Weather in Elizabeth, New Jersey
Roses open along the stoops. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Partly Cloudy—84°50°
- SundayMay 17Overcast—91°63°
- MondayMay 18Light Drizzle—86°64°
- TuesdayMay 19Light Drizzle14%93°65°
- WednesdayMay 20Light Drizzle51%92°63°
- ThursdayMay 21Overcast38%74°56°
- FridayMay 22Light Drizzle24%64°50°
- PM 2.5
- 12.4 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 14.0 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 29.4 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 91.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 0.0 Low
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 9:42 AM
- Moonset
- 12:35 AM
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
Roses open along the stoops
Elizabeth at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 73°F — typical for the season
- 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
Elizabeth's warmest month is July (~78°F mean) and its coldest is January (~32°F). Rainfall peaks in June (4.9 inches) and bottoms out in February (3.3 inches).
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32° | 3.7″ | 7 |
| February | 34° | 3.3″ | 6 |
| March | 41° | 4.3″ | 7 |
| April | 52° | 4.1″ | 7 |
| May | 63° | 4.4″ | 8 |
| June | 72° | 4.9″ | 7 |
| July | 78° | 4.8″ | 6 |
| August | 76° | 4.4″ | 7 |
| September | 69° | 4.3″ | 6 |
| October | 57° | 4.2″ | 6 |
| November | 46° | 3.6″ | 6 |
| December | 37° | 4.6″ | 8 |
Regional context
Elizabeth sits within a warm-summer humid continental climate region. This cohort shares similar temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions across nearby cities.
Similar climates: Trenton, NJ, Newark, NJ, Jersey City, NJ, Paterson, NJ, Clifton, NJ.
Naturalist notes
By late May, common milkweed is unfurling its broad leaves in open lots and field edges, setting the stage for monarch butterflies that will soon arrive to lay eggs.
Chimney swifts return to the area's older masonry stacks in late April, their chattering flight a reliable sign that the last frost has passed and aerial insects are abundant.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Elizabeth?
- Elizabeth's last spring frost typically falls around mid-April, and the first fall frost arrives around mid-November.
- What is the rainy season in Elizabeth?
- June is the wettest month with about 4.9 inches of rain on average; the city receives roughly 50 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in Elizabeth?
- July is typically warmest, averaging about 78°F.
- What is the coldest month in Elizabeth?
- January is typically coldest, averaging about 32°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Elizabeth?
- 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 Elizabeth get?
- Elizabeth averages about 79 rainy days per year.
- What hardiness zone is Elizabeth?
- Elizabeth'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
Elizabeth, New Jersey lies in a warm-summer humid continental climate zone. January temperatures hover near 32°F while July averages 78°F — a 46°F seasonal swing.
Over the course of a year, Elizabeth receives about 50 inches of precipitation spread across roughly 79 rainy days.
Latitude (40.7°N), proximity to large water bodies, and elevation set the rhythm of the year. These factors shape what grows here, when frost is likely, and the day-to-day weather story.