Weather

If you recently moved to Davis and/or are attending school here, it is important to remember that weather is relative: everybody has different comfort levels. Davis has what is called a Mediterranean_climate, which exists in few places other than near the Mediterranean Sea. This means that we experience cool, wet winters and hot, dry summers. The heat drives people nuts in the summer and the rain and fog drives them bananas in the winter. That's why California's full of fruits and nuts. Spring and fall are great, though.

Make sure you check the time to make sure the data is current.

• University Airport Aviation Weather Report - more on AWOS
  

• U.C. Davis Weather Station Live Data
  

• Daily Weather Report from NOAA Climate Reference Station in West Campus (You can get this anytime by calling (530)752-8933)
  

• NWS WSR88D Doppler Radar - the tower is off of Mace Boulevard.
  

• National Weather Service Forecast
  

• Weather for Davis on Weather Underground
  

• Weather for Davis on Weather.com
  

• Intellicast.com Forecast - good source for radar images and such
  

• Arthur Shapiro - amateur forecasts posted at 2320 Storer Hall
  

• California Regional Weather Server SFSU has 7 day satellite loops over the North Pacific—see what's coming next week, see all storms back through 2005.

Davis summers are hot. High temperatures are regularly in the 90s or above. On particularly hot days the temperature reaches into the 100s and this can last for up to weeks at a time, though such extended highs are rare. We almost never get summer thunderstorms and there is virtually no rain at all during the summer. The nicest thing about summer in Davis is the night time. The city's light ordinance is finally appreciated, as people can now enjoy the night sky. It's still warm out, pleasant for hanging out or a late barbeque, enjoying cool drinks, even outdoor activities (glow in the dark frisbees anyone?). The average low temperature for a July night is 56°F, typically past 3 or 4am. Although sleeping at night can be comfortable despite a very hot day, it's not uncommon for temperatures in July to still be up to the 70's (or higher during a heatwave) at 8 or 9, even (rarely) up to 10pm.
A nice example of Davis' summer climate

What Davis is like during the summer in the less irrigated parts

Four out of five farmers agree, fall is the best season of the year. However, early fall in Davis is only slightly cooler than summer. Notable concomitants of the season are trees that sport leaves of brilliant red, orange, and yellow. Pumpkins pop up in the usual locations as well; at the outskirts of the city, at the Farmers Market, and of course, on people's doorsteps. This is the best time of year to arrive in Davis as a student because the weather brings everyone outdoors; student organizations are recruiting left and right; and there are lots of freshmen and transfers who are just as bewildered and disoriented as you are!

Many of the trees in Davis put on a colorful show during fall.

A pumpkin patch on the west edge of town.

Bad winter watering habits in a local park

Davis winters can be quite chilly but does not often go below freezing. The average high in December is about 54°F and the average low is about 36°F (source: Weather.com). There is often a lot of fog which warms things up a little, but winter is basically the period that it rains. It can also get very windy and, combined with the rain, that can be difficult for cyclists. If the trees haven't already lost their leaves during our brief fall season, they lose them now.

When El Niño is in effect, there is typically more rainfall and snowfall due to the warming of the Pacific Ocean. The 1982 El Niño brought us one of the snowiest and wettest winters on record for the state.

Beware of the wind and rain...

...for they may cause trees to fall on your car.

Spring is perhaps the nicest time of year, with occasional rain and a lot of Delta Breeze to keep it from getting too hot. The plants are very green, and The Quad is somewhat less muddy. You'll find many parts of Davis to explode with spring flowers. Not surpringly, those with allergy problems will begin to suffer with the coming of this season, as the central valley of California is infamous for being a death pit of allergies.

(source: Weather.com)

• Climate Change
  

• Delta Breeze
  

• Essence of Davis (AKA Cow-Smell Breeze)
  

• Fog
  

• Grass Fires (not really a weather phenomena, but weather related)
  

• Rain
  

• Snow
  

• Thunderstorms
  

• Tornadoes
  

• UCD Internet Weather (Internet traffic congestion to networks elsewhere in California and the U.S.) "Weather" is a misnomer; "traffic" is more accurate.

Comments:

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2008-01-04 08:25:29   This has been the craziest Davis winter storm I can remember! This morning when I was going to work I thought there was NO WAY I was going to walk from my usual spot thatis a ten minute walk to GBSF.

So, I decided to park as close as possible to my building in the lot and make a run for it. This was after the parking permit machine would not take my cash; it would recognize it because it was so wet. When I got the wind knocked me back against the car.

When I made a break for it I was completely soaked by the time I ran the 50 feet to my building. The building is like a wind tunnel and as I was running, it felt like I was on a really wet and windy treadmill. My hood blew off my coffee was half gone by the time I made it inside. I also called TAPS to let them know why I did not have a permit. They were really nice and said they would get alot of calls like mine and if I was cited, to bring my citation into TAPS this afternoon and pay my $6 then.

—MyaBrn