Month-by-month climate data to help you pick the perfect date. Nevada City sits at 2,500 feet in the Sierra Foothills — warm, dry summers and mild, green winters.
Temperatures, rainfall, sunset times, and outdoor ceremony viability for every month of the year.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Rainy Days | Sunset | Outdoor Ceremony |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 54°F | 40°F | 5.4" | ~10 | 5:10 PM | |
| February | 54°F | 41°F | 5.9" | ~10 | 5:40 PM | |
| March | 58°F | 44°F | 4.7" | ~9 | 6:10 PM | |
| April | 63°F | 47°F | 2.2" | ~6 | 6:40 PM | |
| May | 71°F | 54°F | 1.2" | ~4 | 7:10 PM | |
| June | 80°F | 62°F | 0.4" | ~2 | 8:30 PM | |
| July | 86°F | 68°F | 0.1" | <1 | 8:34 PM | |
| August | 86°F | 68°F | 0.1" | <1 | 8:10 PM | |
| September | 80°F | 63°F | 0.5" | ~2 | 7:35 PM | |
| October | 71°F | 55°F | 1.8" | ~4 | 6:50 PM | |
| November | 59°F | 46°F | 4.1" | ~8 | 5:20 PM | |
| December | 53°F | 40°F | 5.7" | ~10 | 4:40 PM |
Warm, clear days in the low to mid-80s. Essentially no rain. Sunsets stretch past 8pm in June and July, creating extraordinary golden-hour photography windows. The stone walls and mature trees at Stone House provide natural cooling even on the warmest days.
May brings warm temperatures (70s) with very low rain probability — only about 4 rainy days. October is beautiful fall foliage season with the same favorable odds. A rain contingency is smart but statistically unlikely to be needed.
Transitional weather with wildflower season as a stunning backdrop. April averages 6 rainy days but can deliver beautiful, clear stretches. The hillsides are lush green, and the South Yuba canyon comes alive with native blooms.
Nevada City's rainy season — the town receives about 58 inches of rain annually, concentrated in these months. Days are shorter (sunset as early as 4:40pm in December). Occasional light snow. But December brings Nevada City's legendary Victorian Christmas — horse-drawn carriages, carolers, and the whole town lit up.
Golden hour begins roughly one hour before sunset. Here's when to schedule portraits for the best light.
| Month | Sunset | Start Golden Hour | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 5:10 PM | ~4:10 PM | Early afternoon ceremony, immediate portraits |
| March | 6:10 PM | ~5:10 PM | Late afternoon ceremony into golden hour |
| May | 7:10 PM | ~6:10 PM | Standard 4–5pm ceremony with post-ceremony portraits |
| June–July | 8:30 PM | ~7:30 PM | Cocktail hour → portraits → reception start |
| September | 7:35 PM | ~6:35 PM | 5pm ceremony, cocktails, golden hour portraits |
| October | 6:50 PM | ~5:50 PM | 4:30pm ceremony, immediate portraits |
| December | 4:40 PM | ~3:40 PM | Early ceremony (2–3pm) to catch daylight |
Nevada City sits at approximately 2,500 feet elevation in the western Sierra Nevada foothills. The climate is Mediterranean — warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. Annual rainfall averages about 58 inches (one of the wettest lowland towns in California), nearly all falling between November and March. Annual snowfall is about 15 inches, mostly light and at higher elevations. The town itself rarely sees heavy snow accumulation.
Summer temperatures typically reach the mid-80s. The venue's mature trees, thick stone walls, and multiple indoor-outdoor spaces mean that even on warm days, there are always cool, shaded options for your guests. About 31 days per year exceed 90°F, concentrated in July and August. Winter lows hover around 40°F with roughly 75 freezing nights per year.