New York Weather

New York climate

New York State has a humid continental climate that varies considerably from the Atlantic coast to the Adirondack Mountains. New York City experiences milder winters and hotter summers than the upstate regions due to urban heat island effects and coastal proximity. Albany and the Hudson Valley see cold winters with significant snowfall, while the Adirondacks are among the coldest locations in the eastern United States.

Lake-effect snow is a defining weather feature of western and central New York, where moisture from Lake Ontario and Lake Erie generates intense snow bands. The Tug Hill Plateau east of Lake Ontario is one of the snowiest inhabited regions in the eastern U.S., averaging over 200 inches of snow per year. Nor'easters also bring major snowstorms to the state, particularly to the New York City metropolitan area and Long Island.

Severe thunderstorms, including derechos, tornadoes, and flooding, affect New York during the warm season, with the southern tier and western regions being most vulnerable. Tropical systems occasionally impact the state, as demonstrated by Hurricane Sandy in 2012, which caused catastrophic flooding and storm surge damage in New York City. Summer temperatures range from the 70s in the mountains to the 90s in the city, while fall brings spectacular foliage across the Catskills and Adirondacks.