Palm Springs Weather by Month: When to Visit (and When to Think Twice)

The Coachella Valley's weather is remarkably predictable: over 350 days of sunshine a year and almost no rain (under 5 inches annually). What changes is the heat — and it changes everything: prices, crowds, what you can do outside, and when you can do it.

The month-by-month table

| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Crowds | Hotel Prices | Verdict | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | January | 71 | 45 | High | $$$$ | Perfect days, cold nights, tennis week buzz | | February | 74 | 48 | High | $$$$ | Modernism Week, wildflowers begin | | March | 80 | 52 | Very High | $$$$$ | Desert wildflower peak, BNP Paribas Open | | April | 88 | 57 | Very High | $$$$$ | Coachella + Stagecoach, book far ahead | | May | 96 | 64 | Moderate | $$ | Last easy pool month, deals appear | | June | 104 | 72 | Low | $$ | Hot afternoons; mornings still fine | | July | 108 | 78 | Low | $ | Pool-or-indoors season begins | | August | 107 | 78 | Low | $ | Hottest stretch; best rates of the year | | September | 102 | 72 | Low-Moderate | $-$$ | Still hot; things reopen mid-month | | October | 91 | 60 | Moderate | $$ | The comeback month — arguably the best value | | November | 79 | 50 | Moderate | $$-$$$ | Gorgeous, uncrowded, underrated | | December | 70 | 44 | Moderate-High | $$$ | Festive, cool nights, snow on the peaks |

The golden season: November through April

This is why Palm Springs exists. Daytime highs sit between 70 and 88 degrees, the sky is reliably blue, and evenings call for a light jacket. It is also when everyone else knows it. January through April brings the tournament season (BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells in March), Modernism Week in February, and Coachella and Stagecoach in April. Hotel rates triple versus summer, and the best boutique hotels sell out months ahead for festival weekends.

December is the sneaky-good month: holiday lights, snow visible on the San Jacinto peaks while you sit by the pool in 70-degree sun, and lighter crowds than spring — except the week between Christmas and New Year's.

The shoulder sweet spots: October and May

If you want the pool weather without peak prices, these are your months. October starts warm (low 90s) and slides into the 80s; the valley wakes back up, restaurants and attractions that closed for summer reopen, and rates stay reasonable until Thanksgiving approaches. May runs the other direction — mid-90s by late month, but mornings are still lovely and summer deals begin to appear.

Summer: June through September

Be honest with yourself about heat. Highs run 104 to 115, and it does not cool off much at night in July and August (lows near 80). The rhythm of a summer trip: pool until noon, air-conditioned lunch and museums midday, back in the pool at five, dinner outdoors after dark. Hiking is a dawn-only activity, and even then, short. In exchange, you get the valley's best hotel deals — luxury resorts at half their winter rates, splashy pool scenes, and zero crowds. Some smaller restaurants and attractions close or cut hours in August and early September.

Rain, wind, and wind season

Rain is rare and mostly falls December through March, a few days a month at most. The thing visitors don't expect is wind: the San Gorgonio Pass (where the windmills are) funnels serious wind into the valley, especially in spring. March and April afternoons can be gusty — the north end of Palm Springs gets it worst, the south end (Indian Canyons side) is most sheltered.

What to pack, by season

• Winter (Dec–Feb): layers. Shorts and a T-shirt at noon, a real jacket after dark — desert nights drop 25 to 30 degrees from the afternoon high.
• Spring (Mar–May): sun protection, a hat, and a light layer for wind. Warm enough to swim from late March.
• Summer (Jun–Sep): minimum clothing, maximum sunscreen, a refillable water bottle, and lip balm. Do not plan midday hikes.
• Fall (Oct–Nov): like spring — sun gear by day, one layer for evening.

A note on the tramway temperature trick

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway climbs to 8,516 feet, where it is typically 30 to 40 degrees cooler than the valley floor. In summer it is the best escape in the desert (80 degrees at the top when it is 115 below); in winter there can be snow up top while golfers tee off below. Bring a jacket any month of the year.