Weather in Howard, Wisconsin
Roses open along the stoops. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 17Rain52%60°51°
- MondayMay 18Drizzle77%75°54°
- TuesdayMay 19Light Showers80%70°51°
- WednesdayMay 20Overcast—55°38°
- ThursdayMay 21Overcast—59°35°
- FridayMay 22Light Drizzle11%59°43°
- SaturdayMay 23Light Drizzle13%66°47°
- PM 2.5
- 8.4 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 9.4 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 6.8 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 68.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 0.0 Low
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 10:22 AM
- Moonset
- 1:50 AM
- In sign
- ♊︎ Gemini
Roses open along the stoops
Howard at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 7°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: May 13 (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 17, 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
Howard's warmest month is July (~69°F mean) and its coldest is January (~17°F). Rainfall peaks in June (4.2 inches) and bottoms out in February (1.1 inches).
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 17° | 1.3″ | 4 |
| February | 20° | 1.1″ | 4 |
| March | 31° | 1.9″ | 6 |
| April | 43° | 3.1″ | 10 |
| May | 56° | 3.6″ | 12 |
| June | 65° | 4.2″ | 14 |
| July | 69° | 3.7″ | 12 |
| August | 68° | 3.4″ | 11 |
| September | 60° | 3.4″ | 11 |
| October | 49° | 2.8″ | 9 |
| November | 36° | 2.0″ | 7 |
| December | 24° | 1.8″ | 6 |
Regional context
Howard 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: Milwaukee, WI, Madison, WI, Appleton, WI, Green Bay, WI, Racine, WI.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Howard?
- Howard's last spring frost typically falls around mid-May, and the first fall frost arrives around mid-October.
- What is the rainy season in Howard?
- June is the wettest month with about 4.2 inches of rain on average; the city receives roughly 32 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in Howard?
- July is typically warmest, averaging about 69°F.
- What is the coldest month in Howard?
- January is typically coldest, averaging about 17°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Howard?
- 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 Howard get?
- Howard averages about 106 rainy days per year.
- What hardiness zone is Howard?
- Howard'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
Howard, Wisconsin sits in a warm-summer humid continental climate zone. January means hover near 17°F while July averages 69°F — a 53°F seasonal swing.
Across the year, Howard receives about 32 inches of precipitation spread over roughly 106 rainy days.
The rhythm of the year is set by latitude (44.6°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.