Historical weather data spanning back to 1895 shows significant temperature dips across California during the month of November. According to compiled data from the National Centers for Environmental Information, rankings based on the lowest average monthly temperatures reveal several notable cold spells over the past century, affecting seasonal conditions in the region.
The cold climate records are established by comparing average state temperatures, along with monthly state-wide high and low temperatures and total precipitation figures recorded during those specific years.
Taking the top spot as the absolute coldest November on record since 1895 is November 1994. During this historic cold period, the state experienced a low average temperature of 42.9 degrees Fahrenheit. Throughout the month, the monthly high temperature only reached 52.9 degrees Fahrenheit, while the monthly low dropped to 32.9 degrees Fahrenheit. Precipitation during November 1994 totaled 3.73 inches across the state.
The second-coldest November occurred in 1922. That month saw an average statewide temperature of 45.8 degrees Fahrenheit. Data shows the monthly high temperature stood at 57.2 degrees Fahrenheit, with a monthly low falling to 34.3 degrees Fahrenheit. Total precipitation for November 1922 reached 2.68 inches.
Ranking third on the list is November 1916, which logged an average temperature of 45.9 degrees Fahrenheit. High temperatures across California peaked at 58.8 degrees Fahrenheit during the month, while low temperatures plunged to 33 degrees Fahrenheit. Accumulated precipitation for November 1916 recorded at 1.39 inches.
A four-way tie occupies the fourth spot on the list, with four separate years registering an identical average monthly temperature of 46 degrees Fahrenheit. These include November 2000, November 1985, November 1947, and November 1931.
Among these tied years, November 2000 recorded a monthly high temperature of 57.2 degrees Fahrenheit and a monthly low temperature of 34.8 degrees Fahrenheit, accompanied by 0.79 inches of total precipitation. November 1985 saw a monthly high temperature of 55.7 degrees Fahrenheit, a low temperature of 36.4 degrees Fahrenheit, and 3.84 inches of precipitation. For November 1947, the statewide high reached 57.3 degrees Fahrenheit, the low touched 34.7 degrees Fahrenheit, and precipitation totaled 0.8 inches. November 1931 logged a high temperature of 56.9 degrees Fahrenheit, a low temperature of 35 degrees Fahrenheit, and 2.68 inches of total precipitation.
Following the four-way tie, November 1964 comes in as the eighth-coldest November recorded. The month had an average temperature of 46.1 degrees Fahrenheit. High temperatures reached 55.7 degrees Fahrenheit, while low temperatures dropped to 36.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Rainfall and snow contributed to a total precipitation figure of 3.99 inches for the month.
The ninth spot on the historical ranking belongs to November 1946. Records show an average temperature of 46.2 degrees Fahrenheit during this month. Statewide high temperatures climbed to 56.4 degrees Fahrenheit, while the lowest recorded temperature was 35.9 degrees Fahrenheit. November 1946 experienced significant moisture, recording 4.55 inches of total precipitation.
Rounding out the top ten coldest Novembers is November 1935. The tenth-coldest November on record registered an average temperature of 46.5 degrees Fahrenheit. The monthly high temperature peaked at 58.5 degrees Fahrenheit, while the monthly low temperature dropped to 34.4 degrees Fahrenheit. Total precipitation for November 1935 was recorded at 1.05 inches.
These atmospheric records provide insight into long-term climate patterns across the region, demonstrating how late-autumn temperatures and precipitation levels have fluctuated over more than a century of tracking.
