Alabama weather and outdoor projects
Alabama has long, hot and humid summers and short, mild winters, with the Gulf Coast around Mobile among the wettest places in the country. Summer afternoons often bring pop-up thunderstorms, so a forecast that looks dry in the morning can change by 3 PM. Plan staining and painting for the morning and stop early.
Spring and fall are the best seasons for most outdoor jobs. North Alabama sees a few hard freezes most winters, so concrete poured in December or January may still need blankets, while the coast rarely freezes. Hurricane season (June through November) can bring several days of rain in a row, especially in late summer.
Frost dates in Alabama
In Birmingham, the median last spring freeze (32°F) is around March 21 and the median first fall freeze is around November 11, a frost-free season of about 236 days.
In Mobile, the median last spring freeze (32°F) is around March 3 and the median first fall freeze is around November 25, a frost-free season of about 268 days.
Frost dates matter for concrete, which must not freeze in its first 48 hours, for paint and caulk that need nights above their minimum, and for lawn care, since crabgrass preventer goes down as the soil warms in spring. See how late in fall you can stain, paint or seal.
Best time to stain a deck in Alabama
In Birmingham, the most reliable months are April–May and September–October. February–March, June–August and November can also work on the right days. January is too cold, with average highs around 55°F. In December, nights average about 38°F, too cold for the coating to dry and cure overnight. February is cool, with highs around 59°F, so choose the warmest afternoons. In March and November, nights average about 44°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low. June–August is hot, with highs near 90°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun.
In Mobile, the most reliable months are March–May and October. June–September and November–February can also work on the right days. January is cool, with highs around 62°F, so choose the warmest afternoons. In February and November–December, nights average about 45°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low. June–September is hot, with highs near 90°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun.
Check this week’s hour-by-hour verdict with the deck staining forecast.
Best time to paint outside in Alabama
In Birmingham, the most reliable months are March–May and September–October. June–August and November–February can also work on the right days. December–January is cool, with highs around 56°F, so choose the warmest afternoons. In February and November, nights average about 41°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low. June–August is hot, with highs near 90°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun.
In Mobile, the most reliable months are March–May and October–November. June–September and December–February can also work on the right days. In December–February, nights average about 43°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low. June–September is hot, with highs near 90°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun.
Check this week’s hour-by-hour verdict with the exterior painting forecast.
Best time to pour concrete in Alabama
In Birmingham, the most reliable months are April–October. March and November can also work on the right days. December–February averages about 12 nights a month at or below 32°F, so fresh concrete needs blankets or heated enclosures. March and November bring about 5 freezing nights a month, so pick a mild spell and keep curing blankets on hand.
In Mobile, the most reliable months are March–October. November–February can also work on the right days. November–February brings about 5 freezing nights a month, so pick a mild spell and keep curing blankets on hand.
Check this week’s hour-by-hour verdict with the concrete pouring forecast.
Best time to seal a driveway in Alabama
In Birmingham, the most reliable months are April–May and July–October. March, June and November can also work on the right days. December–February is too cold, with average highs around 57°F. March and November are cool, with highs around 66°F, so choose the warmest afternoons. June averages about 8 wet days a month, so wait for a clear stretch.
In Mobile, the most reliable months are April–May and September–October. February–March, June–August and November–December can also work on the right days. In January, nights average about 41°F, too cold for the coating to dry and cure overnight. February and December are cool, with highs around 65°F, so choose the warmest afternoons. In March and November, nights average about 49°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low. June–August averages about 9 wet days a month, so wait for a clear stretch.
Check this week’s hour-by-hour verdict with the driveway sealing forecast.
Best time to fertilize or treat a lawn in Alabama
In Birmingham, the most reliable months are March–May and September–November. June–August and December–February can also work on the right days. December–February is cool, with highs around 57°F, so choose the warmest afternoons. June–August is hot, with highs near 90°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun.
In Mobile, the most reliable months are October–May. June–September can also work on the right days. June–September is hot, with highs near 90°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun.
Check this week’s hour-by-hour verdict with the lawn fertilizer forecast.
How the weather differs across Alabama
| Place | Hottest month avg high | Coldest month avg low | Rain per year | Last spring freeze | First fall freeze |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | 91°F | 35°F | 57 in | March 21 | November 11 |
| Mobile | 91°F | 41°F | 67 in | March 3 | November 25 |
Of the places above, Mobile has the most good months for staining, painting and concrete combined (17 job-months), and Birmingham has the fewest (16). If you live between them, expect something in between, and higher ground to be cooler with a shorter season.
Monthly weather in Birmingham
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Wet days* | Rain | 3 PM humidity | Freezing nights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 55°F | 35°F | 7 | 5.0 in | 48% | 15 |
| February | 59°F | 38°F | 8 | 5.0 in | 45% | 10 |
| March | 67°F | 45°F | 8 | 5.7 in | 41% | 4 |
| April | 75°F | 52°F | 6 | 5.1 in | 43% | 1 |
| May | 82°F | 61°F | 7 | 4.9 in | 48% | 0 |
| June | 88°F | 69°F | 8 | 4.8 in | 52% | 0 |
| July | 91°F | 72°F | 8 | 5.4 in | 53% | 0 |
| August | 91°F | 71°F | 7 | 4.3 in | 51% | 0 |
| September | 86°F | 65°F | 4 | 4.0 in | 48% | 0 |
| October | 76°F | 54°F | 5 | 3.3 in | 45% | 0 |
| November | 65°F | 43°F | 6 | 4.2 in | 45% | 5 |
| December | 57°F | 38°F | 8 | 4.9 in | 52% | 12 |
*Days with at least 0.1 inch of rain or melted snow. Freezing nights: average nights a month at or below 32°F. Humidity is calculated from NOAA hourly normal temperature and dew point at 3 PM.
Monthly weather in Mobile
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Wet days* | Rain | 3 PM humidity | Freezing nights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 62°F | 41°F | 7 | 5.7 in | 51% | 8 |
| February | 66°F | 44°F | 6 | 4.5 in | 50% | 4 |
| March | 72°F | 50°F | 6 | 5.4 in | 47% | 2 |
| April | 78°F | 56°F | 6 | 5.7 in | 49% | 0 |
| May | 85°F | 64°F | 6 | 5.4 in | 52% | 0 |
| June | 89°F | 71°F | 9 | 6.5 in | 58% | 0 |
| July | 91°F | 73°F | 11 | 7.7 in | 63% | 0 |
| August | 91°F | 73°F | 9 | 6.9 in | 61% | 0 |
| September | 88°F | 69°F | 6 | 5.3 in | 56% | 0 |
| October | 80°F | 58°F | 4 | 4.0 in | 50% | 0 |
| November | 70°F | 48°F | 5 | 4.6 in | 50% | 2 |
| December | 64°F | 43°F | 7 | 5.5 in | 55% | 6 |
Use the averages, then check the forecast
These ratings describe a typical month, not a particular week. A warm spell in a “poor” month can give you a good day, and a wet week can spoil a “good” one. Use this page to plan the season, then check the 7-day forecast for your ZIP code before you buy materials or book help. Each project forecast checks the hours after you finish too: overnight lows, dew and rain that would ruin fresh stain, paint, sealer or concrete.
About this data
Monthly temperatures, rain days, snowfall and freeze dates are NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) U.S. Climate Normals for 1991–2020 at BIRMINGHAM AP, MOBILE. Ratings apply the same temperature limits as our forecasts (for example, 50°F or warmer for deck stain and driveway sealer, and no freezing nights for new concrete) to the average month. Your product label always takes priority.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to stain a deck in Alabama?
In Birmingham, April–May and September–October. In Mobile, March–May and October. Look for at least 24 dry hours before and after, and nights above about 40°F. The deck staining forecast checks your exact week.
When is the last frost in Alabama?
Birmingham: around March 21; Mobile: around March 3. These are median dates from NOAA 1991–2020 normals, so a freeze after them happens in about half of years. Low spots and valleys freeze later in spring.
Can you pour concrete in winter in Alabama?
Yes, but it needs cold-weather practices. Birmingham averages about 37 freezing nights from December to February, so fresh concrete needs insulated blankets, a heated enclosure or an accelerated mix, and must not freeze in the first 48 hours. Many homeowners wait for spring.
What months are best for sealing a driveway in Alabama?
In Birmingham, April–May and July–October. In Mobile, April–May and September–October. Most sealers need 50°F or warmer for 24 hours and a dry day after. See the driveway sealing forecast.