Pool season · State index
Alabama Pool Season 2026: Opening & Closing Dates by City
Last updated: July 25, 2026 · 10 cities covered
Both halves of the pool year for all 10 covered Alabama cities. The median calendar runs March 22 to November 3. Every row links to a one-page season overview with the live water-temperature model; the opening and closing hubs carry the full checklists.
Alabama: a long-season pool state| City | Open by | Close by | 80°F+ days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anniston | Mar 27 | Nov 2 | 147 |
| Auburn | Mar 24 | Nov 3 | 144 |
| Birmingham | Mar 23 | Nov 4 | 152 |
| Dothan | Mar 3 | Nov 17 | 183 |
| Florence | Apr 4 | Oct 26 | 134 |
| Hoover | Mar 21 | Nov 1 | 158 |
| Huntsville | Mar 26 | Nov 1 | 154 |
| Mobile | Feb 27 | Nov 23 | 178 |
| Montgomery | Mar 3 | Nov 11 | 181 |
| Tuscaloosa | Mar 20 | Nov 3 | 160 |
What the columns mean
"Open by" is the recommended spring date — two weeks before the city's 7-day mean temperature crosses 61°F, the model's proxy for water approaching the 65°F algae-growth zone. "Close by" is the fall deadline — ten days after the water leaves that zone, capped a week ahead of the local 50% first-freeze date. "80°F+ days" counts days whose normal high reaches 80°F: the length of the true warm-swim season, and the fairest single number for comparing Alabama cities against each other.
Every figure comes from each city's own NOAA 1991–2020 normals station (named in its guide's footer), so neighboring cities can legitimately differ by a few days. The season overview linked from each row adds the live water-temperature model and the full-year season bar; the state hubs above carry the step-by-step checklists.
Swim-season length across Alabama
The fairest way to compare Alabama cities is the number of days with 80°F+ normal highs — the practical warm-swim season. Every bar links to that city's one-page season overview with the live water model.
Alabama pool climate at a glance
Hot, humid Gulf-influenced summers give Alabama a long season from April into October, though afternoon thunderstorms and occasional tropical remnants can interrupt peak-summer swim days. In model terms that makes Alabama a long-season state. The spread shows up clearly on the local pages: compare Dothan's pool season with Huntsville's and the difference is measured in weeks, not days. Neighbors in the index run on their own normals too — see Wyoming and Arizona for the adjacent calendars.
Alabama pool season FAQ
When do pools open in Alabama?
Model openings in Alabama run from February 27 in Mobile to April 4 in Florence, with the statewide median on March 23. Each date is two weeks before that city's 7-day mean temperature crosses 61°F — early enough to start up in algae-cold water.
When should you close a pool in Alabama?
The median Alabama closing deadline is November 3, and every city's own deadline is capped a week ahead of its NOAA 50% first-freeze date. Closing late and cold beats closing early and warm — cool water holds its winter chemistry far better.
Which Alabama city has the longest swim season?
Dothan leads with 183 days of 80°F+ highs per year, while Florence brings up the rear at 134 days. The chart above ranks every covered city by the same metric.