Palm Springs HAS WEATHER, AND SEASONS. Just don’t tell anyone! 

Palm Springs and the nearby communities are world famous for their endlessly sunny days. Nearby mountains protect the area from long periods of dreary weather for much of the year. However, this doesn’t mean the desert is always devoid of weather.

Mountain peaks in nearby ranges soar to over 10,000 feet, whereas some areas of the Coachella Valley lie below sea level. Deep canyons cut through many of the local ranges. Higher elevations can be more than 20 degrees cooler than Palm Springs. This can create very different weather within a 30 mile radius of our beautiful valley.

These unique features manifest themselves with different weather patterns in some areas, that informed buyers should be aware of.

WIND

The wind blows in the desert at various times of year. However, due to the unique topography, some areas receive far more frequent wind than others.

Areas of the Coachella Valley closest to the Interstate 10 corridor, most years, experience far more frequent northwest winds than southern areas of the local communities. In the image below, areas north of the dotted red line are more susceptible to frequent high winds, which may gust 30-40 mph. The most common time of year for winds in this area are from about March - early July, when the wind may blow every day, for weeks at a time. During particularly gusty periods, it is even possible to see gusts over 50 mph, which can create blowing sand and dust, and carry unsecured pool rafts and umbrellas away. High winds may hit this particular area all year long, but spring and early summer tend to be most consistent.

Some buyers prefer the windy areas. Others do not. During hot weather, the wind can help make the high temps more tolerable for some people. Those individuals sensitive to high winds and dustier conditions should consider locations south of the red dotted line on the map below. Those that want some summertime air movement should consider properties to the north of the red line. Who knew you would have so many choices! If in doubt, ASK! Plenty of locals will share their thoughts on the wind and you will hear a thousand different opinions. Be sure to choose what works best for YOU!

WHY IS THE AREA SO UNIQUE?

These famous and very localized wind conditions are a result of a number of different factors (daily heating, low pressure systems to our north, passage of cold fronts, etc), most of which rely on the unique relationship between the large mountain ranges that form an almost unbroken barrier to our west, and the Banning Pass, which allows winds to funnel through the narrow gap into our area from the northwest.

The large mountain ranges do in fact block many wind patterns from reaching the Coachella Valley, but the Banning Pass allows the winds to funnel through the small gap, and accelerate as they do so. This is why winds along Interstate 10 may be gusting to 50 mph, but only 3 miles south, it may be completely calm. Our beautiful ranges don’t just look awesome. They create a natural block for many storms, rain and sometimes, wind. However, for those areas exposed to winds blowing from the northwest out of the Banning Pass, the mountains and the pass actually contribute to more intense winds in localized northern parts of town.

Below is an image of the Banning Pass (source: Google), looking northwest from the Gene Autry overpass. I’ve added the arrows to demonstrate the source of the wind funneling into our northern areas. The wind farms clearly indicate where the most consistent winds blow as well.

INTERESTED IN READING MORE ABOUT PALM SPRINGS AREA WEATHER?

Pay a visit to Brian’s local weather blog, called “The Palm Springs Haboob.” Weather is a longtime hobby for him, and he often will share local weather updates/photos and discussions during stormy patterns.