Updated October 2026
Joshua Tree National Park Weather by Month
Joshua Tree National Park is warmest in July, when the nearest NOAA climate station averages a high of 104°F and a low of 77°F, and coldest in December, with an average high of 62°F and an average low of 40°F. August is the wettest month, with about 0.7 inches of precipitation.
These figures are NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals, the 30-year average for each calendar month, from the nearest long-record weather station, 18.6 miles from the park's reference point. A single station cannot describe a whole park: temperatures elsewhere in Joshua Tree National Park can differ from these, particularly with elevation.
Warmest month
Jul
104°F avg high
Coldest month
Dec
40°F avg low
Wettest month
Aug
0.7 in avg
Longest days
Jun
14.2 h of daylight
Average weather at Joshua Tree by month
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Precipitation | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 63°F | 42°F | 0.5 in | 10.0 h |
| February | 67°F | 44°F | 0.6 in | 10.8 h |
| March | 74°F | 49°F | 0.4 in | 11.7 h |
| April | 81°F | 55°F | 0.1 in | 12.9 h |
| May | 90°F | 63°F | 0.1 in | 13.8 h |
| June | 99°F | 71°F | 0.0 in | 14.2 h |
| July | 104°F | 77°F | 0.4 in | 14.0 h |
| August | 103°F | 76°F | 0.7 in | 13.3 h |
| September | 97°F | 69°F | 0.3 in | 12.2 h |
| October | 85°F | 58°F | 0.2 in | 11.1 h |
| November | 72°F | 47°F | 0.2 in | 10.2 h |
| December | 62°F | 40°F | 0.6 in | 9.8 h |
| Year total | 4.1 in |
NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals from station USC00049099, 18.6 miles from the park's reference point. Daylight is the monthly average, computed from the park's latitude. Each month links to how crowded Joshua Tree is at that time of year.
Joshua Tree weather by season
Winter: December to February
Average highs climb from 62°F in December to 67°F in February, with average lows between 40°F and 44°F. Together the three months average 1.7 inches of precipitation, about 41% of the yearly total and more than in any other season. Daylight is at its shortest, about 9.8 hours in December.
Spring: March to May
Average highs climb from 74°F in March to 90°F in May, with average lows between 49°F and 63°F. The average high is 90°F or hotter in May. Together the three months average 0.6 inches of precipitation, about 15% of the yearly total and less than in any other season. Daylight lengthens from about 11.7 hours in March to 13.8 in May.
Summer: June to August
Average highs peak at 104°F in July, between 99°F in June and 103°F in August, with average lows between 71°F and 77°F. The average high is 100°F or hotter in July and August. Together the three months average 1.1 inches of precipitation, about 27% of the yearly total. Daylight is at its longest, about 14.2 hours in June.
Fall: September to November
Average highs fall from 97°F in September to 72°F in November, with average lows between 47°F and 69°F. The average high is 90°F or hotter in September. Together the three months average 0.7 inches of precipitation, about 17% of the yearly total. Daylight shortens from about 12.2 hours in September to 10.2 in November.
What the National Park Service says about the weather
Days are typically clear with less than 25% humidity. Temperatures are most comfortable in the spring and fall, with an average highs around 85°F (29°C) and average lows around 50°F (10°C) respectively. Winter brings cooler days, around 60°F (15°C), and freezing nights. It occasionally snows at higher elevations. Summers are hot, over 100°F (38°C) during the day and not cooling much below 75°F (24°C) at night.
Weather description courtesy of the National Park Service — official park site.
Today's forecast for Joshua Tree
Averages describe a typical month, not this week. For current conditions and the seven-day outlook, the National Weather Service issues a forecast for the park's reference point at 33.91°N, 115.84°W. It covers that one spot, so other elevations in the park can differ from it, as they do from the averages above.
National Weather Service forecast for Joshua Tree National Park →
Weather and crowds together
July, the warmest month, is also the quietest, with about 0.6× the visitors of the park's average month. March is the busiest. To see those crowds set against the weather for all twelve months, read the best time to visit Joshua Tree National Park. For hotels, cabins and rentals close to the park, see where to stay near Joshua Tree.
Where to stay near Joshua Tree
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Top-rated places to stay near Joshua Tree
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Frequently Asked Questions
July is the warmest month at Joshua Tree National Park, with an average high of 104°F and an average low of 77°F. That is the 1991–2020 average at the nearest long-record NOAA station, 18.6 miles from the park's reference point. Temperatures inside the park can differ, particularly with elevation.
December is the coldest month at Joshua Tree National Park, with an average low of 40°F and an average high of 62°F, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.
August is the wettest month, with about 0.7 inches of precipitation. June is the driest, averaging close to zero. The station records about 4.1 inches of precipitation in an average year.
Daylight at Joshua Tree National Park runs from about 9.8 hours a day in December to about 14.2 hours in June, computed from the park's latitude.
Weather at nearby parks
Keep exploring
Sources: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (station USC00049099), daylight computed from latitude, weather description from the National Park Service, crowd levels from National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1979–2025). Updated 2026-10-11. Lodging results are provided by Stay22; WhenToVisitParks may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.