Weather in Long Beach, California
Fog and sun in daily rhythm. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Overcast—72°59°
- SundayMay 17Overcast—69°57°
- MondayMay 18Overcast—70°53°
- TuesdayMay 19Overcast—76°62°
- WednesdayMay 20Overcast—72°64°
- ThursdayMay 21Overcast—69°63°
- FridayMay 22Clear—74°62°
- PM 2.5
- 10.7 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 18.1 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 1.7 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 96.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 1.7 Low
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 1:07 PM
- Moonset
- 3:16 AM
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
Fog and sun in daily rhythm
Long Beach at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 12°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
August is Long Beach's warmest month (~74°F mean) and December is its coldest (~57°F). Rainfall peaks in February (3.0 inches) and bottoms out in August (0.0 inches).
| 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
Long Beach falls within a hot-summer Mediterranean climate region — sharing similar temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions with nearby cities.
Similar climates: Los Angeles, CA, San Francisco, CA, San Diego, CA, Riverside, CA, Sacramento, CA.
Naturalist notes
California poppies begin their peak bloom period in late March, carpeting coastal hills with brilliant orange flowers.
Allen's hummingbirds return from their southern wintering grounds in February, their metallic calls marking the approach of spring.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Long Beach?
- Long Beach's last spring frost typically occurs around mid-March, and the first fall frost arrives around mid-December.
- What is the rainy season in Long Beach?
- February is the wettest month with about 3.0 inches of rain on average; the city receives roughly 12 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in Long Beach?
- August is typically warmest, averaging about 74°F.
- What is the coldest month in Long Beach?
- December is typically coldest, averaging about 57°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Long Beach?
- Cool-season crops (peas, lettuce) can be sown around the last spring frost (mid-March); warm-season crops (tomatoes, peppers) wait until 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does Long Beach get?
- Long Beach averages about 20 rainy days per year.
- What hardiness zone is Long Beach?
- Long Beach'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
Long Beach, California experiences a hot-summer Mediterranean climate zone. January temperatures hover near 57°F while July averages 73°F — a 16°F seasonal swing.
Throughout the year, Long Beach receives about 12 inches of precipitation spread over roughly 20 rainy days.
Latitude (33.8°N), proximity to large water bodies, and elevation determine the rhythm of the year — shaping what grows here, when frost is likely, and the daily weather patterns.