Westphalia has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers
A typical July afternoon reaches 84°, a January night drops to 12°, and about 31 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in Westphalia at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What a year in Westphalia feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
31 inches of snow, 35 of rain and melt
June is the wettest month and January the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 98 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
About 165 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by April 27 and the first by October 9.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
Living with Westphalia’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
165 frost-free days. The last frost comes by Apr 27 in half of years, so many gardeners wait a week or two past that to set out tomatoes. The first fall frost comes by Oct 9.
About 31" a winter over 9 days with an inch or more, most in January. Snow covers the ground about 53 days a year.
Months averaging under 55° run from October through April. Heating is 87% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 19 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 84°.
The nicest months are May, June, July, August, September and October.
Parks & trails →Normals are averages. Ice storms, nor’easters, floods and heat waves are on the natural hazards page.
Natural hazards →Warmer than it used to be
The last 30 years in Westphalia averaged 0.7° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in March (+2.1°).
A smaller shift than in 89% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
How Westphalia compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in Iowa.
Westphalia 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 | 29° | 12° | 0.8" | 7.6" | 6 | 18 | 13° – 34° |
| February | 34° | 16° | 1.0" | 7.6" | 7 | 15 | 14° – 35° |
| March | 48° | 27° | 2.0" | 4.0" | 7 | 5 | 30° – 53° |
| April | 61° | 37° | 3.5" | 1.5" | 11 | 1 | 41° – 55° |
| May | 71° | 49° | 5.0" | 0 | 12 | 0 | 54° – 67° |
| June | 81° | 59° | 5.2" | 0 | 11 | 0 | 66° – 75° |
| July | 84° | 63° | 4.0" | 0 | 9 | 0 | 68° – 79° |
| August | 82° | 61° | 4.7" | 0 | 9 | 0 | 66° – 76° |
| September | 76° | 52° | 3.4" | 0 | 7 | 0 | 58° – 69° |
| October | 63° | 40° | 2.5" | 0.9" | 8 | 0 | 44° – 56° |
| November | 47° | 27° | 1.5" | 2.2" | 6 | 3 | 27° – 48° |
| December | 34° | 17° | 1.3" | 6.7" | 6 | 12 | 10° – 32° |
| Year | 59° | 38° | 35.0" | 30.5" | 98 | 53 |
Heating and cooling a home in Westphalia
87% of the work is heating, so the furnace matters far more than the air conditioner.
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. March swings the most: from 1991 to 2020 its average ranged from 30° to 53°. June is the most reliable, staying within 9°.
Common questions about Westphalia’s climate
What is the coldest month in Westphalia?
January, with a typical high of 29° and a low of 12°.
What is the hottest month in Westphalia?
July, with a typical high of 84° and a low of 63°. About 19 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does Westphalia get?
About 31 inches in a normal winter, most of it in January.
When is the first frost in Westphalia?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by October 9, and the last spring frost by April 27.
What is the rainiest month in Westphalia?
June, with 5.2 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 35 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in Westphalia.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for Westphalia itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Harlan, IA (6 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.