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
Daytime highs average just 6.4°C, with lows down to -3.5°C, so this is a cold month across much of the country. Rain falls on about 5.5 days and sun hours are low at 7. The score sits at 3.7, a rating of avoid, and the month opens with New Year's Day and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on the 19th.
9°C / -2°C · 4 rain days · 8.4 h sun
Highs creep up slightly to 9.1°C but nights still drop below freezing on average, at -2.3°C. Rain days fall to 4, among the driest of the year, though sun hours rise to 8.4. The score is 4.8, rated ok, with Presidents Day on the 16th.
16°C / 4°C · 8 rain days · 8.8 h sun
Spring brings a real lift: highs reach 15.9°C and lows climb above freezing to 3.9°C. Rain becomes more frequent at 8 days and 67mm, but sun hours edge up to 8.8. The score jumps to 7.4, a good rating, making March a solid shoulder-season choice.
21°C / 8°C · 9 rain days · 10.0 h sun
This is the top-rated month, scoring 8.2 and rated best. Highs reach a comfortable 20.6°C and lows average 8.4°C, with sun hours up to 10. Rain is more common at 9.2 days and 88mm, but mild temperatures make it a strong time to travel.
24°C / 14°C · 14 rain days · 9.9 h sun
Highs climb further to 24.4°C and lows to 14°C, giving warm, pleasant conditions. However, rain increases sharply to 13.9 days and 187mm, the wettest month of the year. The score of 7.2 keeps it rated good, and Memorial Day falls on the 25th.
31°C / 20°C · 10 rain days · 12.7 h sun
Summer heat arrives with highs of 30.8°C and lows of 20.2°C. Rain days drop back to 10.1 with 90mm, and sun hours rise to 12.7. The score falls to 5.6, rated ok, as heat starts to weigh on comfort; Juneteenth is marked on the 19th.
32°C / 22°C · 9 rain days · 12.5 h sun
This is the hottest month, with highs of 32.2°C and lows of 22.1°C, making it tough for travellers sensitive to heat. Sun hours peak at 12.5 and rain days ease to 8.6. The score drops to 3.7, rated avoid, though Independence Day celebrations fall around the 3rd and 4th.
31°C / 21°C · 8 rain days · 11.8 h sun
Heat stays high, with highs of 31.2°C and lows of 21°C, similar to July. Rain days are 8 with 82mm, and sun hours remain strong at 11.8. The score improves slightly to 5.8, rated ok, as conditions start to ease toward autumn.
28°C / 18°C · 6 rain days · 10.5 h sun
Temperatures cool to a more comfortable 28.4°C high and 18.3°C low. Rain days drop to 5.9 with 59mm, among the driest stretches of the year. The score rises to 7.6, rated best, and Labour Day falls on the 7th.
21°C / 11°C · 7 rain days · 9.0 h sun
October is the highest-scoring month at 8.7, rated best. Highs settle at a pleasant 21.2°C and lows at 10.8°C, with rain picking up slightly to 6.6 days and 82mm. Columbus Day falls on the 12th, adding to a strong month for travel.
14°C / 4°C · 6 rain days · 7.7 h sun
Temperatures fall further, with highs of 13.7°C and lows of 4°C, bringing a cooler, crisper feel. Rain days are 5.6 with 53mm, and sun hours drop to 7.7. The score of 6.7 keeps a good rating, with Veterans Day on the 11th and Thanksgiving on the 26th.
9°C / -1°C · 5 rain days · 7.1 h sun
Winter cold returns, with highs of just 9°C and lows near freezing at -0.7°C. Rain days drop to 4.5 with 36mm, and sun hours are low at 7.1. The score is 4.4, rated ok, with Christmas Day on the 25th closing out the year.
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.
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 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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