Weather in Bakersfield, California
Fog and sun in daily rhythm. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Clear—84°62°
- SundayMay 17Overcast—81°56°
- MondayMay 18Overcast—87°52°
- TuesdayMay 19Clear—94°58°
- WednesdayMay 20Overcast—96°61°
- ThursdayMay 21Overcast—99°64°
- FridayMay 22Clear—100°65°
- PM 2.5
- 14.6 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 80.3 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 1.0 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 118.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 1.9 Low
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 1:06 PM
- Moonset
- 3:25 AM
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
Fog and sun in daily rhythm
Bakersfield at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 7°F above the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: March 19 (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
July brings Bakersfield's peak heat (~84°F mean) while December delivers the coldest temperatures (~48°F). February sees the heaviest rainfall (1.3 inches) and August remains completely dry (0.0 inches).
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 49° | 1.3″ | 4 |
| February | 52° | 1.3″ | 3 |
| March | 57° | 1.2″ | 3 |
| April | 62° | 0.6″ | 2 |
| May | 70° | 0.3″ | 1 |
| June | 77° | 0.0″ | 0 |
| July | 84° | 0.0″ | 0 |
| August | 82° | 0.0″ | 0 |
| September | 77° | 0.1″ | 0 |
| October | 67° | 0.2″ | 1 |
| November | 56° | 0.5″ | 2 |
| December | 48° | 1.0″ | 3 |
Regional context
Bakersfield falls within a hot-summer Mediterranean climate region that extends across nearby cities. This climate zone creates similar temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions throughout the area.
Similar climates: Los Angeles, CA, San Francisco, CA, San Diego, CA, Riverside, CA, Sacramento, CA.
Naturalist notes
Valley oaks begin their spring leaf-out in late March as soil temperatures warm.
Red-winged blackbirds return to wetland areas around Bakersfield in early April.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Bakersfield?
- Spring's final frost typically occurs around mid-March in Bakersfield, while the first fall frost returns around mid-December.
- What is the rainy season in Bakersfield?
- February receives the most rainfall with about 1.3 inches on average; total annual precipitation reaches roughly 7 inches.
- What is the warmest month in Bakersfield?
- July typically records the highest temperatures, averaging about 84°F.
- What is the coldest month in Bakersfield?
- December typically brings the coldest weather, averaging about 48°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Bakersfield?
- Cool-season crops like peas and lettuce can be planted around the last spring frost (mid-March); warm-season crops such as tomatoes and peppers should wait until 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does Bakersfield get?
- Bakersfield experiences about 17 rainy days per year on average.
- What hardiness zone is Bakersfield?
- Bakersfield'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 code.
Climate
Bakersfield, California experiences a hot-summer Mediterranean climate zone. January temperatures hover near 49°F while July averages 84°F — creating a 35°F seasonal swing.
Annual precipitation in Bakersfield totals about 7 inches, distributed across roughly 17 rainy days throughout the year.
Weather patterns here follow the city's latitude (35.4°N), proximity to large water bodies, and elevation. These factors determine what grows locally, frost timing, and daily weather conditions.