McDonald Chapel has mild winters and warm summers, with plenty of rain
A typical July afternoon reaches 91°, a January night drops to 33°, and about 1 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in McDonald Chapel at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about McDonald Chapel’s climate
Read from where McDonald Chapel sits among Alabama’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
Warmer than it used to be
The last 30 years in McDonald Chapel averaged 0.9° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in February (+1.7°).
A smaller shift than in 77% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
1 inches of snow, 56 of rain and melt
February is the wettest month and October the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 113 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
About 1.2" in a normal year, so most winters see none.
What a year in McDonald Chapel feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
About 231 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by March 23 and the first by November 10.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
Living with McDonald Chapel’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
231 frost-free days. The last frost comes by Mar 23 in half of years, so many gardeners wait a week or two past that to set out tomatoes. The first fall frost comes by Nov 10.
About 1" in a normal winter.
Months averaging under 55° run from November through March. Heating is 55% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 80 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 91°.
The nicest months are March, April, May, October and November.
Parks & trails →Normals are averages. Ice storms, nor’easters, floods and heat waves are on the natural hazards page.
Natural hazards →McDonald Chapel and its neighbors
Birmingham has the coldest January nights next door (33°) and Birmingham the hottest July afternoons (91°). Tap a town to see its climate.
Temperatures and rain come from NOAA’s 5 km grid, so each town gets its own value. Snow and frost-free days come from the nearest weather station, so neighbors often share them.
How McDonald Chapel compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in Alabama.
McDonald Chapel weather by month
Average highs, lows, rain and snow for every month, from NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals.
| Month | High | Low | Rain + melt | Snow | Wet days | Snow on ground | 30-yr range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 54° | 33° | 5.2" | 0.4" | 10 | 0 | 35° – 51° |
| February | 59° | 37° | 5.4" | 0 | 11 | 0 | 39° – 56° |
| March | 67° | 43° | 5.4" | 0.7" | 11 | 0 | 49° – 65° |
| April | 75° | 50° | 5.1" | 0 | 9 | 0 | 58° – 67° |
| May | 82° | 59° | 4.4" | 0 | 9 | 0 | 66° – 74° |
| June | 88° | 67° | 5.0" | 0 | 11 | 0 | 73° – 81° |
| July | 91° | 70° | 5.0" | 0 | 11 | 0 | 77° – 83° |
| August | 90° | 69° | 4.1" | 0 | 10 | 0 | 75° – 85° |
| September | 86° | 63° | 3.9" | 0 | 6 | 0 | 71° – 81° |
| October | 76° | 52° | 3.4" | 0 | 7 | 0 | 60° – 69° |
| November | 65° | 41° | 4.5" | 0 | 8 | 0 | 48° – 58° |
| December | 57° | 36° | 5.1" | 0.1" | 11 | 0 | 37° – 56° |
| Year | 74° | 52° | 56.4" | 1.2" | 113 | 0 |
Heating and cooling a home in McDonald Chapel
55% of the work is heating.
Degree days add up how far each day’s average falls below (heating) or rises above (cooling) 65° over a year. Source: NOAA station normals.
How much a month can swing
A normal is an average. December swings the most: from 1991 to 2020 its average ranged from 37° to 56°. July is the most reliable, staying within 6°.
Common questions about McDonald Chapel’s climate
What is the coldest month in McDonald Chapel?
January, with a typical high of 54° and a low of 33°.
What is the hottest month in McDonald Chapel?
July, with a typical high of 91° and a low of 70°. About 80 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does McDonald Chapel get?
About 1 inches in a normal winter, most of it in March.
When is the first frost in McDonald Chapel?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by November 10, and the last spring frost by March 23.
What is the rainiest month in McDonald Chapel?
February, with 5.4 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 56 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in McDonald Chapel.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for McDonald Chapel itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Bessemer 3 Wsw, AL (9 mi) away. Normals are 30-year averages, not a forecast. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 and 1901–2000. Today’s forecast: National Weather Service.