Winter in the Adirondacks

 

 

  • Temperature: Daily average in the winter is 16º F in Lake Placid, 19 º F in Northville, 15º F in Old Forge, and 19º F in Plattsburgh.

 

  • Altitude Makes a Difference: The temperature drops 3-5º F for every 1000 feet of elevation gain.

 

  • Coldest day Ever: Old Forge, NY reached -52º F in February 1979. That is cold enough to give you frostbite in 5 minutes.

 

  • Heavy Winds: The windchill can make the temperature feel 10 or more degrees colder.

 

  • Precipitation: Between 15 and 20 inches of snowfall per month.

 

  • Early Snow: Snow begins falling in October or November and usually continues through April or May.  

 

  • Air: The air is generally crisp and clear during winter compared to muggy and humid in the summer.

 

  • Danger: Blizzards are the greatest natural threat to the Adirondacks in the winter

 

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*Global climate change is altering winter in the Adirondacks as we know it. For more information on how climate change is affecting the Adirondacks, visit: http://courses.hamilton.edu/pgreenwa