South Haven has chilly, snowy winters and pleasant summers
A typical July afternoon reaches 83°, a January night drops to 17°, and about 40 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in South Haven at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about South Haven’s climate
Read from where South Haven sits among Indiana’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
40 inches of snow, 39 of rain and melt
May is the wettest month and February the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 127 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
About 185 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by April 22 and the first by October 25.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
What a year in South Haven feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
Living with South Haven’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
185 frost-free days. The last frost comes by Apr 22 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 25.
About 40" a winter over 15 days with an inch or more, most in January.
Months averaging under 55° run from October through April. Heating is 89% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 9 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 83°.
The nicest months are May, June, July, August, September and October. 0.0 miles of trails are waiting.
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 South Haven averaged 1.2° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in December (+2.5°).
A smaller shift than in 56% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
How South Haven compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in Indiana.
South Haven 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 | 30-yr range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32° | 17° | 2.2" | 14.6" | 13 | 14° – 36° |
| February | 36° | 20° | 2.0" | 5.5" | 8 | 16° – 38° |
| March | 47° | 28° | 2.3" | 6.7" | 10 | 29° – 52° |
| April | 60° | 38° | 3.5" | 1.2" | 11 | 40° – 54° |
| May | 71° | 48° | 4.4" | 0 | 13 | 54° – 66° |
| June | 80° | 58° | 4.4" | 0 | 11 | 64° – 74° |
| July | 83° | 63° | 4.0" | 0 | 10 | 67° – 78° |
| August | 81° | 61° | 4.2" | 0 | 10 | 66° – 77° |
| September | 76° | 53° | 3.4" | 0 | 9 | 59° – 69° |
| October | 63° | 42° | 3.6" | 0.3" | 10 | 49° – 59° |
| November | 49° | 32° | 2.7" | 2.3" | 11 | 33° – 48° |
| December | 37° | 23° | 2.2" | 9.4" | 11 | 16° – 40° |
| Year | 60° | 40° | 38.8" | 40.0" | 127 |
Heating and cooling a home in South Haven
89% 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. December swings the most: from 1991 to 2020 its average ranged from 16° to 40°. June is the most reliable, staying within 9°.
Common questions about South Haven’s climate
What is the coldest month in South Haven?
January, with a typical high of 32° and a low of 17°.
What is the hottest month in South Haven?
July, with a typical high of 83° and a low of 63°. About 9 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does South Haven get?
About 40 inches in a normal winter, most of it in January.
When is the first frost in South Haven?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by October 25, and the last spring frost by April 22.
What is the rainiest month in South Haven?
May, with 4.4 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 39 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in South Haven.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for South Haven itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Valparaiso Wtr Wks, IN (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.