Weather in Cranston, Rhode Island
Roses open along the stoops. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Mostly Clear—76°47°
- SundayMay 17Drizzle12%87°60°
- MondayMay 18Light Drizzle—75°58°
- TuesdayMay 19Light Drizzle—93°58°
- WednesdayMay 20Showers56%93°60°
- ThursdayMay 21Overcast38%70°53°
- FridayMay 22Overcast12%65°49°
- PM 2.5
- 12.1 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 17.9 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 2.8 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 108.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 0.0 Low
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 9:26 AM
- Moonset
- 12:27 AM
- In sign
- ♊︎ Gemini
Roses open along the stoops
Cranston at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 10°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: April 27 (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
Cranston's warmest month is July (~74°F mean) and its coldest is January (~30°F). Rainfall peaks in March (4.9 inches) and bottoms out in July (2.9 inches).
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30° | 4.0″ | 7 |
| February | 32° | 3.4″ | 6 |
| March | 39° | 4.9″ | 7 |
| April | 49° | 4.3″ | 7 |
| May | 59° | 3.4″ | 7 |
| June | 68° | 3.8″ | 6 |
| July | 74° | 2.9″ | 6 |
| August | 73° | 3.6″ | 6 |
| September | 66° | 4.2″ | 6 |
| October | 54° | 4.2″ | 7 |
| November | 45° | 4.3″ | 6 |
| December | 36° | 4.7″ | 8 |
Regional context
Cranston 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: Providence, RI, Warwick, RI, Pawtucket, RI, East Providence, RI, Woonsocket, RI.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Cranston?
- Cranston's last spring frost typically falls around mid-April, and the first fall frost arrives around mid-November.
- What is the rainy season in Cranston?
- March is the wettest month with about 4.9 inches of rain on average; the city receives roughly 48 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in Cranston?
- July is typically warmest, averaging about 74°F.
- What is the coldest month in Cranston?
- January is typically coldest, averaging about 30°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Cranston?
- 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 Cranston get?
- Cranston averages about 79 rainy days per year.
- What hardiness zone is Cranston?
- Cranston'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
Cranston, Rhode Island sits in a warm-summer humid continental climate zone. January means hover near 30°F while July averages 74°F — a 44°F seasonal swing.
Across the year, Cranston receives about 48 inches of precipitation spread over roughly 79 rainy days.
The rhythm of the year is set by latitude (41.8°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.