Ruby has chilly, snowy winters and warm summers, with plenty of rain
A typical July afternoon reaches 85°, a January night drops to 17°, and about 59 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in Ruby at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about Ruby’s climate
Read from where Ruby sits among New York’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
59 inches of snow, 49 of rain and melt
September 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
About 188 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by April 21 and the first by October 27.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
Living with Ruby’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
188 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 27.
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 8 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 85°.
The nicest months are May, June, August, September and October. 0.3 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 →What a year in Ruby feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
Ruby and its neighbors
Saugerties has the coldest January nights next door (16°) and Saugerties 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 Ruby averaged 1.8° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in December (+3.5°).
A bigger shift than in 88% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
How Ruby compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in New York.
Ruby 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° | 17° | 3.4" | 14.6" | 11 | 21 | 16° – 33° |
| February | 38° | 19° | 2.9" | 14.6" | 9 | 21 | 16° – 35° |
| March | 47° | 27° | 3.7" | 12.4" | 11 | 17 | 29° – 48° |
| April | 61° | 37° | 3.8" | 1.8" | 11 | 2 | 43° – 54° |
| May | 71° | 47° | 4.0" | 0 | 13 | 0 | 54° – 65° |
| June | 80° | 57° | 4.6" | 0 | 12 | 0 | 65° – 72° |
| July | 85° | 62° | 4.4" | 0 | 11 | 0 | 68° – 77° |
| August | 82° | 60° | 4.6" | 0 | 11 | 0 | 68° – 74° |
| September | 75° | 53° | 4.8" | 0 | 10 | 0 | 60° – 68° |
| October | 63° | 41° | 4.8" | 0.1" | 11 | 0 | 48° – 58° |
| November | 50° | 32° | 3.6" | 2.8" | 10 | 3 | 36° – 46° |
| December | 40° | 24° | 4.2" | 12.9" | 11 | 14 | 24° – 43° |
| Year | 60° | 40° | 48.6" | 59.2" | 133 | 78 |
Heating and cooling a home in Ruby
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°. August is the most reliable, staying within 7°.
Common questions about Ruby’s climate
What is the coldest month in Ruby?
January, with a typical high of 35° and a low of 17°.
What is the hottest month in Ruby?
July, with a typical high of 85° and a low of 62°. About 8 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does Ruby get?
About 59 inches in a normal winter, most of it in January.
When is the first frost in Ruby?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by October 27, and the last spring frost by April 21.
What is the rainiest month in Ruby?
September, with 4.8 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 49 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in Ruby.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for Ruby itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Mohonk Lake, NY (18 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.