The climate of Decorah
Decorah,
Iowa dwells in the Köppen climate classification as Dfa. This indicates a Humid continental climate, no dry season, with hot summers. This global climate sector places Decorah near higher latitudes, causing the town to experience a clash of warm and chilly months throughout the annual cycle.
Within the year, Decorah's climate cycles through a broad temperature range, from a frigid 9.7°F (-12.4°C) in the coldest months to pleasantly warm 78.4°F (25.8°C) during the hottest phase. In this fluctuating climate, humidity levels typically remain above 76%, with only minor variations throughout the year.
Rainfall infiltrates the 12-month cycle erratically. The wettest period, with 5.04" (128mm) of rain, shows its face in
June, while
January and
February only offer a meager 1.1 and 1.26" (32mm) respectively. Correspondingly, maximum precipitation days occur during
May and June, when the region endures rainfall for approximately 20.3 days.
Distinct seasonal variations are visible in Decorah's overall weather patterns. During winter, it's not uncommon to witness 5.63" (143mm) of snowfall in January and 5.98" (152mm) in February. Winter days can be quite short, with only 9 hours of daylight in core winter months, while the long summer days provide an ample 15.4 hours of daylight.
The best time to visit Decorah
Those aspiring to visit
Decorah would find the period between
May and
September most favorable. During this span, the temperature rises to a comfortable range from 65.7°F (18.7°C) to 78.4°F (25.8°C), offering ideal conditions for outdoor activities and exploration. Moreover, these months stand out for their vast daylight hours, stretching 14.7 to 15.4 hours, enabling visitors to get the most out of their day.
The worst time to visit Decorah
The least advisable period to plan a visit to
Decorah is around mid-winter, from
December to
February. These months can be inherently harsh, with average low temperatures dipping to a frigid 9.7°F (-12.4°C) to 18.3°F (-7.6°C). This period also carries the burden of maximum snowfall, reaching up to 5.98" (152mm) in February, making outdoor activities hard to navigate.
Spring weather in Decorah
Courtship with Spring in
Decorah usually presents a massive shift from the chilling winter. Temperatures begin to rise moderately, achieving highs around 41°F (5°C) to 65.7°F (18.7°C) from
March to
May. As Spring progresses, daylight extends from 12 hours in March to an ample 14.7 hours in May. Do take note that
April marks the onset of the rainfall season, with precipitation rising up to 3.39" (86mm).
Summer weather in Decorah
Summers in
Decorah are typically warm and extended. The mercury starts its ascent in
June, with average highs hitting the 75°F (23.9°C) mark.
July sees the peak with average highs reaching 78.4°F (25.8°C). The rainfall too is generous, peaking at 5.04" (128mm) in June. However, the region enjoys ample sunshine, notably with 15.4 hours of daylight in June and maximum UV index of 5 through the summer.
Autumn weather in Decorah
Autumn in
Decorah begins to reverse the summer warmth, showcasing falling temperatures from 70.7°F (21.5°C) in
September to 41.9°F (5.5°C) by
November. Rainfall also dwindles, dropping from 2.48" (63mm) in September to 1.46" (37mm) by November. While daylight hours get compromised, hovering around 11 hours in November, visitors are still able to enjoy a reasonable amount of sunshine.
Winter weather in Decorah
Winters in
Decorah can be intense. From
December to
February, temperatures often plunge to a chilly low, with an average high of only 28.4°F (-2°C) in December. Snowfall makes a grand entry in these months, escalating from 4.57" (116mm) in December to as much as 5.98" (152mm) in February. Simultaneously, daylight hours shrink, reducing to a minimum of 9 hours in December. This season is especially noteworthy for the heightened wind speeds up to 10.4mph (16.7km/h) in February.
Weather in January
January holds the depths of winter for
Decorah,
Iowa, with the chill of the season truly taking hold. Residents and visitors alike should prepare for lower temperatures, generally falling from 22.3°F (-5.4°C) to 9.7°F (-12.4°C), as the month progresses.
Weather in January » Weather in February
February in
Decorah undergoes a slight change as it rises from the chill of
January. This ascent is subtle and may go unnoticed to the untrained observer. As winter presses on, periods of snowfall continue to blanket the city, but with a slightly reduced frequency compared to January.
Weather in February » Weather in March
The vestiges of winter linger in
Decorah's weather in
March, though signs of spring slowly make their presence felt. Vitamin D becomes more available as sunlight graces the city for up to 12 hours a day providing more opportunities for outdoor activities.
Weather in March »
Weather in April
April marks the true onset of spring in
Decorah. The landscape gradually trades its wintry white for a myriad of colors as temperatures steadily climb and the ice melts away. The melting ice combines with frequent bouts of rainfall to increase overall humidity.
Weather in April » Weather in May
Embracing milder temperatures, the weather in
May in
Decorah is decidedly more comfortable. The city recovers its lush green appearance as rainfall increases significantly, reaching its peak of 4.06" (103mm) this month. Spring's progress introduces a revival of nature, with days growing longer and landscapes flourishing under the warmer sunlight.
Weather in May »Weather in June
As summer settles in,
June welcomes the peak of warmth in
Decorah. This month, the highest temperatures characterize the weather, reaching up to 75°F (23.9°C), while rainfall continues to occur, although at a reduced rate. More sunlight brightening the day encourages more outdoor activities.
Weather in June »
Weather in July
As midsummer arrives,
July holds the spot as the warmest month in
Decorah. Despite the high temperatures now reaching to 78.4°F (25.8°C), relative humidity remains pretty consistent at 84%. Increased day length yields plentiful sunlight, prompting locals and tourists to partake in numerous outdoor activities and events.
Weather in July »Weather in August
August brings a slight reduction in temperature, yet the warmth of summer persists in
Decorah. Contrary to the norm, the atmospheric pressure increases slightly indicating a superior balance between temperature and humidity. Peak summer comes to an end, signaling the commencement of milder days.
Weather in August » Weather in September
September in
Decorah marks the onset of Fall, characterized by crisp air and a decrease in average temperatures. Although this transition reduces the length of day to 12.5 hours, bright sunshine still dominates much of the day.
Weather in September »
Weather in October
October witnesses
Decorah fully immersed in the transformative magic of fall. While temperatures continue to drop and snowfall starts again with 0.43" (11mm) on average, fall foliage reaches its peak, surrounding the city with a blanket of vivid colors.
Weather in October » Weather in November
As fall shades into winter,
November brings a considerable drop in temperatures in
Decorah. Despite the decrease, the wintry precipitation is relatively low, with only 2.2" (56mm) of snowfall on average. Shortened daylight hours and increased cloud cover serve as a harbinger of the approaching winter season.
Weather in November »Weather in December
December rings in the winter season in
Decorah, reverting back to the cold weather conditions experienced at the start of the year. Average snowfall increases to 4.57" (116mm), the second-highest for the year, resulting in a white Christmas for the city.
Weather in December »