Cortland West has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers
A typical July afternoon reaches 79°, a January night drops to 14°, and about 64 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in Cortland West at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about Cortland West’s climate
Read from where Cortland West sits among New York’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
Warmer than it used to be
The last 30 years in Cortland West averaged 1.0° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in December (+2.6°).
A smaller shift than in 66% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
What a year in Cortland West feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
64 inches of snow, 42 of rain and melt
June is the wettest month and February the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 149 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
About 154 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by May 7 and the first by October 8.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
Living with Cortland West’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
154 frost-free days. The last frost comes by May 7 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 8.
About 64" a winter over 25 days with an inch or more, most in January. Snow covers the ground about 77 days a year.
Months averaging under 55° run from October through April. Heating is 96% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 3 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 79°.
The nicest months are May, June, July, August and September.
Parks & trails →Normals are averages. Ice storms, nor’easters, floods and heat waves are on the natural hazards page.
Natural hazards →How Cortland West compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in New York.
Cortland West 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 | Snow on ground | 30-yr range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30° | 14° | 2.8" | 16.1" | 14 | 22 | 13° – 31° |
| February | 32° | 16° | 2.4" | 14.5" | 11 | 20 | 10° – 32° |
| March | 41° | 22° | 3.1" | 13.0" | 12 | 14 | 24° – 44° |
| April | 54° | 32° | 3.4" | 2.4" | 12 | 2 | 37° – 49° |
| May | 67° | 44° | 3.6" | 0 | 13 | 0 | 50° – 61° |
| June | 75° | 53° | 4.4" | 0 | 13 | 0 | 61° – 69° |
| July | 79° | 58° | 4.0" | 0 | 13 | 0 | 65° – 72° |
| August | 78° | 56° | 4.0" | 0 | 11 | 0 | 64° – 71° |
| September | 71° | 49° | 4.1" | 0 | 11 | 0 | 57° – 64° |
| October | 58° | 39° | 4.0" | 0.1" | 14 | 0 | 44° – 55° |
| November | 46° | 30° | 3.2" | 5.6" | 12 | 5 | 33° – 44° |
| December | 35° | 21° | 3.3" | 12.7" | 14 | 14 | 20° – 39° |
| Year | 55° | 36° | 42.3" | 64.4" | 149 | 77 |
Heating and cooling a home in Cortland West
96% 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 10° to 32°. August is the most reliable, staying within 7°.
Common questions about Cortland West’s climate
What is the coldest month in Cortland West?
January, with a typical high of 30° and a low of 14°.
What is the hottest month in Cortland West?
July, with a typical high of 79° and a low of 58°. About 3 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does Cortland West get?
About 64 inches in a normal winter, most of it in January.
When is the first frost in Cortland West?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by October 8, and the last spring frost by May 7.
What is the rainiest month in Cortland West?
June, with 4.4 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 42 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in Cortland West.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for Cortland West itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Freeville 1 Ne, NY (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.