Rothbury has chilly, snowy winters and pleasant summers
A typical July afternoon reaches 81°, a January night drops to 17°, and about 69 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in Rothbury at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What a year in Rothbury feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
69 inches of snow, 36 of rain and melt
October is the wettest month and February the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 110 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
About 136 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by May 19 and the first by October 4.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
Living with Rothbury’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
136 frost-free days. The last frost comes by May 19 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 4.
About 69" a winter over 29 days with an inch or more, most in January. Snow covers the ground about 74 days a year.
Months averaging under 55° run from October through April. Heating is 95% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 2 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 81°.
The nicest months are May, June, July, August and September. 1.0 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 Rothbury averaged 1.7° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in February (+3.1°).
A bigger shift than in 81% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
How Rothbury compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in Michigan.
Rothbury 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 | 30° | 17° | 2.3" | 26.0" | 10 | 25 | 14° – 33° |
| February | 33° | 17° | 1.9" | 13.8" | 7 | 21 | 14° – 34° |
| March | 43° | 24° | 2.1" | 6.7" | 8 | 9 | 24° – 48° |
| April | 56° | 34° | 3.6" | 1.7" | 10 | 1 | 36° – 50° |
| May | 68° | 44° | 3.6" | 0 | 11 | 0 | 49° – 61° |
| June | 77° | 54° | 3.5" | 0 | 9 | 0 | 60° – 71° |
| July | 81° | 58° | 3.2" | 0 | 8 | 0 | 64° – 76° |
| August | 79° | 57° | 3.3" | 0 | 8 | 0 | 63° – 73° |
| September | 72° | 50° | 3.2" | 0 | 9 | 0 | 55° – 66° |
| October | 59° | 40° | 4.0" | 0.1" | 11 | 0 | 46° – 56° |
| November | 46° | 31° | 3.0" | 4.7" | 10 | 4 | 31° – 45° |
| December | 35° | 23° | 2.4" | 15.9" | 9 | 15 | 20° – 38° |
| Year | 57° | 37° | 36.1" | 68.9" | 110 | 74 |
Heating and cooling a home in Rothbury
95% 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 24° to 48°. October is the most reliable, staying within 10°.
Common questions about Rothbury’s climate
What is the coldest month in Rothbury?
January, with a typical high of 30° and a low of 17°.
What is the hottest month in Rothbury?
July, with a typical high of 81° and a low of 58°. About 2 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does Rothbury get?
About 69 inches in a normal winter, most of it in January.
When is the first frost in Rothbury?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by October 4, and the last spring frost by May 19.
What is the rainiest month in Rothbury?
October, with 4.0 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 36 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in Rothbury.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for Rothbury itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Montague 4 Nw, MI (5 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.