Weather in Santa Ana, California
Fog and sun in daily rhythm. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 1:06 PM
- Moonset
- 3:15 AM
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
Fog and sun in daily rhythm
Santa Ana at a glance
- Today vs. normal: NaN°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: March 9 (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 brings Santa Ana's peak heat with mean temperatures around 75°F, while December delivers the year's coldest weather at about 58°F. Rain follows a Mediterranean pattern, peaking in February at 3.2 inches and disappearing almost entirely in August at 0.0 inches.
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 59° | 2.9″ | 5 |
| February | 59° | 3.2″ | 5 |
| March | 62° | 1.7″ | 3 |
| April | 64° | 0.8″ | 2 |
| May | 66° | 0.3″ | 1 |
| June | 70° | 0.1″ | 0 |
| July | 74° | 0.0″ | 0 |
| August | 75° | 0.0″ | 0 |
| September | 74° | 0.1″ | 0 |
| October | 69° | 0.5″ | 1 |
| November | 63° | 0.8″ | 2 |
| December | 58° | 2.2″ | 4 |
Regional context
Local climate places Santa Ana squarely within the hot-summer Mediterranean zone, where it shares temperature ranges, seasonal rhythms, and growing conditions with surrounding cities in the region.
Similar climates: Los Angeles, CA, San Francisco, CA, San Diego, CA, Riverside, CA, Sacramento, CA.
Naturalist notes
California poppies begin their spring bloom in late March, painting hillsides orange as winter rains fade.
Red-winged blackbirds establish territories in marsh edges during April, their distinctive calls marking the shift toward warmer months.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Santa Ana?
- Mid-March typically marks Santa Ana's last spring frost, while the first fall frost usually arrives around mid-December.
- What is the rainy season in Santa Ana?
- February brings the heaviest rainfall at about 3.2 inches on average, contributing to the city's annual total of roughly 13 inches.
- What is the warmest month in Santa Ana?
- August typically records the year's highest temperatures, averaging about 75°F.
- What is the coldest month in Santa Ana?
- December usually brings the coldest weather, with temperatures averaging about 58°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Santa Ana?
- Cool-season crops like peas and lettuce can go in the ground around the last spring frost in mid-March, while warm-season crops such as tomatoes and peppers should wait 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does Santa Ana get?
- Santa Ana sees precipitation on about 22 days per year on average.
- What hardiness zone is Santa Ana?
- Santa Ana's USDA hardiness zone depends on its lowest average winter temperature; the USDA's online lookup tool can provide the current zone designation using the city ZIP.
Climate
Santa Ana, California experiences a hot-summer Mediterranean climate zone. Winter temperatures in January typically hover near 59°F, while July averages reach 74°F — creating a 15°F seasonal swing.
Annual precipitation in Santa Ana totals about 13 inches, falling across roughly 22 rainy days throughout the year.
Geography shapes Santa Ana's weather patterns through its latitude at 33.7°N, proximity to large water bodies, and elevation. These factors determine what grows locally, when frost threatens, and how daily weather unfolds.