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Napa Valley
Weather & Packing Guide
Weather Considerations. Please do not watch a National Weather Report if you want to have even a clue what the weather in the Napa Valley is going to be like. The Napa Valley has COMPLETELY DIFFERENT WEATHER than San Francisco, the “Bay Area” or Sacramento.
Local Weather
Locals, especially those that have lived almost anywhere else, feel that the Napa Valley has an almost perfect climate. We have four distinct seasons, but all of them are mild compared to most other places.
June – October
The Napa Valley has a very long and glorious Warm/Hot Season. From Mid-Spring to Mid-Fall we get almost no rain (maybe one or two thunderstorms in August or September). Average daytime temperatures hover around 90, with humidity a very comfortable 30%. Evenings cool off rapidly so that by 11:00pm the temperature can be a cool 60 degrees and later at night may well drop to 50.
Contrast that with San Francisco where the average daytime temperature is more like 60 with a wind-chill that makes it feel much colder. Even Napa, just 20 miles south of St. Helena is generally 10 to 15 degrees cooler on most summer days.
November
 One of the prettiest months is also one of the most unpredictable. Daytime temperatures normally do not go over 80 degrees, and more than likely will be around 70. We are all looking forward to the first nighttime freeze which pushes the vines into their stunning display of fall colors. We can certainly get our first winter-style storms with heavy rain and blowing wind. HOWEVER, most days are glorious, with marching, whipped cream clouds and sparkling blue skies. Photographers, start your cameras.
December – March
 By December the leaves have dropped from the vines and unless we are in a drought year we expect one storm after another to hit us. Though we almost never get snow on the Valley floor, unlike Southern California, we get a distinct winter. We average 33” of rain through these months, with daytime temperatures ranging from the 40s to the 60s depending on the storms. Nighttime temperatures can dip to freezing if there is not a storm in but hover around the low 40s if we have a cloud cover. Beauty Alert- Mid-February through late March is our Mustard Season. Winter rains bring a cover crop into the vineyards that is absolutely startling to anyone not forewarned. The vines have been pruned by now, so with the vibrant yellows and greens of the wild mustard blanketing the valley floor, the symmetrical rows of black, gnarly vines sleep in stark contrast. For most that live here and those lucky enough to be properly informed, this is a favorite time of year.
April & May
For the spoiled denizens of the Napa Valley, the Mustard Season slips seamlessly into the well-heeled mini-skirts, oops, blossoming wild flowers and our own popping landscape. Daytime temperatures usually stick around 70 – 80 and the nighttimes can still dip to the low 40s or maybe even freezing.
Local Weather
Packing Guide – Locals brag (or at least the Innkeeper does) that they need neither a snow shovel nor a necktie to survive in this land. For the most part life is casual. Unless you are going to the French Laundry, none of the restaurants have a tie or jacket requirement and none of the wineries expect more than shorts and a nice shirt for the tours and release parties. Though you will certainly see peoplemore dressed than that, in our opinion, that is completely personal preference.
June – October
 Layering is the key to summer enjoyment. If you wake up to a high thick cloud cover, consider yourself lucky. This is our air-conditioning fog, which meanders up from the San Francisco Bay most evenings. It usually hangs around until 11:00 every morning. If you are out in the early morning you will need a sweater or sweatshirt. But by Noon the day will be clear and warmed to 80 degrees. By 3:30 it will likely be 95 and you will be wishing you had worn shorts. We find it best to layer our top halves and keep our legs bare for the coming heat (or just sleep until it warms up). Then, after 3:30 or 4:00 it will start cooling and by the end of dinner it will be 60ish. So, if you are dining outside or planning a window-shopping stroll after dinner you might want to wear long pants to dinner and bring your sweater.
If you don’t see the fog in the morning, expect the day to get into the triple digits. We get five or six really hot spells through this period where it can be 102 – 105 for five or six days in a row. Above 105 is rare. A swimming suit down by our pool is the way to go on these days, but if you must, shorts and a loose shirt will work. When it is this hot, the evenings are glorious. Short sleeves and lots of legs are most appropriate.
Since you will be dressing light for these days, be advised that sleeping wines like cool temperatures. If you chill easily, bring a light sweater for the winery tours. The caves and cellars are usually a brisk 55 degrees.
If you are going to spend any time in San Francisco or along the coast during this time of the year you will need long heavy pants and a good coat, whether it is day or night. San Francisco is a more formal town. For dining, men will need to break out at least their sport coat and maybe even a tie. Ladies will need a nice dress or two and a long coat, unless you are planning to dash from hotel to cab and cab to restaurant. Then a nice wrap might do.
November
Depending on the year, it might start cooling off in late October, but more than likely around the first of November. Days usually require long pants, but maybe still a short-sleeved shirt with a light jacket as a back-up. Jeans and sneakers are common, usually dressed up with a nice shirt. Bring an umbrella (the Inn can run out with those that have not read this advise) or a hat and slicker for the off-chance you hit a storm. Evenings can dip pretty low, so plan on bundling up a bit. San Francisco and the coast will be much the same so you should be able to pack similar clothes.
December – March
We finally get to get out our heavy sweaters and coats, as well as light up the fire in our rooms. But if you’re coming from the East, don’t bring your heavy overcoat or gloves; it just doesn’t get that cold. Sturdy rainproof shoes, an umbrella and a decent jacket with a sweater underneath should be all you need. Jeans are still fine for your lower half. The same is true for San Francisco except for going more formal to dinner.
April – May
Glorious Spring weather will be much like November. You’ll be tempted to break out the shorts but, well, the white legs and all. Maybe best to stay with the jeans. Except for the ladies of course. They can, and should, go with the short skirts with a little tanning cream. But be prepared to slip on some stockings if it gets too cold.
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