Weather in Madison, Alabama
Roses open on the Piedmont edge. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Overcast—83°60°
- SundayMay 17Overcast—89°64°
- MondayMay 18Overcast10%88°65°
- TuesdayMay 19Light Drizzle12%86°68°
- WednesdayMay 20Showers63%84°66°
- ThursdayMay 21Showers63%83°65°
- FridayMay 22Light Drizzle67%82°66°
- PM 2.5
- 6.1 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 6.2 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 4.0 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 104.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 0.0 Low
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 10:54 AM
- Moonset
- 1:08 AM
- In sign
- ♊︎ Gemini
Roses open on the Piedmont edge
Madison at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 9°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: March 15 (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
Madison's warmest month is July (~81°F mean) and its coldest is January (~43°F). Rainfall peaks in December (5.9 inches) and bottoms out in September (3.5 inches).
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 43° | 5.0″ | 7 |
| February | 47° | 5.1″ | 8 |
| March | 54° | 5.4″ | 8 |
| April | 63° | 4.9″ | 7 |
| May | 71° | 4.7″ | 7 |
| June | 79° | 4.1″ | 7 |
| July | 81° | 4.5″ | 7 |
| August | 81° | 3.5″ | 6 |
| September | 75° | 3.5″ | 4 |
| October | 64° | 3.6″ | 5 |
| November | 53° | 4.3″ | 6 |
| December | 46° | 5.9″ | 7 |
Regional context
Madison sits within a humid subtropical climate region — a cohort that shares similar temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions across nearby cities.
Similar climates: Birmingham, AL, Huntsville, AL, Mobile, AL, Montgomery, AL, Tuscaloosa, AL.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Madison?
- Madison's last spring frost typically falls around mid-March, and the first fall frost arrives around mid-December.
- What is the rainy season in Madison?
- December is the wettest month with about 5.9 inches of rain on average; the city receives roughly 54 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in Madison?
- July is typically warmest, averaging about 81°F.
- What is the coldest month in Madison?
- January is typically coldest, averaging about 43°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Madison?
- 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 Madison get?
- Madison averages about 79 rainy days per year.
- What hardiness zone is Madison?
- Madison'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
Madison, Alabama sits in a humid subtropical climate zone. January means hover near 43°F while July averages 81°F — a 39°F seasonal swing.
Across the year, Madison receives about 54 inches of precipitation spread over roughly 79 rainy days.
The rhythm of the year is set by latitude (34.7°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.