Castro, Jose Joaquin, Adobe · Photo: Mrwrite · Public domainAptos Hills-Larkin Valley has some of the coolest summers among U.S. towns
The coldest hours of a January night bottom out at 41° on average. By January nights alone, it runs milder than 89% of U.S. towns. Since 1901–2000, the year has warmed by 1.9°, most of all in January. Plan time outside from February to November, when highs sit at 62–75°.
A year in Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley’s climate
Compared with towns across the U.S., with Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley’s place in California beside it.
What a year in Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
About 324 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by January 28 and the first by December 13. Frost and day counts come from NOAA’s station at Watsonville Wtr Wks, CA, 4 miles from the town’s center, 230 ft lower.
The 2023 USDA map puts Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley’s center in zone 9b: the coldest night of a typical winter, averaged over 1991–2020, reaches about 28°. Plant labels use the zone; frost dates tell you when to plant.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
About 28 inches of rain a year
January is the wettest month and July the driest. Rain falls on about 64 days a year. Snow is rare: about 0.0" in a normal year at Watsonville Wtr Wks, CA, so most winters see none.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Heating and cooling a home in Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley
95% of the work is heating, so the furnace matters far more than the air conditioner. Months averaging under 55° run from November through March.
Degree days add up how far each day’s average falls below (heating) or rises above (cooling) 65° over a year. NOAA normals at Watsonville Wtr Wks, CA.
Living with Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a free afternoon and a bad-weather day.
324 frost-free days in zone 9b. The last frost comes by Jan 28 in half of years, so many gardeners wait a week or two past that to set out tomatoes. The first fall frost comes by Dec 13.
Months with highs of 62–84° and lows of 40° or more: February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November. 3.8 miles of trails are waiting.
Parks & trails →Of the yearly building losses FEMA expects in Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley from natural hazards, earthquakes are the largest share (53%). Normals are averages; the hazards page covers the extremes.
Natural hazards →Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley and its neighbors
Corralitos the hottest July afternoons (80°, 7° warmer). Differences under a degree are within what the 5 km grid can tell apart. Tap a town to see its climate.
Climates most like Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley’s, farther away
TownRatings’ own comparison of NOAA 1991–2020 normals, not a NOAA product: places of 5,000+ at least 150 miles away, one per state, closest on January low, July high, precipitation and snow.
| Town | Jan. low | July high | Precip. | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley, CA | 41° | 73° | 28" | 0.0" |
| Camano, WA | 35° | 73° | 30" | 2.5" |
| Makawao, HI | 53° | 75° | 23" | 0.0" |
| Scappoose, OR | 34° | 81° | 41" | 0.8" |
| Nantucket, MA | 26° | 76° | 44" | 25" |
Temperatures and rain come from NOAA’s 5 km grid, so each town gets its own value. Snow and frost-free days come from the nearest weather station, so neighbors often share them.
Warmer than it used to be
The last 30 years in Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley averaged 1.9° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in January (+2.7°).
A bigger shift than in 84% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
The two periods overlap (1991–2000 is in both), which makes the gap a little smaller than it would be between separate periods.
How Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley compares
Against 12,954 U.S. towns of 2,500 or more (one per 5 km climate cell), with Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley’s place among California’s.
Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley weather by month
Highs, lows and precipitation from NOAA’s grid at Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley’s center; snow, wet days and snow on the ground from Watsonville Wtr Wks, CA. 1991–2020 normals.
| Month | High | Low | Rain + melt | Snow | Wet days | Snow on ground | 30-yr range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 61° | 41° | 5.9" | 0.0" | 11 | 0 | 47° – 56° |
| February | 62° | 42° | 5.5" | 0.0" | 11 | 0 | 48° – 57° |
| March | 64° | 44° | 4.2" | 0.0" | 10 | 0 | 49° – 59° |
| April | 66° | 45° | 1.8" | 0.0" | 6 | 0 | 52° – 60° |
| May | 69° | 48° | 0.7" | 0.0" | 3 | 0 | 55° – 63° |
| June | 73° | 51° | 0.2" | 0.0" | 1 | 0 | 58° – 64° |
| July | 73° | 54° | 0.0" | 0.0" | 1 | 0 | 60° – 67° |
| August | 75° | 54° | 0.0" | 0.0" | 1 | 0 | 62° – 69° |
| September | 75° | 53° | 0.1" | 0.0" | 1 | 0 | 61° – 69° |
| October | 73° | 49° | 1.1" | 0.0" | 3 | 0 | 58° – 66° |
| November | 66° | 44° | 2.9" | 0.0" | 7 | 0 | 48° – 58° |
| December | 60° | 40° | 5.7" | 0.0" | 10 | 0 | 46° – 54° |
| Year | 68° | 47° | 28.1" | 0.0" | 64 | 0 |
How much a month can swing
A normal is an average. March swings the most: from 1991 to 2020 its average ranged from 49° to 59°. June is the most reliable, staying within 6°.
Where Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley’s numbers come from
Normals are 30-year averages, not a forecast. How TownRatings reads climate data →
- Temperatures and precipitation: NOAA’s gridded 1991–2020 normals for the 5 km cell at Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley’s center.
- Snow: Watsonville Wtr Wks, CA.
- Frost, freezing nights, 90° and 100° days, heating and cooling: Watsonville Wtr Wks, CA, 4 miles from the town’s center, 230 ft lower; the nearest station that passes our checks for distance, height and agreement with the grid.
- Growing zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, 2023. USDA Agricultural Research Service and PRISM Group, Oregon State University, prism.oregonstate.edu/phzm, accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Then and now: NOAA’s gridded normals for 1901–2000 at the same cell.
- Storms and extremes: FEMA National Risk Index (expected annual losses to buildings).
Common questions about Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley’s climate
What is the weather like in Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley?
A typical July afternoon reaches 73°, a January night drops to 41°, and snow is almost unheard of. Milder January nights than 89% of U.S. towns; cooler July afternoons than all but 141 U.S. towns.
How cold does it get in Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley in winter?
December nights average 40°. About 8 nights a year reach 32° or below. In the coldest December of the last 30 years the month averaged 46°.
How much snow does Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley get?
About 0.0 inches in a normal winter at Watsonville Wtr Wks, CA, so most winters see none.
How hot does it get in Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley?
July, with a typical high of 73° and a low of 54°. About 7 days a year reach 90° (Watsonville Wtr Wks, CA).
When is the first and last frost in Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley?
In half of years the last spring frost (32°) comes by January 28 and the first fall frost by December 13, about 324 frost-free days, at Watsonville Wtr Wks, CA.
What growing zone is Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley in?
Zone 9b on the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map: the coldest night of a typical winter reaches about 28°.
What is the best time of year to visit Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley?
By one simple rule (highs of 62–84° and lows of 40° or more), February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November. The rule is ours, not NOAA’s; the month table has the numbers to judge by.
Is Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley getting warmer?
Yes: 1991–2020 averaged 1.9° warmer than 1901–2000 on NOAA’s grid. A bigger shift than 84% of U.S. towns.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley.
Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 and 1901–2000; USDA/PRISM 2023 hardiness zones; FEMA National Risk Index. Today’s forecast: National Weather Service.