Weather in Aurora, Illinois
Roses open along the stoops. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 10:36 AM
- Moonset
- 1:38 AM
- In sign
- ♊︎ Gemini
Roses open along the stoops
Aurora at a glance
- Today vs. normal: NaN°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: April 27 (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 stands as Aurora's warmest month with mean temperatures around 74°F, while January brings the coldest conditions at roughly 23°F. May delivers peak rainfall at 4.9 inches, contrasting with February's dry spell of just 1.8 inches.
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23° | 1.9″ | 5 |
| February | 27° | 1.8″ | 4 |
| March | 38° | 2.4″ | 6 |
| April | 50° | 4.0″ | 8 |
| May | 61° | 4.9″ | 8 |
| June | 70° | 4.5″ | 8 |
| July | 74° | 4.2″ | 7 |
| August | 73° | 3.9″ | 7 |
| September | 66° | 3.4″ | 6 |
| October | 53° | 3.7″ | 6 |
| November | 40° | 2.7″ | 5 |
| December | 29° | 2.2″ | 5 |
Regional context
Aurora falls within the warm-summer humid continental climate region, sharing temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions with other nearby cities in this climate zone.
Similar climates: Chicago, IL, Rockford, IL, Round Lake Beach, IL, Naperville, IL, Joliet, IL.
Naturalist notes
Late May brings the peak flowering of native wild bergamot across Aurora's prairies, when the lavender blooms attract their first wave of native bees.
American goldfinches begin their late breeding season in July, timing their nests with the abundant thistle seeds that ripen during Aurora's warmest month.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Aurora?
- Spring's final frost typically occurs around mid-April in Aurora, while the first fall frost returns around mid-November.
- What is the rainy season in Aurora?
- May stands as the wettest month, delivering about 4.9 inches of rain on average, contributing to the city's annual total of roughly 39 inches.
- What is the warmest month in Aurora?
- July typically brings the warmest temperatures, averaging about 74°F.
- What is the coldest month in Aurora?
- January usually marks the coldest period, averaging about 23°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Aurora?
- 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 Aurora get?
- Aurora sees about 74 rainy days per year on average.
- What hardiness zone is Aurora?
- Aurora's USDA hardiness zone depends on its lowest average winter temperature; the USDA's online lookup tool using the city ZIP code provides the current zone designation.
Climate
Aurora, Illinois experiences a warm-summer humid continental climate zone. Winter temperatures in January hover near 23°F, while July brings averages of 74°F — creating a 51°F seasonal swing.
Annual precipitation totals about 39 inches across roughly 74 rainy days throughout the year.
Weather patterns follow the city's latitude at 41.8°N, along with proximity to large water bodies and local elevation. These factors determine what grows in the area, frost timing, and daily weather conditions.