Climate - Rochester (New York)
Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours
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Climate chart - Rochester (New York)
The climate of Rochester 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 northwest of the state of New York, 160 meters (525 feet) above sea level and a short distance from the southern shore of Lake Ontario.
The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of -3.2 °C (26.2 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 22.4 °C (72.4 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Rochester - Average temperatures (1991-2020) | Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
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| January | -7.2 | 0.8 | -3.2 | 19 | 33 | 26.2 |
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| February | -6.9 | 1.8 | -2.6 | 20 | 35 | 27.4 |
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| March | -2.9 | 6.4 | 1.8 | 27 | 44 | 35.2 |
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| April | 2.8 | 13.7 | 8.3 | 37 | 57 | 46.8 |
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| May | 9 | 20.8 | 14.9 | 48 | 69 | 58.8 |
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| June | 14.1 | 25.5 | 19.8 | 57 | 78 | 67.6 |
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| July | 16.8 | 28.1 | 22.4 | 62 | 82 | 72.4 |
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| August | 16.1 | 26.9 | 21.5 | 61 | 80 | 70.8 |
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| September | 12 | 23.1 | 17.6 | 54 | 74 | 63.6 |
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| October | 6.3 | 16.2 | 11.2 | 43 | 61 | 52.2 |
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| November | 1.1 | 9.5 | 5.3 | 34 | 49 | 41.6 |
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| December | -3.7 | 3.6 | 0 | 25 | 38 | 32 |
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| Year | 4.9 | 14.8 | 9.8 | 40.8 | 58.6 | 49.5 |
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Precipitation amounts to 890 millimeters (35 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 55 mm (2.1 in) in the driest month (February) to 90 mm (3.5 in) in the wettest (July).
Here is the average precipitation.
Rochester - Average precipitation| Month | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
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| January | 65 | 2.6 | 20 |
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| February | 55 | 2.2 | 16 |
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| March | 65 | 2.6 | 15 |
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| April | 75 | 3 | 13 |
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| May | 75 | 3 | 12 |
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| June | 85 | 3.3 | 12 |
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| July | 90 | 3.5 | 11 |
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| August | 85 | 3.3 | 10 |
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| September | 80 | 3.1 | 11 |
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| October | 80 | 3.1 | 14 |
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| November | 70 | 2.8 | 15 |
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| December | 70 | 2.8 | 18 |
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| Year | 890 | 35 | 168 |
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Winter, from late November to early March, is very cold.
On average, there are 45 icing days (that is, on which the air temperature does not go above freezing), and that usually happens from November to March.
On average, 259 centimeters (102 in) of snow fall per year. It usually snows from October through April, although snow normally covers the ground from mid or late December to early March. The heaviest snowfall in one day occurred on January 3, 1996, when 58 cm (23 in) of snow fell. Rochester is a particularly snowy city due to the so-called lake-effect snow, whereby the cold wind from Canada is charged with humidity as it passes over the lake. This phenomenon occurs more easily in the first part of winter, since the lake often freezes at the end of January and in February.
Cold waves are intense, in fact, the temperature drops below -18 °C (0 °F) almost every year. The record cold, -28 °C (-18.5 °F), occurred in February 1979.
However, there may be short periods when the temperature exceeds 10/12 °C (50/54 °F) even in the middle of winter.
Summer, from June to August, is hot and sunny, although thunderstorms can break out in the afternoon. In the afternoon, the refreshing breeze blows from the lake.
On average, there are 8 days with a maximum temperature equal to or above 32 °C (90 °F), and that usually happens from June through September. The record is 36.5 °C (97.5 °F), set a few times, including in July 2011.
Spring and autumn, from mid-March to May and from September to mid-November, are contrasted seasons, with fairly frequent rains and sudden changes in temperature. However, there are also stable and pleasant periods.
On average, there are around 2,300 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.
Rochester - Sunshine hours| Month | Average | Total |
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January | 3.5 | 110 | February | 4 | 120 | March | 5.5 | 180 | April | 7 | 215 | May | 8.5 | 265 | June | 10 | 300 | July | 10 | 315 | August | 9 | 275 | September | 7 | 210 | October | 5 | 155 | November | 2.5 | 80 | December | 2.5 | 80 | Year | 6.3 | 2300 |
The temperature of lake Ontario ranges between 2.5 °C (36.5 °F) and 21.5 °C (70.5 °F). During cold spells, the lake can freeze partially. In February 2015, which was a particularly cold month, it almost completely froze. Here are the average lake temperatures.
Rochester - Lake temperature| Month | Celsius (°C) | Fahrenheit (°F) |
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January | 3 | 38 | February | 2 | 36 | March | 2 | 36 | April | 4 | 38 | May | 7 | 44 | June | 14 | 56 | July | 20 | 68 | August | 22 | 71 | September | 19 | 67 | October | 14 | 57 | November | 9 | 48 | December | 5 | 41 | Year | 10.1 | 50.2 |
Best Time
The best times to visit Rochester are spring and autumn, especially the months of May and September.
However, in summer it is generally not too hot, so after all you can also go in this season, especially in June and if you don't fear the heat.
In October, you can admire the beautiful colors of the trees losing their leaves (the phenomenon called fall foliage).
Rochester - 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 -3.2 °C (26 °F), with a minimum of -7.2 °C (19 °F) and a maximum of 0.8 °C (33.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -18.5 °C (-1 °F). However, it dropped to -27.3 °C (-17.1 °F) in January 1994.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 14 °C (57.5 °F). However, it reached 20.6 °C (69.1 °F) in January 2013.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 20 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 37% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
February is generally a very cold month. The average temperature is of -2.6 °C (27 °F), with a minimum of -6.9 °C (19.6 °F) and a maximum of 1.8 °C (35.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -17.5 °C (0.5 °F). However, it dropped to -24.4 °C (-11.9 °F) in February 2016.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 13 °C (55 °F). However, it reached 22 °C (71.6 °F) in February 1997.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 16 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 40% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
March is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 1.8 °C (35 °F), with a minimum of -2.9 °C (26.8 °F) and a maximum of 6.4 °C (43.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -13 °C (8.5 °F). However, it dropped to -22.8 °C (-9 °F) in March 2014.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19.5 °C (67 °F). However, it reached 28 °C (82.4 °F) in March 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 15 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 48% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (10 mph).
April is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 8.2 °C (47 °F), with a minimum of 2.8 °C (37.1 °F) and a maximum of 13.7 °C (56.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4.5 °C (24 °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 26.5 °C (80 °F). However, it reached 30.6 °C (87.1 °F) in April 2001.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 53% of the time.
The average humidity is 62%.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
May is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 14.9 °C (59 °F), with a minimum of 9 °C (48.2 °F) and a maximum of 20.8 °C (69.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1.5 °C (34.5 °F). However, it dropped to -2.8 °C (27 °F) in May 2020.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30.5 °C (87 °F). However, it reached 33.9 °C (93 °F) in May 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 40 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 59% of the time.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
June is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 19.8 °C (68 °F), with a minimum of 14.1 °C (57.4 °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 (43.5 °F). However, it dropped to 2.8 °C (37 °F) in June 2001.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32.5 °C (90.5 °F). However, it reached 35 °C (95 °F) in June 1994.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 12 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 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 65% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
July, the warmest month of the year, is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 22.4 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 16.8 °C (62.2 °F) and a maximum of 28.1 °C (82.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 10.5 °C (50.5 °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 33.5 °C (92 °F). However, it reached 36.7 °C (98.1 °F) in July 1993.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 0 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 68% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
August is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 21.5 °C (71 °F), with a minimum of 16.1 °C (61 °F) and a maximum of 26.9 °C (80.5 °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 32.5 °C (90.5 °F). However, it reached 36.1 °C (97 °F) in August 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 64% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
September is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 17.6 °C (64 °F), with a minimum of 12 °C (53.6 °F) and a maximum of 23.1 °C (73.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4.5 °C (40 °F). However, it dropped to -1.1 °C (30 °F) in September 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31 °C (88 °F). However, it reached 35 °C (95 °F) in September 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 57% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
October is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 11.2 °C (52 °F), with a minimum of 6.3 °C (43.3 °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 -1.5 °C (29.5 °F). However, it dropped to -4.5 °C (23.9 °F) in October 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26.5 °C (80 °F). However, it reached 31.1 °C (88 °F) in October 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 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 14 kph (9 mph).
November is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 5.3 °C (42 °F), with a minimum of 1.1 °C (34 °F) and a maximum of 9.5 °C (49.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -7.5 °C (19 °F). However, it dropped to -15.6 °C (3.9 °F) in November 2018.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21 °C (69.5 °F). However, it reached 27.2 °C (81 °F) in November 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 15 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 28% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
December is generally a very cold month. The average temperature is of 0.0 °C (32 °F), with a minimum of -3.7 °C (25.4 °F) and a maximum of 3.6 °C (38.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -13.5 °C (8 °F). However, it dropped to -20 °C (-4 °F) in December 2013.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 14.5 °C (58 °F). However, it reached 21.1 °C (70 °F) in December 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 18 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 0 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 28% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
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