New York weather and outdoor projects
New York State ranges from the coastal climate of New York City to the cold, snowy interior. Central Park has milder winters and a longer warm season, Albany has colder winters and an earlier frost, and Buffalo gets heavy lake-effect snow and cloudy, damp autumns off Lake Erie.
Late spring and September are the best months for staining and painting statewide. Humid summer nights in the city and the Hudson Valley can bring dew on fresh finishes. Upstate, the outdoor concrete and sealing season is shorter, and it ends with the first hard freezes in October.
Frost dates in New York
In New York City (Central Park), the median last spring freeze (32°F) is around March 30 and the median first fall freeze is around November 20, a frost-free season of about 236 days.
In Albany, the median last spring freeze (32°F) is around April 27 and the median first fall freeze is around October 15, a frost-free season of about 169 days.
In Buffalo, the median last spring freeze (32°F) is around April 24 and the median first fall freeze is around October 26, a frost-free season of about 183 days.
Frost dates matter for concrete, which must not freeze in its first 48 hours, for paint and caulk that need nights above their minimum, and for lawn care, since crabgrass preventer goes down as the soil warms in spring. See how late in fall you can stain, paint or seal.
Best time to stain a deck in New York
In New York City (Central Park), the most reliable months are May–October. April can also work on the right days. November–March is too cold, with average highs around 46°F. April is cool, with highs around 62°F, so choose the warmest afternoons.
In Albany, the most reliable months are May–September. October can also work on the right days. November–March is too cold, with average highs around 40°F. In April, nights average about 37°F, too cold for the coating to dry and cure overnight. October is cool, with highs around 62°F, so choose the warmest afternoons.
In Buffalo, the most reliable months are May–September. October can also work on the right days. November–April is too cold, with average highs around 41°F. October is cool, with highs around 60°F, so choose the warmest afternoons.
Check this week’s hour-by-hour verdict with the deck staining forecast.
Best time to paint outside in New York
In New York City (Central Park), the most reliable months are April–October. November can also work on the right days. December–March is too cold, with average highs around 44°F. November is cool, with highs around 54°F, so choose the warmest afternoons.
In Albany, the most reliable months are May–September. April and October can also work on the right days. November–March is too cold, with average highs around 40°F. In April and October, nights average about 39°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low.
In Buffalo, the most reliable months are May–September. April and October can also work on the right days. November–March is too cold, with average highs around 38°F. April is cool, with highs around 55°F, so choose the warmest afternoons. In October, nights average about 44°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low.
Check this week’s hour-by-hour verdict with the exterior painting forecast.
Best time to pour concrete in New York
In New York City (Central Park), the most reliable months are April–October. November can also work on the right days. December–March averages about 16 nights a month at or below 32°F, so fresh concrete needs blankets or heated enclosures. November brings about 4 freezing nights a month, so pick a mild spell and keep curing blankets on hand.
In Albany, the most reliable months are May–September. October can also work on the right days. November–April averages about 22 nights a month at or below 32°F, so fresh concrete needs blankets or heated enclosures. October brings about 5 freezing nights a month, so pick a mild spell and keep curing blankets on hand.
In Buffalo, the most reliable months are May–September. October can also work on the right days. November–April averages about 20 nights a month at or below 32°F, so fresh concrete needs blankets or heated enclosures. October brings about 2 freezing nights a month, so pick a mild spell and keep curing blankets on hand.
Check this week’s hour-by-hour verdict with the concrete pouring forecast.
Best time to seal a driveway in New York
In New York City (Central Park), the most reliable months are May–September. April and October can also work on the right days. November–March is too cold, with average highs around 46°F. April and October are cool, with highs around 63°F, so choose the warmest afternoons.
In Albany, the most reliable months are June–September. May can also work on the right days. November–April is too cold, with average highs around 43°F. In October, nights average about 41°F, too cold for the coating to dry and cure overnight. In May, nights average about 48°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low.
In Buffalo, the most reliable months are June–September. May can also work on the right days. October–April is too cold, with average highs around 44°F. May is cool, with highs around 67°F, so choose the warmest afternoons.
Check this week’s hour-by-hour verdict with the driveway sealing forecast.
Best time to fertilize or treat a lawn in New York
In New York City (Central Park), the most reliable months are April–October. November can also work on the right days. December–March is too cold, with average highs around 44°F. November is cool, with highs around 54°F, so choose the warmest afternoons.
In Albany, the most reliable months are May–October. April can also work on the right days. November–March is too cold, with average highs around 40°F. April is cool, with highs around 59°F, so choose the warmest afternoons.
In Buffalo, the most reliable months are May–September. April and October can also work on the right days. November–March is too cold, with average highs around 38°F. April and October are cool, with highs around 57°F, so choose the warmest afternoons.
Check this week’s hour-by-hour verdict with the lawn fertilizer forecast.
How the weather differs across New York
| Place | Hottest month avg high | Coldest month avg low | Rain per year | Last spring freeze | First fall freeze |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York City (Central Park) | 85°F | 28°F | 50 in | March 30 | November 20 |
| Albany | 84°F | 16°F | 41 in | April 27 | October 15 |
| Buffalo | 80°F | 19°F | 41 in | April 24 | October 26 |
Of the places above, New York City (Central Park) has the most good months for staining, painting and concrete combined (20 job-months), and Albany has the fewest (15). If you live between them, expect something in between, and higher ground to be cooler with a shorter season.
Monthly weather in New York City (Central Park)
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Wet days* | Rain | Freezing nights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 40°F | 28°F | 6 | 3.6 in | 21 |
| February | 42°F | 30°F | 6 | 3.2 in | 18 |
| March | 50°F | 36°F | 8 | 4.3 in | 11 |
| April | 62°F | 46°F | 7 | 4.1 in | 1 |
| May | 71°F | 55°F | 7 | 4.0 in | 0 |
| June | 80°F | 64°F | 7 | 4.5 in | 0 |
| July | 85°F | 70°F | 7 | 4.6 in | 0 |
| August | 83°F | 69°F | 7 | 4.6 in | 0 |
| September | 76°F | 62°F | 6 | 4.3 in | 0 |
| October | 65°F | 51°F | 6 | 4.4 in | 0 |
| November | 54°F | 42°F | 6 | 3.6 in | 4 |
| December | 44°F | 34°F | 7 | 4.4 in | 14 |
*Days with at least 0.1 inch of rain or melted snow. Freezing nights: average nights a month at or below 32°F. Humidity is calculated from NOAA hourly normal temperature and dew point at 3 PM.
Monthly weather in Albany
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Wet days* | Rain | 3 PM humidity | Freezing nights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 33°F | 16°F | 6 | 2.6 in | 59% | 28 |
| February | 36°F | 18°F | 5 | 2.3 in | 53% | 26 |
| March | 45°F | 26°F | 7 | 3.1 in | 47% | 24 |
| April | 59°F | 37°F | 7 | 3.1 in | 41% | 9 |
| May | 71°F | 48°F | 8 | 3.4 in | 45% | 1 |
| June | 79°F | 57°F | 8 | 4.0 in | 50% | 0 |
| July | 84°F | 62°F | 8 | 4.5 in | 52% | 0 |
| August | 82°F | 61°F | 7 | 3.8 in | 53% | 0 |
| September | 74°F | 53°F | 6 | 3.7 in | 55% | 0 |
| October | 62°F | 41°F | 6 | 3.9 in | 54% | 5 |
| November | 49°F | 32°F | 6 | 3.0 in | 57% | 17 |
| December | 38°F | 23°F | 7 | 3.3 in | 62% | 26 |
Monthly weather in Buffalo
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Wet days* | Rain | 3 PM humidity | Freezing nights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°F | 19°F | 9 | 3.4 in | 70% | 27 |
| February | 33°F | 20°F | 7 | 2.5 in | 66% | 25 |
| March | 42°F | 26°F | 8 | 2.9 in | 59% | 23 |
| April | 55°F | 37°F | 8 | 3.4 in | 52% | 9 |
| May | 67°F | 48°F | 8 | 3.4 in | 50% | 0 |
| June | 76°F | 58°F | 8 | 3.4 in | 54% | 0 |
| July | 80°F | 63°F | 6 | 3.2 in | 54% | 0 |
| August | 79°F | 62°F | 6 | 3.2 in | 54% | 0 |
| September | 72°F | 55°F | 7 | 4.1 in | 55% | 0 |
| October | 60°F | 44°F | 9 | 4.0 in | 58% | 2 |
| November | 48°F | 34°F | 8 | 3.5 in | 62% | 13 |
| December | 37°F | 26°F | 10 | 3.8 in | 69% | 24 |
Use the averages, then check the forecast
These ratings describe a typical month, not a particular week. A warm spell in a “poor” month can give you a good day, and a wet week can spoil a “good” one. Use this page to plan the season, then check the 7-day forecast for your ZIP code before you buy materials or book help. Each project forecast checks the hours after you finish too: overnight lows, dew and rain that would ruin fresh stain, paint, sealer or concrete.
About this data
Monthly temperatures, rain days, snowfall and freeze dates are NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) U.S. Climate Normals for 1991–2020 at NEW YORK CNTRL PK TWR, ALBANY AP, BUFFALO. Ratings apply the same temperature limits as our forecasts (for example, 50°F or warmer for deck stain and driveway sealer, and no freezing nights for new concrete) to the average month. Your product label always takes priority.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to stain a deck in New York?
In New York City (Central Park), May–October. In Albany, May–September. In Buffalo, May–September. Look for at least 24 dry hours before and after, and nights above about 40°F. The deck staining forecast checks your exact week.
When is the last frost in New York?
New York City (Central Park): around March 30; Albany: around April 27; Buffalo: around April 24. These are median dates from NOAA 1991–2020 normals, so a freeze after them happens in about half of years. Low spots and valleys freeze later in spring.
Can you pour concrete in winter in New York?
Yes, but it needs cold-weather practices. New York City (Central Park) averages about 52 freezing nights from December to February, so fresh concrete needs insulated blankets, a heated enclosure or an accelerated mix, and must not freeze in the first 48 hours. Many homeowners wait for spring.
What months are best for sealing a driveway in New York?
In New York City (Central Park), May–September. In Albany, June–September. In Buffalo, June–September. Most sealers need 50°F or warmer for 24 hours and a dry day after. See the driveway sealing forecast.