Weather in Buchanan, Michigan
Roses open along the stoops. Day 58 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Overcast47%82°60°
- SundayMay 17Foggy10%86°61°
- MondayMay 18Light Showers73%81°67°
- TuesdayMay 19Showers81%79°57°
- WednesdayMay 20Overcast66%56°44°
- ThursdayMay 21Overcast—63°43°
- FridayMay 22Overcast12%67°43°
- PM 2.5
- 9.0 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 9.4 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 6.4 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 135.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 0.6 Low
Flowers blooming in late autumn, a sure sign of a bad winter coming.
- Moonrise
- 9:45 AM
- Moonset
- 12:11 AM
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
Roses open along the stoops
Buchanan at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 8°F above the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: April 27 (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
Buchanan's warmest month is July (~73°F mean) and its coldest is January (~25°F). Rainfall peaks in May (4.3 inches) and bottoms out in February (2.3 inches).
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25° | 2.7″ | 9 |
| February | 27° | 2.3″ | 8 |
| March | 37° | 2.4″ | 8 |
| April | 49° | 3.6″ | 12 |
| May | 60° | 4.3″ | 14 |
| June | 70° | 4.2″ | 14 |
| July | 73° | 4.1″ | 14 |
| August | 71° | 4.2″ | 14 |
| September | 65° | 3.7″ | 12 |
| October | 52° | 4.0″ | 13 |
| November | 40° | 2.9″ | 10 |
| December | 30° | 2.4″ | 8 |
Regional context
Buchanan 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: Detroit, MI, Grand Rapids, MI, Lansing, MI, Ann Arbor, MI, Flint, MI.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Buchanan?
- Buchanan's last spring frost typically falls around mid-April, and the first fall frost arrives around mid-November.
- What is the rainy season in Buchanan?
- May is the wettest month with about 4.3 inches of rain on average; the city receives roughly 41 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in Buchanan?
- July is typically warmest, averaging about 73°F.
- What is the coldest month in Buchanan?
- January is typically coldest, averaging about 25°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Buchanan?
- 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 Buchanan get?
- Buchanan averages about 136 rainy days per year.
- What hardiness zone is Buchanan?
- Buchanan'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
Buchanan, Michigan sits in a warm-summer humid continental climate zone. January means hover near 25°F while July averages 73°F — a 49°F seasonal swing.
Across the year, Buchanan receives about 41 inches of precipitation spread over roughly 136 rainy days.
The rhythm of the year is set by latitude (41.8°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.