Short answer
Concrete can be poured year round in Tulare County with planning. NRMCA wants new concrete kept above 50°F while it cures and protected from freezing. Visalia’s normal winter lows are about 38°F, below that 50°F mark, and summer highs reach about 94°F. Spring and fall sit between.
Key facts
- Keep placed concrete above 50°F during curing (NRMCA CIP 11)
- Protect from freezing until 500 psi, about two days after placement (NRMCA CIP 27)
- A 20°F drop in concrete temperature roughly doubles setting time (NRMCA CIP 27)
- Visalia normal lows: 38.4°F January, 37.9°F December (NOAA normals)
Visalia’s year
NOAA’s normals for the Visalia station, 1991 to 2020:
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Normal high | 55.3°F | 61.3°F | 66.9°F | 72.7°F | 80.6°F | 88.8°F | 93.8°F | 93.2°F | 88.3°F | 77.8°F | 64.4°F | 55.4°F |
| Normal low | 38.4°F | 41.6°F | 45.4°F | 48.6°F | 55.4°F | 61.5°F | 66.7°F | 64.9°F | 60.1°F | 52.3°F | 43.3°F | 37.9°F |
Winter
NRMCA’s curing guide says placed concrete should be kept above 50°F. Visalia’s normal winter nights sit well below that, so winter pours need curing that holds in heat, such as blankets, and slower finishing. NRMCA’s cold weather guide says a 20°F drop in concrete temperature roughly doubles setting time, and fresh concrete must be protected from freezing until it reaches 500 psi, about two days after placement.
NRMCA defines true cold weather as more than three days in a row averaging under 40°F. It also notes a cool start often gives higher final strength.
Summer
Highs in the 90s bring the hot weather problems NRMCA describes: faster setting, higher water demand and plastic shrinkage cracking. See our guide to pouring in Central Valley heat.
Spring and fall
April, May and October have normal highs between about 73°F and 81°F in Visalia. Those months avoid both extremes, which makes them the easiest to plan. Good concrete still goes in during summer and winter. It takes more planning.
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