You've probably seen the postcards. Blue pools, towering palm trees, and that iconic mountain backdrop. People talk about Palm Springs like it’s a year-round paradise, and honestly, mostly it is. But if you roll into town in August thinking you're going for a breezy desert hike, you are in for a very rude, very sweaty awakening.
The desert doesn't do "moderate" very well. It's a land of extremes. One month you're wearing a parka at sunrise, and a few months later, the pavement is literally hot enough to fry an egg. Understanding the average temperature Palm Springs by month isn't just about planning your outfits; it’s about survival and making sure you actually enjoy the money you're spending on that mid-century modern Airbnb.
The Winter Reality (December to February)
Winter is why people move here. While the rest of the country is shoveling snow, Palm Springs is basically showing off.
December is technically the coldest month. You’re looking at average highs of about 69°F. Sounds perfect, right? It is, until the sun goes down. The desert loses heat faster than a leaky thermos. By 5:00 PM, that 69°F drops off a cliff toward a crisp 45°F. You’ll see tourists in shorts shivering next to locals in Canada Goose jackets. It’s a vibe.
👉 See also: Money exchange euro to philippine pesos: Why You Should Probably Wait Until You Land
January isn't much different, with highs hitting 71°F and lows staying around 47°F. This is also when you might actually see rain. Not much—maybe an inch—but it’s enough to make the air smell like creosote and turn the San Jacinto mountains white with snow.
February starts the slow climb. Highs hit 73°F. It’s the sweet spot for Modernism Week. You can walk the neighborhoods, look at the architecture, and not feel like you’re melting. But honestly, keep a sweater in the car. You’ve been warned.
Spring: The Golden Window (March to May)
If I had to pick a "perfect" time, this is it.
March is spectacular. Highs reach 80°F. The wildflowers start popping up in the canyons. The sun is warm, but the breeze is still cool enough that you can actually hike the Bump and Grind trail without needing a gallon of Gatorade.
Then comes April. Highs: 87°F. Lows: 59°F.
This is festival season. Coachella and Stagecoach happen now because if they happened any later, the desert would claim the influencers as sacrifices. It’s dry, it’s sunny, and the pool water is finally warm enough to jump in without your heart stopping.
May is the transition. Highs hit 94°F. It’s hot, but it’s that "dry heat" people always joke about. It’s manageable. You’ll spend more time under the misters at breakfast, but you can still eat outside.
The Summer Gauntlet (June to September)
Okay, let’s get real. Summer in Palm Springs is a different beast.
June kicks the door down with average highs of 103°F. This is when the "snowbirds" (the part-time residents from colder climates) flee. The streets get quiet. The hotel rates drop. If you’re on a budget and love a good pool party, this is your time, but stay hydrated.
July is the peak of the furnace. Average high: 108°F.
I’ve seen it hit 120°F. At that point, the air feels heavy. It feels like you're standing behind a jet engine. The average low is 78°F, which sounds okay until you realize it’s still 90°F at midnight. You live from air-conditioned room to air-conditioned car.
August is July’s meaner twin. The temperature stays around 107°F or 108°F, but the humidity can tick up because of the North American Monsoon. It’s not Florida-level humidity, but 20% humidity at 110°F feels significantly worse than 5% humidity.
September is the month of "When will it end?" Highs still hover at 102°F. You think it's fall because the calendar says so, but the desert doesn't care about your calendar.
The Great Fall Reset (October to November)
Finally, things break.
October is the most underrated month in the desert. Highs drop to a gorgeous 91°F. It sounds high, but after three months of triple digits, 91°F feels like a crisp autumn breeze. The evenings start cooling down to 64°F. It’s the return of outdoor dining and sanity.
📖 Related: Why an Africa map labeled countries is harder to find than you think
November brings the average high down to 78°F. It’s golf season. It’s hiking season. It’s "everything is perfect" season.
Average Temperature Palm Springs by Month: At a Glance
Since I know you're probably looking for a quick reference, here is the breakdown of what to expect when you step off the plane at PSP.
- January: High 71°F / Low 47°F (Pack layers)
- February: High 73°F / Low 49°F (Peak events)
- March: High 80°F / Low 54°F (Wildflowers)
- April: High 87°F / Low 59°F (Festival season)
- May: High 94°F / Low 65°F (Last call for hiking)
- June: High 103°F / Low 72°F (Pool season starts)
- July: High 108°F / Low 78°F (The furnace)
- August: High 107°F / Low 79°F (Monsoon potential)
- September: High 102°F / Low 73°F (Still hot)
- October: High 91°F / Low 64°F (The big break)
- November: High 78°F / Low 53°F (Perfect weather)
- December: High 69°F / Low 45°F (Cozy desert vibes)
Why the "Average" Can Be Misleading
Averages are just math. The reality on the ground can be weirder.
Palm Springs sits at the base of the San Jacinto Mountains. This creates a "rain shadow" effect, keeping the city incredibly dry. But it also creates microclimates. If you take the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway from the valley floor up to the mountain station, the temperature drops about 30 degrees in ten minutes. You can be sweating in a swimsuit at the bottom and throwing snowballs at the top.
Also, don't ignore the wind. In the spring, the Coachella Valley can get massive wind gusts—sometimes 40-50 mph—as the cool air from the coast tries to push into the hot desert. It’s not just "warm air"; it’s sand-in-your-eyes, patio-furniture-in-the-pool kind of wind.
Actionable Tips for Your Trip
- Check the dew point in Summer. If the dew point stays below 50°F, the swamp coolers (evaporative coolers) work great. If it climbs toward 60°F, you need real AC or you’ll be miserable.
- Hydrate more than you think. In 5% humidity, your sweat evaporates instantly. You don't feel "wet," so you don't realize how much fluid you're losing. Drink water until you're annoyed.
- Plan your hikes for sunrise. Between May and September, do not start a hike after 8:00 AM. People regularly have to be airlifted off the trails because they underestimated the morning heat.
- Book "Off-Season" for luxury on a budget. If you can handle 105°F by the pool, you can stay at five-star resorts in July for a fraction of the January price. Just stay in the water.
The desert is beautiful, but it's boss. If you respect the average temperature Palm Springs by month, you'll have a much better time than the guy I saw last August trying to hike Tahquitz Canyon in denim jeans at noon. Don't be that guy.