Rockford has chilly winters and pleasant summers, with very little rain
A typical July afternoon reaches 82°, a January night drops to 25°, and about 26 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in Rockford at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about Rockford’s climate
Read from where Rockford sits among Washington’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
Warmer than it used to be
The last 30 years in Rockford averaged 1.4° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in January (+4.1°).
A bigger shift than in 66% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
Living with Rockford’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
143 frost-free days. The last frost comes by May 11 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 5.
About 26" a winter over 13 days with an inch or more, most in December.
Months averaging under 55° run from October through May. Heating is 96% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 15 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 82°.
The nicest months are May, June, July, August and September. 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 →26 inches of snow, 22 of rain and melt
December is the wettest month and August the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 104 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
What a year in Rockford feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
About 143 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by May 11 and the first by October 5.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
How Rockford compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in Washington.
Rockford 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 | 36° | 25° | 2.8" | 6.4" | 12 | 22° – 36° |
| February | 40° | 26° | 2.0" | 3.2" | 9 | 22° – 40° |
| March | 48° | 30° | 2.3" | 1.6" | 11 | 33° – 45° |
| April | 56° | 34° | 1.8" | 0.2" | 10 | 40° – 53° |
| May | 65° | 41° | 2.0" | 0 | 9 | 48° – 59° |
| June | 71° | 47° | 1.7" | 0 | 8 | 54° – 68° |
| July | 82° | 52° | 0.6" | 0 | 4 | 58° – 72° |
| August | 83° | 51° | 0.6" | 0 | 3 | 61° – 70° |
| September | 73° | 44° | 0.8" | 0 | 4 | 54° – 63° |
| October | 57° | 35° | 1.8" | 0.1" | 8 | 41° – 53° |
| November | 43° | 29° | 2.7" | 3.9" | 13 | 29° – 43° |
| December | 35° | 25° | 2.9" | 10.8" | 12 | 24° – 35° |
| Year | 57° | 36° | 22.0" | 26.2" | 104 |
Heating and cooling a home in Rockford
96% 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. February swings the most: from 1991 to 2020 its average ranged from 22° to 40°. September is the most reliable, staying within 9°.
Common questions about Rockford’s climate
What is the coldest month in Rockford?
December, with a typical high of 35° and a low of 25°.
What is the hottest month in Rockford?
August, with a typical high of 83° and a low of 51°. About 15 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does Rockford get?
About 26 inches in a normal winter, most of it in December.
When is the first frost in Rockford?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by October 5, and the last spring frost by May 11.
What is the rainiest month in Rockford?
December, with 2.9 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 22 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in Rockford.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for Rockford itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Rosalia, WA (19 mi, snow) and Plummer 3 Wsw, ID (13 mi, frost, heat and degree days). 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.