Weather in Torrance, California
Fog and sun in daily rhythm. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Foggy—69°57°
- SundayMay 17Overcast—72°56°
- MondayMay 18Overcast—71°54°
- TuesdayMay 19Overcast—70°62°
- WednesdayMay 20Overcast—70°62°
- ThursdayMay 21Overcast—70°63°
- FridayMay 22Clear—69°62°
- PM 2.5
- 19.0 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 27.4 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 5.2 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 128.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 1.9 Low
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 1:08 PM
- Moonset
- 3:17 AM
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
Fog and sun in daily rhythm
Torrance at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 13°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: March 10 (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
Torrance's warmest month is August, with a mean near 74°F, and its coldest is December, averaging about 57°F. Rainfall climbs to a February peak of 3.0 inches and falls to 0.0 inches in August.
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 57° | 2.9″ | 4 |
| February | 58° | 3.0″ | 5 |
| March | 60° | 1.6″ | 3 |
| April | 63° | 0.6″ | 1 |
| May | 66° | 0.3″ | 1 |
| June | 69° | 0.1″ | 0 |
| July | 73° | 0.1″ | 0 |
| August | 74° | 0.0″ | 0 |
| September | 73° | 0.1″ | 0 |
| October | 68° | 0.5″ | 1 |
| November | 62° | 0.8″ | 2 |
| December | 57° | 2.1″ | 3 |
Regional context
Torrance belongs to a hot-summer Mediterranean climate region, a cohort of nearby cities that share 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
By late May the first broods of western fence lizards are emerging on south-facing slopes around the Palos Verdes Peninsula, right as the coastal morning clouds begin their seasonal retreat.
Look low in the western sky just after sunset during early June: Mars and Venus can appear within a few degrees of each other, with the Beehive Cluster (M44) passing through the same field of view on clear evenings.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Torrance?
- Torrance's last spring frost usually falls around mid-March, and the first fall frost arrives around mid-December.
- What is the rainy season in Torrance?
- February is the wettest month, averaging about 3.0 inches of rain; the city receives roughly 12 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in Torrance?
- August is typically the warmest month, averaging about 74°F.
- What is the coldest month in Torrance?
- December is typically the coldest month, averaging about 57°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Torrance?
- Cool-season crops such as peas and lettuce can be sown around the last spring frost (mid-March); warm-season crops like tomatoes and peppers wait until 1–2 weeks after that date.
- How many rainy days does Torrance get?
- Torrance averages about 20 rainy days per year.
- What hardiness zone is Torrance?
- Torrance's USDA hardiness zone reflects its lowest average winter temperature. Check the USDA's online lookup with the city ZIP for the current zone designation.
Climate
Torrance, California falls within a hot-summer Mediterranean climate zone. January means sit near 57°F while July averages 73°F, yielding a 16°F seasonal swing between the two.
Over the course of a year, Torrance receives roughly 12 inches of precipitation spread across about 20 rainy days.
Latitude (33.8°N), the proximity to large water bodies, and elevation all set the yearly rhythm. These factors shape what can grow, when frost is likely, and the daily weather story.