Weather in Lee's Summit, Missouri
Roses open on the Piedmont edge. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Thunderstorm—86°68°
- SundayMay 17Overcast—86°70°
- MondayMay 18Thunderstorm36%81°63°
- TuesdayMay 19Light Showers69%76°51°
- WednesdayMay 20Overcast10%64°45°
- ThursdayMay 21Overcast14%65°49°
- FridayMay 22Overcast18%66°56°
- PM 2.5
- 6.0 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 6.9 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 5.7 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 69.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 0.0 Low
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 11:11 AM
- Moonset
- 1:54 AM
- In sign
- ♊︎ Gemini
Roses open on the Piedmont edge
Lee's Summit at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 6°F above the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: April 10 (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 17, 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
Lee's Summit's warmest month is July with a mean near 81°F, and its coldest is January with a mean near 31°F. Rainfall peaks in June at 5.3 inches, then falls to a low of 1.0 inches in January.
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31° | 1.0″ | 2 |
| February | 36° | 1.5″ | 3 |
| March | 46° | 2.1″ | 5 |
| April | 57° | 3.9″ | 7 |
| May | 67° | 5.1″ | 8 |
| June | 77° | 5.3″ | 8 |
| July | 81° | 4.4″ | 6 |
| August | 79° | 4.7″ | 6 |
| September | 71° | 3.8″ | 6 |
| October | 58° | 3.2″ | 5 |
| November | 45° | 1.8″ | 3 |
| December | 35° | 1.3″ | 3 |
Regional context
Lee's Summit belongs to a humid subtropical climate region — a cohort sharing comparable temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions with nearby cities.
Similar climates: St. Louis, MO, Kansas City, MO, Springfield, MO, Columbia, MO, Independence, MO.
Naturalist notes
By mid-May, common milkweed is rising in unmown margins around Lee's Summit, and its developing flower buds signal the approaching return of monarch butterflies from their spring migration northward.
In the last week of May, fireflies typically begin their nightly light displays in low, humid areas, their flashes peaking just after sunset when temperatures stay above roughly 60°F.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Lee's Summit?
- Lee's Summit's last spring frost typically falls around mid-April, and the first fall frost arrives around mid-November.
- What is the rainy season in Lee's Summit?
- June is the wettest month with about 5.3 inches of rain on average; the city receives roughly 38 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in Lee's Summit?
- July is typically warmest, averaging about 81°F.
- What is the coldest month in Lee's Summit?
- January is typically coldest, averaging about 31°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Lee's Summit?
- 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 Lee's Summit get?
- Lee's Summit averages about 60 rainy days per year.
- What hardiness zone is Lee's Summit?
- Lee's Summit'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
Lee's Summit, Missouri lies within a humid subtropical climate zone. January nights average 31°F while July days average 81°F, yielding a 50°F seasonal swing.
Over the course of a year, Lee's Summit collects about 38 inches of precipitation spread across roughly 60 rainy days.
Latitude (38.9°N), distance from large water bodies, and elevation set the rhythm of the year. These factors determine what grows here, when frost is likely, and the day-to-day weather story.