Weather in Manchester, New Hampshire
Roses open along the stoops. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Foggy—79°42°
- SundayMay 17Overcast12%85°58°
- MondayMay 18Overcast—76°56°
- TuesdayMay 19Light Drizzle17%93°58°
- WednesdayMay 20Overcast54%90°59°
- ThursdayMay 21Overcast—65°48°
- FridayMay 22Overcast—69°42°
- PM 2.5
- 8.4 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 9.3 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 5.4 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 112.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 0.0 Low
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 9:20 AM
- Moonset
- 12:32 AM
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
Roses open along the stoops
Manchester at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 68°F — typical for the season
- Last frost: May 4 (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
July brings Manchester's warmest temperatures with a mean of 71°F, while January delivers the coldest at 22°F. October sees peak rainfall at 4.4 inches, contrasting with January's low of 2.7 inches.
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 22° | 2.7″ | 7 |
| February | 25° | 2.7″ | 6 |
| March | 33° | 3.2″ | 6 |
| April | 46° | 3.5″ | 7 |
| May | 57° | 3.4″ | 8 |
| June | 66° | 4.3″ | 8 |
| July | 71° | 3.6″ | 7 |
| August | 69° | 3.7″ | 6 |
| September | 62° | 3.9″ | 6 |
| October | 50° | 4.4″ | 7 |
| November | 39° | 3.5″ | 7 |
| December | 29° | 3.8″ | 7 |
Regional context
Manchester falls within a warm-summer humid continental climate region, sharing similar temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions with neighboring cities in this climate zone.
Similar climates: Nashua, NH, Portsmouth, NH, Dover, NH, Concord, NH, Rochester, NH.
Naturalist notes
Sugar maples begin their spring leaf-out in late May as soil temperatures warm consistently above 50°F.
American robins typically arrive from their southern wintering grounds in mid-March, marking one of the first reliable signs of spring's approach.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Manchester?
- Spring's last frost usually occurs around mid-May in Manchester, while the first fall frost typically arrives around mid-October.
- What is the rainy season in Manchester?
- October records the highest monthly rainfall at approximately 4.4 inches, contributing to the city's annual total of roughly 43 inches.
- What is the warmest month in Manchester?
- July typically brings the warmest weather, with average temperatures around 71°F.
- What is the coldest month in Manchester?
- January registers as the coldest month, averaging approximately 22°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Manchester?
- 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 Manchester get?
- Manchester experiences approximately 81 rainy days annually.
- What hardiness zone is Manchester?
- Manchester's USDA hardiness zone depends on its lowest average winter temperatures; the USDA's online lookup tool can provide the current zone designation using the city's ZIP code.
Climate
Manchester, New Hampshire experiences a warm-summer humid continental climate. January temperatures typically hover near 22°F, while July averages reach 71°F, creating a 49°F seasonal swing.
Annual precipitation totals about 43 inches, falling across roughly 81 rainy days throughout the year.
Geography drives Manchester's weather patterns through its latitude of 43.0°N, proximity to large water bodies, and elevation. These factors determine what grows in the region, when frost threatens, and the daily weather patterns residents experience.