Weather in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Roses Bloom Along the Shelter Rows. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Heavy Rain66%85°64°
- SundayMay 17Heavy Rain47%84°63°
- MondayMay 18Thunderstorm72%82°64°
- TuesdayMay 19Showers75%69°51°
- WednesdayMay 20Overcast—61°42°
- ThursdayMay 21Overcast—65°43°
- FridayMay 22Overcast—65°51°
- PM 2.5
- 3.1 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 4.4 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 2.6 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 106.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 0.2 Low
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 10:48 AM
- Moonset
- 1:54 AM
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
Roses Bloom Along the Shelter Rows
Cedar Rapids at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 9°F above the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: April 28 (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
July brings Cedar Rapids its warmest temperatures (~73°F mean) while January delivers the coldest (~20°F). Rainfall reaches its peak in June (5.6 inches) and drops to its lowest point in January (0.9 inches).
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20° | 0.9″ | 3 |
| February | 24° | 1.2″ | 3 |
| March | 37° | 2.0″ | 5 |
| April | 49° | 3.6″ | 7 |
| May | 60° | 4.3″ | 8 |
| June | 70° | 5.6″ | 9 |
| July | 73° | 4.4″ | 6 |
| August | 71° | 4.1″ | 6 |
| September | 63° | 3.4″ | 6 |
| October | 51° | 2.9″ | 5 |
| November | 37° | 2.0″ | 4 |
| December | 25° | 1.6″ | 4 |
Regional context
Located within a warm-summer humid continental climate region, Cedar Rapids shares similar temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions with other nearby cities in this climate zone.
Similar climates: Des Moines, IA, Davenport, IA, Iowa City, IA, Waterloo, IA, Sioux City, IA.
Naturalist notes
American robins typically begin their first nesting attempts in Cedar Rapids during late April as soil temperatures warm enough for earthworm activity.
Oak trees usually complete leaf-out by mid-May when nighttime temperatures consistently stay above 50°F.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Cedar Rapids?
- Cedar Rapids typically sees its last spring frost around mid-April, with the first fall frost arriving around mid-November.
- What is the rainy season in Cedar Rapids?
- June brings the most rainfall with about 5.6 inches on average; the city receives roughly 36 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in Cedar Rapids?
- July typically records the warmest temperatures, averaging about 73°F.
- What is the coldest month in Cedar Rapids?
- January typically brings the coldest temperatures, averaging about 20°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Cedar Rapids?
- Cool-season crops (peas, lettuce) can be planted around the last spring frost (mid-April); warm-season crops (tomatoes, peppers) should wait until 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does Cedar Rapids get?
- Cedar Rapids experiences about 67 rainy days per year on average.
- What hardiness zone is Cedar Rapids?
- Cedar Rapids's USDA hardiness zone depends on its lowest average winter temperature; use the USDA's online lookup with the city ZIP for the current zone designation.
Climate
Cedar Rapids, Iowa experiences a warm-summer humid continental climate zone. January temperatures typically hover near 20°F while July averages 73°F — creating a 53°F seasonal swing.
Throughout the year, Cedar Rapids receives about 36 inches of precipitation spread over roughly 67 rainy days.
Geography shapes the weather patterns here through latitude (42.0°N), proximity to large water bodies, and elevation — factors that determine what grows in the area, when frost occurs, and daily weather conditions.