Does it snow in Apple Valley CA? Apple Valley offers a variety of experiences throughout the year, thanks to its vast horizons, distinctive desert landscapes, and the presence of four distinct seasons.
It has become a popular year-round retreat located in the Mojave region. During the winter, this High Desert town experiences frigid temperatures descending from the nearby snow-dusted peaks.
But, many people wonder, “Does it snow in Apple Valley California?” How often does Apple Valley transform into a winter wonderland?
And will it snow in Apple Valley CA when you plan your trip here? Let’s find out now!
Apple Valley is located below the snow line and may only experience unexpected flurries, so you will have to visit the nearby resorts for a real winter wonderland.
Where Does It Snow in Apple Valley California?
Apple Valley, CA, is in a desert region and experiences a mild climate with minimal precipitation, resulting in very limited snowfall.
Although there have been a few rare instances of snow in the area, those who are looking for a snowy experience might find it more convenient to take day trips to nearby destinations.
Wrightwood, located just a 59-minute drive away from Apple Valley, is a well-known destination for those who enjoy skiing and snowboarding. Just an hour away, Running Springs offers another attractive option for winter sports enthusiasts.
- If you are looking for a winter wonderland, Big Bear Lake is the perfect destination.
It is only 56 minutes away from Apple Valley and offers a wide range of outdoor activities all year round, such as skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing.
Furthermore, Mt. Baldy, which is only a one-hour drive away, is a highly desirable destination for those hoping to see snow.
Fact: Although Apple Valley is not typically associated with snow, neighboring destinations offer plenty of opportunities for snowy adventures.
How Much Does It Snow in Apple Valley?
In Apple Valley, January is typically the snowiest month with an average snowfall of 0.2 inches. However, throughout the year, there are no months that experience significant snowfall.
Snowfall events in this area are infrequent. Even if you consider the historical snowfall data, you won’t find many significant events. Data shows that Apple Valley typically receives an average snowfall of 0.10 inches on January 7th.
Similarly, a broader perspective from 2000 to 2023 reveals an average snowfall of 0 inches. February typically has the highest number of wet days, averaging 4.3 days with at least 0.04 inches of precipitation.
However, snowfall is infrequent in Apple Valley. Travelers who visit during the winter should expect cold temperatures and the possibility of rainfall instead of snowfall.
How Does Apple Valley Weather Compare to the National Average?
Apple Valley, California, is known for its pleasant climate, which is characterized by mild temperatures and abundant sunshine all year round.
During the summer, it is common for temperatures to reach the 90s during the day and drop to the 60s at night.
Although winters sometimes experience overnight temperatures below freezing, the daytime temperatures tend to rise.
Rainfall is infrequent in this area, but there are occasional snowfalls during the winter, which brings a bit of seasonal diversity.
Here is a bit about how it compares to the rest of the country:
| Climate Average | United States | Apple Valley |
| Rainfall | 38.1 in. | 14.0 in. |
| Snowfall | 27.8 in. | 0.4 in. |
| Precipitation | 106.2 days | 33.0 days |
| Sunny | 205 days | 283 days |
| Avg. July High | 85.8° | 98.3° |
| Avg. Jan. Low | 21.7° | 32.8° |
| Elevation | 2443 ft. | 2946 ft. |
It shows that in terms of climate, Apple Valley differs significantly from the average climate in the United States.
The annual average rainfall in this area is 14 inches, which is significantly lower than the national average of 38 inches.
In addition, the average snowfall of 0 inches is significantly lower than the US average of 28 inches.
Is Apple Valley, CA, a Good Place for Winter Vacations?
Apple Valley is not exactly recognized as a winter sports mecca, but visitors may still enjoy a few activities even in the dead of winter.
Due to Apple Valley’s mild winters, hiking is a well-liked activity all year round. It is not hard to get to either Deep Creek Hot Springs or Mojave Narrows Regional Park.
Moreover, you can find numerous excellent golf courses, including the Ashwood Golf Course and the Apple Valley Golf Course, all of which are open throughout the year. And spending some time there in winter provides you with a fantastic experience.
If you want to go off-roading in the Mojave Desert, Apple Valley is a great place to set up camp.
Big Bear Lake and Joshua Tree National Park are two of the numerous popular tourist spots around Apple Valley. Day trips to these destinations allow travelers to enjoy winter sports like skiing and snowboarding without having to book a hotel.
So, even while it is not immediately obvious that there is much to do in Apple Valley, California, during the winter months, there actually is.
Can You Ski in Apple Valley, CA?
In Apple Valley, California, the ski business and winter sports are not major draws. However, you can easily reach the ski resorts of Mount Baldy and Snow Summit from Apple Valley.
Visitors can enjoy a wide variety of winter activities, including hiking, snowshoeing, and ice skating.
Tourists who come to ski or snowboard can stay at Apple Valley and arrange day tours to nearby ski resorts.
Overall, Apple Valley, California is not widely renowned as a great place to go skiing, but winter sports enthusiasts still have plenty of options, including quick access to nearby slopes.
Best Ski Resorts in Apple Valley CA
Staying in Apple Valley offers so many opportunities to explore this beautiful town and still be around some of the best ski resorts in California.
Here are a few accommodation options to stay close to ski resorts:
Apple Valley Hotel & Lodge
Staying at Apple Valley Hotel and Lodge is a great idea because this 5-star accommodation provides great amenities while keeping you close to where all the action happens.
It is only 79km from the LA/Ontario International Airport and less than an hour from Mountain High Ski Resort.
Skiers and snowboarders visiting Apple Valley, California should make a trip to Mountain High Resort. Located just over an hour and a half from both Los Angeles and Orange County, it provides the most direct route to the mountains in Southern California.
In addition to the exhilarating Olympic Bowl, the steepest bump run in the region, the East Resort at Mountain High has the region’s longest trails serviced by a single high-speed quad, making it excellent for carving.
Skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels will enjoy the resort, as the Mountain High Express provides access to an extra 20 acres of novice terrain at the resort’s summit.
During the winter season, Mountain High is the only Southern California resort to offer night skiing and snowboarding, with 85% of the West Resort lit up for evening use.
The lively ambiance of the resort, made even better by the performances of local musicians at the Foggle Goggle Stage and the Bullwheel Bar & Grill, makes it a great place to spend the winter.
Green Spot Motel
When visiting Apple Valley, you should never miss the chance to explore Snow Summit, and to be close to that, you can choose to stay at Green Spot Motel.
The property is about an hour from Snow Summit, Big Bear Lake. This mountain getaway offers a wide variety of services and attractions.
There are plenty of places to eat and drink to keep you fueled up at basecamp. There is a retail shop for all your skiing and snowboarding equipment needs along with a dedicated MTB rental shop for summer excursions.
Because it shares its territory with Bear Mountain and Snow Valley, Snow Summit is the greatest area to go skiing or snowboarding because it offers access to over 87 trails of varying difficulties.
Bear Mountain and Snow Valley feature a combined total of 38 lifts, and their sky chairs provide some of the best vantage points for taking in the stunning scenery.
Fact: Besides its wintertime allure, Snow Summit is a mecca for thrilling mountain biking and breathtaking sky chair rides during the summer.
SkyRanch
SkyRanch is among the very best accomodaiton options to find in Apple Valley. It is only 78km from the airport and just over an hour from San Antonio Ski Hut.
If you are a ski fanatic visiting Apple Valley, California, a trip to the San Antonio Ski Hut is a must.
The Ski Mountaineers constructed this historic lodge in 1936 on California’s Mount Baldy, and today it provides visitors with a one-of-a-kind mountain adventure.
The three-mile journey to the chalet at an elevation of 8,300 feet is strenuous but well worth it. Even though the cabin does not have any courses or lifts, it is nonetheless a welcome overnight stop for skiers and hikers.
Trails in the area connect to fascinating destinations like San Antonio Falls and the Devil’s Backbone Trail, and the terrain is ideal for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
The San Antonio Ski Hut is a must-see for anyone searching for excitement in the mountains, thanks to its fascinating past and breathtaking scenery.
How Cold Does it Get in Apple Valley, CA?
Apple Valley, California, experiences cold and partly overcast weather during the winter.
Temperatures average from 35 and 97 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year. However, in the winter months, temperatures can drop as low as 26 degrees Fahrenheit.
Here is a bit about the average temperatures in Apple Valley, CA:
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Temp (F) | 45°F | 49°F | 54°F | 59°F | 67°F | 76°F | 82°F | 81°F | 75°F | 64°F | 52°F | 44°F |
Average High and Low Temperatures in Apple Valley
From November 20th to March 1st, we have 3.4 months of chilly weather. The average daily maximum temperature is below 64 degrees Fahrenheit during this time.
The coldest month is December, with temperatures averaging between 35 and 57 degrees Fahrenheit.
While the summers in Apple Valley are hot and dry, the winters are significantly cooler, with average lows in the mid-30s.
Here is a bit about the high and low temperatures throughout the year:
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Low (F) | 36°F | 39°F | 43°F | 47°F | 54°F | 62°F | 68°F | 67°F | 61°F | 51°F | 41°F | 35°F |
| High (F) | 58°F | 62°F | 68°F | 74°F | 83°F | 92°F | 97°F | 96°F | 89°F | 78°F | 66°F | 57°F |
Winter Weather in Apple Valley California, United States
Apple Valley, California, has warm winters. The average high temperature during this time of year is around 60 degrees Fahrenheit, with the coldest days reaching a high of around 56 degrees Fahrenheit, particularly around December 24.
However, highs of 75 degrees Fahrenheit or more are unusual. The average low throughout the nighttime hours is between 37 and 41 degrees Fahrenheit.
On the coldest evenings, the temperature can drop to roughly 35 degrees Fahrenheit, especially around December 25; nevertheless, it seldom falls below 26 degrees.
The Impact of Rainfall
Rainfall increases in Apple Valley, California, throughout the winter, which may affect how chilly it is.
The monthly average precipitation tends to increase as the season passes. Precipitation averages 0.9 inches in the beginning and rarely rises above 1.9 inches.
By the end of the season, this figure rises to an average of 1.6 inches, with highs of 4.0 inches and lows of 0.1 inches.
It is important to note that higher moisture and cloud cover from such precipitation can lead to colder temperatures, even though this data largely refers to rainfall.
Here is a bit about the rainfall data:
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Rainfall | 1.4 inches | 1.8 inches | 1.1 inches | 0.4 inches | 0.1 inches | 0.1 inches | 0.2 inches | 0.3 inches | 0.2 inches | 0.3 inches | 0.6 inches | 1.2 inches |
Fact: The farthest international locations with temperatures most like those in Apple Valley are Mengibar, Spain and Damascus, Syria.
Things to Explore in Apple Valley During Winter
Apple Valley, California offers excellent opportunities for exploration during the winter season.
Here is what you can enjoy when visiting the town in winter:
Explore the Concrete Dinosaurs of Apple Valley
There are more than 50 life-size concrete dinosaurs for tourists to examine and take photos with at the Concrete Dinosaurs of Apple Valley, California.
Around 1970, a local Apple Valley resident who intended to build a dinosaur-themed miniature golf course built the first four dinosaurs.
Several of the 30 dinosaurs built over the years were over 15 feet in height. Although the dinosaurs in the desert are decaying, they continue to be a popular destination for tourists and field trip groups.
Travelers to Apple Valley should not pass up the chance to see these bizarre animals and pose for photos.
Explore the Mojave Narrows Regional Park
When in Apple Valley, be sure to arrange a visit to Mojave Narrows Regional Park in the winter.
This beautiful park has many fun things to do in the great outdoors. There is something for everyone at this campground: group and RV sites (some with beautiful lake views), a waterpark, a playground, picnic shelters, and miles of hiking trails.
Over 1,500 species call this park home, and it welcomes campers to set up shop and explore. Moreover, anglers can cast their hooks into two stocked lakes in search of bass, catfish, and trout.
Explore Local History
The Apple Valley Legacy Museum offers a comprehensive collection of local historical artifacts, offering an immersive exploration of the rich heritage of Apple Valley and its surrounding areas.
It offers an opportunity to explore the captivating narratives surrounding the growth of the community, the influential individuals who molded it, and the significant occurrences that shaped its unique character.
This museum offers a glimpse into the diverse history of the region, spanning from its early settlement to the present day.
It is highly recommended for individuals seeking to explore the origins of Apple Valley.
Arrange Day Trips
When you stay in Apple Valley, you are conveniently located near several must-visit attractions.
Joshua Tree National Park is known for its distinctive desert landscapes and challenging terrain, making it an ideal destination for those seeking adventure and discovery.
In the realm of travel experiences, a visit to Big Bear Lake is highly recommended, particularly during the winter season.
In this location, you have the opportunity to partake in exhilarating skiing and snowboarding activities, maximizing your experience in this delightful desert area.
What is the Best Time to Plan Your Visit to Apple Valley CA?
Warm-weather activities in Apple Valley, California are best experienced between the last week of May and the first week of October.
If you are looking for a place to go skiing or snowboarding close by, check out Wrightwood, Running Springs, Big Bear Lake, or Mt. Baldy in January.
In fact, the months of December through March are prime time for snow sports enthusiasts to visit these areas.
Fact: Apple Valley is significantly cooler than the rest of California, with a yearly average of 50.5 days with lows below freezing.
Takeaway
Does it snow in Apple Valley CA? Yes, it does, but it is usually not much, and never enough to facilitate winter sports.
But, the good thing is that staying in Apple Valley provides easy access to nearby ski resorts, including Mountain High, which offers nighttime skiing and snowboarding.
Moreover, you can also find various attractions within Apple Valley to keep you entertained in winter. So, go ahead and plan your winter vacation, and Apple Valley won’t disappoint you.
