Hudson Valley - NY05

The climate of New York’s Hudson Valley is generally representative of humid climates in the northeastern United States, but within the division, topography plays a large role, leading to a wide range of microclimates. The division commonly sees cold air masses approach from the west and north. As with much of the Great Lakes region, weather patterns can vary greatly over the course of a week, especially during the fall and spring. Summer temperatures are seldom depressing to humans, and summer nights are typically cool enough to provide relief from mid-day heat. Winters are cold and sometimes severe. Rain and snow are typically delivered by air masses from the Gulf of Mexico or cyclonic systems along the Atlantic coast. Precipitation is relatively well-distributed throughout the year, with most falling during warmer months and in thunderstorms. Snowfall is highly variable based on elevation. The Hudson Valley area also enjoys abundant sunshine compared to the rest of New York State. Despite lying between areas of higher elevation to the west and east, the area seldom experiences long periods of cloud cover or accumulated smog.