Weather in Orange, California
Fog and sun in daily rhythm. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Overcast—74°60°
- SundayMay 17Overcast—74°60°
- MondayMay 18Overcast—82°54°
- TuesdayMay 19Overcast—82°59°
- WednesdayMay 20Overcast—80°60°
- ThursdayMay 21Overcast—79°60°
- FridayMay 22Clear—80°60°
- PM 2.5
- 13.8 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 21.4 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 7.1 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 103.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 0.1 Low
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
Orange 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
Warmth peaks in August at roughly 77°F mean, and the coldest readings settle in December near 59°F. Rain climbs to its high point in January with 3.2 inches and drops away completely in August, which averages 0.0 inches.
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 60° | 3.2″ | 5 |
| February | 60° | 3.0″ | 5 |
| March | 63° | 1.8″ | 3 |
| April | 65° | 0.7″ | 2 |
| May | 68° | 0.4″ | 1 |
| June | 72° | 0.1″ | 0 |
| July | 76° | 0.1″ | 0 |
| August | 77° | 0.0″ | 0 |
| September | 76° | 0.1″ | 0 |
| October | 71° | 0.6″ | 1 |
| November | 65° | 1.0″ | 2 |
| December | 59° | 2.4″ | 4 |
Regional context
Orange belongs to a hot-summer Mediterranean climate region — a grouping that shares comparable temperature bands, seasonal timing, and growing conditions with neighboring cities.
Similar climates: Los Angeles, CA, San Francisco, CA, San Diego, CA, Riverside, CA, Sacramento, CA.
Naturalist notes
By late May, cliff swallows that arrived in March are finishing their gourd-shaped mud nests under bridges and eaves, their chicks audible before they fledge.
In dry open lots, California buckwheat pushes its dusty white flower clusters into full display, signaling that soil temperatures have stabilized well above 60°F.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Orange?
- The last spring frost in Orange usually arrives around mid-March, and the first fall frost hits near mid-December.
- What is the rainy season in Orange?
- January brings the most rain, averaging about 3.2 inches; the city's annual total sits around 14 inches.
- What is the warmest month in Orange?
- August is typically the warmest month, with a mean near 77°F.
- What is the coldest month in Orange?
- December is typically the coldest month, averaging about 59°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Orange?
- Cool-season crops like peas and lettuce can go in around the last spring frost in mid-March; warm-season vegetables such as tomatoes and peppers should wait until one to two weeks after.
- How many rainy days does Orange get?
- Orange logs about 23 rainy days per year.
- What hardiness zone is Orange?
- Orange's USDA hardiness zone reflects its lowest average winter temperature; check the USDA's online map using a city ZIP code for the current zone label.
Climate
Orange, California falls within a hot-summer Mediterranean climate. January means hover around 60°F, while July averages 76°F — a 16°F swing between the two.
Over the course of a year, the city collects about 14 inches of precipitation, spread across roughly 23 rainy days.
Latitude (33.8°N), nearby water bodies, and elevation set the year's rhythm, shaping plant life, the likelihood of frost, and the day-to-day weather story.