Late summer · Weather & things to do
Palm Springs in August
Little changes in Palm Springs from July: highs stay near 108°F (42°C), lows near 80°F (27°C), and about 0.3 in (8 mm) of rain falls.
Its comfort score of 60/100 is still Good, though it ranks 11th of 12 here.
- Avg high
- 108°F (42°C)
- Avg low
- 80°F (27°C)
- Rain
- 0.3 in (8 mm)
- Humidity
- 26%
- Cloud cover
- 19%
- Daylight
- ~13 h 16 min
- Comfort score
- 60/100 · Good
What August feels like
Afternoons run hot at about 108°F (42°C), which leaves mornings and evenings as the time for walking.
Mornings start much cooler: lows average 80°F (27°C), about 15°C (28°F) below the afternoon high.
Low humidity, around 26%, makes the air feel crisp and dry.
It's one of the drier stretches, with only about 0.3 in (8 mm) of rain.
Clear skies are common, with cloud cover averaging only 19%.
Plan around August
August is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are November – April.
- Comfort holds steady from July (60 → 60/100).
- Our Palm Springs & Joshua Tree route recommends Oct – Apr, so August falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for August
- Light, breathable clothes108°F afternoons
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hathigh UV on clear days
- Refillable water bottleeasy to dehydrate in the heat
- A warm layer for eveningslows near 80°F
- Lip balm and moisturizerdry air
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Palm Springs in August
Start early and take shelter at midday: the picks below pair morning outings with places to cool off.
Sunnylands Center & Gardens
Free gardens and center at the Annenberg estate in Rancho Mirage.
Why now August scores 60/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Cheeky's
Breakfast and brunch spot known for its flight of bacon.
Why now A break from 108°F afternoons.
Shields Date Garden
Date grove since 1924 serving date shakes and showing date history.
Why now Highs near 108°F and 0.3 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Rotating tram climbs 8,500 ft to cool pine forest and trails.
Agua Caliente Cultural Museum
Museum on Cahuilla culture at the Spa Cultural Plaza downtown.
Why now Somewhere to sit out the hottest hours.
Nearby in August
- Joshua Tree in August~37 mi · highs 100°F, 0.4 in rain · 4°C (8°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- La Jolla in August~80 mi · highs 76°F, 0.1 in rain · 18°C (32°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Downtown San Diego & Gaslamp Quarter in August~85 mi · highs 89°F, 0.2 in rain · 10°C (18°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Pasadena in August~94 mi · highs 88°F, 0.0 in rain · 11°C (20°F) cooler by day, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~924 m to Palm Springs's ~146 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Palm Springs in August: quick answers
Is August a good time to visit Palm Springs?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 60/100, held back mainly by heat. The best months are November – April. Expect highs of 108°F (42°C) and 0.3 in (8 mm) of rain. Our Palm Springs & Joshua Tree route recommends Oct – Apr, so August is outside its suggested window.
How hot is Palm Springs in August?
Average highs are 108°F (42°C) and average lows 80°F (27°C), making it the 2nd-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Palm Springs in August?
Not much: about 0.3 in (8 mm) of rain falls across August on average, the 6th-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 5.0 in (127 mm).
What should I pack for Palm Springs in August?
Bring light, breathable clothes (108°F afternoons), sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat (high UV on clear days), refillable water bottle (easy to dehydrate in the heat), a warm layer for evenings (lows near 80°F) and lip balm and moisturizer (dry air).
More on Palm Springs
Planning Palm Springs in August?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.