Weather in Carlisle, Iowa
Roses Bloom Along the Shelter Rows. Day 58 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
Flowers blooming in late autumn, a sure sign of a bad winter coming.
- Moonrise
- 10:15 AM
- Moonset
- 12:41 AM
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
Roses Bloom Along the Shelter Rows
Carlisle 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 16, 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
Carlisle's warmest month is July (~76°F mean) and its coldest is January (~22°F). Rainfall peaks in June (5.3 inches) and bottoms out in January (1.1 inches).
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 22° | 1.1″ | 3 |
| February | 27° | 1.3″ | 4 |
| March | 39° | 2.2″ | 5 |
| April | 51° | 4.0″ | 8 |
| May | 62° | 5.2″ | 9 |
| June | 72° | 5.3″ | 7 |
| July | 76° | 3.8″ | 6 |
| August | 74° | 4.2″ | 6 |
| September | 66° | 3.2″ | 5 |
| October | 53° | 2.8″ | 5 |
| November | 39° | 1.9″ | 4 |
| December | 28° | 1.6″ | 4 |
Regional context
Carlisle sits within a warm-summer humid continental climate region — a cohort that shares similar temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions across nearby cities.
Similar climates: Des Moines, IA, Davenport, IA, Cedar Rapids, IA, Iowa City, IA, Waterloo, IA.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Carlisle?
- Carlisle's last spring frost typically falls around mid-April, and the first fall frost arrives around mid-November.
- What is the rainy season in Carlisle?
- June is the wettest month with about 5.3 inches of rain on average; the city receives roughly 37 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in Carlisle?
- July is typically warmest, averaging about 76°F.
- What is the coldest month in Carlisle?
- January is typically coldest, averaging about 22°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Carlisle?
- 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 Carlisle get?
- Carlisle averages about 66 rainy days per year.
- What hardiness zone is Carlisle?
- Carlisle'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
Carlisle, Iowa sits in a warm-summer humid continental climate zone. January means hover near 22°F while July averages 76°F — a 54°F seasonal swing.
Across the year, Carlisle receives about 37 inches of precipitation spread over roughly 66 rainy days.
The rhythm of the year is set by latitude (41.5°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.