat Minor

Heatwave run Measures: Heatwave runs (>=3 hot days). Observed about 0.2 days/month in September. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.2 days / month

Share of days
Upper edge
Up to ~33°C (P95)
Why this matters

Heatwave runs are possible on ~0 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.

Travel planning FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to the weather questions you ask the most.

Is September a good time to visit San Diego?

Typical September days in San Diego reach highs of 25°C (77°F) with nights around 18°C (64°F). It usually feels warm by day and mild after dark. Overall, September sits in the middle of the San Diego climate range.

What are temperatures like in September?

Daytime temperatures in September typically peak near 25°C (77°F), while nights drop to around 18°C (64°F). Expect warm afternoons and mild evenings.

How much does it rain in September?

Rainfall in September averages 6 mm (0.24 in) across roughly 1 days. Overall it is a mostly dry time of year, so showers are usually brief rather than all-day downpours.

How many hours of daylight are there in September?

You can expect about 12 hours of daylight in September. Sunrise is typically around 05:32 and sunset near 17:53. Daylight is fairly typical, with enough time for sightseeing.

How strong is the sun in September?

UV levels are often high (around 8). Regular sunscreen and a hat are recommended.

Is it windy in September?

In September, average wind speeds are around 9 km/h (6 mph), with gusts on the windiest days reaching about 37 km/h (23 mph). On the ground, it is a gentle to moderate breeze is common, but stronger winds are not frequent.

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