Spring (March–May) is the most pleasant time to visit Reedley. The orchards are in bloom, temperatures are mild, and the surrounding farmland looks its best. This is also when the fruit-packing operations begin gearing up, and roadside farm stands start opening.
Summer is hot — brutally so. July and August regularly bring temperatures above 100°F (38°C), and the valley haze can be oppressive. That said, summer is also harvest season, when the "World's Fruit Basket" nickname earns its meaning: peaches, nectarines, and grapes are being picked, packed, and shipped in every direction. If you come in summer, the Kings River becomes essential — it is the best way to spend an afternoon.
Autumn is a quieter but comfortable time to visit. Temperatures drop to something bearable, the grape harvest runs into October, and the valley light turns golden. Winter is mild by most standards (rarely below freezing), though the San Joaquin Valley is prone to dense tule fog from December through February — a thick, disorienting ground fog that can reduce visibility to near zero and makes driving slow and stressful.