Strawberry has mild, snowy winters and warm summers
A typical July afternoon reaches 85°, a January night drops to 31°, and about 51 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in Strawberry at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about Strawberry’s climate
Read from where Strawberry sits among California’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
51 inches of snow, 47 of rain and melt
January is the wettest month and August the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 74 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
Warmer than it used to be
The last 30 years in Strawberry averaged 0.9° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in January (+1.9°).
A smaller shift than in 80% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
About 208 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by April 16 and the first by November 12.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
Living with Strawberry’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
208 frost-free days. The last frost comes by Apr 16 in half of years, so many gardeners wait a week or two past that to set out tomatoes. The first fall frost comes by Nov 12.
About 51" a winter over 13 days with an inch or more, most in February. Snow covers the ground about 34 days a year.
Months averaging under 55° run from November through April. Heating is 86% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 22 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 85°.
The nicest months are May, June, September and October. 1.5 miles of trails are waiting.
Parks & trails →Normals are averages. Ice storms, nor’easters, floods and heat waves are on the natural hazards page.
Natural hazards →What a year in Strawberry feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
How Strawberry compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in California.
Strawberry weather by month
Average highs, lows, rain and snow for every month, from NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals.
| Month | High | Low | Rain + melt | Snow | Wet days | Snow on ground | 30-yr range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 49° | 31° | 8.4" | 9.7" | 11 | 10 | 35° – 48° |
| February | 51° | 31° | 7.9" | 13.5" | 10 | 7 | 33° – 50° |
| March | 55° | 33° | 7.1" | 10.8" | 11 | 5 | 35° – 52° |
| April | 59° | 36° | 4.1" | 4.3" | 8 | 2 | 41° – 54° |
| May | 67° | 43° | 2.7" | 0.1" | 6 | 0 | 45° – 64° |
| June | 77° | 51° | 0.8" | 0 | 2 | 0 | 58° – 69° |
| July | 85° | 58° | 0.2" | 0 | 1 | 0 | 67° – 76° |
| August | 84° | 57° | 0.1" | 0 | 1 | 0 | 67° – 74° |
| September | 79° | 51° | 0.5" | 0 | 2 | 0 | 60° – 69° |
| October | 68° | 43° | 2.7" | 0 | 4 | 0 | 51° – 63° |
| November | 56° | 35° | 4.4" | 3.0" | 7 | 2 | 35° – 52° |
| December | 48° | 30° | 8.1" | 10.0" | 10 | 8 | 34° – 46° |
| Year | 65° | 42° | 47.0" | 51.4" | 74 | 34 |
Heating and cooling a home in Strawberry
86% of the work is heating, so the furnace matters far more than the air conditioner.
Degree days add up how far each day’s average falls below (heating) or rises above (cooling) 65° over a year. Source: NOAA station normals.
How much a month can swing
A normal is an average. May swings the most: from 1991 to 2020 its average ranged from 45° to 64°. August is the most reliable, staying within 8°.
Common questions about Strawberry’s climate
What is the coldest month in Strawberry?
December, with a typical high of 48° and a low of 30°.
What is the hottest month in Strawberry?
July, with a typical high of 85° and a low of 58°. About 22 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does Strawberry get?
About 51 inches in a normal winter, most of it in February.
When is the first frost in Strawberry?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by November 12, and the last spring frost by April 16.
What is the rainiest month in Strawberry?
January, with 8.4 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 47 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in Strawberry.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for Strawberry itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Hetch Hetchy, CA (20 mi) away. Normals are 30-year averages, not a forecast. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 and 1901–2000. Today’s forecast: National Weather Service.