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Rockford, IL Weather by Month and Climate Averages
Monthly normals · Rain · Snow
Sunshine · Freeze dates · Records · Best time to visit
What is the weather like in Rockford, IL?
Rockford, IL gets 37.2 in of precipitation a year over about 121 rainy days, and about 37.1 in of snow a season. July is the warmest month (average high 84°F) and January the coldest (average low 14°F).
Humid continental climate
Rockford, IL has hot summers and cold winters. Daytime highs range from about 29°F in January to 84°F in July. June is usually the wettest month, and snow falls in winter. The most comfortable time to visit is typically May and September to October, when daytime highs sit near 70°F.
| Season | Months | Avg low | Avg high |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | Dec–Feb | 17° | 33° |
| Spring | Mar–May | 38° | 59° |
| Summer | Jun–Aug | 61° | 82° |
| Autumn | Sep–Nov | 41° | 62° |
How much rain does Rockford get?
Rockford gets 37.2 in of precipitation in an average year, spread over about 121 days with measurable rain. That is more rainy days than 79% of the US.
June is the wettest month, with 5.2 in. January is the driest, with 1.6 in. May has the most rainy days, about 13.
The longest dry spell in the last five years lasted 27 days, to October 21, 2024.
From September 2025 to August 2026 Rockford got 36.2 in of rain, against a normal of 37.2 in for those months. April 2026 had the most, with 9.3 in.
See where Rockford ranks: rainiest cities in the US, US cities with the most rainy days, rainiest cities in Illinois.
Does it snow in Rockford?
Yes. Rockford gets about 37.1 in of snow in an average season, measured at the reporting station.
The snowiest winter on record is 1978–79, with 74.6 in.
The most recent measurable snow at the station fell on March 18, 2026.
From September 2025 to August 2026 the station measured 30.8 in of snow, against a normal of 37.1 in for those months. November 2025 had the most, with 10.0 in.
See where Rockford ranks: snowiest cities in the US.
Rockford weather by month
Rockford weather in January
In January, Rockford averages a high of 29°F and a low of 14°F. It gets 1.6 in of precipitation over about 10 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 25% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The January record high is 63°F (2008) and the record low is -31°F (2019).
Rockford weather in February
In February, Rockford averages a high of 34°F and a low of 17°F. It gets 1.6 in of precipitation over about 9 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 43% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The February record high is 78°F (2024) and the record low is -24°F (1996).
Rockford weather in March
In March, Rockford averages a high of 47°F and a low of 28°F. It gets 2.4 in of precipitation over about 11 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 34% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The March record high is 85°F (1986) and the record low is -11°F (2014).
Rockford weather in April
In April, Rockford averages a high of 60°F and a low of 38°F. It gets 3.8 in of precipitation over about 12 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 38% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The April record high is 91°F (2002) and the record low is 5°F (1982).
Rockford weather in May
In May, Rockford averages a high of 71°F and a low of 49°F. It gets 4.2 in of precipitation over about 13 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 39% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The May record high is 99°F (2012) and the record low is 26°F (2005). May is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Rockford weather in June
In June, Rockford averages a high of 81°F and a low of 59°F. It gets 5.2 in of precipitation over about 11 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 51% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The June record high is 101°F (1988) and the record low is 37°F (1993).
Rockford weather in July
In July, Rockford averages a high of 84°F and a low of 63°F. It gets 3.8 in of precipitation over about 9 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 48% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The July record high is 105°F (2012) and the record low is 45°F (1972).
Rockford weather in August
In August, Rockford averages a high of 82°F and a low of 61°F. It gets 4.2 in of precipitation over about 9 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 54% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The August record high is 104°F (1988) and the record low is 41°F (1986).
Rockford weather in September
In September, Rockford averages a high of 75°F and a low of 53°F. It gets 3.6 in of precipitation over about 8 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 54% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The September record high is 96°F (2012) and the record low is 27°F (1984). September is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Rockford weather in October
In October, Rockford averages a high of 62°F and a low of 41°F. It gets 2.6 in of precipitation over about 10 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 50% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The October record high is 90°F (1971) and the record low is 17°F (1976). October is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Rockford weather in November
In November, Rockford averages a high of 47°F and a low of 30°F. It gets 2.3 in of precipitation over about 9 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 43% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The November record high is 77°F (2016) and the record low is -10°F (1977).
Rockford weather in December
In December, Rockford averages a high of 34°F and a low of 20°F. It gets 1.9 in of precipitation over about 10 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 31% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The December record high is 69°F (2012) and the record low is -24°F (1983).
Sunshine, humidity and wind in Rockford
August is the sunniest month in Rockford, with estimated sunshine of 54% of daylight hours from ERA5 cloud cover. January is the cloudiest, at 25%. The annual cloud-cover estimate is 43% of daylight hours; it is not a measurement of sunshine duration. Rockford is cloudier than 77% of the US.
Humidity peaks in January at 79% and is lowest in June at 57%.
Wind averages 9 mph over the year, and April is the windiest month at 11 mph.
Rockford has about 16 days a year above 90°F. Rockford is cooler than 67% of the US.
Thunderstorms occur on about 43 days a year.
See where Rockford ranks: sunniest cities in the US, cloudiest cities in the US, hottest cities in the US.
First and last freeze in Rockford
The first fall freeze in Rockford typically comes around October 11, and the last spring freeze around April 28. That leaves a frost-free growing season of about 166 days.
Rockford weather records
These records cover ROCKFORD GTR ROCKFORD AP during 1970–2026. Earlier records or other stations in the city may differ.
The hottest temperature on record at the Rockford station is 105°F, on July 7, 2012. The coldest is -31°F, on January 31, 2019.
The wettest day in the available station history brought 5.7 in of precipitation, on August 14, 1987.
47 all-time records have been set at the station since 1970.
The annual mean temperature has changed by +0.6°F per decade since 1970.
The best time to visit Rockford
The most comfortable time to visit is typically May and September to October, when daytime highs sit near 70°F.
Winter (December–February) is cold, with average highs around 33°F and lows near 17°F. Snow is possible.
Spring (March–May) is mild, with average highs around 59°F and lows near 38°F.
Summer (June–August) is hot, with average highs around 82°F and lows near 61°F.
Autumn (September–November) is mild, with average highs around 62°F and lows near 41°F.
Monthly climate
| Month | Average low | Average high | Precip | Rain days | Wind | Humidity | Estimated sunshine | Record high | Record low |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14° | 29° | 1.6 in | 10 | 10 mph | 79% | 25% | 63° | -31° |
| February | 17° | 34° | 1.6 in | 9 | 10 mph | 67% | 43% | 78° | -24° |
| March | 28° | 47° | 2.4 in | 11 | 10 mph | 64% | 34% | 85° | -11° |
| April | 38° | 60° | 3.8 in | 12 | 11 mph | 59% | 38% | 91° | 5° |
| May | 49° | 71° | 4.2 in | 13 | 9 mph | 58% | 39% | 99° | 26° |
| June | 59° | 81° | 5.2 in | 11 | 8 mph | 57% | 51% | 101° | 37° |
| July | 63° | 84° | 3.8 in | 9 | 7 mph | 67% | 48% | 105° | 45° |
| August | 61° | 82° | 4.2 in | 9 | 7 mph | 68% | 54% | 104° | 41° |
| September | 53° | 75° | 3.6 in | 8 | 7 mph | 66% | 54% | 96° | 27° |
| October | 41° | 62° | 2.6 in | 10 | 9 mph | 64% | 50% | 90° | 17° |
| November | 30° | 47° | 2.3 in | 9 | 10 mph | 67% | 43% | 77° | -10° |
| December | 20° | 34° | 1.9 in | 10 | 9 mph | 73% | 31% | 69° | -24° |
Station: ROCKFORD GTR ROCKFORD AP, 9 km from the city. Temperature normal baseline: 1991–2020, calculated from available NOAA GHCN-Daily observations. Available station history: 1970–2026; record values refer to this station and period, not the entire city’s history. Precipitation includes rain and the water equivalent of frozen precipitation; snowfall depth is shown separately when available. Sources and methods
From ERA5 reanalysis. Sunshine is estimated from cloud cover.
Rockford climate questions
How much rain does Rockford get?
Rockford gets 37.2 in of precipitation in an average year, over about 121 rainy days.
What is the wettest month in Rockford?
June is the wettest month in Rockford, with 5.2 in. January is the driest, with 1.6 in.
How many rainy days does Rockford have a year?
Rockford has about 121 days with measurable rain in an average year. May has the most, about 13.
Does it snow in Rockford?
Yes. Rockford gets about 37.1 in of snow in an average season. The snowiest winter on record is 1978–79, with 74.6 in.
What is the hottest month in Rockford?
July is the warmest month in Rockford, with an average high of 84°F.
What is the coldest month in Rockford?
January is the coldest month in Rockford, with an average low of 14°F.
What is the record high temperature in Rockford?
Within the available 1970–2026 station history, the record high at the Rockford station is 105°F, set on July 7, 2012. The record low is -31°F, on January 31, 2019.
What is the sunniest month in Rockford?
August is the sunniest month in Rockford, with estimated sunshine of 54% of daylight hours from ERA5 cloud cover. January is the cloudiest.
When is the first frost in Rockford?
The first fall freeze in Rockford typically comes around October 11. The last spring freeze is around April 28.
What is the best time to visit Rockford?
The most comfortable time to visit is typically May and September to October, when daytime highs sit near 70°F.