Berkeley is weird. Honestly, if you’ve spent more than twenty minutes here, you know the weather doesn't just change by the day—it changes by the block. People check the berkeley ca weather 10 day forecast expecting a standard California sun-and-sand vibe, but what they usually get is a moody, shifting puzzle of fog, "Bay breezes," and weirdly specific temperature pockets.
Right now, as of January 18, 2026, we’re sitting in that classic mid-winter Berkeley groove. It’s 62°F outside. Kinda nice, right? But the wind is coming out of the northeast at 7 mph, which adds just enough bite that you’ll regret leaving your house in only a t-shirt.
The Current 10-Day Reality
If you're looking at the week ahead, don't pack away the sweaters just yet. Today, Sunday, we’re peaking at 63°F with a low of 49°F. It’s partly sunny, which is basically Berkeley-speak for "the sun is trying its best but the clouds are winning the argument."
Tomorrow looks like a carbon copy: 63°F and sunny. But things take a bit of a dive starting Tuesday, January 20. We’re dropping to a high of 57°F. That 57°F high pretty much sticks around for the rest of the week through Saturday. It’s not "freezing," but with humidity hovering between 77% and 86%, it feels damp. That's the kind of cold that gets into your bones if you aren't moving.
💡 You might also like: Why the Nutty Putty Cave Seal is Permanent: What Most People Get Wrong About the John Jones Site
By the time we hit next Monday, January 26, things warm up a tiny bit to 59°F, and Tuesday the 27th brings the sun back with a high of 58°F. Basically, it's a week of "light jacket" weather where you'll be constantly taking it on and off.
Why the Berkeley CA Weather 10 Day Forecast Is Often a Lie
The biggest mistake people make is trusting a single number for the whole city. Berkeley is a topographical nightmare for meteorologists.
You’ve got the Flatlands near the water and then you’ve got the Berkeley Hills. UC Berkeley plant ecologist Todd Dawson has spent years looking at how the fog (lovingly nicknamed "Karl" by some, though locals usually just call it "the fog") feeds the redwoods. If you are standing at the Berkeley Marina, you might be shivering in a 55-degree mist. Drive ten minutes up to Grizzly Peak, and you could be basking in 65-degree sunshine above the fog line.
📖 Related: Atlantic Puffin Fratercula Arctica: Why These Clown-Faced Birds Are Way Tougher Than They Look
This isn't just anecdotal. Studies on Bay Area microclimates, like those from the California Energy Commission, show that elevation is the primary driver of these shifts. In winter, you sometimes get "cold-air pooling" in the valleys, meaning the hills can actually stay warmer at night than the flats. It’s counterintuitive, but that’s just Berkeley.
The Breakdown of the Week Ahead
- The Warmish Start: Sunday and Monday are your best bets for outdoor stuff. 63°F is about as good as it gets in January.
- The "Big Chill" (Relatively Speaking): Tuesday through Saturday. Highs won't break 57°F. Expect gray skies and northeast winds.
- The Humidity Factor: We’re looking at humidity in the 80% range for most of the week. That makes 57°F feel a lot colder than 57°F in, say, Arizona.
What to Actually Pack
Forget the umbrella. Most locals don't use them because the wind just turns them inside out anyway. You want a high-quality shell or a light down jacket.
- Layers are the only law. A base layer, a fleece or sweater, and a windbreaker.
- Shoes with grip. Berkeley is hilly, and when that 86% humidity turns into a light drizzle (there’s a 10% chance of rain most nights this week), the sidewalks get slick.
- Sunscreen. Even when it’s 57°F and cloudy, the UV index is still hitting 2. It’s sneaky.
The Long-Term Shift
We have to talk about the fact that "normal" is changing. Historical data from the Western Regional Climate Center shows Berkeley’s average January high used to be around 56°F. We are consistently hitting 62°F or 63°F now. Research from experts like David Ackerly at UC Berkeley suggests these shifts are affecting how local vegetation uses water. We’re seeing a roughly 35% reduction in fog over the last century.
👉 See also: Madison WI to Denver: How to Actually Pull Off the Trip Without Losing Your Mind
Less fog sounds great for your tan, but it’s actually kind of a disaster for the local ecosystem. It increases wildfire risk because the air stays drier for longer. So, while you enjoy that "sunny" 63-degree Monday, remember it's a bit of an outlier compared to the Berkeley of thirty years ago.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Visit
If you are planning to be in town this week, check the wind direction. If it’s coming from the Northeast (like it is today), it’s often drier but can feel sharper.
Check the specific neighborhood forecast. If you're heading to the Gourmet Ghetto, it'll be different than a hike in Tilden Park. Keep your jacket in the car even if it looks bright out. Berkeley weather is a game of bait-and-switch, and the house usually wins.
Stick to the flats for coffee and shopping during the cloudy mid-week stretch (Tuesday-Thursday), and save your Hill views for the clear start of the week or the following Tuesday when the sun is slated to return.