Weather in Buffalo, New York
Roses open along the stoops. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 17Foggy—67°55°
- MondayMay 18Overcast13%86°61°
- TuesdayMay 19Light Drizzle60%82°65°
- WednesdayMay 20Light Showers66%65°48°
- ThursdayMay 21Overcast—58°43°
- FridayMay 22Overcast11%62°45°
- SaturdayMay 23Drizzle20%60°49°
- PM 2.5
- 3.9 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 4.1 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 5.2 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 82.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 0.0 Low
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 9:51 AM
- Moonset
- 1:04 AM
- In sign
- ♊︎ Gemini
Roses open along the stoops
Buffalo at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 11°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: May 3 (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 ranks as Buffalo's warmest month with a mean temperature of ~72°F, while January stands as the coldest at ~26°F. September brings peak rainfall at 4.1 inches, contrasting with February's low of 2.5 inches.
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26° | 3.4″ | 9 |
| February | 26° | 2.5″ | 7 |
| March | 34° | 2.9″ | 8 |
| April | 46° | 3.4″ | 8 |
| May | 58° | 3.4″ | 8 |
| June | 67° | 3.4″ | 8 |
| July | 72° | 3.2″ | 6 |
| August | 70° | 3.2″ | 6 |
| September | 63° | 4.1″ | 7 |
| October | 52° | 4.0″ | 9 |
| November | 41° | 3.5″ | 8 |
| December | 31° | 3.8″ | 10 |
Regional context
Buffalo falls within a warm-summer humid continental climate region, sharing similar temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions with other cities in this climate classification.
Similar climates: New York, NY, Brooklyn, NY, Queens, NY, Manhattan, NY, Bronx, NY.
Naturalist notes
Late May brings the return of ruby-throated hummingbirds to Buffalo gardens, their arrival coinciding with the blooming of native honeysuckle.
Lilac bushes reach peak bloom across the city in mid to late May, filling neighborhoods with their distinctive fragrance.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Buffalo?
- Buffalo's last spring frost typically occurs around mid-May, while the first fall frost generally arrives around mid-October.
- What is the rainy season in Buffalo?
- September ranks as the wettest month, receiving about 4.1 inches of rain on average, while the city's annual total reaches roughly 41 inches.
- What is the warmest month in Buffalo?
- July typically registers as the warmest month, with average temperatures around 72°F.
- What is the coldest month in Buffalo?
- January typically records as the coldest month, with average temperatures around 26°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Buffalo?
- Cool-season crops like peas and lettuce can be planted around the last spring frost in mid-May, while warm-season crops such as tomatoes and peppers should wait 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does Buffalo get?
- Buffalo experiences about 94 rainy days per year on average.
- What hardiness zone is Buffalo?
- Buffalo's USDA hardiness zone depends on its lowest average winter temperature; the USDA's online lookup tool with the city ZIP code provides the current zone designation.
Climate
Buffalo, New York experiences a warm-summer humid continental climate zone. January temperatures typically hover near 26°F while July averages reach 72°F, creating a 46°F seasonal swing.
Annual precipitation in Buffalo totals about 41 inches, distributed across roughly 94 rainy days throughout the year.
Location at 42.9°N latitude, along with proximity to large water bodies and local elevation, determines the rhythm of seasons here. These factors influence plant growth cycles, frost timing, and daily weather patterns.