New York Annual Temperatures and Extremes

New York's Temperature Records

Hottest temperature ever recorded: 108 F, Troy, eastern New York, 1/27/1926 Coldest temperature ever recorded: -52 F, Old Forge, north-central New York, 2/18/1979 Hottest location ranked by highest average annual temperature: New York City - LaGuardia, southeastern New York, 55.0 F Coldest location ranked by lowest average annual temperature: Old Forge, north-central New York, 40.5 F

The average annual mean temperature in New York ranges from about 40 degrees Fahrenheit (° F) in the Adirondacks to near 55 in the New York City area. In January, the average mean temperature is approximately 16 in the Adirondacks and St. Lawrence Valley, but increases to about 26 along Lake Erie and in the lower Hudson Valley and to 31° F on Long Island. The highest temperature of record in New York State is 108° F at Troy on July 22, 1926. Temperatures of 107° F have been observed at Lewiston, Elmira, Poughkeepsie and New York City. The record coldest temperature is -52° F at Stillwater Reservoir (northern Herkimer County) on February 9, 1934 and also at Old Forge (also northern Herkimer County) on February 18, 1979. Some 30 communities have recorded temperatures of -40 or colder, most of them occurring in the northern one-half of the State and the remainder in the Western Plateau Division and in localities just south of the Mohawk Valley.

The winters are long and cold in the Plateau Divisions of the State. In the majority of winter seasons, a temperature of -25° F or lower can be expected in the northern highlands (Northern Plateau) and -15 or colder in the southwestern and east-central highlands (Southern Plateau). The Adirondack region records from 35 to 45 days with below subzero temperatures in normal to severe winters, with a somewhat fewer number of such days occurring near Lake Champlain and the St. Lawrence River. In the Southern Plateau and in the upper Hudson Valley divisions, subzero minima are observed on about 15 days most winters and on more than 25 days in notably cold ones.

Winter temperatures are moderated considerably in the Great Lakes Plain of western New York. The moderating influence of lakes Erie and Ontario is comparable to that produced by the Atlantic Ocean in the southern portion of the Hudson Valley. In both regions, the coldest temperature in most winters will range between 0 and -10° F. Long Island and New York City experience below subzero minima in two or three winters out of 10, with the low temperature generally near -5° F.

The summer climate is cool in the Adirondacks, Catskills and higher elevations of the Southern Plateau. The New York City area and lower portions of the Hudson Valley have rather warm summers by comparison, with some periods of high, uncomfortable humidity. The remainder of New York State enjoys pleasantly warm summers with occasional, brief intervals of sultry conditions. Summer daytime temperatures usually range from the upper 70s to mid 80s over much of the State, producing an atmospheric environment favorable to many athletic and recreational outdoor activities.

Temperatures of 90° F or higher occur from late May to mid-September in all but the normally cooler portions of the State. The New York City area and most of the Hudson Valley record an average of from 18 to 25 days with such temperatures during the warm season, but in the Northern and Southern Plateaus the normal amount does not exceed two or three days. While temperatures of 100° F are rare, many long-term weather stations, especially in the southern one-half of the State, have recorded maxima in the 100 to 105° F range on one or more occasions. Minimum temperatures drop to the 40s and upper 30s with some frequency during the summer season in the interior portions of the Plateau Divisions. It is not uncommon for temperatures to

New York precipitation averages and extremes, New York City climate records, precipitation and temperature data for all U.S. states and Top 10 U.S. climate extremes
Data source: National Climatic Data Center