The "Microclimates" of southern California


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The "Microclimates" of Southern California

"Microclimate" is simply the climate in a small area of a region, usually affected by the local geography.

Here in southern California there are 5 distinct "micoclimate" zones.

Coastal
(Including... Los Angeles, San Diego and Santa Barbara)
Valley
(Including... Burbank, Van Nuys, Ontario, San Bernardino, Riverside, Temecula, Santa Paula and Santee)
Mountain
(Including... Mount Wilson, Big Bear City, Lake Arrowhead and Julian)
High Desert
(Including... Lancaster/Palmdale,
Hesperia and Victorville)
Low Desert
(Including... Palm Springs and
Borrego Springs)

The Coastal areas normally the coolest of all southern microclimates.

Annual Climate...

Average temperatures:
61 to 65 degrees

Precipitation:
10 to 25 inches

The Southern California coast is influenced by the Pacific Ocean and has a cool to mild climate due to the marine air. Summers are moderate in temperature and coastal low clouds and fog is common.

The Valley areas have a mild to warm climate.

Annual Climate...

Average temperatures:
63 to 67 degrees

Precipitation:
10 to 25 inches

This region of southern California is well-known for it's almost perfect year-round growing climate. The two primary weather patterns are the moderating breezes from the ocean and the warm, dry winds from the deserts.

This area is also known for temperature extremes such as...
- Freezing temperatures along possible frost especially during the months of November through January.

- Soaring heat during the late summer and early fall (especially during Santa Ana wind conditions).

More about southern California Microclimates

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