Monthly climate guide

San Francisco in April

April in San Francisco is mid-spring, a shoulder-season month, so you can get a bit of variety across the month. The month is mostly mild for steady exploring, with a noticeable cool-down after sunset. There is plenty of daylight to stretch outdoor time. Most days feel close to what the averages suggest, with straightforward pacing.

Annual ranking snapshot

Ranked across 12 months

April in context

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

Hottest (avg)
IN-BETWEEN
#7 / 12

Sits around the middle of the year.

Wettest (avg)
IN-BETWEEN
#6 / 12

Typical rainfall for the year.

Daylight Hours
IN-BETWEEN
#5 / 12

Around the yearly average.

Windiest (avg)
WIND
#3 / 12

Among the windier months.

Highest UV
UV
#5 / 12

Near the middle of the yearly UV range.

Most Humid
HUMID
#9 / 12

Humidity stays close to the yearly norm.

Climate normals

Four planning pillars

Monthly climate breakdown

A detailed look at the typical climate conditions for April.

Thermal profile

Temperature

Typical daytime high

Nighttime low
Feels like (avg)

Light window

Sunshine

13.2 h

Average daylight

UV index (max)
8
Typical sun hours
05:33 - 18:45

Wet-day pattern

Rain & Snow

Typical rainfall

Rainy days
6 days
Cloud cover (avg)
46%

Air feel

Humidity & Wind

76%

Average humidity

Wind (avg)
Wind (max gusts)

Historical daily baseline

Daily climate explorer

Pick a day to inspect the usual conditions through April in San Francisco. 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 AprilMonthly trend chart for the selected climate metric, with the chosen day marked.010203011630°C
Median temperatureMedian lowTypical range

Day 15 selected for April. Temperature 14.9°C.

Historical disruption baseline

Typical disruptions in April

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

Cold High impact

Cold feels-like nights Measures: Cold feels-like nights (min <=5C). Observed about 24% of days (7.3 days/month) in April. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

7.3 days / month

Share of days
~24% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~5°C (P95)
Why this matters

Cold feels-like nights are possible on ~7 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.

Rain High impact

Washout risk Measures: Washout day risk. Observed about 8% of days (2.4 days/month) in April. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

2.4 days / month

Share of days
~8% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~28mm (P95)
Why this matters

Washout conditions are possible on ~2 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Wind High impact

Strong gusts Measures: Strong gust days (>=60 km/h). Observed about 7% of days (2.0 days/month) in April. 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 ~76km/h (P95)
Why this matters

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

Wind High impact

Stormy conditions Measures: Storm-impact proxy days. Observed about 2% of days (0.7 days/month) in April. 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 ~72km/h (P95)
Why this matters

Stormy conditions are possible on ~1 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.

Rain Moderate

Rain disruption Measures: Likely rain disruption days. Observed about 8% of days (2.5 days/month) in April. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

2.5 days / month

Share of days
~8% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~27mm (P95)
Why this matters

Rain disruption risk appears on ~3 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Show all disruptions (15 more)
Rain High impact

Heavy rain days Measures: Heavy rain days (>=10mm). Observed about 4% of days (1.2 days/month) in April. 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 ~34mm (P95)
Why this matters

Heavy rain is possible on ~1 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Rain High impact

Washout run Measures: Multi-day washout runs. Observed about 0.5 days/month in April. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.5 days / month

Share of days
Upper edge
Up to ~30mm (P95)
Why this matters

Multi-day washout runs are possible on ~0 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Rain High impact

Very heavy rain Measures: Very heavy rain days (>=25mm). Observed about 1% of days (0.2 days/month) in April. 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 ~37mm (P95)
Why this matters

Very heavy rain is possible on ~0 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Wind Minor

Gusty days Measures: Gusty days (>=40 km/h). Observed about 62% of days (18.7 days/month) in April. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

18.7 days / month

Share of days
~62% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~64km/h (P95)
Why this matters

Gusty conditions are possible on ~19 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.

Humidity Minor

High humidity Measures: High humidity days (RH >=80%). Observed about 40% of days (11.9 days/month) in April. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

11.9 days / month

Share of days
~40% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~90% (P95)
Why this matters

High humidity is possible on ~12 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 36% of days (10.9 days/month) in April. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

10.9 days / month

Share of days
~36% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~99% (P95)
Why this matters

Cloudy skies are possible on ~11 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 27% of days (8.1 days/month) in April. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

8.1 days / month

Share of days
~27% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~16mm (P95)
Why this matters

Measurable rain is possible on ~8 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Rain Minor

Rainy hours Measures: Rain-hours signal (>=3h rain). Observed about 20% of days (6.0 days/month) in April. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

6.0 days / month

Share of days
~20% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~19h (P95)
Why this matters

Several rainy hours are possible on ~6 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 19% of days (5.6 days/month) in April. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

5.6 days / month

Share of days
~19% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~100% (P95)
Why this matters

Mostly cloudy skies are possible on ~6 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 14% of days (4.3 days/month) in April. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

4.3 days / month

Share of days
~14% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~21h (P95)
Why this matters

Wet-most-of-day conditions are possible on ~4 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Cloud Minor

Overcast days Measures: Overcast days (cloud cover >=95%). Observed about 6% of days (1.8 days/month) in April. 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 ~100% (P95)
Why this matters

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

Wind Minor

Breezy days Measures: Breezy days (mean wind >=25 km/h). Observed about 3% of days (1.0 days/month) in April. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

1.0 days / month

Share of days
~3% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~33km/h (P95)
Why this matters

Breezy conditions are possible on ~1 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.

Cold Minor

Cold nights Measures: Cold nights (min <=5C). Observed about 2% of days (0.6 days/month) in April. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.6 days / month

Share of days
~2% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~5°C (P95)
Why this matters

Cold nights are possible on ~1 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.

Visibility Minor

Fog-likely signal Measures: Fog-likely visibility proxy. Observed about 1% of days (0.2 days/month) in April. 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 ~95% (P95)
Why this matters

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

Other Minor

Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data Measures: Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data. Observed about 1% of days (0.2 days/month) in April. 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 ~95 (P95)
Why this matters

Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data is possible on ~0 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Travel planning FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to the weather questions you ask the most.

Is April a good time to visit San Francisco?

Typical April days in San Francisco reach highs of 17°C (63°F) with nights around 9°C (48°F). It usually feels mild by day and cool after dark. Overall, April sits in the middle of the San Francisco climate range.

What are temperatures like in April?

Daytime temperatures in April typically peak near 17°C (63°F), while nights drop to around 9°C (48°F). Expect mild afternoons and cool evenings.

How much does it rain in April?

Rainfall in April averages 41 mm (1.6 in) across roughly 6 days. Overall it is a moderately wet time of year, so showers are usually brief rather than all-day downpours.

How many hours of daylight are there in April?

You can expect about 13 hours of daylight in April. Sunrise is typically around 05:33 and sunset near 18:45. You get long days with comfortable amounts of daylight.

How strong is the sun in April?

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

Is it windy in April?

In April, average wind speeds are around 17 km/h (11 mph), with gusts on the windiest days reaching about 60 km/h (37 mph). On the ground, it is it can feel quite windy at times, particularly when weather systems move through.

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