Highland has chilly, snowy winters and warm summers
A typical July afternoon reaches 84°, a January night drops to 18°, and about 59 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in Highland at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about Highland’s climate
Read from where Highland sits among New York’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
About 183 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by April 21 and the first by October 21.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
What a year in Highland feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
59 inches of snow, 45 of rain and melt
August is the wettest month and February the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 133 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
Living with Highland’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
183 frost-free days. The last frost comes by Apr 21 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 21.
About 59" a winter over 14 days with an inch or more, most in January. Snow covers the ground about 78 days a year.
Months averaging under 55° run from October through April. Heating is 89% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 13 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 84°.
The nicest months are May, June, August, September and October. 0.9 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 →Highland and its neighbors
Hyde Park has the coldest January nights next door (17°) and Poughkeepsie the hottest July afternoons (85°). 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 Highland 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
How Highland compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in New York.
Highland 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 | 35° | 18° | 3.1" | 14.6" | 11 | 21 | 16° – 34° |
| February | 39° | 20° | 2.6" | 14.6" | 9 | 21 | 16° – 35° |
| March | 47° | 27° | 3.4" | 12.4" | 11 | 17 | 31° – 48° |
| April | 61° | 37° | 3.6" | 1.8" | 11 | 2 | 44° – 54° |
| May | 71° | 48° | 3.6" | 0 | 13 | 0 | 55° – 66° |
| June | 79° | 57° | 4.4" | 0 | 12 | 0 | 66° – 72° |
| July | 84° | 63° | 4.3" | 0 | 11 | 0 | 68° – 78° |
| August | 82° | 61° | 4.4" | 0 | 11 | 0 | 68° – 75° |
| September | 75° | 53° | 4.4" | 0 | 10 | 0 | 61° – 69° |
| October | 63° | 42° | 4.4" | 0.1" | 11 | 0 | 48° – 59° |
| November | 50° | 33° | 3.5" | 2.8" | 10 | 3 | 37° – 46° |
| December | 40° | 25° | 3.8" | 12.9" | 11 | 14 | 25° – 43° |
| Year | 61° | 40° | 45.3" | 59.2" | 133 | 78 |
Heating and cooling a home in Highland
89% 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 7°.
Common questions about Highland’s climate
What is the coldest month in Highland?
January, with a typical high of 35° and a low of 18°.
What is the hottest month in Highland?
July, with a typical high of 84° and a low of 63°. About 13 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does Highland get?
About 59 inches in a normal winter, most of it in January.
When is the first frost in Highland?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by October 21, and the last spring frost by April 21.
What is the rainiest month in Highland?
August, with 4.4 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 45 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in Highland.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for Highland itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Mohonk Lake, NY (10 mi, snow) and Poughkeepsie, NY (2 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.