Weather in Highland Park, Michigan
Roses open along the stoops. Day 58 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Light Drizzle30%79°54°
- SundayMay 17Overcast17%87°63°
- MondayMay 18Drizzle21%88°66°
- TuesdayMay 19Showers73%85°68°
- WednesdayMay 20Light Drizzle60%69°49°
- ThursdayMay 21Overcast—61°46°
- FridayMay 22Drizzle12%59°50°
- PM 2.5
- 7.3 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 8.7 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 4.9 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 127.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 0.5 Low
Flowers blooming in late autumn, a sure sign of a bad winter coming.
- Moonrise
- 9:30 AM
- Moonset
- 12:00 AM
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
Roses open along the stoops
Highland Park at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 9°F above the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: April 30 (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
Cool-season window is open
As of May 16, the cool-season window is open or about to open. Direct-sow peas, lettuce, spinach, radishes, and brassicas now. Hold off on warm-season crops until 1–2 weeks after the last spring frost (around May).
Planting calendar
| Month | Plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | — |
| February | — | — |
| March | — | — |
| April | — | — |
| May | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| June | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| July | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| August | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash, fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| September | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| October | — | winter squash, tomatoes (last) |
| November | — | — |
| December | — | — |
A year in weather
Highland Park's warmest month is July (~74°F mean) and its coldest is January (~26°F). Rainfall peaks in May (3.7 inches) and bottoms out in February (2.1 inches).
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26° | 2.1″ | 7 |
| February | 28° | 2.1″ | 7 |
| March | 37° | 2.5″ | 8 |
| April | 48° | 3.2″ | 11 |
| May | 59° | 3.7″ | 12 |
| June | 69° | 3.7″ | 12 |
| July | 74° | 3.4″ | 11 |
| August | 72° | 3.5″ | 12 |
| September | 65° | 3.0″ | 10 |
| October | 53° | 2.8″ | 9 |
| November | 41° | 2.6″ | 9 |
| December | 31° | 2.4″ | 8 |
Regional context
Highland Park 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 Highland Park?
- Highland Park's last spring frost typically falls around mid-May, and the first fall frost arrives around mid-October.
- What is the rainy season in Highland Park?
- May is the wettest month with about 3.7 inches of rain on average; the city receives roughly 35 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in Highland Park?
- July is typically warmest, averaging about 74°F.
- What is the coldest month in Highland Park?
- January is typically coldest, averaging about 26°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Highland Park?
- Cool-season crops (peas, lettuce) can be sown around the last spring frost (mid-May); warm-season crops (tomatoes, peppers) wait until 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does Highland Park get?
- Highland Park averages about 116 rainy days per year.
- What hardiness zone is Highland Park?
- Highland Park'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 Park, Michigan sits in a warm-summer humid continental climate zone. January means hover near 26°F while July averages 74°F — a 48°F seasonal swing.
Across the year, Highland Park receives about 35 inches of precipitation spread over roughly 116 rainy days.
The rhythm of the year is set by latitude (42.4°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.