South Cairo has chilly, snowy winters and warm summers
A typical July afternoon reaches 85°, a January night drops to 16°, and about 31 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in South Cairo at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about South Cairo’s climate
Read from where South Cairo sits among New York’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
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
31 inches of snow, 43 of rain and melt
October is the wettest month and February the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 116 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
What a year in South Cairo feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
Living with South Cairo’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 31" a winter over 7 days with an inch or more, most in December. Snow covers the ground about 26 days a year.
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 85°.
The nicest months are May, June, August, September and October.
Parks & trails →Normals are averages. Ice storms, nor’easters, floods and heat waves are on the natural hazards page.
Natural hazards →South Cairo and its neighbors
Catskill has the coldest January nights next door (16°) and Athens 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 South Cairo averaged 1.6° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in December (+3.4°).
A bigger shift than in 76% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
How South Cairo compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in New York.
South Cairo 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 | 34° | 16° | 2.8" | 8.2" | 8 | 5 | 15° – 33° |
| February | 37° | 18° | 2.5" | 8.5" | 8 | 9 | 14° – 35° |
| March | 46° | 26° | 3.3" | 4.4" | 8 | 5 | 29° – 47° |
| April | 61° | 36° | 3.4" | 0.3" | 10 | 0 | 43° – 53° |
| May | 72° | 47° | 3.5" | 0 | 12 | 0 | 55° – 65° |
| June | 79° | 57° | 4.3" | 0 | 11 | 0 | 65° – 72° |
| July | 85° | 62° | 3.7" | 0 | 11 | 0 | 68° – 77° |
| August | 82° | 60° | 4.2" | 0 | 10 | 0 | 67° – 74° |
| September | 75° | 53° | 4.1" | 0 | 9 | 0 | 60° – 68° |
| October | 62° | 41° | 4.5" | 0 | 10 | 0 | 47° – 58° |
| November | 50° | 32° | 3.1" | 0.5" | 9 | 0 | 36° – 46° |
| December | 39° | 24° | 3.6" | 9.1" | 9 | 6 | 25° – 43° |
| Year | 60° | 39° | 43.0" | 31.0" | 116 | 26 |
Heating and cooling a home in South Cairo
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 14° to 35°. August is the most reliable, staying within 6°.
Common questions about South Cairo’s climate
What is the coldest month in South Cairo?
January, with a typical high of 34° and a low of 16°.
What is the hottest month in South Cairo?
July, with a typical high of 85° and a low of 62°. About 13 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does South Cairo get?
About 31 inches in a normal winter, most of it in December.
When is the first frost in South Cairo?
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 South Cairo?
October, with 4.5 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 43 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in South Cairo.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for South Cairo itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Hudson Correctional Facility, NY (9 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.