Weather in Niagara Falls

Planning your time in the city of Niagara Falls? Here you will find the freshest weather information, including detailed forecasts and visual charts to help you be ready for any of nature's whims.

The climate in the city of Niagara Falls, USA, can be characterised as temperate continental, with four clearly defined seasons. Travellers can expect significant changes in weather conditions throughout the year, making each season unique for visiting. Winters here are quite cold, with average temperatures dropping below freezing, while summers are warm and comfortable, ideal for exploring the surroundings.

The summer months, especially July and August, are the warmest, with average temperatures around 22-23°C, and maximums reaching 25°C. In winter, during January and February, the average temperature holds around -1°C to -2°C, with minimum values dropping to -4°C. Spring and autumn are transitional seasons with moderate temperatures, offering picturesque landscapes and comfortable weather for walking.

As for precipitation, it is distributed quite evenly throughout the year, without a pronounced rainy season. A small amount of precipitation falls monthly, around 2-4 mm, with the number of days with precipitation ranging from 10 to 15. This means that light precipitation is possible at any time of the year, so it is worth considering this when planning your trip and perhaps bringing an umbrella or a light jacket.

The city of Niagara Falls in the USA experiences notable seasonal temperature fluctuations. The hottest months are July, with an average temperature of 22.7°C (minimum night temperature around 19.8°C, maximum day up to 25.6°C), and August, where the average temperature is 22.2°C (minimum night around 19.4°C, maximum day up to 25.0°C). In contrast, the coldest months are January, with an average temperature of -1.8°C (minimum night drops to -4.3°C, and maximum day rarely rises above 0.7°C), and February with an average temperature of -1.0°C (minimum night -4.0°C, maximum day 2.0°C). Thus, the annual temperature range is quite wide, offering diverse weather conditions for visitors.

The summer months, including June (average temperature 19.2°C, with daily highs up to 22.3°C and nightly lows around 16.1°C), as well as the aforementioned July and August, are characterised by pleasantly warm weather, ideal for sightseeing. Daily highs during this period consistently stay in the range of 22-26°C, and nights remain warm, with temperatures rarely dropping below 16-20°C. This creates comfortable conditions for evening walks and outdoor activities.

Winter in Niagara Falls, covering December, January, and February, brings frosty weather. Average daily temperatures (maximum values for December 3.7°C, January 0.7°C, February 2.0°C) often hover around zero or drop lower, especially in January and February. Nightly lows in these months can reach -4°C and below (for example, -4.3°C in January). Even in March, the average minimum temperature is still close to zero (-0.5°C). Throughout the year, moderate temperature fluctuations between day and night are observed, usually within 4-7°C, meaning evenings can be noticeably cooler than days, especially in the transitional seasons and winter.

Precipitation in Niagara Falls is distributed fairly evenly throughout the year, sparing travellers the need to adjust to a distinct rainy season or a prolonged dry period. The total amount of precipitation each month is small, varying within the range of 2-4 mm. This pattern of moisture means that heavy downpours or, conversely, prolonged droughts are unlikely here.

Speaking of slight variations, slightly more precipitation (4 mm) can be expected in April and July, while March, May, and September are considered months with the least amount of precipitation (2 mm). In terms of precipitation frequency, October leads, with an average of about 15 days with precipitation. It is followed by January, April, and December, each with approximately 14 "wet" days. Precipitation occurs least frequently in September – about 10 days per month.

The nature of precipitation in Niagara Falls directly depends on the time of year. In winter, especially in January and February, when the thermometer consistently stays below freezing (average temperature around -1°C to -2°C), precipitation falls primarily as snow. In transitional months, such as December (average temperature 1.6°C) and March (average temperature 2.5°C), both snowfall and rain are possible, depending on the current temperature. Starting from April and through October, in the warm season, all precipitation comes in the form of rain. Given the overall small amount of millimetres, this is typically light or moderate precipitation rather than prolonged downpours.

When packing your suitcase for a trip to Niagara Falls, it is important to consider the changeable nature of the weather and the proximity to the powerful waterfalls. The key principle is layering your clothing, which will allow you to feel comfortable with temperature changes throughout the day. Regardless of the season, comfortable waterproof walking shoes are absolutely essential, as you will be moving around a lot, and the paths near the falls can be wet from the spray. It is also worth always having a light waterproof jacket or raincoat with you, even if the forecast promises sunshine – the famous mist from the falls can be quite refreshing, but also wet!

In summer (June-August), when average temperatures hover around 19-23°C, you will need light clothing: t-shirts, shorts, sundresses, thin trousers. Do not forget sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. Despite the warmth, evening coolness or sudden rain (precipitation around 3-4 mm per month) make a light jacket or sweater a useful addition. In winter (December-February), it is cold in Niagara Falls, with average temperatures around -1°C to 1.6°C and frequent precipitation in the form of snow (about 3 mm per month, 13-14 days with precipitation). Be sure to take warm, waterproof, and windproof clothing: a winter jacket, sweaters, thermal underwear, a hat, a scarf, and gloves. Warm waterproof shoes with non-slip soles are also extremely important.

In the transitional seasons – spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) – the weather can be very different. It is still cool in March (average temperature around 2.5°C), while May is already warmer (around 13.4°C). September often pleases with pleasant weather (average 19.1°C), while November brings cooling (around 6.0°C). For these months, a layering strategy works best: t-shirts, long-sleeved shirts, jumpers, and a mid-season jacket. An umbrella may come in handy, especially in October when there can be up to 15 days with precipitation, although it will not always save you from the waterfall spray – a hooded jacket will be more reliable here.