Weather in Olathe, Kansas
Roses open on the Piedmont edge. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 17Overcast—88°72°
- MondayMay 18Thunderstorm42%83°63°
- TuesdayMay 19Light Showers89%72°52°
- WednesdayMay 20Overcast—65°49°
- ThursdayMay 21Showers21%64°51°
- FridayMay 22Overcast31%72°53°
- SaturdayMay 23Light Drizzle15%76°62°
- PM 2.5
- 6.3 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 7.0 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 5.3 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 70.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 0.0 Low
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 11:13 AM
- Moonset
- 1:56 AM
- In sign
- ♊︎ Gemini
Roses open on the Piedmont edge
Olathe at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 74°F — typical for the season
- Last frost: April 9 (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
Olathe's warmest month is July with a mean temperature around 78°F, and its coldest is January at roughly 30°F. Rainfall peaks in May (5.4 inches) and reaches its low point in January (1.1 inches).
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30° | 1.1″ | 2 |
| February | 35° | 1.4″ | 3 |
| March | 45° | 2.3″ | 5 |
| April | 55° | 3.9″ | 7 |
| May | 65° | 5.4″ | 8 |
| June | 74° | 5.2″ | 7 |
| July | 78° | 4.2″ | 5 |
| August | 77° | 4.4″ | 5 |
| September | 68° | 3.5″ | 5 |
| October | 57° | 3.0″ | 6 |
| November | 44° | 2.0″ | 3 |
| December | 34° | 1.4″ | 2 |
Regional context
Olathe lies within a humid subtropical climate region — a cohort of nearby cities sharing similar temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions.
Similar climates: Wichita, KS, Overland Park, KS, Kansas City, KS, Topeka, KS, Lawrence, KS.
Naturalist notes
Eastern redbuds typically open their first pink blooms in Olathe during the second or third week of April, a visible marker that soil temperatures have crossed into consistent warming.
Common purple martin scouts usually appear over the area by late March, with active nest colonization underway by the last week of April.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Olathe?
- Olathe's last spring frost typically falls around mid-April, and the first fall frost arrives around mid-November.
- What is the rainy season in Olathe?
- May is the wettest month, averaging about 5.4 inches of rain; the city receives roughly 38 inches per year.
- What is the warmest month in Olathe?
- July is typically warmest, averaging about 78°F.
- What is the coldest month in Olathe?
- January is typically coldest, averaging about 30°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Olathe?
- Cool-season crops such as peas and lettuce can be sown near the last spring frost (mid-April); warm-season crops like tomatoes and peppers should wait until 1–2 weeks after that date.
- How many rainy days does Olathe get?
- Olathe averages about 59 rainy days per year.
- What hardiness zone is Olathe?
- Olathe's USDA hardiness zone is determined by its lowest average winter temperature; the current zone designation can be checked via the USDA's online lookup using the city ZIP code.
Climate
Olathe, Kansas has a humid subtropical climate. Average temperatures swing roughly 48°F between January (near 30°F) and July (about 78°F).
Total precipitation runs close to 38 inches annually, arriving across roughly 59 rainy days.
Latitude (38.9°N), distance from large water bodies, and elevation set the seasonal rhythm — influencing what can grow, when frost is likely, and the shape of daily weather patterns.