Weather in Merced, 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
- 1:05 PM
- Moonset
- 3:38 AM
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
Fog and sun in daily rhythm
Merced at a glance
- Today vs. normal: NaN°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: March 31 (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 Merced's warmest temperatures (~78°F mean) while December delivers the coldest (~46°F). Rainfall reaches its peak in January (2.7 inches) and drops to nothing in August (0.0 inches).
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 46° | 2.7″ | 6 |
| February | 50° | 2.2″ | 6 |
| March | 54° | 1.9″ | 5 |
| April | 59° | 1.0″ | 3 |
| May | 67° | 0.6″ | 2 |
| June | 73° | 0.1″ | 0 |
| July | 78° | 0.0″ | 0 |
| August | 77° | 0.0″ | 0 |
| September | 73° | 0.1″ | 0 |
| October | 64° | 0.7″ | 2 |
| November | 53° | 1.2″ | 3 |
| December | 46° | 2.0″ | 5 |
Regional context
Merced belongs to a hot-summer Mediterranean climate region. This classification groups the city with nearby areas that share similar temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions.
Similar climates: Los Angeles, CA, San Francisco, CA, San Diego, CA, Riverside, CA, Sacramento, CA.
Naturalist notes
During late May, valley oaks begin dropping their pollen-heavy catkins across Merced's landscape.
Red-winged blackbirds establish territories in March, with males displaying their scarlet shoulder patches from cattail perches.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Merced?
- Merced's last spring frost typically falls around mid-April, and the first fall frost arrives around mid-November.
- What is the rainy season in Merced?
- January brings the most rain with about 2.7 inches on average; the city receives roughly 13 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in Merced?
- July typically brings the warmest weather, averaging about 78°F.
- What is the coldest month in Merced?
- December typically brings the coldest weather, averaging about 46°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Merced?
- Cool-season crops (peas, lettuce) can be sown around the last spring frost (mid-April); warm-season crops (tomatoes, peppers) wait until 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does Merced get?
- Merced averages about 32 rainy days per year.
- What hardiness zone is Merced?
- Merced'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
Merced, California experiences a hot-summer Mediterranean climate zone. January temperatures hover near 46°F while July averages 78°F, creating a 33°F seasonal swing.
Throughout the year, Merced receives about 13 inches of precipitation spread over roughly 32 rainy days.
Latitude (37.3°N), proximity to large water bodies, and elevation determine the rhythm of the year. These factors shape what grows here, when frost is likely, and what the daily weather patterns look like.