Weather in Modesto, California
Fog and sun in daily rhythm. Day 58 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Mostly Clear—83°59°
- SundayMay 17Overcast—77°57°
- MondayMay 18Clear—85°57°
- TuesdayMay 19Clear—91°56°
- WednesdayMay 20Overcast—96°60°
- ThursdayMay 21Overcast—99°60°
- FridayMay 22Clear—97°61°
- PM 2.5
- 10.5 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 112.9 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 0.9 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 117.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 3.8 Moderate
Flowers blooming in late autumn, a sure sign of a bad winter coming.
- Moonrise
- 12:21 PM
- Moonset
- 2:25 AM
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
Fog and sun in daily rhythm
Modesto at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 8°F above the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: April 2 (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 Modesto's warmest temperatures (~79°F mean) while December delivers the coldest (~47°F). Rainfall reaches its peak in January (2.6 inches) and drops to zero in July (0.0 inches).
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 48° | 2.6″ | 6 |
| February | 52° | 2.2″ | 6 |
| March | 57° | 1.8″ | 5 |
| April | 61° | 1.0″ | 3 |
| May | 68° | 0.7″ | 2 |
| June | 75° | 0.1″ | 0 |
| July | 79° | 0.0″ | 0 |
| August | 78° | 0.0″ | 0 |
| September | 74° | 0.1″ | 0 |
| October | 65° | 0.6″ | 1 |
| November | 55° | 1.1″ | 3 |
| December | 47° | 2.2″ | 6 |
Regional context
Modesto belongs to a hot-summer Mediterranean climate region. This climate type creates similar temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions across nearby cities.
Similar climates: Los Angeles, CA, San Francisco, CA, San Diego, CA, Riverside, CA, Sacramento, CA.
Naturalist notes
Late April brings the blooming of California poppies across the Central Valley, their orange petals opening as soil temperatures warm.
Valley oaks begin dropping their acorns in October, signaling the approach of the region's first frost.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Modesto?
- Modesto's last spring frost typically occurs around mid-April, and the first fall frost arrives around mid-November.
- What is the rainy season in Modesto?
- January brings the most rainfall with about 2.6 inches on average; the city receives roughly 12 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in Modesto?
- July typically brings the warmest weather, averaging about 79°F.
- What is the coldest month in Modesto?
- December typically brings the coldest weather, averaging about 47°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Modesto?
- Cool-season crops (peas, lettuce) can be sown around the last spring frost (mid-April); warm-season crops (tomatoes, peppers) should wait until 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does Modesto get?
- Modesto averages about 30 rainy days per year.
- What hardiness zone is Modesto?
- Modesto's USDA hardiness zone depends on its lowest average winter temperature; check the USDA's online lookup with the city ZIP for the current zone designation.
Climate
Modesto, California experiences a hot-summer Mediterranean climate zone. January temperatures hover near 48°F while July averages 79°F — creating a 31°F seasonal swing.
Throughout the year, Modesto receives about 12 inches of precipitation spread over roughly 30 rainy days.
Latitude (37.6°N), proximity to large water bodies, and elevation determine the rhythm of the year. These factors shape what grows here, when frost is likely, and what the daily weather patterns look like.