What weather should you expect in Fairhope?
Current National Weather Service Forecast
Fairhope is situated at about 90 -100 feet above sea level on a high and dry bluff on Mobile Bay. The weather is frequently affected by the close proximity to water. This makes the weather interesting, and sometimes hard to predict.
Summers are very warm and quite humid. Rain showers and thunderstorms are common in the summer. (This area gets over 60 inches of rain annually). Rain showers and storms typically last an hour or two and move on, but the rain can be quite heavy and the lightning intense. It’s a good idea to have an umbrella handy, and never stay outside when you can see lightning, or hear thunder.
Partly due to the warming influence of Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, the winters are mild, with freezing temps uncommon. One week may be fall-like weather and the next in the low 40’s. The longest stretch of below-freezing weather is usually about a week. We say it’s been a hard winter when the caladium bulbs from last year do not come back up again in the spring. Many sub-tropical plants like banana trees and citrus do quite well here. It’s even possible to head to the Gulf Coast beaches most anytime in the winter and have an enjoyable time if dressed for the coastal wind. In fact, we get quite a few “Snow-birds” that come down from Michigan and other northern states to spend the winter months in Fairhope.
Spring: Bright sunny skies (with some rainy days) and crisp temperatures with highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s and 60s. This is the best time to see azaleas, dogwoods, and many other blooming flowers, both wild and cultivated.
Summer: The temperature and humidity rises with many sunny days with scattered afternoon thunderstorms. Highs in the 90s, with rarely a high temperature above 100 in the city. The nights cool into the 70s-low 80’s making air-conditioning very desirable. Shorts, T-shirts, and sandals are comfortable during the day, and light cotton clothing in the evenings.
Fall: High temperatures are in the 70s -80s, cooling to the 60s by November-December. The air is drier in the fall, making sunsets spectacular. October is an especially pretty time to visit and enjoy the beaches.
Winter: Fairhope is protected somewhat by the proximity to Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Highs usually run in the 50s and 60’s. January, February, and March are great months to visit as their are usually many pretty sunny days