Climate of New York
Encyclopedia
The Climate
of New York
is generally humid continental, and features diverse weather
.
Generally summers of New York have a humid continental climate
(Koppen Dfa in some central and southern lowlands and the Hudson Valley
, Dfb in the rest of the upstate). Weather in New York is heavily influenced by two continental air masses: a warm, humid one from the southwest and a cold, dry one from the northwest. A cool, humid airflow from the North Atlantic also has an effect on weather in the state, albeit to a lesser extent than the continental ones. Many continental frontal boundaries move across New York, with storm systems moving north along the coast, often affecting the southern areas of the state. In places like Huntington
on Long Island
, the climate is warmer than places up north, like Ticonderoga
, where both the latitude and altitude are higher. In Huntington, the average high July temperature is 83 °F (28.3 °C), while in Ticonderoga
, the average high in July is 81 °F (27.2 °C), which are very close, but in the summer the ocean will have a cooling effect on the air. The average high January temperatures, however, are much farther apart.
The winters are long and cold in the Plateau Divisions of the state. In the majority of winter seasons, a temperature of -13 F or lower can be expected in the northern highlands (Northern Plateau) and 5 °F (-15 °C) or colder in the southwestern and east-central highlands (Southern Plateau). The Adirondack region records from 35 to 45 days with below zero temperatures, in normal to severe winters. Much of Upstate New York, particularly Western and Central New York, are typically affected by lake-effect snows. This usually results in high yearly snowfall totals in these regions. Winters are also long and cold in both Western and Central New York, though not as cold as the Adirondack region. The New York City metro area, in comparison to the rest of the state, is milder in the winter (especially in the city itself, which averages near or slightly above freezing). Thanks in part to geography, its proximity to the Atlantic and being shielded to the north and west by hillier terrain, the New York metro area usually sees far less snow than the rest of the state. Lake-effect snow rarely affects the New York metro area, except for its extreme northwestern suburbs. Winters also tend to be noticeably shorter there than the rest of the state.
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 hot summers by comparison, with some periods of high, uncomfortable humidity. The remainder of New York State enjoys pleasantly warm summers, marred by only occasional, brief intervals of sultry conditions. Summer daytime temperatures usually range from the upper 70s to mid 80s °F (25 to 30 °C), over much of the state.
New York ranks 46th among the 50 states in the amount of greenhouse gas
es generated per person. This efficiency is primarily due to the state's higher rate of mass transit use.
New York's highest recorded temp. is 108 °F (42.2 °C). This happened during the month of July. The coldest temperature recorded in New York took place in Old Forge
on February 17 , 1979, with a temperature of -52 F.
Climate
Climate encompasses the statistics of temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind, rainfall, atmospheric particle count and other meteorological elemental measurements in a given region over long periods...
of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
is generally humid continental, and features diverse weather
Weather
Weather is the state of the atmosphere, to the degree that it is hot or cold, wet or dry, calm or stormy, clear or cloudy. Most weather phenomena occur in the troposphere, just below the stratosphere. Weather refers, generally, to day-to-day temperature and precipitation activity, whereas climate...
.
General climate
Humid continental climate
A humid continental climate is a climatic region typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot summers and cold winters....
(Koppen Dfa in some central and southern lowlands and the Hudson Valley
Hudson Valley
The Hudson Valley comprises the valley of the Hudson River and its adjacent communities in New York State, United States, from northern Westchester County northward to the cities of Albany and Troy.-History:...
, Dfb in the rest of the upstate). Weather in New York is heavily influenced by two continental air masses: a warm, humid one from the southwest and a cold, dry one from the northwest. A cool, humid airflow from the North Atlantic also has an effect on weather in the state, albeit to a lesser extent than the continental ones. Many continental frontal boundaries move across New York, with storm systems moving north along the coast, often affecting the southern areas of the state. In places like Huntington
Huntington, New York
The Town of Huntington is one of ten towns in Suffolk County, New York, USA. Founded in 1653, it is located on the north shore of Long Island in northwestern Suffolk County, with Long Island Sound to its north and Nassau County adjacent to the west. Huntington is part of the New York metropolitan...
on Long Island
Long Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
, the climate is warmer than places up north, like Ticonderoga
Ticonderoga, New York
Ticonderoga is a town in Essex County, New York, USA. The population was 5,167 at the 2000 census. The name comes from the Mohawk tekontaró:ken, meaning "it is at the junction of two waterways"....
, where both the latitude and altitude are higher. In Huntington, the average high July temperature is 83 °F (28.3 °C), while in Ticonderoga
Ticonderoga, New York
Ticonderoga is a town in Essex County, New York, USA. The population was 5,167 at the 2000 census. The name comes from the Mohawk tekontaró:ken, meaning "it is at the junction of two waterways"....
, the average high in July is 81 °F (27.2 °C), which are very close, but in the summer the ocean will have a cooling effect on the air. The average high January temperatures, however, are much farther apart.
The winters are long and cold in the Plateau Divisions of the state. In the majority of winter seasons, a temperature of -13 F or lower can be expected in the northern highlands (Northern Plateau) and 5 °F (-15 °C) or colder in the southwestern and east-central highlands (Southern Plateau). The Adirondack region records from 35 to 45 days with below zero temperatures, in normal to severe winters. Much of Upstate New York, particularly Western and Central New York, are typically affected by lake-effect snows. This usually results in high yearly snowfall totals in these regions. Winters are also long and cold in both Western and Central New York, though not as cold as the Adirondack region. The New York City metro area, in comparison to the rest of the state, is milder in the winter (especially in the city itself, which averages near or slightly above freezing). Thanks in part to geography, its proximity to the Atlantic and being shielded to the north and west by hillier terrain, the New York metro area usually sees far less snow than the rest of the state. Lake-effect snow rarely affects the New York metro area, except for its extreme northwestern suburbs. Winters also tend to be noticeably shorter there than the rest of the state.
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 hot summers by comparison, with some periods of high, uncomfortable humidity. The remainder of New York State enjoys pleasantly warm summers, marred by only occasional, brief intervals of sultry conditions. Summer daytime temperatures usually range from the upper 70s to mid 80s °F (25 to 30 °C), over much of the state.
New York ranks 46th among the 50 states in the amount of greenhouse gas
Greenhouse gas
A greenhouse gas is a gas in an atmosphere that absorbs and emits radiation within the thermal infrared range. This process is the fundamental cause of the greenhouse effect. The primary greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone...
es generated per person. This efficiency is primarily due to the state's higher rate of mass transit use.
New York's highest recorded temp. is 108 °F (42.2 °C). This happened during the month of July. The coldest temperature recorded in New York took place in Old Forge
Old Forge, New York
Old Forge is a hamlet on New York State Route 28 in the town of Webb in Herkimer County, New York. Old Forge was formerly a village that dissolved its incorporation, but remains the principal community in the region. Old Forge forms an extensive business district, primarily directed at tourism...
on February 17 , 1979, with a temperature of -52 F.