Colonia has chilly winters and warm summers, with plenty of rain
A typical July afternoon reaches 87°, a January night drops to 24°, and about 21 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in Colonia at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What a year in Colonia feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
21 inches of snow, 48 of rain and melt
July is the wettest month and February the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 117 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
About 198 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by April 11 and the first by October 28.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
Living with Colonia’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
198 frost-free days. The last frost comes by Apr 11 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 28.
About 21" a winter over 5 days with an inch or more, most in February.
Months averaging under 55° run from November through April. Heating is 81% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 29 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 87°.
The nicest months are April, May, June, September and October. 4.1 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 →Colonia and its neighbors
Edison has the coldest January nights next door (24°) and Rahway the hottest July afternoons (87°). 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 Colonia averaged 2.2° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in December (+3.6°).
A bigger shift than in 98% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
How Colonia compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in New Jersey.
Colonia 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 | 41° | 24° | 3.5" | 5.1" | 10 | 24° – 39° |
| February | 43° | 25° | 2.9" | 8.3" | 8 | 22° – 41° |
| March | 51° | 32° | 4.1" | 5.3" | 10 | 36° – 51° |
| April | 63° | 41° | 3.8" | 0.1" | 11 | 48° – 57° |
| May | 73° | 51° | 4.0" | 0 | 11 | 57° – 67° |
| June | 82° | 60° | 4.3" | 0 | 11 | 68° – 75° |
| July | 87° | 66° | 4.9" | 0 | 10 | 72° – 80° |
| August | 85° | 64° | 4.5" | 0 | 10 | 70° – 78° |
| September | 78° | 57° | 4.2" | 0 | 9 | 65° – 73° |
| October | 66° | 45° | 4.1" | 0 | 9 | 51° – 62° |
| November | 55° | 36° | 3.3" | 0.2" | 9 | 41° – 50° |
| December | 45° | 29° | 4.3" | 2.4" | 10 | 30° – 49° |
| Year | 64° | 44° | 47.9" | 21.4" | 117 |
Heating and cooling a home in Colonia
81% 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. December swings the most: from 1991 to 2020 its average ranged from 30° to 49°. June is the most reliable, staying within 7°.
Common questions about Colonia’s climate
What is the coldest month in Colonia?
January, with a typical high of 41° and a low of 24°.
What is the hottest month in Colonia?
July, with a typical high of 87° and a low of 66°. About 29 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does Colonia get?
About 21 inches in a normal winter, most of it in February.
When is the first frost in Colonia?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by October 28, and the last spring frost by April 11.
What is the rainiest month in Colonia?
July, with 4.9 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 48 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in Colonia.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for Colonia itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Plainfield, NJ (5 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.