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Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours

The climate of Providence, the capital and main city of Rhode Island (the smallest state in the United States), is
continental, with very cold, snowy winters and warm to hot summers, during which there are quite frequent thunderstorms.
The city is located in the east of the United States, at a latitude of 41°49' (practically the same as Rome, Italy). The sea is located 35 km (21 mi) to the south (Providence overlooks Narragansett Bay, which looks like a fjord), but about 70 km (45 mi) to the east is the Gulf of Maine, on which a cold current flows and from which cold winds (called Nor'easters) can blow.
We are in un area where different air masses collide: those coming from Canada and those coming from the Gulf of Mexico. The result is an
unstable climate, with waves of bad weather alternating with clear and sunny days.
The
average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of -1 °C (30.2 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 23.6 °C (74.4 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 1,210 millimeters (47.5 inches) per year: it is therefore quite abundant, and it's well distributed over the seasons. In winter, it often occurs in the form of snow, while in summer, in addition to some weather disturbances that can bring some rainy days, thunderstorms in the afternoon or in the evening are quite frequent.
Winter, from December to mid-March, is very cold: the average temperature is just below freezing (0 °C or 32 °F), but cold spells, with temperatures dropping to -15 °C (5 °F) or even below, are not uncommon. The cold record is -25 °C (-13 °F), recorded in January 1976. From 2001 to 2020, the record was -23 °C (-9.5 °F), set in February 2016.
The
freezing wind, called blizzard, can heighten the feeling of cold.
Snowfalls are frequent, and sometimes can be abundant (though not as in Boston, which is exposed to the northeasterly winds that come straight from the sea). The heaviest snowfall in a single day occurred on February 4, 1961, when 46.5 centimeters (18.3 inches) of snow fell, while on January 27, 2015, 40.5 cm (16 in) fell. Snow covers the ground for weeks. In a year, an average of 93 cm (36.5 in) of snow falls at the airport.
On other occasions, the south wind can bring some mild days, during which highs can reach 12/15 °C (54/59 °F), but this occurs less frequently than in New York.
In periods of stable weather, fog can form.
In
spring, from mid-March to mid-June, the weather continues to be
unstable: the first warm days alternate with the return of cold weather. In March, which is often still a wintery month, it snows on a frequent basis, and sometimes, this can happen even in April, especially at the beginning of the month. But already in April, the temperature can sometimes reach or even exceed 25 °C (77 °F).
By May, the average temperature is pleasant, although there are still cool days, or even cold and rainy, while the first heat waves can raise the temperature above 30 °C (86 °F). On sunny days, also the first afternoon thunderstorms can erupt. When the weather is fine, in the afternoon, a cool and moderate breeze rises from the sea.
Summer, from mid-June to August, is
warm to hot and humid. Different situations can occur in this season as well: there are cool days, maybe with some rain, and with highs around 23/24 °C (73/75 °F), but also hot and quite muggy days, with highs around 28 °C (82 °F), with sunshine and the sea breeze.
Sometimes, even
heat waves can occur, with daytime temperatures reaching or exceeding 35 °C (95 °F), and night temperatures remaining around 23/25 °C (73/77 °F). The heat record is 40 °C (104 °F), set in August 1975. From 2001 to 2020, the record was 39 °C (102 °F), set in July 2010.
The amount of sunshine during the summer is good, however, in addition to some weather fronts, there is a fair amount of
afternoon thunderstorms, sometimes intense and accompanied by hail.
Autumn, from September to November, is the mildest and less unstable season of the year, at least in the first part. In early September, the weather can still be characterized by heat and humidity, with sunshine and some afternoon thunderstorms, then it quickly becomes mild until mid-October, while in the second half of October, it can start to be a bit cold. November is already a cold month, and the first snowfalls can occur. Rainfall occurs quite often also in this season.
The
sea temperature ranges between 4 °C (39 °F) and 21 °C (70 °F).
Best Time
In order to avoid both the winter cold and the summer heat, the
best times to visit Providence are spring and autumn, and in particular, the month of May and from early September to early October. June is often a good month too, but we can not exclude some hot days. In early September, the weather is often hot and humid, although not as hot as in midsummer. In May, it can sometimes get cold, and the weather can be unstable, especially at the beginning of the month, while generally, the second half of the month is mild.
In autumn (usually around late October), you can admire the beautiful colors of the trees losing their leaves (the phenomenon called
fall foliage).
Providence - Climate data
In Providence, the
average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of
-1 °C, that of the warmest month (July) is of
23.6 °C. Here are the average temperatures.
Providence - Average temperatures (1991-2020) |
Month | Min | Max | Mean |
---|
January | -5.5 | 3.5 | -1 |
---|
February | -4.7 | 4.7 | 0 |
---|
March | -1 | 8.7 | 3.9 |
---|
April | 4.2 | 14.9 | 9.6 |
---|
May | 9.6 | 20.5 | 15 |
---|
June | 14.9 | 25.4 | 20.1 |
---|
July | 18.4 | 28.7 | 23.6 |
---|
August | 17.7 | 27.9 | 22.8 |
---|
September | 13.6 | 23.8 | 18.7 |
---|
October | 7.3 | 17.7 | 12.5 |
---|
November | 2.1 | 11.8 | 6.9 |
---|
December | -2.4 | 6.3 | 1.9 |
---|
Year | 6.2 | 16.2 | 11.2 |
---|
Precipitation amounts to
1210 millimeters per year: it is therefore quite abundant. It ranges from
75 millimeters in the driest month (July) to
125 millimeters in the wettest one (March). Here is the average precipitation.
Providence - Average precipitationMonth | Days |
---|
January | 100 | 11 |
---|
February | 85 | 10 |
---|
March | 125 | 12 |
---|
April | 110 | 12 |
---|
May | 85 | 12 |
---|
June | 95 | 11 |
---|
July | 75 | 9 |
---|
August | 90 | 9 |
---|
September | 105 | 9 |
---|
October | 105 | 10 |
---|
November | 110 | 10 |
---|
December | 120 | 12 |
---|
Year | 1210 | 127 |
---|
The
sea temperature ranges from
4 °C in February, March to
21.5 °C in August. Here are the average sea temperatures.
Providence - Sea temperatureMonth |
---|
January | 66 |
---|
February | 4 |
---|
March | 4 |
---|
April | 5.5 |
---|
May | 10 |
---|
June | 15 |
---|
July | 20 |
---|
August | 21.5 |
---|
September | 19.5 |
---|
October | 15.5 |
---|
November | 12"> |
---|
December | 8.5 |
---|
Year | 11.8 |
---|
There are on average around 2605
sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.
Providence - Sunshine hoursMonth | Average | Total |
---|
January | 5.5 | 170 |
---|
February | 6 | 175 |
---|
March | 7 | 215 |
---|
April | 7.5 | 225 |
---|
May | 8 | 255 |
---|
June | 9 | 275 |
---|
July | 9.5 | 290 |
---|
August | 8.5 | 265 |
---|
September | 8 | 235 |
---|
October | 6.5 | 210 |
---|
November | 5 | 150 |
---|
December | 5 | 150 |
---|
Year | 7.1 | 2605 |
---|
Providence - Weather by month
Based on the period 1991-2020
January, the coldest month of the year, is generally a very cold month. The average temperature is of
-1 °C, with a minimum of
-5.5 °C and a maximum of
3.5 °C.

On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-15.5 °C. However, it dropped to
-21.1 °C in January 2004.

On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
15 °C. However, it reached
21.1 °C in January 2020.

Precipitation amounts to
100 mm, distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 30 minutes.

There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 58% of the time.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is of
15.3 kph.

The average sea temperature is of
6 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
February is generally a very cold month. The average temperature is of 0 °C, with a minimum of -4.7 °C and a maximum of 4.7 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -14 °C. However, it dropped to -22.8 °C in February 2016.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 14.5 °C. However, it reached 21.7 °C in February 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm, distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 58% of the time.
The average humidity is 61%.
The average wind speed is of 15.6 kph.
The average sea temperature is of 4.1 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
March is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 3.9 °C, with a minimum of -1 °C and a maximum of 8.7 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -9.5 °C. However, it dropped to -14.4 °C in March 2015.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19.5 °C. However, it reached 29 °C in March 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 125 mm, distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 58% of the time.
The average humidity is 61%.
The average wind speed is of 16.8 kph.
The average sea temperature is of 3.9 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
April is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 9.6 °C, with a minimum of 4.2 °C and a maximum of 14.9 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2 °C. However, it dropped to -7.8 °C in April 2016.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26.5 °C. However, it reached 33.9 °C in April 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 110 mm, distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 56% of the time.
The average humidity is 61%.
The average wind speed is of 16.3 kph.
The average sea temperature is of 5.7 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
May is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 15 °C, with a minimum of 9.6 °C and a maximum of 20.5 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3.5 °C. However, it dropped to 0.6 °C in May 2001.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30.5 °C. However, it reached 35.6 °C in May 2010.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm, distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 35 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 56% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is of 14.8 kph.
The average sea temperature is of 9.8 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
June is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 20.1 °C, with a minimum of 14.9 °C and a maximum of 25.4 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8.5 °C. However, it dropped to 5.6 °C in June 2020.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C. However, it reached 36.1 °C in June 2008.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm, distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 10 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 60% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is of 13.9 kph.
The average sea temperature is of 15 °C. Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
July, the warmest month of the year, is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 23.6 °C, with a minimum of 18.4 °C and a maximum of 28.7 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 13.5 °C. However, it dropped to 10.6 °C in July 2001.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C. However, it reached 38.9 °C in July 2010.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm, distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 50 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 63% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is of 13.2 kph.
The average sea temperature is of 19.9 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.
August is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 22.8 °C, with a minimum of 17.7 °C and a maximum of 27.9 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12.5 °C. However, it dropped to 10.5 °C in August 1994.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C. However, it reached 38 °C in August 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm, distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 61% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of 12.5 kph.
The average sea temperature is of 21.4 °C. Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.
September is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 18.7 °C, with a minimum of 13.6 °C and a maximum of 23.8 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6.5 °C. However, it dropped to 2.2 °C in September 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31 °C. However, it reached 36.1 °C in September 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 105 mm, distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 63% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of 12.7 kph.
The average sea temperature is of 19.4 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.
October is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 12.5 °C, with a minimum of 7.3 °C and a maximum of 17.7 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0 °C. However, it dropped to -4.4 °C in October 2020.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26 °C. However, it reached 30 °C in October 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 105 mm, distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 61% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of 13.6 kph.
The average sea temperature is of 15.6 °C. Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
November is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 6.9 °C, with a minimum of 2.1 °C and a maximum of 11.8 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -5.5 °C. However, it dropped to -10.6 °C in November 2018.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21.5 °C. However, it reached 25.6 °C in November 1993.
Precipitation amounts to 110 mm, distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 50% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is of 13.8 kph.
The average sea temperature is of 11.8 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
December is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 1.9 °C, with a minimum of -2.4 °C and a maximum of 6.3 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -10.5 °C. However, it dropped to -15 °C in December 2004.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 16.5 °C. However, it reached 24 °C in December 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 120 mm, distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 10 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 52% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is of 14.4 kph.
The average sea temperature is of 8.7 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.