The climate of Decatur
Located in the geographical coordinates of a Humid Continental zone as per the Köppen climate classification,
Decatur,
Illinois experiences a Dfa predominant climate. This climate classification refers to a humid continental climate with no dry season and hot summers.
The climate and weather in Decatur fluctuate across different months. Temperature highs range from 32.9°F (0.5°C) in
January to a peak of 82°F (27.8°C) in
July, while the lows oscillate between 21.2°F (-6°C) in January to 65.7°F (18.7°C) in July. Such a pattern suggests considerable temperature variations through the year.
Rainfall distribution extends from 0.87" (22mm) in
February to 2.01" (51mm) in
May.
June and July also experience high rainfall, making the period from May to July the wettest season. In contrast, the least precipitation occurs in
November and
December. It's also interesting to note that despite a relatively consistent level of relative humidity, ranging from 70% in
October to 84% in July, there are no specifically dry months.
Furthermore, Decatur receives sunlight for up to 15 hours a day in June, making it the longest day of the year. This compares to the shortest day in December with just 9.4 sunlight hours. The most sunshine hours occur from June to
August, aligning with the summer season when UV index values peak at 6. The number of sunshine days also shows seasonal variation, with less than 15 days of sunshine in May and over 19 days in October and November.
Visibility remains consistent at 6 miles throughout the year, except in July and August where it decreases slightly. Wind speed varies minimally from 6.3mph (10.1km/h) in July and August to 10.7mph (17.2km/h) in January, with the maximum wind gusts observed in January and November at 16.7mph (26.9km/h) and 16.2mph (26.1km/h), respectively.
The best time to visit Decatur
Considering the average weather conditions, the best time to visit
Decatur appears to be between late spring and early fall.
May to
September offers warm temperatures from 61.9°F (16.6°C) to 81.1°F (27.3°C), plentiful sunshine with 8.2 to 10.4 hours of sunlight a day, and moderate rainfall. Particularly, the months of
June and
July receive the most sunshine hours and maintain the highest UV index of 6, which is ideal for tourists seeking outdoor activities.
The worst time to visit Decatur
On the other hand, the harsh winter months from
November through
March should be avoided by visitors who are not accustomed to freezing conditions. The temperatures in these months drop to subzero levels with
January experiencing the lowest temperature at 21.2°F (-6°C). Furthermore, these months have reduced daylight hours from 9.7 in
December to 10.7 in
February further dimishing the available daytime for outdoor pursuits.
Spring weather in Decatur
Spring in
Decatur spans from
March to
May and welcomes an increase in average temperatures and rainfall. March starts with average high and low temperatures of 50.5°F (10.3°C) and 35.6°F (2°C), which increase to 72.9°F (22.7°C) and 56.7°F (13.7°C) by May respectively. Temperature variations along with a significant rise in rainfall from 1.3" (33mm) in March to 2.01" (51mm) in May mark the transition from winter to summer.
Summer weather in Decatur
Summer in
Decatur extends from
June to
August and is characterized by the highest temperatures and consistent sunshine. The average temperatures vary from 72.9°F (22.7°C) to a peak of 82°F (27.8°C) in
July. These summer months also receive the highest UV index, reaching the maximum of 6, providing ideal conditions for sunbathing and outdoor recreation.
Autumn weather in Decatur
Autumn weather in
Decatur, from
September to
November, is marked by a cooling trend in temperatures and lower rainfall. With average highs dropping from 77°F (25°C) in September to 49.8°F (9.9°C) in November, accompanied by decreasing daylight hours, autumn signals the approach of winter.
Winter weather in Decatur
Winter in
Decatur, spanning
December through
February, experiences the coldest temperatures and shorter days. Average high temperatures fall from 38.5°F (3.6°C) in December to 32.9°F (0.5°C) in
January, while lows vary from 21.2°F (-6°C) in January to 27.9°F (-2.3°C) in December. This period also witnesses snowfall, with January observing the highest snowfall count of 1.85" (47mm) spread over 7.2 days.
Weather in January
The wintry weather of
January in
Decatur,
Illinois is notorious for chilly temperatures and snowfall. With the coldest daily average low temperature plunging to 21.2°F (-6°C), and a significant snowfall of 1.85" (47mm), the month's climate demands bundling up and preparing for potential disruptions due to snow cover.
Weather in January »Weather in February
The winter in
February, hovering a touch above
January's chilling norms, retains
Decatur's freezing aura but brings some respite with the temperature rising slightly. The slight dip in snowfall to 1.73" (44mm) makes way for marginally friendlier conditions outdoors.
Weather in February »Weather in March
March in
Decatur,
Illinois greets the advent of spring with a rewarding rise in temperature. With the highest daily average temperature blossoming to reach 50.5°F (10.3°C), the snowfall amount dwindens to less than 1 inch, signifying the retreat of the winter onslaught.
Weather in March »
Weather in April
April in
Decatur,
Illinois unfurls the spring season in its entirety, with the city's inhabitants finally stowing away the shackles of winter. Infrequent rainfall of 1.93" (49mm) and a growing total of 13.3 daylight hours ensure a pleasant spring, enabling outdoor activities without the weight of winter.
Weather in April » Weather in May
In
May,
Decatur drops the spring chill entirely and takes the first confident strides into summer ambience, casting warmth in the city's climate. A peak in daylight to 14.4 hours couples well with a maximum temperature of 72.9°F (22.7°C), drawing smiling faces outdoors in casual clothes.
Weather in May »Weather in June
June's summer surge in
Decatur,
Illinois pushes the city towards sweltering metrics, with inhabitants bracing for the hottest days of the year. An escalation in average temperature to 80.6°F (27°C), combined with a matching UV index of 6, demands appropriate skin protection for those outdoors.
Weather in June »
Weather in July
July steers
Decatur into its summer apogee, featuring the calendar's maximum temperatures and humidity, with the mercury regularly striking 82°F (27.8°C). Manifesting the peak of summer, this month is synonymous with the buzz of air conditioners, and the glare of sunscreens in daylight.
Weather in July » Weather in August
August sustains
Decatur's summer fervor, albeit with nuanced climatic alterations. A minor dip in temperature to 81.1°F (27.3°C) doesn't significantly impact the city's heatwave but signals a slowly encroaching autumn. Balmy winds, playful sunshine, and negligible snowfall maintain the summer's rhythm, swaying with the wildflowers blooming across the cityscape.
Weather in August » Weather in September
Autumnal winds whisper through
Decatur in
September, transforming summer's vanishing echo into a colourful foliage spectacle. Although the temperature witnessing a drop to 77°F (25°C), the city's weather remains comfortably warm and enjoys the highest visibility all year round.
Weather in September »
Weather in October
October in
Decatur acquaints the inhabitants with a more evident fall chill, balancing the warmth of afternoon sunshine with cold evenings. The weather is far from freezing temperatures, retaining that last bit of summer warmth.
Weather in October » Weather in November
Delving deeper into autumn,
November in
Decatur flaunts shorter, colder, and cloudier days, alongside a significant temperature tumble down to 49.8°F (9.9°C). Initial snowfall of 0.24" (6mm) specifies winter's arrival at the doorstep, causing the populace to delve deeper into their wardrobe for warmer clothing.
Weather in November »Weather in December
Quieting down for the year,
December enwraps
Decatur,
Illinois, in winter grandeur, plummeting the temperature to 38.5°F (3.6°C) and snowfall enhancing by 0.83" (21mm). The harvest of pure white snow, biting winds, and frosted windows denote the city's deepest winter chill.
Weather in December »