Oak Ridge has chilly winters and pleasant summers, with plenty of rain
A typical July afternoon reaches 83°, a January night drops to 19°, and about 28 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in Oak Ridge at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about Oak Ridge’s climate
Read from where Oak Ridge sits among New Jersey’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
What a year in Oak Ridge feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
About 174 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by April 25 and the first by October 17.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
Living with Oak Ridge’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
174 frost-free days. The last frost comes by Apr 25 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 17.
About 28" a winter over 6 days with an inch or more, most in January.
Months averaging under 55° run from October through April. Heating is 91% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 10 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 83°.
The nicest months are May, June, July, August, September and October. 9.2 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 →Warmer than it used to be
The last 30 years in Oak Ridge averaged 2.0° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in December (+3.5°).
A bigger shift than in 93% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
28 inches of snow, 49 of rain and melt
June is the wettest month and February the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 115 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
Oak Ridge and its neighbors
West Milford has the coldest January nights next door (19°) and Jefferson the hottest July afternoons (83°). 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.
How Oak Ridge compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in New Jersey.
Oak Ridge 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 | 36° | 19° | 3.6" | 9.6" | 11 | 19° – 34° |
| February | 39° | 20° | 2.8" | 7.7" | 9 | 16° – 35° |
| March | 47° | 27° | 4.1" | 5.3" | 11 | 30° – 47° |
| April | 60° | 37° | 3.9" | 1.4" | 10 | 44° – 53° |
| May | 70° | 47° | 3.9" | 0 | 11 | 54° – 63° |
| June | 78° | 56° | 4.6" | 0 | 11 | 64° – 70° |
| July | 83° | 61° | 4.4" | 0 | 9 | 67° – 76° |
| August | 81° | 59° | 4.4" | 0 | 9 | 66° – 74° |
| September | 74° | 53° | 4.5" | 0 | 8 | 60° – 67° |
| October | 62° | 42° | 4.6" | 0 | 8 | 48° – 59° |
| November | 51° | 33° | 3.5" | 0.2" | 8 | 37° – 47° |
| December | 40° | 25° | 4.4" | 3.9" | 11 | 25° – 43° |
| Year | 60° | 40° | 48.7" | 28.1" | 115 |
Heating and cooling a home in Oak Ridge
91% 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 16° to 35°. June is the most reliable, staying within 6°.
Common questions about Oak Ridge’s climate
What is the coldest month in Oak Ridge?
January, with a typical high of 36° and a low of 19°.
What is the hottest month in Oak Ridge?
July, with a typical high of 83° and a low of 61°. About 10 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does Oak Ridge get?
About 28 inches in a normal winter, most of it in January.
When is the first frost in Oak Ridge?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by October 17, and the last spring frost by April 25.
What is the rainiest month in Oak Ridge?
June, with 4.6 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 49 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in Oak Ridge.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for Oak Ridge itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Oak Ridge Rsvr, NJ (1 mi, snow) and Charlotteburg Rsvr, NJ (4 mi, frost, heat and degree days). 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.