Mid-autumn · Weather & things to do
Palm Springs in October
Palm Springs cools off: highs slip to 88°F (31°C), from 101°F in September, with lows of 62°F (17°C) and about 0.3 in (8 mm) of rain.
It scores 83/100 for comfort, 7th of 12, which makes it a solid shoulder-season month.
- Avg high
- 88°F (31°C)
- Avg low
- 62°F (17°C)
- Rain
- 0.3 in (8 mm)
- Humidity
- 33%
- Cloud cover
- 23%
- Daylight
- ~11 h 08 min
- Comfort score
- 83/100 · Great
What October feels like
Heat sets the pace, with highs around 88°F (31°C). Get out early and keep the hottest hours for somewhere cool.
Mornings start much cooler: lows average 62°F (17°C), about 14°C (26°F) below the afternoon high.
Low humidity, around 33%, 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 23%.
Plan around October
October is shoulder season: good weather, a step below the best months (November – April).
- The year's biggest cool-down: highs drop 7°C (12°F) from September.
- Comfort improves from 60/100 in September to 83/100.
- October sits inside the Oct – Apr window our Palm Springs & Joshua Tree route recommends.
What to pack for October
- Light, breathable clothes88°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 62°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 October
Start early and take shelter at midday: the picks below pair morning outings with places to cool off.
Indian Canyons
Palm oases and streams on Agua Caliente tribal land.
Why now Our curated notes say it's best Oct–Apr mornings.
Cheeky's
Breakfast and brunch spot known for its flight of bacon.
Why now A break from 88°F afternoons.
Palm Springs Art Museum
Art, architecture and design museum at the foot of the mountains.
Why now Somewhere to sit out the hottest hours.
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Rotating tram climbs 8,500 ft to cool pine forest and trails.
Moorten Botanical Garden
Family-run cactus garden with a glass Cactarium since 1938.
Why now October scores 83/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Nearby in October
- Joshua Tree in October~37 mi · highs 81°F, 0.3 in rain · 4°C (7°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- La Jolla in October~80 mi · highs 73°F, 0.7 in rain · 9°C (16°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Downtown San Diego & Gaslamp Quarter in October~85 mi · highs 81°F, 0.6 in rain · 4°C (8°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Pasadena in October~94 mi · highs 79°F, 0.7 in rain · 5°C (9°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 October: quick answers
Is October a good time to visit Palm Springs?
It's a good shoulder-season choice, scoring 83/100 against a best of 100 in November – April. Expect highs of 88°F (31°C) and 0.3 in (8 mm) of rain. October is inside the Oct – Apr window our Palm Springs & Joshua Tree route recommends.
How hot is Palm Springs in October?
Average highs are 88°F (31°C) and average lows 62°F (17°C), making it the 6th-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Palm Springs in October?
Not much: about 0.3 in (8 mm) of rain falls across October on average, the 5th-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 5.0 in (127 mm).
What should I pack for Palm Springs in October?
Bring light, breathable clothes (88°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 62°F) and lip balm and moisturizer (dry air).
More on Palm Springs
Routes in season in October
- Palm Springs & Joshua Tree Oct – Apr
Planning Palm Springs in October?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.