Jackson has chilly winters and pleasant summers, with plenty of rain
A typical July afternoon reaches 81°, a January night drops to 19°, and about 28 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in Jackson at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about Jackson’s climate
Read from where Jackson sits among Pennsylvania’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
28 inches of snow, 49 of rain and melt
September is the wettest month and February the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 117 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
Jackson and its neighbors
Jefferson has the coldest January nights next door (19°) and Upper Paxton 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.
What a year in Jackson feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
About 168 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by May 1 and the first by October 16.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
Living with Jackson’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
168 frost-free days. The last frost comes by May 1 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 16.
About 28" a winter over 9 days with an inch or more, most in January. Snow covers the ground about 36 days a year.
Months averaging under 55° run from October through April. Heating is 90% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 14 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 81°.
The nicest months are May, June, July, August and September. 57 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 Jackson averaged 1.5° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in December (+3.0°).
A bigger shift than in 71% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
How Jackson compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in Pennsylvania.
Jackson 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° | 19° | 3.6" | 8.4" | 9 | 12 | 17° – 34° |
| February | 37° | 21° | 2.7" | 8.3" | 8 | 14 | 17° – 36° |
| March | 46° | 28° | 4.1" | 5.1" | 9 | 5 | 31° – 47° |
| April | 59° | 39° | 4.2" | 0.6" | 11 | 0 | 45° – 54° |
| May | 69° | 49° | 4.3" | 0 | 13 | 0 | 54° – 64° |
| June | 77° | 58° | 4.6" | 0 | 11 | 0 | 63° – 70° |
| July | 81° | 62° | 4.7" | 0 | 10 | 0 | 67° – 76° |
| August | 79° | 61° | 4.5" | 0 | 11 | 0 | 66° – 73° |
| September | 73° | 55° | 4.9" | 0 | 9 | 0 | 61° – 67° |
| October | 61° | 44° | 4.4" | 0 | 10 | 0 | 47° – 59° |
| November | 49° | 33° | 3.6" | 0.8" | 8 | 0 | 35° – 46° |
| December | 38° | 25° | 3.8" | 4.4" | 9 | 5 | 23° – 41° |
| Year | 58° | 41° | 49.1" | 27.6" | 117 | 36 |
Heating and cooling a home in Jackson
90% 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 17° to 36°. September is the most reliable, staying within 7°.
Common questions about Jackson’s climate
What is the coldest month in Jackson?
January, with a typical high of 34° and a low of 19°.
What is the hottest month in Jackson?
July, with a typical high of 81° and a low of 62°. About 14 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does Jackson get?
About 28 inches in a normal winter, most of it in January.
When is the first frost in Jackson?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by October 16, and the last spring frost by May 1.
What is the rainiest month in Jackson?
September, with 4.9 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 49 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in Jackson.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for Jackson itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Dehart Dam, PA (5 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.