While December through February are some of the most beautiful, temperate months in Palm Springs, California, they are also the most rainy and chilly -- for Palm Springs, that is. Many travelers enjoy wintering in Palm Springs because of how perfect the temperatures are in these months, while locals are bundling up, building fires, and keeping an eye on the skies for rain.
Frost rarely occurs during these months, with average lows in the 40s, but it is known to happen with record lows dipping into freezing temps. Given the cold streak we had in Palm Desert just last season it's worth the effort to winterize your home. Likewise, these are the months where we see the most rain, granted the average rainfall is still slightly above an inch. Still, these conditions can be problematic for homeowners. Here then are a few tips to consider:
- Protect your plants: When lower temps are forecast, it\'s a good idea to protect your cacti and shrubs with various coverings. Many annuals and tropical plants are especially sensitive to dramatic changes in temperature. Consult your local nursery for suggestions on which coverings are appropriate for which plants, or see this post with tips from our neighbors in Arizona.
- Check insulation, reverse ceiling fans: Your heating bill can skyrocket these months if you aren't mindful about how the heat is moving through (and out) of your home. Reverse the direction of your fans to draw cool air up and force warm air back down (this is the opposite of the wind chill effect that fans are normally used for). Check your attic for proper insulation and add more as needed.
- Clean HVAC and chimneys: Furnaces and fireplaces can collect a lot of dust during most of the year. If you have a wood burning fireplace, then your chimney should be swept if you used it a lot the previous season. And follow your nose when it comes to strange odors when you have the heat on -- here is a handy reference for what different types of odors can indicate.
- Keep an eye out for slab leaks: We wrote about this last season, so with rainfall expected again be sure to look for evidence of mold, water pooling and soil movement, should any flooding occur. If you suspect this to be the case, please call us for further assistance before the matter gets worse.
With that all said, get out there and enjoy your Palm Springs winter!