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
January is the coldest month, with highs of about 6°C and lows of -3.5°C. Rain falls on about 5.5 days, and you get around 7 hours of sun a day. It scores 3.7 out of 10, so we rate it a month to avoid. The cold and short, dull days make sightseeing hard work.
9°C / -2°C · 4 rain days · 8.4 h sun
February is still cold, with highs of about 9°C and lows near -2°C. It is the driest month, with rain on only 4 days. It scores 4.8 and rates as ok. Go only if you are happy with winter weather.
16°C / 4°C · 8 rain days · 8.8 h sun
March warms up quickly, with highs near 16°C and lows around 4°C. Rain falls on about 8 days, and there are almost 9 hours of sun a day. With a score of 7.4, it is a good month to visit.
21°C / 8°C · 9 rain days · 10.0 h sun
April is one of the best months to go, with a score of 8.2. Highs reach about 21°C and lows about 8°C, which is comfortable for walking and touring. Rain falls on about 9 days, and you get around 10 hours of sun a day.
24°C / 14°C · 14 rain days · 9.9 h sun
May is warm, with highs of about 24°C, and it scores 7.2, so it is a good month. It is also the wettest month. Rain falls on about 14 days and totals 187 mm, so pack a rain jacket and plan some indoor options.
31°C / 20°C · 10 rain days · 12.7 h sun
June gets hot, with highs near 31°C and lows around 20°C. It is sunny, with almost 13 hours of sun a day, and rain on about 10 days. It scores 5.6 and rates as ok, mainly because of the rising heat.
32°C / 22°C · 9 rain days · 12.5 h sun
July is the hottest month, with highs of about 32°C and nights that stay near 22°C. Rain falls on about 9 days. It scores only 3.7 out of 10, so we rate it a month to avoid. The heat makes long days outdoors tiring.
31°C / 21°C · 8 rain days · 11.8 h sun
August stays hot, with highs of about 31°C and lows of 21°C. Rain falls on about 8 days, and there are almost 12 hours of sun a day. It scores 5.8, so it is ok, but expect heat.
28°C / 18°C · 6 rain days · 10.5 h sun
September is one of the best months to visit, with a score of 7.6. The heat eases to highs of about 28°C, and rain falls on only about 6 days. You still get around 10.5 hours of sun a day.
21°C / 11°C · 7 rain days · 9.0 h sun
October is the top month of the year, with a score of 8.7. Highs are a comfortable 21°C and lows about 11°C. Rain falls on around 7 days, and you get about 9 hours of sun a day.
14°C / 4°C · 6 rain days · 7.7 h sun
November turns cooler, with highs near 14°C and lows around 4°C. Rain falls on about 5.6 days. It scores 6.7 and is still a good month, as long as you bring warm layers.
9°C / -1°C · 5 rain days · 7.1 h sun
December is cold, with highs of about 9°C and lows just below freezing, at -0.7°C. Rain falls on about 4.5 days, and there are only about 7 hours of sun a day. It scores 4.4 and rates as ok, but winter weather limits outdoor plans.
By trip type
City sightseeing
October, April and September suit city trips best. Highs of about 21°C in October and April, and 28°C in September, are comfortable for walking. September has the fewest rain days of the three, at 5.9.
Hiking & nature
October, March, November and April are best for hiking. Highs range from about 14°C in November to 21°C in October, so long walks stay cool. Avoid July, when highs reach 32°C.
Keep planning
FAQ
Yes, October is the best month to visit, with the highest score of the year at 8.7. Days reach about 21°C and nights drop to about 11°C, so it is mild but not hot. There are about 6.6 rain days and 82 mm of rain, with around 9 hours of sun a day. September and April are also rated best.
No, July is best avoided. It scores only 3.7. It is the hottest month, with highs of about 32°C and nights that stay around 22°C, so there is little relief after dark. You do get about 12.5 hours of sun and 8.6 rain days. If you want summer, August is a bit better at 5.8, but it is still hot at about 31°C.
May is good, with a score of 7.2, but it is the wettest month. It brings about 187 mm of rain over 13.9 rain days, much more than any other month. Temperatures are pleasant, with highs near 24°C and lows around 14°C. If you can go earlier, April scores higher at 8.2, with 88 mm of rain and about 21°C highs.
No, January is one of the 2 months to avoid, with a score of 3.7. It is the coldest month. Highs are only about 6°C and lows fall to about -3.5°C. You get around 7 hours of sun a day. It is fairly dry, with 5.5 rain days and 34 mm, but the cold is the main problem. February is only a little better at 4.8.
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