Weather in Bessemer City, North Carolina
Roses open on the Piedmont edge. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Overcast—83°50°
- SundayMay 17Overcast—89°63°
- MondayMay 18Mostly Clear13%88°67°
- TuesdayMay 19Overcast—88°61°
- WednesdayMay 20Overcast23%90°64°
- ThursdayMay 21Light Showers75%85°62°
- FridayMay 22Light Showers75%75°60°
- PM 2.5
- 18.2 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 19.2 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 4.3 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 109.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 0.0 Low
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 10:30 AM
- Moonset
- 12:47 AM
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
Roses open on the Piedmont edge
Bessemer City at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 6°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: March 19 (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
Peak growing season
As of May 17, the growing season is at its peak — frost is months away. Continue succession-planting beans and summer squash. Start fall brassicas (broccoli, cabbage, kale) from seed indoors for transplanting in late summer.
Planting calendar
| Month | Plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | — |
| February | — | — |
| March | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes | — |
| April | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | — |
| May | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| June | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| July | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| August | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| September | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| October | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | winter squash, tomatoes (last) |
| November | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | — |
| December | — | — |
A year in weather
Bessemer City's warmest month is July (~81°F mean) and its coldest is January (~42°F). Rainfall peaks in August (4.5 inches) and bottoms out in November (3.0 inches).
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 42° | 3.8″ | 6 |
| February | 46° | 3.3″ | 6 |
| March | 53° | 3.5″ | 6 |
| April | 62° | 3.5″ | 6 |
| May | 69° | 3.5″ | 6 |
| June | 77° | 4.3″ | 7 |
| July | 81° | 3.5″ | 6 |
| August | 79° | 4.5″ | 6 |
| September | 74° | 3.7″ | 5 |
| October | 63° | 3.4″ | 5 |
| November | 52° | 3.0″ | 5 |
| December | 45° | 3.8″ | 6 |
Regional context
Bessemer City sits within a humid subtropical climate region — a cohort that shares similar temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions across nearby cities.
Similar climates: Charlotte, NC, Raleigh, NC, Winston-Salem, NC, Durham, NC, Greensboro, NC.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Bessemer City?
- Bessemer City's last spring frost typically falls around mid-March, and the first fall frost arrives around mid-December.
- What is the rainy season in Bessemer City?
- August is the wettest month with about 4.5 inches of rain on average; the city receives roughly 44 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in Bessemer City?
- July is typically warmest, averaging about 81°F.
- What is the coldest month in Bessemer City?
- January is typically coldest, averaging about 42°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Bessemer City?
- Cool-season crops (peas, lettuce) can be sown around the last spring frost (mid-March); warm-season crops (tomatoes, peppers) wait until 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does Bessemer City get?
- Bessemer City averages about 70 rainy days per year.
- What hardiness zone is Bessemer City?
- Bessemer City'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
Bessemer City, North Carolina sits in a humid subtropical climate zone. January means hover near 42°F while July averages 81°F — a 38°F seasonal swing.
Across the year, Bessemer City receives about 44 inches of precipitation spread over roughly 70 rainy days.
The rhythm of the year is set by latitude (35.3°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.