Crystal Lake has chilly, snowy winters and pleasant summers, with plenty of rain
A typical July afternoon reaches 82°, a January night drops to 17°, and about 39 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in Crystal Lake at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about Crystal Lake’s climate
Read from where Crystal Lake sits among Connecticut’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
What a year in Crystal Lake feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
About 186 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by April 19 and the first by October 22.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
39 inches of snow, 49 of rain and melt
October is the wettest month and February the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 123 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
Living with Crystal Lake’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
186 frost-free days. The last frost comes by Apr 19 in half of years, so many gardeners wait a week or two past that to set out tomatoes. The first fall frost comes by Oct 22.
About 39" a winter over 11 days with an inch or more, most in February.
Months averaging under 55° run from October through April. Heating is 92% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 3 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 82°.
The nicest months are May, June, July, August and September. 15 miles of trails are waiting.
Parks & trails →Normals are averages. Ice storms, nor’easters, floods and heat waves are on the natural hazards page.
Natural hazards →Crystal Lake and its neighbors
Stafford has the coldest January nights next door (17°) and Somers the hottest July afternoons (84°). Tap a town to see its climate.
Temperatures and rain come from NOAA’s 5 km grid, so each town gets its own value. Snow and frost-free days come from the nearest weather station, so neighbors often share them.
Warmer than it used to be
The last 30 years in Crystal Lake averaged 1.8° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in December (+3.5°).
A bigger shift than in 89% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
How Crystal Lake compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in Connecticut.
Crystal Lake weather by month
Average highs, lows, rain and snow for every month, from NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals.
| Month | High | Low | Rain + melt | Snow | Wet days | 30-yr range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 35° | 17° | 3.5" | 8.3" | 10 | 17° – 33° |
| February | 38° | 19° | 3.0" | 14.1" | 9 | 15° – 35° |
| March | 46° | 27° | 4.0" | 6.3" | 10 | 29° – 45° |
| April | 58° | 36° | 4.1" | 1.7" | 11 | 42° – 52° |
| May | 69° | 46° | 3.7" | 0 | 13 | 52° – 63° |
| June | 77° | 55° | 4.6" | 0 | 11 | 63° – 69° |
| July | 82° | 61° | 4.0" | 0 | 11 | 67° – 75° |
| August | 80° | 59° | 4.6" | 0 | 10 | 66° – 73° |
| September | 73° | 52° | 4.3" | 0 | 9 | 60° – 66° |
| October | 62° | 41° | 4.8" | 0.3" | 11 | 47° – 58° |
| November | 50° | 32° | 3.7" | 1.1" | 9 | 37° – 46° |
| December | 40° | 23° | 4.3" | 7.2" | 10 | 25° – 42° |
| Year | 59° | 39° | 48.5" | 39.0" | 123 |
Heating and cooling a home in Crystal Lake
92% of the work is heating, so the furnace matters far more than the air conditioner.
Degree days add up how far each day’s average falls below (heating) or rises above (cooling) 65° over a year. Source: NOAA station normals.
How much a month can swing
A normal is an average. February swings the most: from 1991 to 2020 its average ranged from 15° to 35°. June is the most reliable, staying within 6°.
Common questions about Crystal Lake’s climate
What is the coldest month in Crystal Lake?
January, with a typical high of 35° and a low of 17°.
What is the hottest month in Crystal Lake?
July, with a typical high of 82° and a low of 61°. About 3 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does Crystal Lake get?
About 39 inches in a normal winter, most of it in February.
When is the first frost in Crystal Lake?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by October 22, and the last spring frost by April 19.
What is the rainiest month in Crystal Lake?
October, with 4.8 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 49 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in Crystal Lake.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for Crystal Lake itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Storrs, CT (12 mi) away. Normals are 30-year averages, not a forecast. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 and 1901–2000. Today’s forecast: National Weather Service.