Weather in Carter Lake, Iowa
Roses Bloom Along the Shelter Rows. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Thunderstorm55%86°61°
- SundayMay 17Thunderstorm79%82°64°
- MondayMay 18Showers97%68°57°
- TuesdayMay 19Light Drizzle97%61°47°
- WednesdayMay 20Overcast—62°43°
- ThursdayMay 21Overcast—66°47°
- FridayMay 22Light Showers15%67°56°
- PM 2.5
- 5.7 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 6.3 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 6.0 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 81.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 0.0 Low
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 11:08 AM
- Moonset
- 2:09 AM
- In sign
- ♊︎ Gemini
Roses Bloom Along the Shelter Rows
Carter Lake at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 69°F — typical for the season
- Last frost: April 24 (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
Carter Lake's warmest month is July (~78°F mean) and its coldest is January (~24°F). Rainfall peaks in May (4.7 inches) and bottoms out in January (0.8 inches).
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24° | 0.8″ | 2 |
| February | 29° | 0.9″ | 3 |
| March | 41° | 1.8″ | 4 |
| April | 53° | 3.2″ | 6 |
| May | 64° | 4.7″ | 8 |
| June | 74° | 4.4″ | 7 |
| July | 78° | 3.5″ | 6 |
| August | 76° | 4.6″ | 6 |
| September | 68° | 3.0″ | 5 |
| October | 54° | 2.3″ | 4 |
| November | 40° | 1.4″ | 3 |
| December | 29° | 1.2″ | 3 |
Regional context
Carter Lake sits within a warm-summer humid continental climate region — a cohort that shares similar temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions across nearby cities.
Similar climates: Des Moines, IA, Davenport, IA, Cedar Rapids, IA, Iowa City, IA, Waterloo, IA.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Carter Lake?
- Carter Lake's last spring frost typically falls around mid-April, and the first fall frost arrives around mid-November.
- What is the rainy season in Carter Lake?
- May is the wettest month with about 4.7 inches of rain on average; the city receives roughly 32 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in Carter Lake?
- July is typically warmest, averaging about 78°F.
- What is the coldest month in Carter Lake?
- January is typically coldest, averaging about 24°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Carter Lake?
- 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 Carter Lake get?
- Carter Lake averages about 57 rainy days per year.
- What hardiness zone is Carter Lake?
- Carter Lake'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
Carter Lake, Iowa sits in a warm-summer humid continental climate zone. January means hover near 24°F while July averages 78°F — a 54°F seasonal swing.
Across the year, Carter Lake receives about 32 inches of precipitation spread over roughly 57 rainy days.
The rhythm of the year is set by latitude (41.3°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.