Climate - Niagara Falls (New York)

In the Niagara Falls area, the climate is continental, with very cold winters and warm summers. Although we are on the 43rd parallel, the winter weather is cold because the North American landmass cools down a lot in this season, and outbreaks of polar air masses are frequent, to the point that the waterfalls can even freeze partially on colder winters.
At Niagara Falls International Airport, in New York State, the daily average temperature ranges from -3.6 °C (25.5 °F) in January to 22.3 °C (72 °F) in July. Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation amounts to about 880 millimeters (34.7 inches) per year and is well distributed over the seasons. In fact, weather fronts can affect this area in every month because of the continual clash between warm and cold air masses; in summer, when they are less frequent, thunderstorms can erupt in the afternoon, adding more rain, so much so that summer is as rainy as autumn, at least in quantity. Here is the average precipitation.

In winter, from late November to March, precipitation occurs mainly in the form of snow (there are on average around 50 days with snowfall per year). Snow normally covers the ground from mid-December to early March. In a year, about 185 centimeters (72 in) of snow fall; sometimes it can snow already in October, and in spring, still in April. In winter, real snow storms can occur, accompanied by gusts of blizzard.
On the coldest nights of the year, the temperature typically drops to around -18 °C (0 °F). In February 2015, it dropped to -25 °C (-13 °F), while in January 1996, it dropped to -26 °C (-15 °F).
However, given the unstable weather, the temperature can exceed freezing (0 °C or 32 °F) even in winter, and in these periods, snow can melt and it can even rain.

Spring, from mid-March to May, is an unstable season, characterized by sudden changes in temperature: initially cold in March, with frequent snowfalls and frosts, it advances gradually, with the first warm days but also the return of cold weather; it is still quite cold on average in April, and becomes mild in May, when the first afternoon thunderstorms occur.

Summer, from June to August, is warm and quite sunny, although there is a moderate amount of cool and cloudy days, with some chance of rain, while in fine weather, thunderstorms can erupt in the afternoon. Sometimes, hot periods can occur, with highs around 34/35 °C (93/95 °F). In July 2005, the temperature reached 36 °C (97 °F).

Autumn, from September to mid-November, is initially pleasant, with many sunny days, during which the temperature exceeds 25 °C (77 °F): these periods, called Indian summer, occur in September, but sometimes also in October. As the weeks pass, however, the temperature decreases rapidly, weather disturbances become more frequent, and the first cold days occur.



The amount of sunshine in the Niagara Falls is overall good in summer, and acceptable in May and September. It is not high in the other months, and it's quite scarce from November to February, when the sun shows up rarely.

The falls are formed by the confluence of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, at the border between the US state of New York and the Canadian province of Ontario. There are two waterfalls: the Horseshoe Falls, the largest ones, at the border between Canada and the United States, and the smaller American Falls, a short distance from the former and entirely in the U.S. territory. The two falls are separated by Goat Island. The American Falls are actually divided into two, since at their side there are the smaller Bridal Veil Falls, which are separated from them by Luna Island.
The waters flow northwards, in fact, Lake Erie, in the south, is located at about 170 meters (555 feet) above sea level, while Lake Ontario, in the north, is located around 100 meters (325 ft) below. However, the actual jump is about 30 meters (100 ft) in the American Falls (at least compared to the rocks below) and approximately 52 meters (170 ft) in the Horseshoe Falls.
The large cities closest to the falls are Buffalo, NY, Usa, and Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Lake Ontario and Lake Erie are very cold in winter, when the waters approach the freezing point, while in summer, they become almost acceptable for swimming, at least for those who do not suffer from the cold, especially in August, when they reach 22 °C (71.5 °F). Here are the average water temperatures of Lake Erie in Buffalo.

Best Time

The best time to visit the Niagara Falls runs from mid-May to late September. In midsummer, in July and August, not only the waterfalls are very crowded, but also there may be hot and muggy days, so this period can be excluded if you cannot stand the heat (although the heat can be positive when you approach the waterfalls and get wet from the spray).
You can therefore choose May and September. In May and early June, it can still be a little cold, and in any case, you have to take into account the possibility of rain and of temperature swings.
In the first half of October, it can be cold, but you can admire the trees taking on their spectacular autumn colors, while in spring, you can see flowers blooming in the nearby botanical garden.
In winter, during the coldest periods, you can admire the spectacle of the partially frozen waterfalls.

Niagara Falls - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Niagara Falls is usually very cold. The average temperature is of -3.6 °C (26 °F), with a minimum of -7.5 °C (18.6 °F) and a maximum of 0.4 °C (32.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -18 °C (-0.5 °F). However, it dropped to -26.2 °C (-15.2 °F) in January 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 12 °C (53.5 °F). However, it reached 18 °C (64.4 °F) in January 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 18 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 32% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 20 kph (12 mph).

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In February, the weather in Niagara Falls is usually very cold. The average temperature is of -3.0 °C (27 °F), with a minimum of -7.2 °C (19.1 °F) and a maximum of 1.2 °C (34.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -17.5 °C (0.5 °F). However, it dropped to -25 °C (-13 °F) in February 2015.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 11.5 °C (52.5 °F). However, it reached 21 °C (69.8 °F) in February 2000.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 15 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 38% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).

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In March, the weather in Niagara Falls is usually cold. The average temperature is of 1.3 °C (34 °F), with a minimum of -3.4 °C (25.8 °F) and a maximum of 6.1 °C (43 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -14 °C (7 °F). However, it dropped to -22.3 °C (-8.1 °F) in March 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18 °C (65 °F). However, it reached 27.2 °C (81 °F) in March 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 42% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).

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In April, the weather in Niagara Falls is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 7.8 °C (46 °F), with a minimum of 2 °C (35.6 °F) and a maximum of 13.6 °C (56.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -5 °C (23 °F). However, it dropped to -10 °C (14 °F) in April 2016.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25.5 °C (78 °F). However, it reached 30 °C (86 °F) in April 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 44% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).

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In May, the weather in Niagara Falls is usually mild. The average temperature is of 14.5 °C (58 °F), with a minimum of 8.4 °C (47.1 °F) and a maximum of 20.7 °C (69.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0.5 °C (33 °F). However, it dropped to -4.4 °C (24.1 °F) in May 2020.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29.5 °C (85 °F). However, it reached 33.9 °C (93 °F) in May 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 40 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 55% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).

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In June, the weather in Niagara Falls is usually warm. The average temperature is of 19.8 °C (68 °F), with a minimum of 14 °C (57.3 °F) and a maximum of 25.5 °C (77.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6.5 °C (44 °F). However, it dropped to 4 °C (39.2 °F) in June 1998.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32 °C (89 °F). However, it reached 35 °C (95 °F) in June 1994.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 20 minutes. So the days are long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 59% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).

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In July, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Niagara Falls is usually warm. The average temperature is of 22.3 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 16.7 °C (62.1 °F) and a maximum of 27.9 °C (82.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 10.5 °C (51 °F). However, it dropped to 7 °C (44.6 °F) in July 2001.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32.5 °C (91 °F). However, it reached 36.1 °C (97 °F) in July 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 0 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 60% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).

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In August, the weather in Niagara Falls is usually warm. The average temperature is of 21.5 °C (71 °F), with a minimum of 16 °C (60.7 °F) and a maximum of 27 °C (80.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9.5 °C (49.5 °F). However, it dropped to 7 °C (44.6 °F) in August 2000.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32 °C (89 °F). However, it reached 35 °C (95 °F) in August 2001.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 58% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).

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In September, the weather in Niagara Falls is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 17.6 °C (64 °F), with a minimum of 11.9 °C (53.5 °F) and a maximum of 23.2 °C (73.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4 °C (39 °F). However, it dropped to -1 °C (30.2 °F) in September 2000.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30.5 °C (86.5 °F). However, it reached 33.9 °C (93 °F) in September 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 48% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).

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In October, the weather in Niagara Falls is usually mild. The average temperature is of 11.2 °C (52 °F), with a minimum of 6.1 °C (43 °F) and a maximum of 16.2 °C (61.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2 °C (28.5 °F). However, it dropped to -5 °C (23 °F) in October 2020.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25.5 °C (77.5 °F). However, it reached 29 °C (84.2 °F) in October 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 45% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).

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In November, the weather in Niagara Falls is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 5.0 °C (41 °F), with a minimum of 0.6 °C (33.1 °F) and a maximum of 9.3 °C (48.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -7 °C (19 °F). However, it dropped to -13.9 °C (7 °F) in November 2013.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19 °C (66.5 °F). However, it reached 23.9 °C (75 °F) in November 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 31% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).

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In December, the weather in Niagara Falls is usually very cold. The average temperature is of -0.2 °C (32 °F), with a minimum of -3.9 °C (24.9 °F) and a maximum of 3.5 °C (38.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -13.5 °C (7.5 °F). However, it dropped to -20.6 °C (-5.1 °F) in December 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 13.5 °C (56 °F). However, it reached 22.2 °C (72 °F) in December 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 16 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 5 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 2 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 22% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).