Potsdam has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers
A typical July afternoon reaches 80°, a January night drops to 8°, and about 77 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in Potsdam at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about Potsdam’s climate
Read from where Potsdam sits among New York’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
About 142 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by May 9 and the first by September 30.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
Living with Potsdam’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
142 frost-free days. The last frost comes by May 9 in half of years, so many gardeners wait a week or two past that to set out tomatoes. The first fall frost comes by Sep 30.
About 77" a winter over 27 days with an inch or more, most in December. Snow covers the ground about 92 days a year.
Months averaging under 55° run from October through April. Heating is 95% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 3 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 80°.
The nicest months are May, June, July, August and September. 18 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 Potsdam averaged 2.1° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in December (+4.5°).
A bigger shift than in 96% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
77 inches of snow, 38 of rain and melt
October is the wettest month and February the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 147 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
What a year in Potsdam feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
Potsdam and its neighbors
Parishville has the coldest January nights next door (6°) and Norfolk the hottest July afternoons (80°). 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 Potsdam compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in New York.
Potsdam 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 | 26° | 8° | 2.5" | 18.9" | 13 | 25 | 2° – 27° |
| February | 29° | 9° | 2.0" | 17.5" | 11 | 24 | 4° – 27° |
| March | 39° | 19° | 2.4" | 12.5" | 11 | 17 | 20° – 41° |
| April | 54° | 33° | 3.1" | 3.5" | 12 | 2 | 38° – 49° |
| May | 67° | 45° | 3.2" | 0 | 13 | 0 | 51° – 62° |
| June | 76° | 54° | 3.8" | 0 | 13 | 0 | 62° – 71° |
| July | 80° | 59° | 3.9" | 0 | 13 | 0 | 64° – 74° |
| August | 79° | 57° | 3.4" | 0 | 11 | 0 | 65° – 72° |
| September | 71° | 49° | 3.9" | 0 | 12 | 0 | 55° – 65° |
| October | 58° | 39° | 4.2" | 0.2" | 14 | 0 | 43° – 55° |
| November | 45° | 28° | 3.0" | 5.1" | 12 | 5 | 31° – 42° |
| December | 33° | 17° | 2.7" | 19.6" | 14 | 18 | 16° – 37° |
| Year | 55° | 35° | 38.3" | 77.3" | 147 | 92 |
Heating and cooling a home in Potsdam
95% 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. January swings the most: from 1991 to 2020 its average ranged from 2° to 27°. August is the most reliable, staying within 7°.
Common questions about Potsdam’s climate
What is the coldest month in Potsdam?
January, with a typical high of 26° and a low of 8°.
What is the hottest month in Potsdam?
July, with a typical high of 80° and a low of 59°. About 3 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does Potsdam get?
About 77 inches in a normal winter, most of it in December.
When is the first frost in Potsdam?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by September 30, and the last spring frost by May 9.
What is the rainiest month in Potsdam?
October, with 4.2 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 38 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in Potsdam.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for Potsdam itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Canton 4 Se, NY (8 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.