Weather in Syracuse, New York
Roses open along the stoops. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Light Rain55%80°45°
- SundayMay 17Overcast—82°58°
- MondayMay 18Light Drizzle27%92°61°
- TuesdayMay 19Drizzle45%86°65°
- WednesdayMay 20Drizzle74%75°46°
- ThursdayMay 21Overcast—60°42°
- FridayMay 22Overcast10%68°45°
- PM 2.5
- 8.4 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 8.7 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 4.3 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 75.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 0.0 Low
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 9:40 AM
- Moonset
- 12:53 AM
- In sign
- ♊︎ Gemini
Roses open along the stoops
Syracuse at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 8°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: May 4 (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
Cool-season window is open
As of May 17, the cool-season window is open or about to open. Direct-sow peas, lettuce, spinach, radishes, and brassicas now. Hold off on warm-season crops until 1–2 weeks after the last spring frost (around May).
Planting calendar
| Month | Plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | — |
| February | — | — |
| March | — | — |
| April | — | — |
| May | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| June | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| July | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| August | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash, fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| September | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| October | — | winter squash, tomatoes (last) |
| November | — | — |
| December | — | — |
A year in weather
July brings Syracuse its warmest temperatures (~72°F mean) while January delivers the coldest (~24°F). October sees peak rainfall at 3.9 inches, with February recording the lowest at 2.5 inches.
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24° | 2.6″ | 7 |
| February | 26° | 2.5″ | 7 |
| March | 34° | 3.0″ | 8 |
| April | 46° | 3.5″ | 8 |
| May | 58° | 3.4″ | 8 |
| June | 67° | 3.6″ | 7 |
| July | 72° | 3.9″ | 7 |
| August | 70° | 3.7″ | 7 |
| September | 63° | 3.4″ | 6 |
| October | 51° | 3.9″ | 8 |
| November | 41° | 3.2″ | 8 |
| December | 30° | 3.3″ | 8 |
Regional context
Syracuse falls within a warm-summer humid continental climate region, sharing similar temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions with nearby cities in this zone.
Similar climates: New York, NY, Brooklyn, NY, Queens, NY, Manhattan, NY, Bronx, NY.
Naturalist notes
Late May brings the first wood warblers to Syracuse's parks, with yellow warblers arriving as oak leaves reach full size.
By mid-June, common milkweed blooms across central New York's fields, attracting the season's first monarch butterflies.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Syracuse?
- Syracuse's last spring frost typically occurs around mid-May, with the first fall frost returning around mid-October.
- What is the rainy season in Syracuse?
- October stands as the wettest month with about 3.9 inches of rain on average, while the city receives roughly 40 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in Syracuse?
- July typically brings the warmest temperatures, averaging about 72°F.
- What is the coldest month in Syracuse?
- January typically delivers the coldest temperatures, averaging about 24°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Syracuse?
- Cool-season crops like peas and lettuce can be sown around the last spring frost in mid-May, while warm-season crops such as tomatoes and peppers should wait until 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does Syracuse get?
- Syracuse averages about 90 rainy days per year.
- What hardiness zone is Syracuse?
- Syracuse's USDA hardiness zone depends on its lowest average winter temperature; the USDA's online lookup with the city ZIP provides the current zone designation.
Climate
Syracuse, New York experiences a warm-summer humid continental climate. January temperatures hover near 24°F while July averages 72°F, creating a 48°F seasonal swing.
Throughout the year, Syracuse receives about 40 inches of precipitation spread over roughly 90 rainy days.
Geography shapes the local weather patterns through latitude (43.0°N), proximity to large water bodies, and elevation. These factors determine what grows here, when frost is likely, and the daily weather patterns.