Weather in Carteret, New Jersey
Roses open along the stoops. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 9:42 AM
- Moonset
- 12:35 AM
- In sign
- ♊︎ Gemini
Roses open along the stoops
Carteret at a glance
- Today vs. normal: NaN°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: April 20 (climatological average for this latitude)
- Microseason: 28 of 72, May 16–20
- Planting window: Direct sow okra, melons, and southern peas. Thin carrot rows.
Right now in the garden
Warm-season window is open
As of May 17, the last spring frost has passed for most years. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, basil, and cucurbits (cucumbers, squash, melons) now. Direct-sow beans and corn into warm soil.
Planting calendar
| Month | Plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | — |
| February | — | — |
| March | — | — |
| April | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes | — |
| May | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| June | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| July | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| August | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| September | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| October | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | winter squash, tomatoes (last) |
| November | — | — |
| December | — | — |
A year in weather
Carteret's warmest month is July (~78°F mean) and its coldest is January (~33°F). Rainfall peaks in July (4.7 inches) and bottoms out in February (3.0 inches).
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 33° | 3.4″ | 6 |
| February | 35° | 3.0″ | 6 |
| March | 43° | 4.1″ | 7 |
| April | 53° | 3.9″ | 6 |
| May | 63° | 4.0″ | 7 |
| June | 73° | 4.3″ | 7 |
| July | 78° | 4.7″ | 7 |
| August | 76° | 4.2″ | 7 |
| September | 69° | 3.8″ | 6 |
| October | 58° | 3.8″ | 6 |
| November | 47° | 3.3″ | 5 |
| December | 38° | 4.1″ | 7 |
Regional context
Carteret sits within a warm-summer humid continental climate region — a cohort that shares similar temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions across nearby cities.
Similar climates: Trenton, NJ, Newark, NJ, Jersey City, NJ, Paterson, NJ, Elizabeth, NJ.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Carteret?
- Carteret's last spring frost typically falls around mid-April, and the first fall frost arrives around mid-November.
- What is the rainy season in Carteret?
- July is the wettest month with about 4.7 inches of rain on average; the city receives roughly 47 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in Carteret?
- July is typically warmest, averaging about 78°F.
- What is the coldest month in Carteret?
- January is typically coldest, averaging about 33°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Carteret?
- Cool-season crops (peas, lettuce) can be sown around the last spring frost (mid-April); warm-season crops (tomatoes, peppers) wait until 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does Carteret get?
- Carteret averages about 76 rainy days per year.
- What hardiness zone is Carteret?
- Carteret's USDA hardiness zone is determined by its lowest average winter temperature; check the USDA's online lookup with the city ZIP for the current zone designation.
Climate
Carteret, New Jersey sits in a warm-summer humid continental climate zone. January means hover near 33°F while July averages 78°F — a 45°F seasonal swing.
Across the year, Carteret receives about 47 inches of precipitation spread over roughly 76 rainy days.
The rhythm of the year is set by latitude (40.6°N), proximity to large water bodies, and elevation — all of which shape what grows here, when frost is likely, and what the weather story looks like day to day.