Weather in Palmdale, 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
- 1:04 PM
- Moonset
- 3:19 AM
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
Fog and sun in daily rhythm
Palmdale at a glance
- Today vs. normal: NaN°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: March 15 (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 Palmdale's peak heat with average temperatures around 83°F, while December delivers the coldest conditions at roughly 46°F. February sees the most rainfall at 1.8 inches, while June typically remains bone dry at 0.0 inches.
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 47° | 1.4″ | 3 |
| February | 50° | 1.8″ | 3 |
| March | 55° | 1.1″ | 3 |
| April | 61° | 0.4″ | 1 |
| May | 68° | 0.1″ | 0 |
| June | 76° | 0.0″ | 0 |
| July | 83° | 0.2″ | 0 |
| August | 82° | 0.0″ | 0 |
| September | 76° | 0.1″ | 0 |
| October | 66° | 0.4″ | 1 |
| November | 54° | 0.4″ | 1 |
| December | 46° | 1.3″ | 2 |
Regional context
Palmdale falls within the hot-summer Mediterranean climate region, sharing temperature ranges, seasonal rhythms, and growing conditions with other cities in this climate zone.
Similar climates: Los Angeles, CA, San Francisco, CA, San Diego, CA, Riverside, CA, Sacramento, CA.
Naturalist notes
Late May brings the peak blooming period for California poppies across the Antelope Valley.
Red-winged blackbirds establish territories in nearby wetlands during March as winter cold releases its grip.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Palmdale?
- Spring's final frost in Palmdale typically occurs around mid-March, while the season's first frost returns around mid-December.
- What is the rainy season in Palmdale?
- February stands as the wettest month with approximately 1.8 inches of rain on average; annual totals reach roughly 7 inches.
- What is the warmest month in Palmdale?
- July typically brings the year's highest temperatures, averaging about 83°F.
- What is the coldest month in Palmdale?
- December usually delivers the coldest weather, averaging about 46°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Palmdale?
- Cool-season crops like peas and lettuce can be planted around the last spring frost in mid-March; warm-season crops such as tomatoes and peppers should wait another 1–2 weeks.
- How many rainy days does Palmdale get?
- Palmdale sees rain on about 15 days per year on average.
- What hardiness zone is Palmdale?
- Palmdale's USDA hardiness zone depends on its lowest average winter temperature; the USDA's online lookup tool using the city ZIP code provides the current zone designation.
Climate
Palmdale, California experiences a hot-summer Mediterranean climate zone. Winter temperatures in January hover near 47°F while summer heat in July averages 83°F — creating a 35°F seasonal swing.
Annual precipitation totals about 7 inches across roughly 15 rainy days throughout the year.
Location at 34.6°N latitude, distance from large water bodies, and elevation combine to determine what grows here, when frost threatens, and how weather patterns unfold each day.