Weather in Huntsville, Alabama
Roses open on the Piedmont edge. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Overcast—83°58°
- SundayMay 17Overcast—90°62°
- MondayMay 18Overcast—89°63°
- TuesdayMay 19Light Drizzle11%86°69°
- WednesdayMay 20Light Showers60%85°67°
- ThursdayMay 21Light Showers63%85°66°
- FridayMay 22Light Drizzle65%83°67°
- PM 2.5
- 6.4 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 6.8 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 2.7 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 129.0 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
- 1:07 AM
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
Roses open on the Piedmont edge
Huntsville at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 5°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
July brings Huntsville's peak heat with mean temperatures around 81°F, while January delivers the year's coldest conditions at roughly 43°F. December sees the heaviest rainfall at 5.9 inches, contrasting with September's drier 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
Huntsville falls within the broader humid subtropical climate region, sharing temperature ranges, seasonal rhythms, and growing conditions with other cities across this zone.
Similar climates: Birmingham, AL, Mobile, AL, Montgomery, AL, Tuscaloosa, AL, Auburn, AL.
Naturalist notes
Late April brings the soft yellow blooms of tulip poplar trees across Huntsville's woodlands.
Ruby-throated hummingbirds return from their winter migration in early May, drawn to flowering native plants.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Huntsville?
- Mid-March typically marks Huntsville's last spring frost, while the first fall frost usually arrives around mid-December.
- What is the rainy season in Huntsville?
- December brings the heaviest rainfall with about 5.9 inches on average, contributing to the city's annual total of roughly 54 inches.
- What is the warmest month in Huntsville?
- July typically delivers the year's highest temperatures, averaging about 81°F.
- What is the coldest month in Huntsville?
- January brings the coldest temperatures, averaging about 43°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Huntsville?
- Cool-season crops like peas and lettuce can be planted around the last spring frost in mid-March, while warm-season varieties such as tomatoes and peppers should wait 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does Huntsville get?
- Huntsville experiences approximately 79 rainy days per year.
- What hardiness zone is Huntsville?
- Check the USDA's online lookup tool with Huntsville's ZIP code to find the current hardiness zone designation, which reflects the city's lowest average winter temperatures.
Climate
Huntsville, Alabama experiences a humid subtropical climate zone. Winter temperatures in January hover near 43°F, while July brings averages of 81°F — creating a 39°F seasonal swing.
Annual precipitation totals about 54 inches across roughly 79 rainy days throughout the year.
Geography shapes the local weather patterns through latitude (34.7°N), proximity to large water bodies, and elevation. These factors determine what grows here, when frost threatens, and the daily weather patterns residents experience.