The climate of Rockford
Located in the region that experiences a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfa),
Rockford,
Illinois, USA, witnesses a wide range of weather patterns throughout the year. This type of climate is characterized by no dry season and hot summers.
Temperature variations throughout the year are substantial, with the warmest month being
July showing an average high of 79.9°F (26.6°C) and the cool winter months seeing the mercury drop to as low as 13.8°F (-10.1°C) in
January. Humidity levels remain evenly spread throughout the year however, slightly peak during the summer months of
June, July, and
August with an average of 85%, 85%, and 84% respectively.
Rainfall patterns also display noticeable changes over each month. The highest monthly rainfall of 4.02" (102mm) can be noticed around June while the lowest drops to 1.26" (32mm) in
February. In relation to the average number of rainfall days,
May reports the highest with 19 days of precipitation. On the contrary, February witnesses the least with only 4.3 rainfall days.
In terms of sunshine, the city soaks up the most sun in July with an average of 9.7 hours of sunlight per day. It is also worthy to note that there is no snowfall from May to
October. However, the most significant amounts of snowfall occur in January and
December with 4.88" (124mm) and 2.68" (68mm) respectively.
The best time to visit Rockford
Judging by the weather conditions, the best time to visit
Rockford would be from
May to
September. During this period, the city experiences warmer temperatures ranging from 55.9°F (13.3°C) to 77.2°F (25.1°C). Days are longer too, providing more daylight between 13.4 hours to as much as 14.9 hours in
July, coupled with modest rainfall levels making it ideal for outdoor activities.
The worst time to visit Rockford
In contrast, the least favourable time to visit
Rockford is during the winter months from
December to
February. The temperatures show a notable dip during this period, falling down to 13.8°F (-10.1°C) in
January. Snowfall is also high in these months, amounting to as much as 4.88" (124mm) in January, thus making travel and outdoor activities challenging.
Spring weather in Rockford
Spring weather in
Rockford arrives with a welcome warming in temperature. From
March through
May, temperatures rise progressively from an average high of 44.2°F (6.8°C) to 68.5°F (20.3°C). Rainfall shows a significant increase during this period, climaxing in May with a measure of 3.86" (98mm). The higher frequency of rainy days, averaging 16.4 days in
April, along with increasing daylight hours make it a scenic time for springtime explorers.
Summer weather in Rockford
Summers in
Rockford, from
June to
August, are marked by warm and generally humid conditions. The mercury often rises to an average maximum of 77.2°F (25.1°C) in June and 79.9°F (26.6°C) in
July. Daylight hours are plentiful, with an average of 15.2 hours in June, providing ample light for exploring the city.
Autumn weather in Rockford
Autumn sees mild weather in
Rockford, with temperatures gently retreating from a high of 72.7°F (22.6°C) in
September to 44.8°F (7.1°C) in
November. Rainfall averages between 2.13" (54mm) to 1.54" (39mm), with the frequency of rainy days falling below those of spring and summer.
Winter weather in Rockford
Winter in
Rockford is typified by colder temperatures and significant snowfall. Low temperatures average around 13.8°F (-10.1°C) in
January while the high is 32.4°F (0.2°C) in
December. Snowfall days are higher, peaking at 13 days in January. This coincides with the shortest daylight hours of the year, averaging just 9.1 hours in December.
Weather in January
The year in
Rockford,
Illinois, USA starts off with
January, which is generally characterized by snowy, windy, and cold conditions. With high temperatures averaging at 26.2°F (-3.2°C) and lows falling to 13.8°F (-10.1°C), January is indeed the coldest month of the year.
Weather in January »Weather in February
As
Rockford transitions towards the end of winter,
February marks a slight rise in temperatures. Notably, the average high in February is a bit warmer at 30.2°F (-1°C), while the low temperature averages around 17.1°F (-8.3°C).
Weather in February »Weather in March
March signifies the beginning of the transition from winter to spring in
Rockford, yet the weather remains cool. With an average high temperature of 44.2°F (6.8°C), the city starts to thaw out from the extremely cold winter conditions of
January and
February.
Weather in March »
Weather in April
April brings about a noticeable departure from the cold weather, indicating the full swing of spring and longer daylight hours of 13.4 on average.
Rockford sees the most noticeable temperature increase, with April averaging between a high of 55.9°F (13.3°C) to a low of 39.7°F (4.3°C), a considerable rise from the colder early months.
Weather in April » Weather in May
May experiences another jump in temperatures, heralding the arrival of the warmer seasons in
Rockford. The conditions shift noticeably from spring towards early summer vibes, with an average high of 68.5°F (20.3°C) and a low of 50.9°F (10.5°C).
Weather in May » Weather in June
June sees
Rockford fully entrenched in the summer season with warmer temperatures and the longest days of the year. The high temperature averages at 77.2°F (25.1°C) during the day, offering a pleasant summer vibe with ample sunlight.
Weather in June »
Weather in July
As mid-summer arrives in
Rockford,
July becomes the warmest month of the year with the highest monthly average maximum temperature coming in at 79.9°F (26.6°C). The long, sunny days have also resulted in the highest UV index of the year at 5, signalling the need for sun protection during outdoor activities.
Weather in July »Weather in August
August carries on the warm summer trend in
Rockford, with just slight drops in the average high and low temperatures compared to
July, standing at 78.1°F (25.6°C) and 60.6°F (15.9°C) respectively. The weather remains relatively calm and stable.
Weather in August » Weather in September
September ushers in the arrival of fall to
Rockford, bringing about a gradual decrease in temperatures and daylight hours. While the average high remains at a pleasant 72.7°F (22.6°C), the cooler evenings offer an early indication of the approaching fall.
Weather in September »
Weather in October
October showcases true fall weather in
Rockford as temperatures continue to drop and daylight hours diminish further. With temperatures dipping to 59.4°F (15.2°C) in the daytime and 43.5°F (6.4°C) in the nighttime, autumn fully takes over, painting the city in a kaleidoscope of fall colors.
Weather in October » Weather in November
As
Rockford moves toward the end of the year,
November brings about the city's transition from the vibrant fall towards the robust winter. The arrival of winter is heralded by rapidly dropping temperatures, now averaging 44.8°F (7.1°C) during the day and 31.8°F (-0.1°C) at night.
Weather in November »Weather in December
December in
Rockford, the final month of the year, characteristically sees a decrease in temperatures, an increase in snowfall, and the shortest daylight hours. The high temperature drops to 32.4°F (0.2°C) and the low climbs down to 22.5°F (-5.3°C), setting the stage for the holiday season and the approach of a new year.
Weather in December »