What Is The Climate In Upstate New York?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

The climate of New York State is mostly

humid continental

(Dfa/Dfb in the Koeppen climate classification) with cold winters and warm to hot and humid summers. Average annual temperatures ranges from 40°F (4.4°C) in Old Forge in upstate New York to 57 °F (13.9 °C) in New York City at LaGuardia Airport.

What type of climate is New York?

New York City, after years of being considered a humid continental climate, now sits within the

humid subtropical climate zone

. The classification requires that summers average above 72 degrees Fahrenheit — which New York’s have had since 1927 — and for winter months to stay above 27 degrees Fahrenheit, on average.

What is the average temperature in upstate New York?

The annual average temperature across the state ranges from around 39 °F (4 °C) over the Adirondack Mountains to near 53 °F (12 °C) across the Hudson Valley and Long Island, to

around 55 °F (13 °C)

within New York City.

Is upstate New York humid?

Average temperatures in Upstate New York vary drastically. Considering humidity, temperatures

feel cold for about half of the year

and otherwise nice with a chance of rain or snow throughout most of the year.

Does it rain a lot in upstate New York?

Albany, New York United States Rainfall 39.5 in. 38.1 in. Snowfall 51.6 in. 27.8 in. Precipitation 134.1 days 106.2 days Sunny 182 days 205 days

What is the coldest month of the year in upstate New York?


January

is the coldest month in Upstate New York, and also one of the most consistent, temperature-wise. The gap between the average high and low in January in Syracuse is 15.8 degrees, second only to December’s 14 degrees.

What is the coldest place on Earth?


Oymyakon

is the coldest permanently-inhabited place on Earth and is found in the Arctic Circle’s Northern Pole of Cold. In 1933, it recorded its lowest temperature of -67.7°C.

Which is the coldest month in New York?

Month Celsius (°C) Fahrenheit (°F)
January

7 45
February 5 41 March 5 41 April 7 45

Why is New York so cold?

NYC will often come under the influence of

large arctic high pressure systems

in the winter that descend down from Canada and tend to funnel cold arctic air down from Canada and hold it in place over the northeastern U.S.

What is the hottest month in New York City?

The Warmest Days of the Year in New York City

It’s hot in

July

in New York City — specifically, July 17-22. Those are the warmest days of the year in Central Park, with an average temperature of 77.9 degrees.

Why is it raining so much in upstate New York?

The reason for the storminess and heavy rain in Upstate New York, meteorologists say, is that

we’re caught between the massive heat dome out West and a stubborn high pressure system in the Atlantic Ocean

. Those two systems essentially form the sides of a funnel that channels Gulf of Mexico moisture to the Northeast.

What is the best time to visit upstate New York?

Each distinct season has its appeal, but the best time to visit New York State is

late summer through fall

, during August’s long, languid days when lake waters are warm, through the time when the annual fall foliage color show begins. Truly, though, there is no wrong time to make your way upstate.

Why is Upstate NY so cloudy?



The lakes during the cool season

, from September to March, produce so many more clouds.” That’s because cold air blowing across the lakes picks up moisture, and that moisture condenses into water droplets that form clouds, Steiger explained.

What is the sunniest month in New York?


July

is the most sunny month.

What is the driest month in New York State?

Average monthly rainy days in New York (New York State)

On average, May is the most rainy with 12 days of rain/snow. On average,

September

is the driest month with 8 rainy day.

What is the wettest month in New York?

Typically, January is the coolest month while the wettest is

April

and the driest October. New York’s weather can vary each day and even each hour however the seasons offer a pretty good guide on the conditions you can expect.

Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.