Weather by month for central United States, the best months to go and how United States's regions differ, scored from 10 years of climate data.
Apr, Sep, Oct
The highest month scores: comfortable temperatures, little rain and plenty of sun.
Highs 21°C to 28°C · 6–9 rain days
Mar, May, Nov
Still good weather, just not quite the top months.
Highs 14°C to 24°C · 6–14 rain days
Jan, Jul
The weakest weather of the year: too hot, too cold or too wet.
Highs 6°C to 32°C · 6–9 rain days
Weather by month
Average highs and lows, rain days, sunshine and our month score out of 10.
| Month | High / low | Rain days | Sunshine | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6°C / -4°C | 6 days (34 mm) | 7.0 h/day | 3.7/10 |
| February | 9°C / -2°C | 4 days (30 mm) | 8.4 h/day | 4.8/10 |
| March | 16°C / 4°C | 8 days (67 mm) | 8.8 h/day | 7.4/10 |
| Best month: April | 21°C / 8°C | 9 days (88 mm) | 10.0 h/day | 8.2/10 |
| May | 24°C / 14°C | 14 days (187 mm) | 9.9 h/day | 7.2/10 |
| June | 31°C / 20°C | 10 days (90 mm) | 12.7 h/day | 5.6/10 |
| July | 32°C / 22°C | 9 days (76 mm) | 12.5 h/day | 3.7/10 |
| August | 31°C / 21°C | 8 days (82 mm) | 11.8 h/day | 5.8/10 |
| Best month: September | 28°C / 18°C | 6 days (59 mm) | 10.5 h/day | 7.6/10 |
| Best month: October | 21°C / 11°C | 7 days (82 mm) | 9.0 h/day | 8.7/10 |
| November | 14°C / 4°C | 6 days (53 mm) | 7.7 h/day | 6.7/10 |
| December | 9°C / -1°C | 5 days (36 mm) | 7.1 h/day | 4.4/10 |
Figures for central United States; the country's best months are weighted across its cities. Best months are highlighted. How we score months
Month by month
6°C / -4°C · 6 rain days · 7.0 h sun
Highs average just 6.4°C with lows down to -3.5°C, making this the coldest month. Rain falls on about 5.5 days with 34mm total, and sun hours are low at 7. The score sits at 3.7, a tough-weather month overall, though New Year's Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day fall here for those planning around US holidays.
9°C / -2°C · 4 rain days · 8.4 h sun
Weather improves slightly, with highs reaching 9.1°C and lows still near freezing at -2.3°C. Rain days drop to 4 and sun hours rise to 8.4. The score of 4.8 marks an ok month, not peak conditions but milder than January. Presidents Day lands in mid-February.
16°C / 4°C · 8 rain days · 8.8 h sun
Highs climb to 15.9°C and lows reach 3.9°C, a clear shift toward spring. Rain becomes more frequent, with 8 days and 67mm, and sun hours reach 8.8. The score of 7.4 makes this a good month to visit as temperatures turn comfortable.
21°C / 8°C · 9 rain days · 10.0 h sun
April is the top-rated month, with a score of 8.2. Highs average 20.6°C and lows 8.4°C, giving warm but not hot days. Rain falls on 9.2 days totaling 88mm, and sun hours reach 10, supporting pleasant outdoor conditions.
24°C / 14°C · 14 rain days · 9.9 h sun
Highs reach 24.4°C with lows of 14°C, and this is the wettest month of the year: 13.9 rain days and 187mm of rain. Sun hours stay high at 9.9. The score of 7.2 keeps May a good choice despite the rain, and Memorial Day falls on the 25th.
31°C / 20°C · 10 rain days · 12.7 h sun
Temperatures jump sharply, with highs of 30.8°C and lows of 20.2°C. Rain days ease to 10.1 with 90mm, while sun hours peak-adjacent at 12.7. The score drops to 5.6, an ok month as heat starts building. Juneteenth is observed on the 19th.
32°C / 22°C · 9 rain days · 12.5 h sun
July is the hottest month, with highs of 32.2°C and lows of 22.1°C. Rain still falls on 8.6 days, totaling 76mm, with strong sun at 12.5 hours. The score falls to 3.7, a tough-weather month due to the intense heat, though Independence Day on the 3rd draws big crowds nationwide.
31°C / 21°C · 8 rain days · 11.8 h sun
Heat continues with highs of 31.2°C and lows of 21°C, barely cooler than July. Rain days are 8 with 82mm, and sun hours stay high at 11.8. The score of 5.8 keeps it an ok month, still demanding for heat-sensitive travellers.
28°C / 18°C · 6 rain days · 10.5 h sun
Conditions turn more comfortable as highs ease to 28.4°C and lows to 18.3°C. Rain days drop to 5.9 with 59mm, and sun hours fall to 10.5. The score rises to 7.6, a best-rated month, with Labour Day marking the start of September.
21°C / 11°C · 7 rain days · 9.0 h sun
October scores highest of all at 8.7. Highs average 21.2°C and lows 10.8°C, giving mild, settled weather. Rain increases slightly to 6.6 days and 82mm, with sun hours at 9. Columbus Day falls on the 12th.
14°C / 4°C · 6 rain days · 7.7 h sun
Temperatures cool further, with highs of 13.7°C and lows of 4°C. Rain days are 5.6 with 53mm, and sun hours drop to 7.7. The score of 6.7 keeps November a good month. Veterans Day on the 11th and Thanksgiving on the 26th both fall in November.
9°C / -1°C · 5 rain days · 7.1 h sun
Winter sets in again, with highs of 9°C and lows near freezing at -0.7°C. Rain days fall to 4.5 with 36mm, and sun hours are low at 7.1. The score of 4.4 makes it an ok month, cold but workable for travellers planning around Christmas Day on the 25th.
By trip type
City sightseeing
October, April and September bring mild highs of 20-28°C and fewer rain days than the summer months. Sightseeing is comfortable without the heat and crowds of June to August.
Hiking & nature
October, March, November and April offer highs between 13.7°C and 21.2°C, good for trails without summer's heat. March and November stay cooler with lows near 4°C, so pack layers for early starts.
Events calendar
Public holidays: New Year's Day (1 Jan), Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (19 Jan)
Public holidays: Presidents Day (16 Feb)
Public holidays: Memorial Day (25 May)
Public holidays: Juneteenth National Independence Day (19 Jun)
Public holidays: Independence Day (3 Jul)
Public holidays: Labour Day (7 Sep)
Public holidays: Columbus Day (12 Oct)
Public holidays: Veterans Day (11 Nov), Thanksgiving Day (26 Nov)
Public holidays: Christmas Day (25 Dec)
Keep planning
FAQ
Yes, October is one of the best months to visit, with a score of 8.7 out of 10. Days average 21.2°C with a low of 10.8°C, rain falls on only 6.6 days, and you still get 9 hours of sun a day. It's a comfortable balance of mild temperatures and lower rainfall than spring or summer.
July scores only 3.7 out of 10, the lowest of the year along with January. Daytime highs reach 32.2°C and lows stay at 22.1°C, so the heat is intense. There are 8.6 rain days and 76mm of rain, so you also get storms mixed with the heat, though sun hours peak at 12.5 a day.
Yes, April is the single best month, scoring 8.2 out of 10. Highs average 20.6°C and lows 8.4°C, giving mild, comfortable weather. Rain falls on 9.2 days totaling 88mm, and sunshine runs about 10 hours a day, making it a pleasant shoulder-season choice.
January is the weakest month, scoring 3.7 out of 10. Highs average just 6.4°C and lows drop to -3.5°C, making it the coldest month. Sun hours are also lowest at 7 per day, though rainfall is light at 34mm over 5.5 days.
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