Your desert days, beautifully planned
Pool days. Patio nights. A sweater, sometimes.
Your guide to the forecast, the seasons and a perfectly paced Coachella Valley getaway.
The forecast, with a local point of view
Latest airport observation
Observation station: Palm Springs International Airport. City forecast below.
Make a day of it
A little planning leaves more room for the fun. Check the forecast before setting your outdoor plans.
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Twelve months. Twelve kinds of escape.
A cool morning walk or a long afternoon by the pool? Choose your travel month for the usual temperatures, a few packing pointers and a little desert-day inspiration.
January in Palm Springs
Think unhurried walks, a sunny lunch and a jacket within reach. Mornings and evenings feel cool; a sunny afternoon can be a lovely excuse to linger outside. Winter storms can interrupt the blue skies, so keep your plans flexible.
A light sweater, an evening jacket, sunglasses and comfortable walking shoes.
Pair an outdoor lunch with an afternoon of art, shopping or a film. For a swim, confirm your home’s pool-heating arrangements.
February in Palm Springs
There is a lot to love about a desert winter escape: mild afternoons, crisp mornings and room for both outdoor exploring and a cozy evening. February is among the wetter months in the airport climate record, though individual trips can be dry.
Layers you can shed at lunch, a jacket after dark and a small rain shell.
Plan a scenic morning walk, leave lunch outdoors if the forecast agrees, and keep an indoor option for a passing storm.
March in Palm Springs
The desert starts to warm up, while evenings still reward a light layer. Build a day around a tee time, tennis or a patio lunch. Warm spells and gusty days can still change the plan; check the daily forecast before heading out.
Breathable daytime clothes, a light evening layer, a sun hat and walking shoes.
Book outdoor activities earlier in the day, then let a long, shaded lunch do some of the itinerary work.
April in Palm Springs
Spring feels distinctly poolside by April. Afternoons can be hot, especially during a warm spell, while the temperature drops after sunset. Give festival days and outdoor outings a little breathing room for shade and water breaks.
Swimwear, a hat, sunscreen, closed-toe shoes for dusty venues and a light layer after dark.
Explore in the morning, enjoy a shaded pool afternoon and leave the evening open for dinner outside.
May in Palm Springs
The days get hotter and the pool becomes a natural center of gravity. Shift exercise and sightseeing earlier, then make a leisurely afternoon of shade, a cool interior and a good book. Evenings can feel made for a relaxed patio dinner.
Loose, breathable clothes, swimwear, sun protection and a refillable water bottle.
Choose an early tee time or a short morning outing; take a proper break during the hottest part of the day.
June in Palm Springs
Summer is here. Strong heat is part of the experience, so plan around it instead of trying to fit a full outdoor day into it. A shaded pool setting and an air-conditioned home make a comfortable base between short early outings.
Light, loose clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, swimwear and extra water.
Start early, retreat indoors through the hottest hours, and return to the patio when conditions are more comfortable.
July in Palm Springs
Expect serious daytime heat and warm nights. Dry air is common, but summer moisture can bring humidity, thunderstorms and sudden changes. A pool is a pleasure; shade and indoor cooling are essential parts of the day.
Breathable sun-protective clothing, a hat, swimwear and a generous water supply.
Keep outdoor activity short and early. If thunder develops, leave the pool and head inside a substantial building.
August in Palm Springs
August keeps the summer heat turned up, with little overnight relief compared with winter. Humidity and thunderstorms are possible when monsoonal moisture reaches the desert. Leave ambitious hikes for a cooler season and enjoy a slower home-base holiday.
Summer essentials, a hat, water and comfortable clothes for air-conditioned breaks.
Schedule a relaxed morning, pause indoors in the afternoon and watch the forecast before an evening outside.
September in Palm Springs
The calendar may say fall, but pack for summer first. Afternoons are still hot, and evenings can remain warm. There is no need to rush the season: make shade, short early outings and a comfortable home base part of your stay.
Swimwear, light clothing, sun protection and a thin layer for indoor air conditioning.
Enjoy breakfast outside, save the hottest hours for a leisurely indoor break and check conditions before a sunset stroll.
October in Palm Springs
October brings the transition toward the outdoor season, but early fall can still deliver very hot days. Take advantage of comfortable mornings and evenings, with the pool and shade ready for a warmer afternoon.
Summer pieces, swimwear, sun protection and a light layer for after sunset.
Leave space for a patio dinner, a morning round of golf or an architecture outing. Use the live forecast to set the pace.
November in Palm Springs
Milder afternoons invite more time outside, and evenings start to feel crisp. A mix of poolside sunshine, outdoor exploring and good food works beautifully. Cooler nights make that extra layer in your bag feel like a very good idea.
Daytime layers, a sweater or jacket after dark, sunglasses and walking shoes.
Build a day around a walk, a tee time and an outdoor lunch. Ask about pool heating before counting on a swim.
December in Palm Springs
December has a gentler daytime pace and some of the coolest nights of the year. Enjoy the sunshine when it appears, bring warm layers for the evening and have an indoor alternative for a winter storm.
A sweater, a jacket for mornings and evenings, walking shoes and a rain layer.
Plan a sunny patio lunch and a comfortable evening at your home. A mountain excursion needs its own weather check and warmer clothing.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Average rainfall (in) | The mood |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 71°F | 48°F | 1.14 in | Sunny-day layers |
| February | 74°F | 50°F | 1.11 in | Long lunches, light layers |
| March | 81°F | 54°F | 0.51 in | The outdoor sweet spot |
| April | 87°F | 59°F | 0.09 in | Pool days arrive |
| May | 95°F | 66°F | 0.02 in | A slower poolside pace |
| June | 104°F | 73°F | 0.00 in | Shade is part of the plan |
| July | 109°F | 79°F | 0.25 in | Desert summer, full volume |
| August | 108°F | 80°F | 0.14 in | Pool, pause, repeat |
| September | 102°F | 74°F | 0.24 in | Summer stays a little longer |
| October | 91°F | 65°F | 0.20 in | Golden-hour season |
| November | 79°F | 53°F | 0.23 in | The long-weekend favorite |
| December | 69°F | 46°F | 0.68 in | Sunny escapes, cozy evenings |
These are NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 climate normals for Palm Springs Regional Airport (USW00093138), not a forecast for your stay. An average high describes daytime temperatures; an average low generally describes overnight temperatures. Individual days can be much hotter, cooler or wetter. Rainfall is a monthly average total; 0.00 in reflects rounding, not a guarantee of no rain. Use the city forecast for your actual dates.
The best time to visit is your kind of time
The Coachella Valley has more than one vacation rhythm. Here’s how we would match the season to the way you like to spend a day.
November–March / The outdoor season
For golf, architecture walks, tennis and patio meals, the cooler months are a good starting point. Keep a sweater nearby for early mornings and after sunset, and leave room for a winter rain day. A warm spell can still surprise you.
June–September / The pool-and-shade season
Summer asks you to reset the pace. Start early, let shade shape your pool time and enjoy an air-conditioned afternoon. Long desert hikes can wait for cooler weather. For a day trip, follow Joshua Tree’s summer guidance and check conditions first.
April, May & October bridge the seasons: more warmth for a pool-focused escape, with mornings and evenings for getting out. Afternoon heat can still be substantial, so let the forecast choose the timing. Our events and festivals guide can help fill the calendar.
The suitcase edit
Swimwear earns its place in every season. So does sun protection. The extra layer depends on when—and how far up the mountain—you’re going.
A little local perspective
A Palm Springs weather report is a useful starting point, but your poolside, patio and day-trip plans deserve a closer look.
Check both temperature and wind. Mountain passes and canyon terrain can make the breeze feel very different from one setting to another. A sheltered patio and an exposed pool deck may have quite different afternoons. Use your city forecast rather than assuming a valley-wide reading applies to your home.
Planning a round in Indian Wells, a stay in La Quinta or a festival outing in Indio? Select that city above. Palm Springs airport observations are useful regional context; they are not a measurement at every vacation home. The live panel tells you which airport supplied the observation.
A mountain trip changes the wardrobe. The Tramway’s Mountain Station is typically 30–40°F (17–22°C) cooler than the desert floor. Joshua Tree has its own forecast and summer heat risks. Check the destination’s conditions before leaving the valley.
Follow your home’s instructions for umbrellas and outdoor furnishings. Move plans to a sheltered spot on gusty days. Check current advisories before a drive through exposed desert areas.
Summer moisture can bring thunderstorms and flash floods. Rain higher in the mountains can send water into a desert wash. Follow official warnings and never cross a flooded road.
Choose cooler hours for outdoor activity, drink water and take breaks in a cool place. During a heat warning, adjust the itinerary. Follow NWS heat guidance; a pool doesn’t remove the need for shade and cooling breaks.
Good questions. Better plans.
The practical details behind a great desert escape.
For visitors who want long days of golf, walking and outdoor exploring, November through March is a useful starting point. April, May and October can be lovely for a pool-focused stay, with more afternoon heat. June through September suits a slower pool-and-shade rhythm with indoor breaks. These are travel-planning suggestions, not a weather guarantee; check the forecast for your dates.
Winter usually means mild afternoons and cool mornings and evenings. At the Palm Springs airport, the December through February average highs are about 69–74°F (21–23°C) and average lows are about 46–50°F (8–10°C). Bring layers, and keep an indoor plan for a winter storm.
A heated pool can make a winter swim much more comfortable, especially after cool nights. Sunshine, wind, air temperature and personal preference all matter. Confirm the pool-heating arrangements for your specific Desert Luxury Estates home before your trip.
Very hot. June through September airport average highs are above 100°F (38°C), and individual hot spells can exceed the monthly average. July and August nights also stay warm. Build your day around shade and indoor cooling, keep strenuous outdoor plans out of the hottest hours, and follow official heat advisories.
Yes. The desert is dry, but rain does happen. January and February have the largest monthly rainfall averages in the airport’s 1991-2020 normals. Summer moisture can also bring thunderstorms, gusty wind and localized flash flooding. A low monthly rainfall average is not a promise of a rain-free trip.
No. Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Indio and Coachella share a desert setting, but wind, cloud cover and temperature can differ. Choose your city in the live forecast. The observation is labeled with its reporting airport, while the forecast is for the selected city. Mountain and high-desert trips need a separate forecast.
Bring sun protection, sunglasses, a hat, swimwear, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes in every season. Add a sweater or jacket for cooler mornings and evenings in the outdoor season. In summer, choose loose sun-protective clothing and plan for extra water and air-conditioned breaks. Pack more warmly for the Tramway’s Mountain Station.
The page checks National Weather Service data when you open it or change cities, and refreshes every 15 minutes while it is visible. The displayed observation and forecast timestamps show when the source data was issued; an airport observation can lag real-time conditions. Use Refresh to check again. If data is unavailable, the page says so and links to the official forecast.
Your own slice of the desert
A private pool, a beautiful home and a little local help. Explore Desert Luxury Estates homes in Palm Springs and across the Coachella Valley.
Climate figures: NOAA/NCEI, Palm Springs Regional Airport, 1991–2020 normals. Live data: National Weather Service. Local weather context: NWS San Diego Weather Guide; mountain temperatures: Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Travel suggestions are DLE editorial guidance. Guide reviewed September 29, 2026. Artwork is original AI-assisted illustration of imagined desert settings, not photography of listed homes.