Springfield, Illinois Weather
Fireflies pulse through the magnolias. Day 76 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
Springfield weather forecast — hour by hour, 7-day outlook, NOAA radar
- TodayJun 3Overcast——82°53°—
- ThursdayJun 4Overcast——85°59°+3°
- FridayJun 5Drizzle36%—85°66°0°
- SaturdayJun 6Showers50%—83°66°-2°
- SundayJun 7Showers22%—86°69°+3°
- MondayJun 8Light Showers43%—79°71°-7°
- TuesdayJun 9Drizzle25%0.05″77°70°-2°
Ozone at AQI 80 now. AQI up 10 over the last 6 hours (gradual rise). With UV 8.3 peaking around 1 PM under partly cloudy skies, surface ozone likely climbs to AQI 63 by mid-afternoon.
OK No precautions needed for the general population; unusually sensitive individuals may consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion.
What's driving it
Ozone × UV × Sky
Ozone at AQI 80 now. With UV 8.3 peaking around 1 PM under partly cloudy skies, surface ozone likely climbs to AQI 63 by mid-afternoon.
- Present
- AQI 80
- UV peak
- 8.3 at 1 PM
- Sky at peak
- partly cloudy
- Projected peak
- AQI 63
Trends
Seven days of AQI and PM2.5.
Hourly air-quality data from the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service, charted across the past and next several days. Dashed lines mark the AQI breakpoints at 50 (Good → Moderate) and 100 (Moderate → Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups).
The higher the clouds, the finer the weather.
- Moonrise
- 3:49 AM
- Moonset
- 12:58 PM
- In sign
- ♑︎ Capricorn
Fireflies pulse through the magnolias
Springfield at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 6°F above the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: April 15 (climatological average for this latitude)
- Microseason: Jun 1–5
- Planting window: Harvest spring lettuce before it bolts. Sow heat-tolerant greens.
Right now in the garden
Peak growing season
As of June 3, the growing season is at its peak — frost is months away. Continue succession-planting beans and summer squash. Start fall brassicas (broccoli, cabbage, kale) from seed indoors for transplanting in late summer.
SPC Convective Outlook
Storm Prediction Center — Springfield
SPC has placed Springfield in the General Thunderstorms category for severe thunderstorms day after tomorrow.
- TODAYNONENo severe risk
- TOMORROWNONENo severe risk
- DAY 3TSTMGeneral Thunderstorms
Thunderstorms possible. Not severe, but capable of producing lightning and brief heavy rain.
Source: NOAA / NWS Storm Prediction Center categorical convective outlook. Outlooks are re-issued multiple times per day; this page reflects the most recent SPC polygons covering the city’s coordinates.
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 brings Springfield's peak heat with average temperatures around 76°F, while January delivers the year's coldest conditions at roughly 27°F. Precipitation follows its own calendar, with May bringing the heaviest rainfall at 5.1 inches and January recording the lightest at 2.2 inches.
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27° | 2.2″ | 5 |
| February | 31° | 2.2″ | 5 |
| March | 42° | 3.0″ | 7 |
| April | 53° | 4.1″ | 7 |
| May | 63° | 5.1″ | 9 |
| June | 73° | 5.0″ | 7 |
| July | 76° | 4.4″ | 7 |
| August | 74° | 2.9″ | 5 |
| September | 67° | 3.1″ | 5 |
| October | 55° | 3.1″ | 6 |
| November | 43° | 3.1″ | 6 |
| December | 33° | 2.3″ | 6 |
Regional context
Springfield falls within the humid subtropical climate region, sharing temperature ranges, seasonal rhythms, and growing conditions with other nearby cities in this climate classification.
Similar climates: Peoria, IL, Champaign, IL, Bloomington, IL, Alton, IL, Decatur, IL.
Naturalist notes
Late May brings the distinctive calls of red-winged blackbirds defending territory in Springfield's wetlands and marshy areas.
By early June, native prairie grasses like big bluestem begin their rapid growth phase across central Illinois grasslands.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Springfield?
- Springfield typically sees its last spring frost around mid-April, while the first fall frost usually arrives around mid-November.
- What is the rainy season in Springfield?
- May stands as the wettest month, delivering about 5.1 inches of rain on average, while Springfield's total annual precipitation reaches roughly 40 inches.
- What is the warmest month in Springfield?
- July typically records the warmest temperatures, with averages around 76°F.
- What is the coldest month in Springfield?
- January brings the coldest conditions, averaging about 27°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Springfield?
- 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 that date.
- How many rainy days does Springfield get?
- Springfield experiences approximately 75 rainy days per year.
- What hardiness zone is Springfield?
- Springfield's USDA hardiness zone depends on its lowest average winter temperatures; the USDA's online lookup tool can provide the current zone designation using the city ZIP code.
Climate
Springfield, Illinois experiences a humid subtropical climate zone. Winter temperatures in January typically hover near 27°F, while July brings averages around 76°F — creating a 49°F seasonal swing.
Annual precipitation totals approximately 40 inches, distributed across roughly 75 rainy days throughout the year.
Geography plays the defining role in Springfield's weather patterns. The city's latitude at 39.8°N, proximity to large water bodies, and elevation combine to determine growing seasons, frost timing, and daily weather conditions.