Current Conditions
Real-time weather and marine data for Ensenada, Baja California.
Open-Meteo API
Monthly Climate Data
Ensenada averages ~3,660 hours of sunshine per year (~300 sunny days). Annual rainfall is only about 12 inches, nearly all falling November through March.
| Month | Avg High °F | Avg Low °F | Rain (in) | Ocean °F | Humidity % | Sunny Days | UV Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 64 | 48 | 2.0 | 59 | 72 | 22 | 3 |
| February | 65 | 48 | 2.9 | 58 | 73 | 20 | 4 |
| March | 65 | 50 | 1.8 | 59 | 73 | 23 | 6 |
| April | 68 | 52 | 0.8 | 60 | 72 | 24 | 8 |
| May | 69 | 55 | 0.3 | 62 | 75 | 26 | 10 |
| June | 72 | 59 | 0.04 | 64 | 78 | 27 | 12 |
| July | 78 | 63 | 0.04 | 67 | 80 | 29 | 12 |
| August | 81 | 65 | 0.08 | 69 | 80 | 28 | 11 |
| September | 80 | 63 | 0.3 | 68 | 76 | 26 | 9 |
| October | 75 | 57 | 0.6 | 66 | 70 | 25 | 6 |
| November | 70 | 51 | 1.0 | 63 | 66 | 24 | 4 |
| December | 64 | 47 | 1.8 | 60 | 70 | 22 | 3 |
Annual averages: Temperature range 50–85°F. Total rainfall ~12 inches. Ocean temp 58–69°F. Climate type: BSk (cold semi-arid / Mediterranean coastal) — nearly identical to San Diego.
Seasonal Guide
Two gentle seasons define Ensenada's year — a long, sunny dry season and a mild, brief rainy season.
Dry Season (May–October)
Month after month of sunshine with virtually zero rain from June through August. Daytime highs climb into the upper 70s and low 80s°F while nights stay pleasant in the low 60s. The Pacific keeps things comfortable even when inland Baja roasts — you'll rarely see temperatures above 92°F on the coast.
What to Expect
Clear blue skies, warm days, cool evenings. The ocean warms to 68–69°F by August/September — still brisk by Caribbean standards but swimmable, especially for surfers in spring suits. Humidity is moderate (75–80%) but feels comfortable thanks to ocean breezes.
Best Activities
- Beach days, surfing, fishing
- Wine tasting in Valle de Guadalupe
- Boat tours, diving, kayaking
- Outdoor dining on perfect evenings
What to Wear
- T-shirt and shorts during the day
- Light jacket or hoodie for evenings
- Sunscreen essential — UV hits 10–12 (Extreme) in Jun/Jul
Watch Out For
- May Gray / June Gloom: marine layer burns off by noon
- Santa Ana winds (Sep–Oct): can spike temps into the 90s
- Rare Pacific hurricane remnants (most likely September)
Rainy Season (November–April)
"Rainy season" is generous — Ensenada gets only about 12 inches of rain per year total, mostly in brief winter storms between December and March. February is the wettest month at about 3 inches. Rain comes in quick Pacific fronts that blow through in a day or two, followed by gorgeous clear skies.
What to Expect
Pleasantly mild days in the mid-60s°F with cool nights dipping to the upper 40s. The ocean cools to 58–60°F. Most days are still sunny and clear. Whale watching season (December–April) makes this a spectacular time to visit.
Best Activities
- Whale watching (gray whale migration peaks Jan–Mar)
- Wine tasting (fewer crowds, greener hills)
- Cultural events (Carnaval in Feb/Mar)
- Exploring La Bufadora, hiking
What to Wear
- Layers: light jacket daytime, warmer layer evenings
- Rain jacket wise between December and March
- Extra layer for Valle de Guadalupe (higher elevation, cooler)
Watch Out For
- Santa Ana winds: can push winter temps into the 90s
- Inland evenings (Valle) drop much cooler than coast
- Snowfall extremely rare (last notable: Jan 2007 in surrounding hills)
Best Time to Visit
Every month has something to offer. Here's when each activity peaks.
| Activity | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beach / Swimming | ||||||||||||
| Surfing | ||||||||||||
| Wine Country | ||||||||||||
| Whale Watching | ||||||||||||
| Fishing | ||||||||||||
| Budget Travel |
Surfing is year-round — winter brings bigger swells, summer brings warmer water. Wetsuit needed year-round (3/2mm summer, 4/3mm winter).
Wine country peaks during the Vendimia harvest festival (August) but is excellent March through October.
Whale watching runs December through April as gray whales migrate along the coast. Peak viewing is January through March.
Fishing is best spring through fall — yellowtail in spring/summer, dorado and bluefin tuna in summer, year-round bottom fishing.
Budget travel — winter months (Nov–Mar, excluding holidays) offer the lowest hotel rates and fewest crowds.
What to Pack
Ensenada's mild climate keeps packing simple — layers are your best friend.
Year-Round Essentials
- Sunscreen (SPF 30+) and sunglasses
- Comfortable walking shoes (cobblestone streets)
- Light jacket or hoodie for evenings
- Reusable water bottle
- Cash (pesos) for taco stands and tips
Dry Season (May–Oct)
- Swimsuit and beach gear
- Flip flops / sandals
- Hat / sun protection
- Light breathable clothing
- Reef-safe sunscreen for swimming
Rainy Season (Nov–Apr)
- Rain jacket or packable rain layer
- Warmer evening layer (fleece or sweater)
- Closed-toe shoes
- Binoculars (for whale watching)
- Extra layer for Valle de Guadalupe
Climate Comparison
Ensenada's climate is nearly identical to San Diego (only 70 miles north). If you've been to San Diego, you know exactly what to expect.
| Ensenada | San Diego | Los Angeles | Barcelona | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual Temp | 62°F (17°C) | 64°F (18°C) | 66°F (19°C) | 61°F (16°C) |
| Annual Rainfall | 12 in (305mm) | 10 in (254mm) | 15 in (381mm) | 24 in (610mm) |
| Ocean Temp Range | 58–69°F | 58–70°F | 58–70°F | 55–77°F |
| Sunny Days / Year | ~300 | ~263 | ~284 | ~250 |
| Climate Type | Mediterranean semi-arid | Mediterranean | Mediterranean | Mediterranean |
| Summer Highs | 78–81°F | 76–78°F | 83–85°F | 82–84°F |
| Winter Lows | 47–48°F | 49–50°F | 48–50°F | 39–41°F |
Compared to Barcelona, Ensenada has warmer winters, less rain, and cooler ocean water. Ensenada leads all four cities in sunny days per year.
Ocean Conditions
The cold California Current keeps Ensenada's Pacific waters cooler than you might expect for Mexico — this is not the warm Caribbean.
| Month | Ocean °F | Ocean °C | Swimming? | Wetsuit Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 59 | 15 | Too cold | 4/3mm full suit |
| February | 58 | 14 | Too cold | 4/3mm full suit |
| March | 59 | 15 | Too cold | 4/3mm full suit |
| April | 60 | 16 | Brisk | 3/2mm full suit |
| May | 62 | 17 | Brisk | 3/2mm full suit |
| June | 64 | 18 | Cool | 3/2mm spring suit |
| July | 67 | 19 | Comfortable | 2mm shorty or spring suit |
| August | 69 | 21 | Comfortable | Optional for surfers |
| September | 68 | 20 | Warmest! | Optional for surfers |
| October | 66 | 19 | Comfortable | 2mm shorty |
| November | 63 | 17 | Cool | 3/2mm full suit |
| December | 60 | 16 | Brisk | 4/3mm full suit |
Swimming season: July through October (water stays above 68°F / 20°C).
Peak ocean temperature: Early September (~69°F / 20°C average, can reach 73°F / 23°C).
Surfers: Year-round with appropriate wetsuit. Winter brings bigger swells; summer brings warmer water.
Marine layer: Morning fog and low clouds are common May through June, typically clearing by midday. This is the same "June Gloom" pattern familiar to Southern California visitors.
Weather Warnings
Ensenada's weather is famously mild, but a few phenomena are worth knowing about.
Santa Ana Winds
Hot, dry winds from the desert interior can raise temperatures 20–30°F above normal in hours. Most common September through November but can occur anytime — even mid-winter temperatures can hit 90°F+ during a Santa Ana event. These are the same winds Southern California is known for.
May Gray / June Gloom
A persistent marine layer of low clouds and fog blankets the coast in the morning, typically burning off by noon or early afternoon. Identical to the San Diego/LA phenomenon. Mornings feel cool and overcast; afternoons are usually sunny. Don't cancel beach plans — just plan for afternoon sun.
Pacific Hurricane Remnants
Occasionally, remnants of Pacific hurricanes passing far to the south can bring unusual rain, thunderstorms, or heavy surf. This is uncommon and most likely in September. Direct hurricane hits on Ensenada are extremely rare — the cold California Current steers storms away from the coast.