Mountain Center has mild, snowy winters and warm summers, with very little rain
A typical July afternoon reaches 85°, a January night drops to 33°, and about 31 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in Mountain Center at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about Mountain Center’s climate
Read from where Mountain Center sits among California’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
31 inches of snow, 17 of rain and melt
February is the wettest month and June the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 47 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
Living with Mountain Center’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
160 frost-free days. The last frost comes by May 16 in half of years, so many gardeners wait a week or two past that to set out tomatoes. The first fall frost comes by Oct 24.
About 31" a winter over 9 days with an inch or more, most in February.
Months averaging under 55° run from November through April. Heating is 89% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 18 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 85°.
The nicest months are May, June, September and October. 5.9 miles of trails are waiting.
Parks & trails →Normals are averages. Ice storms, nor’easters, floods and heat waves are on the natural hazards page.
Natural hazards →About 160 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by May 16 and the first by October 24.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
What a year in Mountain Center feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
Warmer than it used to be
The last 30 years in Mountain Center averaged 2.0° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in January (+2.8°).
A bigger shift than in 93% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
How Mountain Center compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in California.
Mountain Center weather by month
Average highs, lows, rain and snow for every month, from NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals.
| Month | High | Low | Rain + melt | Snow | Wet days | 30-yr range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 53° | 33° | 3.4" | 6.3" | 7 | 39° – 50° |
| February | 53° | 33° | 3.9" | 9.8" | 8 | 36° – 51° |
| March | 58° | 35° | 2.5" | 4.1" | 6 | 39° – 54° |
| April | 63° | 38° | 1.2" | 3.5" | 4 | 44° – 55° |
| May | 70° | 44° | 0.4" | 0.5" | 2 | 50° – 64° |
| June | 80° | 52° | 0.1" | 0 | 0 | 59° – 71° |
| July | 85° | 59° | 0.4" | 0 | 2 | 66° – 76° |
| August | 86° | 59° | 0.4" | 0 | 2 | 69° – 76° |
| September | 81° | 54° | 0.5" | 0 | 2 | 64° – 72° |
| October | 70° | 45° | 0.7" | 0 | 3 | 54° – 63° |
| November | 60° | 38° | 1.4" | 2.3" | 4 | 41° – 54° |
| December | 52° | 33° | 2.6" | 4.2" | 6 | 38° – 49° |
| Year | 68° | 44° | 17.2" | 30.7" | 47 |
Heating and cooling a home in Mountain Center
89% of the work is heating, so the furnace matters far more than the air conditioner.
Degree days add up how far each day’s average falls below (heating) or rises above (cooling) 65° over a year. Source: NOAA station normals.
How much a month can swing
A normal is an average. March swings the most: from 1991 to 2020 its average ranged from 39° to 54°. August is the most reliable, staying within 7°.
Common questions about Mountain Center’s climate
What is the coldest month in Mountain Center?
December, with a typical high of 52° and a low of 33°.
What is the hottest month in Mountain Center?
August, with a typical high of 86° and a low of 59°. About 18 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does Mountain Center get?
About 31 inches in a normal winter, most of it in February.
When is the first frost in Mountain Center?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by October 24, and the last spring frost by May 16.
What is the rainiest month in Mountain Center?
February, with 3.9 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 17 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in Mountain Center.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for Mountain Center itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Idyllwild Fire Dept, CA (3 mi) away. Normals are 30-year averages, not a forecast. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 and 1901–2000. Today’s forecast: National Weather Service.