Weather in University of California-Merced, California
Fog and sun in daily rhythm. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Overcast—81°57°
- SundayMay 17Overcast—76°53°
- MondayMay 18Clear—85°50°
- TuesdayMay 19Clear—90°55°
- WednesdayMay 20Overcast—95°59°
- ThursdayMay 21Overcast—98°59°
- FridayMay 22Clear—99°60°
- PM 2.5
- 17.6 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 145.3 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 0.8 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 116.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 1.9 Low
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 1:04 PM
- Moonset
- 3:38 AM
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
Fog and sun in daily rhythm
University of California-Merced at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 7°F above the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: March 31 (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 17, 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
University of California-Merced's warmest month is July (~78°F mean) and its coldest is December (~46°F). Rainfall peaks in January (2.7 inches) and bottoms out in August (0.0 inches).
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 46° | 2.7″ | 6 |
| February | 50° | 2.2″ | 6 |
| March | 54° | 1.9″ | 5 |
| April | 59° | 1.0″ | 3 |
| May | 67° | 0.6″ | 2 |
| June | 73° | 0.1″ | 0 |
| July | 78° | 0.0″ | 0 |
| August | 77° | 0.0″ | 0 |
| September | 73° | 0.1″ | 0 |
| October | 64° | 0.7″ | 2 |
| November | 53° | 1.2″ | 3 |
| December | 46° | 2.0″ | 5 |
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in University of California-Merced?
- University of California-Merced's last spring frost typically falls around mid-April, and the first fall frost arrives around mid-November.
- What is the rainy season in University of California-Merced?
- January is the wettest month with about 2.7 inches of rain on average; the city receives roughly 13 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in University of California-Merced?
- July is typically warmest, averaging about 78°F.
- What is the coldest month in University of California-Merced?
- December is typically coldest, averaging about 46°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in University of California-Merced?
- Cool-season crops (peas, lettuce) can be sown around the last spring frost (mid-April); warm-season crops (tomatoes, peppers) wait until 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does University of California-Merced get?
- University of California-Merced averages about 32 rainy days per year.
- What hardiness zone is University of California-Merced?
- University of California-Merced's USDA hardiness zone is determined by its lowest average winter temperature; check the USDA's online lookup with the city ZIP for the current zone designation.
Climate
University of California-Merced, California sits in a hot-summer Mediterranean climate zone. January means hover near 46°F while July averages 78°F — a 33°F seasonal swing.
Across the year, University of California-Merced receives about 13 inches of precipitation spread over roughly 32 rainy days.
The rhythm of the year is set by latitude (37.4°N), proximity to large water bodies, and elevation — all of which shape what grows here, when frost is likely, and what the weather story looks like day to day.