Weather in Stockton, 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
- 3:44 AM
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
Fog and sun in daily rhythm
Stockton at a glance
- Today vs. normal: NaN°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: April 4 (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
Warm-season window is open
As of May 17, the last spring frost has passed for most years. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, basil, and cucurbits (cucumbers, squash, melons) now. Direct-sow beans and corn into warm soil.
Planting calendar
| Month | Plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | — |
| February | — | — |
| March | — | — |
| April | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes | — |
| May | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| June | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| July | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| August | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| September | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| October | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | winter squash, tomatoes (last) |
| November | — | — |
| December | — | — |
A year in weather
July brings Stockton's warmest temperatures (~78°F mean) while January delivers the coldest (~49°F). Rainfall reaches its peak in January (3.6 inches) and drops to nearly nothing in July (0.0 inches).
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 49° | 3.6″ | 8 |
| February | 53° | 3.1″ | 7 |
| March | 58° | 2.4″ | 6 |
| April | 62° | 1.4″ | 3 |
| May | 69° | 0.6″ | 2 |
| June | 74° | 0.1″ | 0 |
| July | 78° | 0.0″ | 0 |
| August | 77° | 0.0″ | 0 |
| September | 75° | 0.1″ | 0 |
| October | 66° | 1.0″ | 2 |
| November | 56° | 1.8″ | 4 |
| December | 49° | 3.1″ | 7 |
Regional context
Stockton falls within a hot-summer Mediterranean climate region — sharing similar temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions with nearby cities in this climate cohort.
Similar climates: Los Angeles, CA, San Francisco, CA, San Diego, CA, Riverside, CA, Sacramento, CA.
Naturalist notes
Valley oaks begin dropping their acorns in late May as temperatures climb steadily toward summer.
Red-winged blackbirds establish territories in the marshes and waterways during late spring courtship season.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Stockton?
- Stockton's last spring frost typically occurs around mid-April, and the first fall frost arrives around mid-November.
- What is the rainy season in Stockton?
- January stands as the wettest month with about 3.6 inches of rain on average; the city receives roughly 17 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in Stockton?
- July typically brings the warmest weather, averaging about 78°F.
- What is the coldest month in Stockton?
- January typically delivers the coldest temperatures, averaging about 49°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Stockton?
- Cool-season crops (peas, lettuce) can be planted around the last spring frost (mid-April); warm-season crops (tomatoes, peppers) should wait until 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does Stockton get?
- Stockton experiences about 39 rainy days per year on average.
- What hardiness zone is Stockton?
- Stockton's USDA hardiness zone depends on its lowest average winter temperature; check the USDA's online lookup with the city ZIP for the current zone designation.
Climate
Stockton, California experiences a hot-summer Mediterranean climate zone. January temperatures hover near 49°F while July averages 78°F — creating a 29°F seasonal swing.
Throughout the year, Stockton receives about 17 inches of precipitation spread over roughly 39 rainy days.
Latitude (38.0°N), proximity to large water bodies, and elevation determine the rhythm of the year — shaping what grows here, when frost is likely, and what the weather story looks like day to day.