Weather in Lansing, Michigan
Roses open along the stoops. Day 58 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Light Drizzle27%83°55°
- SundayMay 17Overcast24%84°60°
- MondayMay 18Drizzle53%82°65°
- TuesdayMay 19Showers88%80°62°
- WednesdayMay 20Overcast59%60°48°
- ThursdayMay 21Overcast—62°41°
- FridayMay 22Overcast14%67°42°
- PM 2.5
- 7.1 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 8.3 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 1.4 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 125.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 0.6 Low
Flowers blooming in late autumn, a sure sign of a bad winter coming.
- Moonrise
- 9:35 AM
- Moonset
- 12:07 AM
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
Roses open along the stoops
Lansing at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 8°F above the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: May 2 (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
July brings Lansing's warmest temperatures at around 72°F mean, while January delivers the coldest at approximately 24°F. Precipitation reaches its peak in June with 3.8 inches and drops to its lowest point in February at 1.7 inches.
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24° | 2.1″ | 5 |
| February | 26° | 1.7″ | 5 |
| March | 35° | 2.1″ | 6 |
| April | 47° | 3.3″ | 8 |
| May | 58° | 3.7″ | 7 |
| June | 68° | 3.8″ | 6 |
| July | 72° | 2.9″ | 6 |
| August | 70° | 3.5″ | 6 |
| September | 63° | 2.8″ | 5 |
| October | 51° | 3.2″ | 7 |
| November | 40° | 2.5″ | 5 |
| December | 30° | 1.9″ | 5 |
Regional context
Lansing falls within a warm-summer humid continental climate region, sharing similar temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions with other nearby cities.
Similar climates: Detroit, MI, Grand Rapids, MI, Ann Arbor, MI, Flint, MI, Kalamazoo, MI.
Naturalist notes
Red-winged blackbirds return to Lansing's wetlands in late March, their territorial calls marking the transition from winter to spring.
Sugar maples begin leafing out in early May, their tender green foliage signaling the end of the frost season.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Lansing?
- The last spring frost in Lansing typically occurs around mid-May, while the first fall frost returns around mid-October.
- What is the rainy season in Lansing?
- June brings the most rainfall with approximately 3.8 inches on average, contributing to the city's annual total of roughly 33 inches.
- What is the warmest month in Lansing?
- July records the warmest temperatures, averaging about 72°F.
- What is the coldest month in Lansing?
- January brings the coldest weather, averaging about 24°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Lansing?
- Cool-season crops like peas and lettuce can be planted around the last spring frost in mid-May, while warm-season crops such as tomatoes and peppers should wait 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does Lansing get?
- Lansing experiences about 71 rainy days per year on average.
- What hardiness zone is Lansing?
- Lansing's USDA hardiness zone depends on its lowest average winter temperature; the USDA's online lookup tool using the city ZIP code provides the current zone designation.
Climate
Lansing, Michigan experiences a warm-summer humid continental climate zone. January temperatures hover near 24°F while July averages 72°F, creating a 48°F seasonal swing.
Annual precipitation totals about 33 inches across roughly 71 rainy days throughout the year.
Weather patterns follow the city's latitude of 42.7°N, along with proximity to large water bodies and elevation. These factors determine what grows in the area, frost timing, and daily weather conditions.