Seasonal planning guide

Palm Springs weather,
month by month.

These monthly averages help you compare travel dates; they are not a forecast. As your stay gets closer, check current weather and alerts.

Start with the month

See the year at a glance.

Palm Springs is mildest November–April; average highs top 100°F June–September.

Typical daily temperature rangeCircles mark highs; squares mark lows. Hover, focus, or tap a point to see its rounded average. Every value is listed below.

Jan: 71°Fhigh; 48°Flow

Feb: 74°Fhigh; 50°Flow

Mar: 81°Fhigh; 54°Flow

Apr: 87°Fhigh; 59°Flow

May: 95°Fhigh; 66°Flow

Jun: 104°Fhigh; 73°Flow

Jul: 109°Fhigh; 79°Flow

Aug: 108°Fhigh; 80°Flow

Sep: 102°Fhigh; 74°Flow

Oct: 91°Fhigh; 65°Flow

Nov: 79°Fhigh; 53°Flow

Dec: 69°Fhigh; 46°Flow

Plan by season

Four ways to pace
a desert day.

Winter is mildest; spring warms fast; summer is indoor-first; fall eases back outside. September stays with summer because its normal high is 102°F.

December–February

Winter

Average highs 69–74°F · average lows 46–50°F

Winter is the mildest season on the valley floor, but mornings and evenings can be cool, with wind and occasional rain.

Morning

Start with a layer and put hikes or other daylight-dependent plans first. Check wind and rain before heading to a patio, canyon, or trail.

Midday

Often the easiest part of the day for valley walks, gardens, golf, patios, and pool time—when the weather cooperates.

Evening

Keep a warmer layer close for dinner, the firepit, or stargazing; comfortable daytime sun can give way to a cool night.

Pack & plan

Light layers
Sun protection
Closed-toe walking shoes

Recheck before leaving

Wind and rain
Mountain temperatures
Trail status

March–May

Spring

Average highs 81–95°F · average lows 54–66°F

Spring changes quickly. March is generally milder; by May, move outdoor plans earlier. Book ahead for major event weekends.

Morning

Longer days open up more options, but as temperatures climb, move outdoor plans earlier and carry water.

Midday

Keep shade, a pool break, lunch, or a museum ready. By May, it often makes sense to spend midday indoors.

Evening

Evenings often suit patios and events; check the temperature and wind before heading out.

Pack & plan

Refillable water
Hat and sunscreen
Breathable layer

Recheck before leaving

Rising heat
Event traffic and tickets
Wind and air quality

June–September

Summer

Average highs 102–109°F · average lows 73–80°F

In peak heat, build the day around air-conditioned stops. Keep outdoor plans short, early, and easy to skip.

Morning

Check the current temperature, heat alerts, and trail notices before heading out. If current heat or trail conditions are unsafe, shorten the outing or stay indoors.

Midday

Spend midday in air-conditioning or deep shade—at a museum, over a meal, or back at the house. Bring water and sun protection even to the pool.

Evening

Temperatures can remain high after sunset. Check again, and keep an indoor backup.

Pack & plan

Water for every person, plus a reserve
Strong sun protection
Indoor backup plan

Recheck before leaving

Heat alerts and air quality
Thunderstorms and washes
Road and trail closures

October–November

Fall

Average highs 79–91°F · average lows 53–65°F

Fall is a transition, not a switch: October can still run hot while November usually makes more of the day comfortable.

Morning

Check the forecast: early fall can still be hot enough to move outdoor plans earlier or cut them short.

Midday

Mix indoor and outdoor stops through October. As November cools, leave more room for walks, golf, and patios.

Evening

Bring a light layer later in fall, and leave enough daylight for a trail, mountain outing, or high-desert drive.

Pack & plan

Water and sun protection
Light evening layer
Flexible timing

Recheck before leaving

Late-season heat
Wind and daylight
Event-weekend traffic

Conditions change by place

One forecast cannot
cover the whole day.

The airport averages describe the valley floor. Mountains, high desert, roads, washes, and trails need their own same-day checks.

Valley floor

Check the Palm Springs forecast.

The NOAA averages describe typical valley-floor weather, and the Palm Springs forecast covers the same general elevation. For a mountain or high-desert outing, check that destination separately.

Check Palm Springs weather

Mountain

Check Mountain Station weather.

The Tramway says Mountain Station, at 8,516 feet, is typically 30–40°F cooler than the desert floor. Check the mountain forecast before you ride.

Mountain weather State Park conditions

High desert

Check the part of the park you’re visiting.

Joshua Tree spans elevations from 536 to 5,814 feet, so weather can vary across the park. Check the weather for Black Rock, Hidden Valley, or Cottonwood, then review alerts and closures.

Weather by area Alerts & closures

Six reasons to adjust the plan

Treat flash flooding as seriously as heat.

Heat

Heat risk changes with the day and the activity. Check temperature and alerts; shorten, move indoors, or skip exposed plans.

NWS heat safety

Wind & blowing sand

Wind can close wash roads and sharply reduce visibility in blowing dust. Check warnings and closures before driving.

NWS dust-storm safety

Flash flooding

Flash floods can reach a wash, low road, or canyon even when it is not raining there. Never enter floodwater; obey closures.

NWS flood safety

Roads & washes

Runoff, mud, and blowing sand can keep low wash crossings closed after the weather passes. Check city closures before driving across town.

Why wash roads close

Air quality

Check current air quality and the forecast before a hike or other active time outdoors, especially when smoke or dust is around.

Trails, access & daylight

For remote outings, check destination notices, choose a turnaround time that gets you back before dark, and download maps before you lose cell service.

Sunrise & sunset

A three-check habit

Check before booking, before arrival, and again that day.

Before booking
Use monthly averages to choose dates, then pick an indoor backup or a shorter outdoor option.
Before arrival
Check the forecast, access, tickets, and what to pack; download maps for remote outings.
Day of
Check weather, air quality, roads, and destination notices. If a warning or closure rules out the first choice, switch to your backup.

Sources and notes — last updated on August 30, 2026

About the averages

The chart uses rounded average daily highs and lows from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals for Palm Springs Regional Airport (USW00093138), checked August 23, 2026. These 30-year averages are useful for comparing months, but they cannot predict the weather for a specific stay.

Current conditions & safety

Elevation & destinations