South Hempstead has chilly winters and warm summers
A typical July afternoon reaches 85°, a January night drops to 26°, and about 26 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in South Hempstead at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about South Hempstead’s climate
Read from where South Hempstead sits among New York’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
Living with South Hempstead’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
226 frost-free days. The last frost comes by Apr 2 in half of years, so many gardeners wait a week or two past that to set out tomatoes. The first fall frost comes by Nov 14.
About 26" a winter over 6 days with an inch or more, most in February. Snow covers the ground about 20 days a year.
Months averaging under 55° run from November through April. Heating is 83% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 11 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 →What a year in South Hempstead feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
About 226 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by April 2 and the first by November 14.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
26 inches of snow, 45 of rain and melt
March is the wettest month and February the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 121 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
Warmer than it used to be
The last 30 years in South Hempstead averaged 2.2° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in February (+3.5°).
A bigger shift than in 97% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
South Hempstead and its neighbors
Hempstead has the coldest January nights next door (26°) and Hempstead 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.
How South Hempstead compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in New York.
South Hempstead 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 | 40° | 26° | 3.4" | 7.5" | 11 | 6 | 24° – 39° |
| February | 43° | 26° | 3.0" | 8.6" | 10 | 7 | 23° – 40° |
| March | 50° | 33° | 4.3" | 4.3" | 11 | 3 | 37° – 49° |
| April | 61° | 41° | 3.8" | 0.6" | 11 | 0 | 47° – 55° |
| May | 70° | 51° | 3.5" | 0 | 12 | 0 | 57° – 65° |
| June | 79° | 61° | 3.9" | 0 | 11 | 0 | 67° – 75° |
| July | 85° | 67° | 3.8" | 0 | 9 | 0 | 71° – 81° |
| August | 83° | 66° | 4.2" | 0 | 9 | 0 | 71° – 78° |
| September | 76° | 59° | 3.9" | 0 | 8 | 0 | 65° – 72° |
| October | 65° | 48° | 4.0" | 0 | 9 | 0 | 52° – 63° |
| November | 55° | 38° | 3.3" | 0.4" | 9 | 0 | 41° – 51° |
| December | 45° | 31° | 4.3" | 4.5" | 11 | 3 | 31° – 50° |
| Year | 63° | 45° | 45.2" | 25.9" | 121 | 20 |
Heating and cooling a home in South Hempstead
83% 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. December swings the most: from 1991 to 2020 its average ranged from 31° to 50°. September is the most reliable, staying within 7°.
Common questions about South Hempstead’s climate
What is the coldest month in South Hempstead?
January, with a typical high of 40° and a low of 26°.
What is the hottest month in South Hempstead?
July, with a typical high of 85° and a low of 67°. About 11 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does South Hempstead get?
About 26 inches in a normal winter, most of it in February.
When is the first frost in South Hempstead?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by November 14, and the last spring frost by April 2.
What is the rainiest month in South Hempstead?
March, with 4.3 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 45 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in South Hempstead.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for South Hempstead itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at New York Jfk Intl Airport, 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.