Weather in Rifton, New York
Roses open along the stoops. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 17Overcast17%88°62°
- MondayMay 18Drizzle—88°62°
- TuesdayMay 19Overcast—94°61°
- WednesdayMay 20Light Drizzle69%88°50°
- ThursdayMay 21Overcast—67°44°
- FridayMay 22Overcast13%64°42°
- SaturdayMay 23Drizzle27%50°46°
- PM 2.5
- 7.5 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 7.9 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 5.7 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 102.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 0.0 Low
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 9:36 AM
- Moonset
- 12:39 AM
- In sign
- ♊︎ Gemini
Roses open along the stoops
Rifton at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 69°F — typical for the season
- Last frost: April 27 (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
Rifton's warmest month is July (~73°F mean) and its coldest is January (~27°F). Rainfall peaks in October (4.6 inches) and bottoms out in February (2.8 inches).
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27° | 3.5″ | 7 |
| February | 29° | 2.8″ | 6 |
| March | 37° | 3.5″ | 6 |
| April | 49° | 3.9″ | 7 |
| May | 60° | 3.5″ | 9 |
| June | 68° | 4.6″ | 9 |
| July | 73° | 4.5″ | 7 |
| August | 72° | 4.3″ | 7 |
| September | 64° | 4.6″ | 6 |
| October | 52° | 4.6″ | 7 |
| November | 42° | 3.5″ | 6 |
| December | 33° | 3.8″ | 8 |
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Rifton?
- Rifton's last spring frost typically falls around mid-April, and the first fall frost arrives around mid-November.
- What is the rainy season in Rifton?
- October is the wettest month with about 4.6 inches of rain on average; the city receives roughly 47 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in Rifton?
- July is typically warmest, averaging about 73°F.
- What is the coldest month in Rifton?
- January is typically coldest, averaging about 27°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Rifton?
- 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 Rifton get?
- Rifton averages about 84 rainy days per year.
- What hardiness zone is Rifton?
- Rifton'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
Rifton, New York sits in a warm-summer humid continental climate zone. January means hover near 27°F while July averages 73°F — a 46°F seasonal swing.
Across the year, Rifton receives about 47 inches of precipitation spread over roughly 84 rainy days.
The rhythm of the year is set by latitude (41.8°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.