Weather in Davenport, Iowa
Roses Bloom Along the Shelter Rows. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Drizzle71%84°62°
- SundayMay 17Thunderstorm51%87°65°
- MondayMay 18Rain74%82°67°
- TuesdayMay 19Showers75%71°51°
- WednesdayMay 20Overcast—62°44°
- ThursdayMay 21Overcast—67°44°
- FridayMay 22Overcast11%65°52°
- PM 2.5
- 5.5 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 6.7 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 8.6 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 63.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 0.0 Low
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 10:46 AM
- Moonset
- 1:48 AM
- In sign
- ♊︎ Gemini
Roses Bloom Along the Shelter Rows
Davenport at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 72°F — typical for the season
- Last frost: April 25 (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 Davenport's peak warmth with mean temperatures around 74°F, while January delivers the year's coldest conditions at roughly 22°F. Precipitation follows its own seasonal pattern, with June receiving the most rainfall at 5.2 inches and January seeing the least at 1.5 inches.
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 22° | 1.5″ | 4 |
| February | 27° | 1.8″ | 4 |
| March | 38° | 2.6″ | 5 |
| April | 50° | 3.8″ | 7 |
| May | 62° | 5.1″ | 8 |
| June | 71° | 5.2″ | 8 |
| July | 74° | 4.2″ | 6 |
| August | 73° | 4.0″ | 6 |
| September | 66° | 3.3″ | 5 |
| October | 53° | 2.9″ | 5 |
| November | 39° | 2.3″ | 5 |
| December | 28° | 2.0″ | 5 |
Regional context
The city falls within a warm-summer humid continental climate region, sharing temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions with other nearby cities in this climate zone.
Similar climates: Des Moines, IA, Cedar Rapids, IA, Iowa City, IA, Waterloo, IA, Sioux City, IA.
Naturalist notes
Late May brings the first ruby-throated hummingbirds to Davenport gardens, their arrival coinciding with the opening of native columbine flowers.
Wild bergamot begins its purple bloom across Iowa prairies in early July, attracting clouds of native bees during the year's warmest weeks.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Davenport?
- The last spring frost in Davenport typically occurs around mid-April, while the first fall frost generally arrives around mid-November.
- What is the rainy season in Davenport?
- June stands as the wettest month, delivering about 5.2 inches of rain on average, while the city's total annual precipitation reaches roughly 39 inches.
- What is the warmest month in Davenport?
- July typically records the warmest temperatures, with averages around 74°F.
- What is the coldest month in Davenport?
- January typically brings the coldest temperatures, averaging about 22°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Davenport?
- Cool-season crops like peas and lettuce can be planted around the last spring frost in mid-April, while warm-season crops such as tomatoes and peppers should wait 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does Davenport get?
- Davenport experiences about 67 rainy days per year on average.
- What hardiness zone is Davenport?
- Davenport's USDA hardiness zone depends on its lowest average winter temperature; the USDA's online lookup tool can provide the current zone designation using the city ZIP code.
Climate
Davenport, Iowa experiences a warm-summer humid continental climate. Winter temperatures in January typically hover near 22°F, while July brings average temperatures of 74°F, creating a 52°F seasonal swing.
Annual precipitation in Davenport totals about 39 inches, distributed across roughly 67 rainy days throughout the year.
Location at 41.6°N latitude, along with proximity to large water bodies and local elevation, determines the seasonal rhythms that influence plant growth, frost timing, and daily weather patterns.