Winter nights in Washington Mills are colder than in 90% of U.S. towns
High summer brings afternoon highs near 81°. Its July afternoons stay fresher than in 86% of U.S. towns. Warming shows here too: 1.3° more than in 1901–2000, led by December. Homes need heating from October to April, the months averaging under 50°.
A year in Washington Mills at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about Washington Mills’ climate
Compared with towns across the U.S., with Washington Mills’ place in New York beside it.
What a year in Washington Mills feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
About 164 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by May 1 and the first by October 13. Frost and day counts come from NOAA’s station at Utica Oneida Co Airport, 9 miles from the town’s center, at about the same height.
The 2023 USDA map puts Washington Mills’ center in zone 5b: the coldest night of a typical winter, averaged over 1991–2020, reaches about −13°. Plant labels use the zone; frost dates tell you when to plant.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
About 43 inches of rain a year
June is the wettest month and February the driest.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Heating and cooling a home in Washington Mills
94% of the work is heating, so the furnace matters far more than the air conditioner. Months averaging under 55° run from October through April.
Degree days add up how far each day’s average falls below (heating) or rises above (cooling) 65° over a year. NOAA normals at Utica Oneida Co Airport.
Living with Washington Mills’ climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a free afternoon and a bad-weather day.
164 frost-free days in zone 5b. The last frost comes by May 1 in half of years, so many gardeners wait a week or two past that to set out tomatoes. The first fall frost comes by Oct 13.
Months with highs of 62–84° and lows of 40° or more: May, June, July, August and September.
Parks & trails →Of the yearly building losses FEMA expects in Washington Mills from natural hazards, river flooding is the largest share (74%); heat waves, cold waves, winter storms and ice storms together are 14%. Normals are averages; the hazards page covers the extremes.
Natural hazards →Washington Mills and its neighbors
Every town next door is within a degree of Washington Mills in January and July, closer than the 5 km grid can tell apart. Tap a town to see its climate.
Temperatures and rain come from NOAA’s 5 km grid, so each town gets its own value. Snow and frost-free days come from the nearest weather station, so neighbors often share them.
Warmer than it used to be
The last 30 years in Washington Mills averaged 1.3° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in December (+3.1°).
A smaller shift than in 55% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
The two periods overlap (1991–2000 is in both), which makes the gap a little smaller than it would be between separate periods.
How Washington Mills compares
Against 12,954 U.S. towns of 2,500 or more (one per 5 km climate cell), with Washington Mills’ place among New York’s.
Washington Mills weather by month
Highs, lows and precipitation from NOAA’s grid at Washington Mills’ center. 1991–2020 normals.
| Month | High | Low | Rain + melt | 30-yr range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30° | 13° | 2.7" | 10° – 30° |
| February | 33° | 14° | 2.3" | 10° – 30° |
| March | 42° | 22° | 3.0" | 24° – 44° |
| April | 56° | 33° | 3.6" | 37° – 50° |
| May | 69° | 45° | 3.9" | 51° – 63° |
| June | 77° | 54° | 4.4" | 63° – 71° |
| July | 81° | 59° | 4.3" | 65° – 74° |
| August | 80° | 57° | 4.1" | 65° – 72° |
| September | 73° | 50° | 3.7" | 58° – 66° |
| October | 60° | 39° | 4.2" | 44° – 56° |
| November | 47° | 30° | 3.3" | 33° – 44° |
| December | 35° | 21° | 3.2" | 20° – 40° |
| Year | 57° | 36° | 42.7" |
How much a month can swing
A normal is an average. February swings the most: from 1991 to 2020 its average ranged from 10° to 30°. August is the most reliable, staying within 7°.
Where Washington Mills’ numbers come from
Normals are 30-year averages, not a forecast. How TownRatings reads climate data →
- Temperatures and precipitation: NOAA’s gridded 1991–2020 normals for the 5 km cell at Washington Mills’ center.
- Frost, freezing nights, 90° and 100° days, heating and cooling: Utica Oneida Co Airport, 9 miles from the town’s center, at about the same height; the nearest station that passes our checks for distance, height and agreement with the grid.
- Growing zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, 2023. USDA Agricultural Research Service and PRISM Group, Oregon State University, prism.oregonstate.edu/phzm, accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Then and now: NOAA’s gridded normals for 1901–2000 at the same cell.
- Storms and extremes: FEMA National Risk Index (expected annual losses to buildings).
Common questions about Washington Mills’ climate
What is the weather like in Washington Mills?
A typical July afternoon reaches 81°, a January night drops to 13°. Colder January nights than 90% of U.S. towns; cooler July afternoons than 86% of U.S. towns.
How cold does it get in Washington Mills in winter?
January nights average 13°. About 140 nights a year reach 32° or below and 11 reach 0° or below. In the coldest January of the last 30 years the month averaged 10°.
How hot does it get in Washington Mills?
July, with a typical high of 81° and a low of 59°. About 5 days a year reach 90° (Utica Oneida Co Airport).
When is the first and last frost in Washington Mills?
In half of years the last spring frost (32°) comes by May 1 and the first fall frost by October 13, about 164 frost-free days, at Utica Oneida Co Airport.
What growing zone is Washington Mills in?
Zone 5b on the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map: the coldest night of a typical winter reaches about −13°.
What is the best time of year to visit Washington Mills?
By one simple rule (highs of 62–84° and lows of 40° or more), May, June, July, August and September. The rule is ours, not NOAA’s; the month table has the numbers to judge by.
Is Washington Mills getting warmer?
Yes: 1991–2020 averaged 1.3° warmer than 1901–2000 on NOAA’s grid. A smaller shift than 55% of U.S. towns.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in Washington Mills.
Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 and 1901–2000; USDA/PRISM 2023 hardiness zones; FEMA National Risk Index. Today’s forecast: National Weather Service.