Weather in Chula Vista, California
Fog and sun in daily rhythm. Day 58 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Overcast—67°60°
- SundayMay 17Overcast—68°56°
- MondayMay 18Overcast—71°54°
- TuesdayMay 19Overcast—71°60°
- WednesdayMay 20Overcast—72°62°
- ThursdayMay 21Overcast—73°62°
- FridayMay 22Clear—72°61°
- PM 2.5
- 13.2 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 22.6 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 1.7 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 97.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 3.1 Moderate
Flowers blooming in late autumn, a sure sign of a bad winter coming.
- Moonrise
- 12:18 PM
- Moonset
- 1:56 AM
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
Fog and sun in daily rhythm
Chula Vista at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 13°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: March 3 (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
August brings Chula Vista's peak heat with a mean temperature around 74°F, while December delivers the year's coldest conditions at roughly 56°F. Rain follows a Mediterranean pattern, reaching its maximum in February at 2.6 inches and dropping to 0.0 inches during August.
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 57° | 2.3″ | 3 |
| February | 57° | 2.6″ | 4 |
| March | 59° | 1.6″ | 3 |
| April | 62° | 0.8″ | 2 |
| May | 64° | 0.3″ | 1 |
| June | 67° | 0.1″ | 0 |
| July | 72° | 0.1″ | 0 |
| August | 74° | 0.0″ | 0 |
| September | 73° | 0.2″ | 0 |
| October | 68° | 0.5″ | 1 |
| November | 61° | 0.9″ | 2 |
| December | 56° | 1.6″ | 3 |
Regional context
Part of the broader hot-summer Mediterranean climate region, Chula Vista shares temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions with other nearby cities in this climatic zone.
Similar climates: Los Angeles, CA, San Francisco, CA, San Diego, CA, Riverside, CA, Sacramento, CA.
Naturalist notes
Late May brings the peak blooming period for California poppies across the coastal hills.
Anna's hummingbirds begin their second nesting cycle around early June, taking advantage of the extended flowering season.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Chula Vista?
- Spring's final frost usually occurs around mid-March in Chula Vista, while the first fall frost returns around mid-December.
- What is the rainy season in Chula Vista?
- February typically delivers the most rain with about 2.6 inches on average, contributing to the city's annual total of roughly 11 inches.
- What is the warmest month in Chula Vista?
- August generally records the highest temperatures, with averages around 74°F.
- What is the coldest month in Chula Vista?
- December usually brings the coldest weather, averaging about 56°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Chula Vista?
- Cool-season crops like peas and lettuce can be planted around the last spring frost in mid-March, while warm-season varieties such as tomatoes and peppers should wait 1–2 weeks after that date.
- How many rainy days does Chula Vista get?
- Chula Vista typically sees about 20 rainy days per year.
- What hardiness zone is Chula Vista?
- The city's USDA hardiness zone depends on average minimum winter temperatures; use the USDA's online lookup tool with Chula Vista's ZIP code for the current zone designation.
Climate
Chula Vista, California experiences a hot-summer Mediterranean climate zone. Temperatures hover near 57°F in January and average 72°F in July, creating a 15°F seasonal swing.
Annual precipitation totals about 11 inches, falling across roughly 20 rainy days throughout the year.
Geography shapes the local weather patterns through three key factors: latitude at 32.6°N, proximity to large water bodies, and elevation. These elements determine what grows in the area, when frost occurs, and daily weather conditions.