What Is the Weather Like in New York?

Unpredictable and exciting — temperatures can swing from the 30s to 70s°F within the same week. Snow is still possible through mid-April in northern New England. Nor'easters can bring heavy, wet snow in March and April. By May, temperatures settle into the 60s–70s°F with blooming cherry blossoms, lilacs, and flowering trees. Mud season in Vermont and Maine makes dirt roads challenging from mid-March through April. Spring thunderstorms become more common in May.

Warm and humid with temperatures in the 80s–90s°F. Heat waves can push temperatures above 95°F with high humidity making it feel well over 100°F. Afternoon thunderstorms are common, occasionally producing damaging wind and hail. Beaches, lakes, and mountains draw crowds — expect traffic on summer weekends. Hurricane remnants can bring heavy rain and flooding from July through September. Evening concerts, outdoor dining, and state fairs make summer the busiest outdoor season.

The crown jewel of Northeast weather. September brings warm days in the 70s and cool nights in the 50s. Peak fall foliage runs from late September in Vermont and Maine through late October in the Mid-Atlantic. Apple picking, corn mazes, and cider mills are regional traditions. First frost arrives in October in the north and November further south. By late November, temperatures drop into the 30s–40s°F with the first snowflakes possible in higher elevations.

Cold and snowy with temperatures regularly in the 20s–30s°F and wind chills below 0°F during arctic outbreaks. Nor'easters can drop 12–24+ inches of snow in a single storm, shutting down travel for days. Lake-effect snow bands hammering upstate New York can produce 3–5 inches per hour. Skiing, snowboarding, and ice skating are popular activities. Road salt and plowing keeps major highways passable, but side roads can be treacherous.