Weather in Hartford, Connecticut
Roses open along the stoops. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 17Overcast—89°60°
- MondayMay 18Light Drizzle—83°59°
- TuesdayMay 19Overcast14%95°59°
- WednesdayMay 20Showers81%93°58°
- ThursdayMay 21Overcast25%70°52°
- FridayMay 22Overcast12%65°48°
- SaturdayMay 23Heavy Drizzle19%51°48°
- PM 2.5
- 11.5 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 14.6 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 11.4 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 94.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 0.0 Low
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 9:31 AM
- Moonset
- 12:32 AM
- In sign
- ♊︎ Gemini
Roses open along the stoops
Hartford at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 5°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
July brings Hartford's warmest temperatures (~75°F mean) while January delivers the coldest (~29°F). Rainfall reaches its peak in October (4.2 inches) and hits its lowest point in February (2.6 inches).
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29° | 2.9″ | 6 |
| February | 31° | 2.6″ | 6 |
| March | 39° | 3.5″ | 7 |
| April | 50° | 3.8″ | 6 |
| May | 61° | 3.4″ | 7 |
| June | 70° | 3.9″ | 6 |
| July | 75° | 3.9″ | 7 |
| August | 74° | 3.5″ | 6 |
| September | 66° | 4.0″ | 5 |
| October | 54° | 4.2″ | 6 |
| November | 43° | 3.4″ | 6 |
| December | 34° | 3.8″ | 8 |
Regional context
Hartford belongs to a warm-summer humid continental climate region, sharing similar temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions with nearby cities in this climate zone.
Similar climates: Bridgeport, CT, New Haven, CT, Waterbury, CT, Danbury, CT, Norwich, CT.
Naturalist notes
Red maple buds begin swelling in late March as daylight hours lengthen past winter's grip.
American robins return to Hartford lawns in early April, their arrival coinciding with soil temperatures that awaken earthworms.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Hartford?
- Hartford's last spring frost typically falls around mid-April, and the first fall frost arrives around mid-November.
- What is the rainy season in Hartford?
- October is the wettest month with about 4.2 inches of rain on average; the city receives roughly 43 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in Hartford?
- July is typically warmest, averaging about 75°F.
- What is the coldest month in Hartford?
- January is typically coldest, averaging about 29°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Hartford?
- 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 Hartford get?
- Hartford averages about 76 rainy days per year.
- What hardiness zone is Hartford?
- Hartford'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
Hartford, Connecticut experiences a warm-summer humid continental climate zone. January temperatures typically hover near 29°F while July averages 75°F, creating a 47°F seasonal swing.
Throughout the year, Hartford receives about 43 inches of precipitation spread over roughly 76 rainy days.
Location drives the weather patterns here: latitude (41.8°N), proximity to large water bodies, and elevation determine what grows, when frost arrives, and how daily weather unfolds.