Weather in Ithaca

Planning your day in Ithaca or just want to stay updated on weather conditions? Here you will find the latest information, including current data, forecasts, and useful weather graphs.

The climate in Ithaca, USA, is characterised as continental with four clearly defined seasons. Tourists can expect a significant temperature difference throughout the year. Summer, especially in July and August, is warm and pleasant here, with average temperatures reaching 22-25°C. Winters, on the contrary, are cold, with temperatures often dropping below zero, especially in January and February, when averages are around -3°C to -1°C, creating conditions for snowy weather.

Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) are transitional seasons. In spring, the temperature gradually rises from cool to moderately warm, while in autumn, conversely, it smoothly decreases, preparing the city for winter. September often pleases with comfortable weather with fewer rainy days compared to other months.

A feature of the weather in Ithaca is the relatively even distribution of precipitation throughout the year, although the monthly amount is small (3-4 mm). However, it is worth noting the number of "wet days": it is quite high, varying from 10 to 16 days per month. This means the probability of encountering precipitation (rain or snow depending on the season) is quite high, so tourists are recommended to have appropriate clothing and an umbrella at any time of the year.

The climate in Ithaca is characterised by distinct seasonal changes and a significant annual temperature range. The coldest month is usually January, when the average temperature drops to -3.1°C, and minimum values can reach -6.6°C. The hottest period falls in July, with an average temperature of 22.2°C and maximums reaching an average of 26.8°C. Thus, residents and guests of the city can expect temperature fluctuations from palpable winter frosts to a warm, and sometimes hot, summer.

Summer months in Ithaca, from June to August, offer predominantly warm and comfortable weather. In June, the average temperature is about 19.1°C, gradually rising towards July, the warmest month. Daily maximums at the height of summer (July-August) fluctuate in the range of 25-27°C, creating pleasant conditions for outdoor activities. Night temperatures in summer usually drop to 14-18°C, providing coolness after a hot day. The difference between day and night temperatures in the summer period is about 8-10 degrees, which is a noticeable but not sharp drop.

Winter in Ithaca, covering December, January, and February, is cold and frosty. Monthly average temperatures during this period are below zero or around it: from -0.1°C in December to -3.1°C in January. At night, the thermometer regularly drops to -3°C...-7°C, and daily maximums rarely rise significantly above zero, ranging from 0°C to +3°C. Diurnal temperature fluctuations in winter are somewhat smaller than in summer, amounting to approximately 6-9 degrees. Spring and autumn are transitional seasons with gradual temperature changes: March is still quite cool (average +2.3°C), while May already pleases with warmth (average +14.8°C); September retains echoes of summer warmth (average +17.6°C), while November brings noticeable cooling (average +4.5°C).

In Ithaca, precipitation is distributed quite evenly throughout the year, and there is no clearly defined dry season or rainy season in terms of total volume. The monthly amount of precipitation is small and fluctuates mainly between 3 and 4 mm. However, despite these modest figures, days with precipitation occur quite often throughout most of the year.

In winter, from December to February, when average temperatures drop below zero or hover around this mark (for example, the average temperature in January is -3.1°C, December -0.1°C), precipitation mainly falls in the form of snow. January and December stand out with the highest number of days with precipitation (about 16 in each), indicating frequent snowfalls during the winter period. It also snows often in February, about 13 days. In transitional months, such as March (average temperature 2.3°C) and November (average temperature 4.5°C), both rain and snow are possible, especially with temperature fluctuations, although with the rise in temperature in March and before its significant drop in November, rain becomes more likely.

With the arrival of warmth, from April to October, precipitation in Ithaca takes the form of rain. April, despite spring warmth (average temperature 8.0°C), is also characterised by a high frequency of precipitation – 16 days, but these are already spring rains. Summer months, such as July (4 mm of precipitation, 15 days) and August (4 mm of precipitation, 13 days), also bring frequent, but judging by the total amount, light or moderate rains. May, June, and October also have similar figures with 3-4 mm of precipitation and 13-14 rainy days. September can be considered the month with the lowest frequency of precipitation, since on average it accounts for about 10 days with precipitation, although their total amount (3 mm) remains at the level of many other months.

When planning a trip to Ithaca, it is important to consider the changeable weather and distinct seasonal changes. Regardless of the time of year, the key principle when packing a suitcase should be layering. Comfortable walking shoes are an absolute necessity, as there are many picturesque places in Ithaca that are best explored on foot. Considering that precipitation is not uncommon here (on average 10-16 wet days per month), a waterproof jacket or raincoat, as well as a compact umbrella, will become your faithful companions.

Winter months (from December to February) in Ithaca are quite cold, with average temperatures below zero and frequent precipitation, which may fall as snow. Therefore, your luggage must include: a warm winter jacket or down jacket, a hat, a scarf, gloves, as well as warm jumpers, fleece tops, and thermal underwear. Do not forget about waterproof and insulated footwear. Summer months (from June to August) please with warm weather with average temperatures around +19°C to +22°C. For this period, light clothing made of natural fabrics, T-shirts, shorts, and sundresses are suitable. However, even in summer, rain is possible, so a light windbreaker or cardigan for the evening will not be superfluous. Don't forget sunscreen and a hat for sun protection.

Spring (from March to May) and autumn (from September to November) in Ithaca are transitional seasons with a fairly wide temperature range. In early spring and late autumn, it can be quite cool (average temperature in March is +2.3°C, in November +4.5°C), while in May and September, the weather is usually mild and pleasant. During these periods, layered clothing is especially relevant: T-shirts, long-sleeved shirts, light jumpers, jeans or trousers, as well as a mid-season jacket. Depending on the specific month, you may need both lighter and warmer clothes from your winter or summer wardrobe.