Climate of New York

The Climate of New York state is generally humid continental, and features significant variation over the year. Winter temperatures average below freezing during January and February but near freezing along the Atlantic coastline, while summerlike conditions prevail from June to August statewide. Cold air damming east of the Appalachians leads to protracted periods of cloud cover and precipitation east of the range, primarily between October and April. On average, western New York is cloudier than southeast New York, much of it generated from the Great Lakes. Greenhouse gas emission is low on a per capita basis when compared to most other states due to the extensive use of mass transit, particularly across New York City. The significant urbanization within New York City has led to an urban heat island, which causes temperatures to be warmer overnight in all seasons.

Precipitation-wise, extratropical cyclones bring much of the precipitation to the region from fall through spring. Significant Lake-effect snows fall downwind of Lake Ontario and well as the Finger Lakes region of New ≈ Large, long-lived complexes of thunderstorms can invade the state from Canada and the Great Lakes during the summer, while tropical cyclones can bring rains and winds from the southwest during the summer and fall. Hurricane impacts on the state occur once every 18–19 years, with major hurricane impacts every 70–74 years. An average of ten tornadoes touch down in New York annually.