Weather in Rochester

Planning a trip or just curious about the weather in Rochester? Here you will find the freshest information: current conditions, forecasts, and convenient weather charts.

The climate in Rochester, United States, is characterised as temperate continental, with four distinct seasons. The city experiences significant temperature fluctuations throughout the year, which is typical for this climatic zone. Visitors should be prepared for diverse weather conditions depending on the time of their trip.

Winters in Rochester are cold, with average January temperatures around -1.9°C, often dropping below freezing. Summer, conversely, is warm and pleasant, with July average temperatures around 22.7°C, making this period popular for visiting. Spring and autumn are transitional seasons with gradual temperature changes: in spring the air warms from cool to moderately warm, whilst autumn sees a gradual cooling.

Precipitation in Rochester is distributed relatively evenly throughout the year, averaging 2-4 mm per month. At the same time, the number of days with precipitation is quite significant (from 10 to 18 days per month), suggesting frequent, but not necessarily heavy, rain or snowfall. This means that light waterproof clothing may be useful at any time of the year.

Rochester observes a distinct change of seasons with a noticeable annual temperature range. The coldest months are traditionally January, with an average temperature of around -1.9°C and minimum values dropping to -4.7°C, and February, where the average temperature is -0.5°C. In contrast, the peak of summer warmth occurs in July, when the average temperature reaches 22.7°C and maximum daytime readings can rise to 26.1°C, and August with an average temperature of 22.1°C.

The summer months in Rochester, from June to August, are characterised by pleasant warm weather, transitioning into hot. Daily average temperatures in June are around 18.7°C, gradually rising by July to 22.7°C, which is the warmest period of the year. Warmth persists in August, with an average temperature of 22.1°C. Daytime highs in the height of summer (July and August) hold steadily in the 25-26°C range, creating comfortable conditions for outdoor activities. Night-time temperatures in summer also remain quite high, averaging from 15.2°C in June to 19.2°C in July.

Winter in Rochester, covering the period from December to February, brings frosty weather. Average temperatures in December hover around 1.3°C, but by January they drop to -1.9°C, and in February they are -0.5°C. Night frosts are a common occurrence, with minimum temperatures reaching -4.0°C and -4.7°C in February and January respectively. Daytime temperatures in winter often remain around or slightly above freezing (from 1.0°C in January to 3.8°C in December). The difference between day and night temperatures throughout the year is not extreme, averaging 5-8°C, which indicates relatively moderate daily fluctuations for this region.

In Rochester, precipitation is distributed quite evenly throughout the year, and there is no clearly defined rainy or dry season in terms of moisture volume. The total amount of precipitation in each month is small, however, it occurs quite frequently. This means that light precipitation can be characteristic of many days in a month, regardless of the season.

The winter months, especially January and December, are characterised by the highest frequency of precipitation – up to 18 days per month. Given average temperatures hovering around freezing or lower (January: -1.9°C, December: 1.3°C), at this time of year snow predominantly falls in Rochester, often in the form of light snowfall. February also remains cold (average temperature -0.5°C) and snowy, with approximately 15 days of precipitation. In March, when the average temperature rises to 2.7°C, both snow and rain are possible.

In spring and summer, the number of days with precipitation decreases slightly but remains significant. May is the month with the lowest recorded volume of precipitation (only 2 mm), yet even in May, there are about 13 days with precipitation. The months with the highest precipitation by volume (4 mm) are April, July, and October; during these periods, it rains for approximately 13-16 days per month. September stands out as the month with the fewest days of precipitation – averaging about 10 days.

Thus, the climate of Rochester is distinguished by frequent, but as a rule, not very heavy precipitation throughout the year. In winter, this is predominantly light snow, and during the rest of the year – rain. Travellers should be prepared for the likelihood of precipitation in any season, although its intensity is usually low.

When planning a trip to Rochester, it is important to consider the changeable weather and frequent precipitation throughout the year. Regardless of the season, you will need comfortable shoes for walking around the city. The key principle when packing your suitcase should be layering your clothes, as this will allow you to easily adapt to temperature changes during the day. Do not forget to take an umbrella or a light waterproof jacket, as the number of days with precipitation is quite high even in months with a small total amount of rainfall.

In winter, from December to February, as well as in early spring (March) and late autumn (November), it can be quite cold in Rochester, with average temperatures around or below freezing. Be sure to pack warm outerwear (a coat or jacket), a hat, gloves, and a scarf. Warm sweaters, fleece tops, and perhaps thermal underwear will not go amiss, especially if you plan to spend a lot of time outdoors. Given the frequent precipitation, which in winter can fall as snow, waterproof footwear would also be a good choice.

The summer months, from June to August, bring warmer weather with average temperatures around +20°C...+23°C. You will need light clothing: t-shirts, shorts, dresses. However, evenings can be cool, so it is worth taking a light jacket or sweater with you. Don't forget sunscreen and a hat for sun protection. In spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October), the weather is moderate but changeable. During this period, layered clothing is ideal: t-shirts, long-sleeved shirts, light jackets, and jumpers. An umbrella or raincoat remains relevant due to the likelihood of rain.