Weather in Gastonia, North Carolina
Roses open on the Piedmont edge. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 10:30 AM
- Moonset
- 12:46 AM
- In sign
- ♊︎ Gemini
Roses open on the Piedmont edge
Gastonia at a glance
- Today vs. normal: NaN°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: March 18 (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
July brings Gastonia's warmest temperatures (~81°F mean) while January delivers the coldest (~42°F). Rainfall reaches its peak in August (4.5 inches) and drops to its lowest point 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
Gastonia belongs to a humid subtropical climate region that encompasses nearby cities with similar temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions.
Similar climates: Charlotte, NC, Raleigh, NC, Winston-Salem, NC, Durham, NC, Greensboro, NC.
Naturalist notes
By late May, dogwood trees complete their flowering cycle as their white bracts begin to fade across Gastonia's landscape.
Ruby-throated hummingbirds return to North Carolina feeders during the first weeks of April after their spring migration.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Gastonia?
- Gastonia's last spring frost typically falls around mid-March, and the first fall frost arrives around mid-December.
- What is the rainy season in Gastonia?
- 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 Gastonia?
- July is typically warmest, averaging about 81°F.
- What is the coldest month in Gastonia?
- January is typically coldest, averaging about 42°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Gastonia?
- 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 Gastonia get?
- Gastonia averages about 70 rainy days per year.
- What hardiness zone is Gastonia?
- Gastonia'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
Gastonia, North Carolina experiences a humid subtropical climate zone. January temperatures hover near 42°F while July averages 81°F, creating a 38°F seasonal swing.
Throughout the year, Gastonia receives about 44 inches of precipitation spread over roughly 70 rainy days.
Geography shapes the local weather patterns through latitude (35.2°N), proximity to large water bodies, and elevation. These factors determine what grows here, when frost is likely, and daily weather patterns.