Weather in Norton Shores, Michigan
Roses open along the stoops. Day 58 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Light Drizzle58%73°57°
- SundayMay 17Overcast27%78°57°
- MondayMay 18Showers57%75°65°
- TuesdayMay 19Light Showers57%71°52°
- WednesdayMay 20Overcast25%57°44°
- ThursdayMay 21Overcast—62°38°
- FridayMay 22Overcast—67°46°
- PM 2.5
- 13.2 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 13.7 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 5.8 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 119.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 0.6 Low
Flowers blooming in late autumn, a sure sign of a bad winter coming.
- Moonrise
- 9:40 AM
- Moonset
- 12:15 AM
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
Roses open along the stoops
Norton Shores at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 70°F — typical for the season
- Last frost: May 5 (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
Norton Shores's warmest month is July (~72°F mean) and its coldest is January (~27°F). Rainfall peaks in October (3.8 inches) and bottoms out in February (2.1 inches).
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27° | 2.4″ | 7 |
| February | 28° | 2.1″ | 5 |
| March | 36° | 2.4″ | 6 |
| April | 47° | 3.5″ | 7 |
| May | 58° | 3.4″ | 7 |
| June | 67° | 3.0″ | 6 |
| July | 72° | 2.8″ | 5 |
| August | 71° | 3.1″ | 6 |
| September | 64° | 3.3″ | 6 |
| October | 52° | 3.8″ | 8 |
| November | 41° | 2.9″ | 7 |
| December | 32° | 2.4″ | 7 |
Regional context
Norton Shores 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 Norton Shores?
- Norton Shores's last spring frost typically falls around mid-May, and the first fall frost arrives around mid-October.
- What is the rainy season in Norton Shores?
- October is the wettest month with about 3.8 inches of rain on average; the city receives roughly 35 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in Norton Shores?
- July is typically warmest, averaging about 72°F.
- What is the coldest month in Norton Shores?
- January is typically coldest, averaging about 27°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Norton Shores?
- 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 Norton Shores get?
- Norton Shores averages about 76 rainy days per year.
- What hardiness zone is Norton Shores?
- Norton Shores'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
Norton Shores, Michigan sits in a warm-summer humid continental climate zone. January means hover near 27°F while July averages 72°F — a 45°F seasonal swing.
Across the year, Norton Shores receives about 35 inches of precipitation spread over roughly 76 rainy days.
The rhythm of the year is set by latitude (43.2°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.