Weather in Sunnyland, Illinois
Roses open along the stoops. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 10:36 AM
- Moonset
- 1:37 AM
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
Roses open along the stoops
Sunnyland at a glance
- Today vs. normal: NaN°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: April 25 (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
Warm-season window is open
As of May 17, the last spring frost has passed for most years. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, basil, and cucurbits (cucumbers, squash, melons) now. Direct-sow beans and corn into warm soil.
Planting calendar
| Month | Plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | — |
| February | — | — |
| March | — | — |
| April | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes | — |
| May | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| June | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| July | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| August | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| September | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| October | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | winter squash, tomatoes (last) |
| November | — | — |
| December | — | — |
A year in weather
Sunnyland's warmest month is July (~74°F mean) and its coldest is January (~24°F). Rainfall peaks in July (4.5 inches) and bottoms out in February (1.8 inches).
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24° | 2.0″ | 5 |
| February | 28° | 1.8″ | 5 |
| March | 38° | 2.3″ | 5 |
| April | 49° | 3.9″ | 7 |
| May | 60° | 4.5″ | 8 |
| June | 70° | 4.3″ | 7 |
| July | 74° | 4.5″ | 6 |
| August | 72° | 4.0″ | 6 |
| September | 66° | 3.2″ | 5 |
| October | 53° | 3.1″ | 6 |
| November | 40° | 2.5″ | 5 |
| December | 29° | 1.9″ | 5 |
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Sunnyland?
- Sunnyland's last spring frost typically falls around mid-April, and the first fall frost arrives around mid-November.
- What is the rainy season in Sunnyland?
- July is the wettest month with about 4.5 inches of rain on average; the city receives roughly 38 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in Sunnyland?
- July is typically warmest, averaging about 74°F.
- What is the coldest month in Sunnyland?
- January is typically coldest, averaging about 24°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Sunnyland?
- Cool-season crops (peas, lettuce) can be sown around the last spring frost (mid-April); warm-season crops (tomatoes, peppers) wait until 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does Sunnyland get?
- Sunnyland averages about 70 rainy days per year.
- What hardiness zone is Sunnyland?
- Sunnyland'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
Sunnyland, Illinois sits in a warm-summer humid continental climate zone. January means hover near 24°F while July averages 74°F — a 50°F seasonal swing.
Across the year, Sunnyland receives about 38 inches of precipitation spread over roughly 70 rainy days.
The rhythm of the year is set by latitude (41.6°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.