The Mojave Desert has a desert climate, characterized by extreme aridity, high temperatures, and low annual rainfall.

The Mojave Desert's climate is classified as a hot desert climate (BWh in the Köppen climate classification). This means it experiences extremely dry conditions with less than 10 inches of rainfall annually, often around 5 inches. Summers are scorching, with temperatures frequently exceeding 100°F (38°C), while winters are mild with cooler nights that can drop below freezing. The desert's location in a rain shadow, combined with its elevation and latitude, creates these arid conditions. This climate supports unique, drought-tolerant flora like Joshua trees and hardy fauna adapted to survive with minimal water.