Weather in Mesa, Arizona
Saguaro crowns open white. Day 58 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Clear—96°72°
- SundayMay 17Overcast—92°68°
- MondayMay 18Overcast—86°64°
- TuesdayMay 19Overcast—86°69°
- WednesdayMay 20Overcast—90°75°
- ThursdayMay 21Overcast—92°76°
- FridayMay 22Clear—95°76°
- PM 2.5
- 9.5 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 75.4 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 0.6 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 123.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 3.1 Moderate
Flowers blooming in late autumn, a sure sign of a bad winter coming.
- Moonrise
- 11:54 AM
- Moonset
- 1:35 AM
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
Saguaro crowns open white
Mesa at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 17°F above the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: March 7 (climatological average for this latitude)
- Microseason: 28 of 72, May 16–20
- Planting window: Direct sow okra, melons, and southern peas. Thin carrot rows.
Right now in the garden
Peak growing season
As of May 16, the growing season is at its peak — frost is months away. Continue succession-planting beans and summer squash. Start fall brassicas (broccoli, cabbage, kale) from seed indoors for transplanting in late summer.
Planting calendar
| Month | Plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | — |
| February | — | — |
| March | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes | — |
| April | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | — |
| May | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| June | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| July | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| August | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| September | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| October | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | winter squash, tomatoes (last) |
| November | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | — |
| December | — | — |
A year in weather
July brings Mesa's warmest temperatures at around 92°F mean, while December delivers the coldest at roughly 53°F. Rainfall reaches its peak in February with 1.5 inches and drops to its lowest point in June with just 0.1 inches.
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 54° | 1.4″ | 2 |
| February | 56° | 1.5″ | 3 |
| March | 62° | 1.3″ | 1 |
| April | 69° | 0.4″ | 1 |
| May | 78° | 0.2″ | 1 |
| June | 87° | 0.1″ | 0 |
| July | 92° | 1.2″ | 2 |
| August | 92° | 1.3″ | 3 |
| September | 86° | 1.1″ | 2 |
| October | 74° | 0.6″ | 1 |
| November | 62° | 0.8″ | 1 |
| December | 53° | 1.1″ | 3 |
Regional context
Mesa falls within a hot desert climate region that includes nearby cities sharing similar temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions.
Similar climates: Phoenix, AZ, Tucson, AZ, Gilbert, AZ, Chandler, AZ, Glendale, AZ.
Naturalist notes
Palo verde trees burst into brilliant yellow blooms across Mesa during late April and early May.
Gambel's quail begin their distinctive three-note calls at dawn throughout May as breeding season intensifies.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Mesa?
- Mesa's last spring frost typically occurs around mid-March, with the first fall frost returning around mid-December.
- What is the rainy season in Mesa?
- February stands as the wettest month with about 1.5 inches of rain on average, while the city receives roughly 11 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in Mesa?
- July typically brings the warmest weather, averaging about 92°F.
- What is the coldest month in Mesa?
- December typically delivers the coldest temperatures, averaging about 53°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Mesa?
- Cool-season crops like peas and lettuce can be planted around the last spring frost in mid-March, while warm-season crops such as tomatoes and peppers should wait 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does Mesa get?
- Mesa averages about 20 rainy days per year.
- What hardiness zone is Mesa?
- Mesa's USDA hardiness zone depends on its lowest average winter temperature; the USDA's online lookup tool can provide the current zone designation using the city ZIP code.
Climate
Mesa, Arizona experiences a hot desert climate zone. January temperatures hover near 54°F while July averages 92°F, creating a 38°F seasonal swing.
Throughout the year, Mesa receives about 11 inches of precipitation spread over roughly 20 rainy days.
Geographic factors shape the annual rhythm: latitude at 33.4°N, proximity to large water bodies, and elevation all influence what grows here, when frost occurs, and daily weather patterns.