Topeka has a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification "Dfa"). It has hot, somewhat humid summers and cool to cold, fairly dry winters. It is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6. Over the course of a year, the monthly daily average temperature ranges from in January to in July. The high temperature reaches on average of 41.5 afternoons per year. The high reaches an average of 3.5 afternoons per year. The low temperature falls below on average of four mornings per year, and there are 21 afternoons per year that stay below freezing. The general time of year for freezing temperatures is October 15 through April 17.