East Durham has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers
A typical July afternoon reaches 83°, a January night drops to 15°, and about 46 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in East Durham at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What a year in East Durham feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
46 inches of snow, 42 of rain and melt
October 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
About 169 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by April 29 and the first by October 14.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
Living with East Durham’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
169 frost-free days. The last frost comes by Apr 29 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 14.
About 46" a winter over 10 days with an inch or more, most in February.
Months averaging under 55° run from October through April. Heating is 91% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 13 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 83°.
The nicest months are May, June, July, August and September. 0.0 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 →East Durham and its neighbors
Durham has the coldest January nights next door (14°) and Greenville 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.
Warmer than it used to be
The last 30 years in East Durham averaged 1.5° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in December (+3.4°).
A bigger shift than in 69% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
How East Durham compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in New York.
East Durham 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 | 33° | 15° | 2.7" | 11.4" | 11 | 14° – 31° |
| February | 36° | 17° | 2.3" | 11.6" | 9 | 12° – 33° |
| March | 45° | 24° | 3.3" | 9.8" | 10 | 27° – 45° |
| April | 59° | 34° | 3.2" | 0.8" | 11 | 40° – 52° |
| May | 70° | 45° | 3.4" | 0 | 12 | 52° – 63° |
| June | 78° | 54° | 4.2" | 0 | 12 | 63° – 71° |
| July | 83° | 59° | 3.6" | 0 | 12 | 66° – 75° |
| August | 81° | 57° | 4.1" | 0 | 12 | 65° – 72° |
| September | 74° | 50° | 4.1" | 0 | 11 | 58° – 66° |
| October | 61° | 39° | 4.5" | 0.1" | 12 | 46° – 57° |
| November | 49° | 31° | 3.1" | 0.6" | 9 | 35° – 45° |
| December | 38° | 22° | 3.6" | 11.4" | 10 | 23° – 42° |
| Year | 59° | 37° | 42.2" | 45.7" | 131 |
Heating and cooling a home in East Durham
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 12° to 33°. August is the most reliable, staying within 7°.
Common questions about East Durham’s climate
What is the coldest month in East Durham?
January, with a typical high of 33° and a low of 15°.
What is the hottest month in East Durham?
July, with a typical high of 83° and a low of 59°. About 13 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does East Durham get?
About 46 inches in a normal winter, most of it in February.
When is the first frost in East Durham?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by October 14, and the last spring frost by April 29.
What is the rainiest month in East Durham?
October, with 4.5 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 42 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in East Durham.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for East Durham itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Alcove Dam, NY (11 mi, snow) and Cairo 3 Nw, NY (5 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.