Weather in Sparks, Nevada
Fog and sun in daily rhythm. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Overcast—70°50°
- SundayMay 17Overcast—53°41°
- MondayMay 18Clear—64°34°
- TuesdayMay 19Mostly Clear—72°50°
- WednesdayMay 20Overcast—79°56°
- ThursdayMay 21Overcast—81°60°
- FridayMay 22Overcast—84°61°
- PM 2.5
- 0.9 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 1.2 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 0.9 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 107.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 0.0 Low
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 12:53 PM
- Moonset
- 3:43 AM
- In sign
- ♊︎ Gemini
Fog and sun in daily rhythm
Sparks at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 17°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: April 13 (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
Sparks's warmest month is July (~77°F mean) and its coldest is December (~36°F). Rainfall peaks in January (1.3 inches) and bottoms out in August (0.2 inches).
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 37° | 1.3″ | 3 |
| February | 40° | 1.0″ | 3 |
| March | 45° | 0.9″ | 2 |
| April | 50° | 0.5″ | 2 |
| May | 59° | 0.6″ | 2 |
| June | 68° | 0.5″ | 1 |
| July | 77° | 0.3″ | 1 |
| August | 75° | 0.2″ | 1 |
| September | 68° | 0.2″ | 1 |
| October | 55° | 0.6″ | 2 |
| November | 44° | 0.7″ | 2 |
| December | 36° | 1.2″ | 3 |
Regional context
Sparks sits within a hot-summer Mediterranean climate region, a cohort sharing similar temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions across nearby cities.
Similar climates: Reno, NV, Carson City, NV, Fernley, NV, Sun Valley, NV, Spanish Springs, NV.
Naturalist notes
By late May, mule deer in the Truckee Meadows are dropping their fawns in the brushy draws along the river corridor.
Barn swallows return to the lower Truckee River in April and are actively feeding nestlings under bridge overhangs through the end of May.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Sparks?
- Sparks's last spring frost typically falls around mid-April, and the first fall frost arrives around mid-November.
- What is the rainy season in Sparks?
- January is the wettest month with about 1.3 inches of rain on average; the city receives roughly 8 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in Sparks?
- July is typically warmest, averaging about 77°F.
- What is the coldest month in Sparks?
- December is typically coldest, averaging about 36°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Sparks?
- 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 Sparks get?
- Sparks averages about 23 rainy days per year.
- What hardiness zone is Sparks?
- Sparks's 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
Sparks, Nevada falls within a hot-summer Mediterranean climate. January means hover near 37°F while July averages 77°F — a 40°F seasonal swing.
The city receives about 8 inches of precipitation annually, spread over roughly 23 rainy days.
Latitude (39.6°N), proximity to large water bodies, and elevation set the rhythm of the year. They shape what grows, when frost is likely, and the day-to-day weather story.