San Francisco has a Mediterranean climate with around 580 mm (about 23 inches) of rain a year, concentrated almost entirely in the winter months with a long, dry, famously foggy summer. The city’s biggest rain-related hazard comes from atmospheric river events, narrow bands of concentrated tropical moisture that can be steered directly at the Bay Area and dump a significant share of the winter’s total rainfall in a day or two, sometimes triggering landslides on the city’s many steep hills. Because these events can escalate quickly from routine winter rain to a serious hazard, radar tracking is a genuinely important tool during the wet season. NWS Doppler radar KMUX (San Francisco Bay Area) covers the region.
Learn more: How Does Rain Radar Work? · Open the full Rain Map
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it raining in San Francisco right now?
The live radar map above shows precipitation over San Francisco, California in real time. Blue shades indicate light rain, while yellow, orange, and red mark heavier downpours. If no colored echoes appear over San Francisco, no significant rain is currently being detected.
How often does the San Francisco rain radar update?
The radar refreshes continuously, typically every few minutes, so the map reflects current conditions rather than an hours-old forecast. Press play to animate the most recent frames.
Can I see if a storm is heading toward San Francisco?
Yes. Press play on the radar to animate the last few hours of rainfall and watch which way rain cells over California are moving – the clearest way to judge whether a shower will reach San Francisco or pass by.
Is this San Francisco rain radar free to use?
Yes, completely free – no account, app download, or sign-up required. It works in any browser on desktop and mobile.