Weather in Gilbert, Arizona
Saguaro crowns open white. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Clear—97°72°
- SundayMay 17Overcast—92°67°
- MondayMay 18Overcast—87°63°
- TuesdayMay 19Overcast—88°71°
- WednesdayMay 20Overcast—91°76°
- ThursdayMay 21Overcast—93°77°
- FridayMay 22Clear—96°76°
- PM 2.5
- 13.8 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 119.0 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 0.6 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 118.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 1.3 Low
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 12:43 PM
- Moonset
- 2:49 AM
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
Saguaro crowns open white
Gilbert 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 17, 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 Gilbert's warmest temperatures (~92°F mean) while December delivers the coldest (~53°F). February sees peak rainfall at 1.5 inches, dropping to just 0.1 inches in June.
| 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
Gilbert falls within a hot desert climate region that encompasses nearby cities with similar temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions.
Similar climates: Phoenix, AZ, Tucson, AZ, Mesa, AZ, Chandler, AZ, Glendale, AZ.
Naturalist notes
Late May brings the bloom of palo verde trees, their bright yellow flowers marking Arizona's state tree in full display.
Cactus wrens begin their second nesting cycle in May, building fresh dome-shaped nests in cholla and other desert plants.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Gilbert?
- Gilbert's last spring frost typically occurs around mid-March, with the first fall frost returning around mid-December.
- What is the rainy season in Gilbert?
- February receives the most rainfall with about 1.5 inches on average; Gilbert gets roughly 11 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in Gilbert?
- July records the warmest temperatures, averaging about 92°F.
- What is the coldest month in Gilbert?
- December brings the coldest weather, averaging about 53°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Gilbert?
- Cool-season crops like peas and lettuce can be planted around the last spring frost in mid-March; warm-season crops such as tomatoes and peppers should wait 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does Gilbert get?
- Gilbert sees about 20 rainy days per year on average.
- What hardiness zone is Gilbert?
- Gilbert's USDA hardiness zone depends on its lowest average winter temperature; use the USDA's online lookup with the city ZIP for current zone designation.
Climate
Gilbert, Arizona experiences a hot desert climate. January temperatures hover near 54°F while July averages 92°F — a 38°F seasonal swing.
Throughout the year, Gilbert receives about 11 inches of precipitation spread over roughly 20 rainy days.
Weather patterns follow the city's latitude (33.3°N), proximity to large water bodies, and elevation. These factors determine what grows here, when frost occurs, and daily weather conditions.