Columbia has chilly winters and warm summers, with plenty of rain
A typical July afternoon reaches 84°, a January night drops to 19°, and about 23 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in Columbia at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about Columbia’s climate
Read from where Columbia sits among New Jersey’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
About 168 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by April 30 and the first by October 18.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
Living with Columbia’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
168 frost-free days. The last frost comes by Apr 30 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 18.
About 23" a winter over 7 days with an inch or more, most in January.
Months averaging under 55° run from October through April. Heating is 90% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 14 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 84°.
The nicest months are May, June, August, September and October.
Parks & trails →Normals are averages. Ice storms, nor’easters, floods and heat waves are on the natural hazards page.
Natural hazards →23 inches of snow, 49 of rain and melt
June is the wettest month and February the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 131 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
What a year in Columbia feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
Columbia and its neighbors
Portland has the coldest January nights next door (19°) and Portland 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 Columbia averaged 2.2° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in December (+3.9°).
A bigger shift than in 97% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
How Columbia compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in New Jersey.
Columbia 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 | 37° | 19° | 3.5" | 9.9" | 11 | 18° – 35° |
| February | 40° | 20° | 2.8" | 5.2" | 9 | 18° – 37° |
| March | 49° | 27° | 3.8" | 3.5" | 11 | 32° – 48° |
| April | 62° | 37° | 4.0" | 0.3" | 11 | 45° – 54° |
| May | 71° | 47° | 4.0" | 0 | 14 | 54° – 64° |
| June | 79° | 56° | 4.8" | 0 | 12 | 64° – 71° |
| July | 84° | 61° | 4.6" | 0 | 11 | 67° – 76° |
| August | 82° | 59° | 4.6" | 0 | 11 | 67° – 74° |
| September | 75° | 52° | 4.7" | 0 | 9 | 61° – 67° |
| October | 64° | 41° | 4.5" | 0 | 10 | 47° – 60° |
| November | 52° | 31° | 3.4" | 0.4" | 10 | 36° – 47° |
| December | 42° | 24° | 4.2" | 4.0" | 12 | 25° – 44° |
| Year | 61° | 39° | 49.1" | 23.3" | 131 |
Heating and cooling a home in Columbia
90% 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 18° to 37°. June is the most reliable, staying within 7°.
Common questions about Columbia’s climate
What is the coldest month in Columbia?
January, with a typical high of 37° and a low of 19°.
What is the hottest month in Columbia?
July, with a typical high of 84° and a low of 61°. About 14 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does Columbia get?
About 23 inches in a normal winter, most of it in January.
When is the first frost in Columbia?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by October 18, and the last spring frost by April 30.
What is the rainiest month in Columbia?
June, 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 Columbia.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for Columbia itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Belvidere Brg, NJ (7 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.