Weather in Fresno, California
Fog and sun in daily rhythm. Day 58 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Clear—82°59°
- SundayMay 17Overcast—79°55°
- MondayMay 18Clear—84°51°
- TuesdayMay 19Clear—92°67°
- WednesdayMay 20Overcast—95°70°
- ThursdayMay 21Overcast—98°72°
- FridayMay 22Mostly Clear—99°72°
- PM 2.5
- 10.2 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 45.8 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 0.7 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 115.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 3.6 Moderate
Flowers blooming in late autumn, a sure sign of a bad winter coming.
- Moonrise
- 12:18 PM
- Moonset
- 2:18 AM
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
Fog and sun in daily rhythm
Fresno at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 7°F above the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: March 28 (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
Warm-season window is open
As of May 16, the last spring frost has passed for most years. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, basil, and cucurbits (cucumbers, squash, melons) now. Direct-sow beans and corn into warm soil.
Planting calendar
| Month | Plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | — |
| February | — | — |
| March | — | — |
| April | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes | — |
| May | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| June | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| July | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| August | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| September | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| October | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | winter squash, tomatoes (last) |
| November | — | — |
| December | — | — |
A year in weather
July brings Fresno's highest temperatures (~84°F mean) while December delivers the coldest (~48°F). January sees peak rainfall at 2.2 inches, and August typically remains completely dry at 0.0 inches.
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 48° | 2.2″ | 5 |
| February | 52° | 1.9″ | 5 |
| March | 57° | 1.9″ | 4 |
| April | 62° | 1.0″ | 2 |
| May | 70° | 0.4″ | 1 |
| June | 78° | 0.2″ | 0 |
| July | 84° | 0.0″ | 0 |
| August | 82° | 0.0″ | 0 |
| September | 77° | 0.1″ | 0 |
| October | 67° | 0.6″ | 1 |
| November | 55° | 0.9″ | 2 |
| December | 48° | 1.8″ | 4 |
Regional context
Fresno belongs to a hot-summer Mediterranean climate region that encompasses nearby cities with comparable temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions.
Similar climates: Los Angeles, CA, San Francisco, CA, San Diego, CA, Riverside, CA, Sacramento, CA.
Naturalist notes
Valley oaks begin dropping their acorns in late spring as temperatures warm consistently above 70°F.
Red-winged blackbirds establish territories in May, with males displaying their scarlet shoulder patches from cattail perches.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Fresno?
- Spring's final frost usually occurs around mid-April in Fresno, while the first fall frost returns around mid-November.
- What is the rainy season in Fresno?
- January delivers the most rainfall at approximately 2.2 inches on average, contributing to the city's annual total of roughly 11 inches.
- What is the warmest month in Fresno?
- July typically records the highest temperatures, with averages around 84°F.
- What is the coldest month in Fresno?
- December usually brings the coldest weather, averaging about 48°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Fresno?
- Cool-season crops like peas and lettuce can be planted around the last spring frost in mid-April, while warm-season crops such as tomatoes and peppers should wait 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does Fresno get?
- Fresno experiences approximately 26 rainy days annually.
- What hardiness zone is Fresno?
- Fresno's USDA hardiness zone depends on its lowest average winter temperature; the USDA's online lookup tool with the city ZIP provides the current zone designation.
Climate
Fresno, California experiences a hot-summer Mediterranean climate zone. Temperatures hover near 48°F in January and climb to an average of 84°F in July, creating a 36°F seasonal swing.
Annual precipitation totals about 11 inches, distributed across roughly 26 rainy days throughout the year.
Weather patterns here depend on latitude (36.8°N), proximity to large water bodies, and elevation. These factors determine what grows in the area, when frost occurs, and daily weather conditions.