Weather in Highland Lakes, Alabama
Roses open on the Piedmont edge. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Overcast—82°58°
- SundayMay 17Overcast—87°66°
- MondayMay 18Overcast14%87°66°
- TuesdayMay 19Light Drizzle—89°67°
- WednesdayMay 20Light Showers44%84°66°
- ThursdayMay 21Drizzle46%88°63°
- FridayMay 22Light Drizzle50%89°65°
- PM 2.5
- 8.2 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 8.6 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 7.5 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 82.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 0.0 Low
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 10:57 AM
- Moonset
- 1:04 AM
- In sign
- ♊︎ Gemini
Roses open on the Piedmont edge
Highland Lakes at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 9°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: March 7 (climatological average for this latitude)
- Microseason: 28 of 72, May 16–20
- Planting window: Direct sow okra, melons, and southern peas. Thin carrot rows.
Right now in the garden
Peak growing season
As of May 17, the growing season is at its peak — frost is months away. Continue succession-planting beans and summer squash. Start fall brassicas (broccoli, cabbage, kale) from seed indoors for transplanting in late summer.
Planting calendar
| Month | Plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | — |
| February | — | — |
| March | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes | — |
| April | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | — |
| May | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| June | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| July | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| August | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| September | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| October | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | winter squash, tomatoes (last) |
| November | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | — |
| December | — | — |
A year in weather
Highland Lakes's warmest month is July (~82°F mean) and its coldest is January (~45°F). Rainfall peaks in March (5.7 inches) and bottoms out in October (3.3 inches).
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 45° | 5.0″ | 7 |
| February | 49° | 5.0″ | 8 |
| March | 56° | 5.7″ | 8 |
| April | 64° | 5.1″ | 6 |
| May | 72° | 4.9″ | 7 |
| June | 78° | 4.8″ | 8 |
| July | 82° | 5.4″ | 8 |
| August | 81° | 4.3″ | 7 |
| September | 76° | 4.0″ | 4 |
| October | 65° | 3.3″ | 5 |
| November | 54° | 4.2″ | 6 |
| December | 47° | 4.9″ | 8 |
Regional context
Highland Lakes sits within a humid subtropical climate region — a cohort that shares similar temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions across nearby cities.
Similar climates: Birmingham, AL, Huntsville, AL, Mobile, AL, Montgomery, AL, Tuscaloosa, AL.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Highland Lakes?
- Highland Lakes's last spring frost typically falls around mid-March, and the first fall frost arrives around mid-December.
- What is the rainy season in Highland Lakes?
- March is the wettest month with about 5.7 inches of rain on average; the city receives roughly 57 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in Highland Lakes?
- July is typically warmest, averaging about 82°F.
- What is the coldest month in Highland Lakes?
- January is typically coldest, averaging about 45°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Highland Lakes?
- Cool-season crops (peas, lettuce) can be sown around the last spring frost (mid-March); warm-season crops (tomatoes, peppers) wait until 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does Highland Lakes get?
- Highland Lakes averages about 81 rainy days per year.
- What hardiness zone is Highland Lakes?
- Highland Lakes's USDA hardiness zone is determined by its lowest average winter temperature; check the USDA's online lookup with the city ZIP for the current zone designation.
Climate
Highland Lakes, Alabama sits in a humid subtropical climate zone. January means hover near 45°F while July averages 82°F — a 37°F seasonal swing.
Across the year, Highland Lakes receives about 57 inches of precipitation spread over roughly 81 rainy days.
The rhythm of the year is set by latitude (33.4°N), proximity to large water bodies, and elevation — all of which shape what grows here, when frost is likely, and what the weather story looks like day to day.