Watkins Glen has chilly, snowy winters and pleasant summers
A typical July afternoon reaches 83°, a January night drops to 17°, and about 42 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in Watkins Glen at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about Watkins Glen’s climate
Read from where Watkins Glen sits among New York’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
42 inches of snow, 34 of rain and melt
June is the wettest month and February the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 140 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
Watkins Glen and its neighbors
Hector has the coldest January nights next door (15°) and Dix the hottest July afternoons (81°). 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 Watkins Glen averaged 1.2° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in December (+2.7°).
A smaller shift than in 54% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
What a year in Watkins Glen feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
About 151 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by May 9 and the first by October 9.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
Living with Watkins Glen’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
151 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 Oct 9.
About 42" a winter over 14 days with an inch or more, most in March. Snow covers the ground about 58 days a year.
Months averaging under 55° run from October through April. Heating is 93% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 12 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 83°.
The nicest months are May, June, July, August and September. 4.0 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 →How Watkins Glen compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in New York.
Watkins Glen 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° | 17° | 1.8" | 8.4" | 12 | 17 | 16° – 34° |
| February | 36° | 18° | 1.7" | 9.5" | 10 | 16 | 12° – 35° |
| March | 44° | 24° | 2.3" | 11.2" | 11 | 11 | 27° – 47° |
| April | 58° | 34° | 2.9" | 1.5" | 13 | 1 | 41° – 52° |
| May | 70° | 45° | 3.0" | 0 | 13 | 0 | 52° – 63° |
| June | 79° | 55° | 3.7" | 0 | 13 | 0 | 63° – 71° |
| July | 83° | 59° | 3.6" | 0 | 12 | 0 | 67° – 75° |
| August | 81° | 58° | 3.4" | 0 | 11 | 0 | 66° – 74° |
| September | 74° | 51° | 3.6" | 0 | 11 | 0 | 59° – 67° |
| October | 61° | 41° | 3.4" | 0.1" | 13 | 0 | 47° – 57° |
| November | 49° | 32° | 2.4" | 2.7" | 11 | 3 | 35° – 46° |
| December | 38° | 24° | 2.3" | 8.4" | 12 | 10 | 22° – 42° |
| Year | 59° | 38° | 34.0" | 41.8" | 140 | 58 |
Heating and cooling a home in Watkins Glen
93% 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 12° to 35°. August is the most reliable, staying within 8°.
Common questions about Watkins Glen’s climate
What is the coldest month in Watkins Glen?
January, with a typical high of 34° and a low of 17°.
What is the hottest month in Watkins Glen?
July, with a typical high of 83° and a low of 59°. About 12 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does Watkins Glen get?
About 42 inches in a normal winter, most of it in March.
When is the first frost in Watkins Glen?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by October 9, and the last spring frost by May 9.
What is the rainiest month in Watkins Glen?
June, with 3.7 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 34 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in Watkins Glen.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for Watkins Glen itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Elmira, NY (19 mi, snow) and Elmira Corning Rgnl Airport, NY (15 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.