The climate of Clifton
Identified by the Köppen climate classification as a Cfa or a humid subtropical region,
Clifton,
New Jersey experiences a wide range of weather conditions throughout the year. Due to its strategic geographical placement, the area is influenced by both coastal and inland weather patterns. The influence of these patterns result in a wide range of temperatures, from a low of 23.9°F (-4.5°C) in the colder months to a high of 84.2°F (29°C) during the peak summer.
Temperature changes from season to season are quite significant. With winter bringing the low, near freezing temperatures, and summer seeing the high temperature rising above 80°F (26.7°C). In terms of rainfall, the area experiences a fairly even distribution throughout the year, with the most precipitation occurring in
July, when it measures up to 3.35" (85mm).
Wind speed, on the other hand, remains relatively constant throughout the year, fluctuating slightly between 5.7mph (9.2km/h) and 8.7mph (14km/h). Snowfall is a common annual occurrence, peaking in
February with 3.58" (91mm) of snow. Unique in Clifton's weather are months of
December and
January, where the sun shines the least, averaging at 4.9 hours per day.
The best time to visit Clifton
Taking into consideration the range of weather conditions, the best time to visit
Clifton is arguably during the late spring and early summer — specifically, from
May to
June. During these months, temperatures range comfortably from 69.4°F (20.8°C) to 77.5°F (25.3°C), providing ideal conditions for outdoor activities. The UV index ranges between 5 and 6, suggesting a moderate need for sun protection.
The worst time to visit Clifton
The least favorable time to visit
Clifton is during the colder months of winter, particularly in
January and
February. These months exhibit the lowest temperatures of the year, dropping to as low as 23.9°F (-4.5°C), coupled with a high likelihood of snowfall - up to 3.58" (91mm). Limited daylight hours, averaging 10 hours a day, can provide for a somewhat restricted experience for travelers.
Spring weather in Clifton
Spring in
Clifton is characterized by a steady increase in temperature, starting with an average of 35.4°F (1.9°C) in
March, and gradually rising to 58.5°F (14.7°C) in
April and 69.4°F (20.8°C) by
May. Rainfall also consistently increases to 3.03" (77mm) in May. Although snowfall generally ceases by the end of March, in April it is not uncommon to experience the last of the season's snow before transitioning into the balmy conditions of summer.
Summer weather in Clifton
Summer ushers in
Clifton's warmest months. The temperature constantly hovers around 70°F (21.1°C), peaking at 84.2°F (29°C) in
July. Despite the increased temperature, these months also bring significant rainfall, with July witnessing the heaviest rainfall, totaling 3.35" (85mm). Notably, relative humidity stays consistent around 72%, which can make the heat feel more intense.
Autumn weather in Clifton
Autumn sees a steady decrease in temperatures from 75.2°F (24°C) in
September to a more brisk 50.9°F (10.5°C) in
November. Rainfall decreases slightly during the autumn months, providing fairly dry conditions. However, significant daylight decrease accompanied by shorter sunshine hours marking the transition into the colder months.
Winter weather in Clifton
Winter in
Clifton is marked by low temperatures along with frequent snowfall. With temperatures plummeting to as low as 23.9°F (-4.5°C) in
January, it provides a stark contrast from the warm summer months. Snowfall reaches its apex in
February, reaching up to 3.58" (91mm). Shortened daylight hours of 9 hours and 30 minutes coupled with low visibility due to fog and snowfall, speaks to the chilly winter weather in Clifton.
Weather in January
January marks the start of the new year in
Clifton,
New Jersey. The city experiences winter during this time, with temperatures dipping as low as 23.9°F (-4.5°C) and only reaching a high of 35.4°F (1.9°C). As a result, snowfall is a common occurrence in this month, with an expected snowfall of 2.32" (59mm) correlated with the lower temperatures.
Weather in January » Weather in February
Weather in March
Transitioning from winter to spring, the weather in
Clifton in
March provides more moderate temperatures. With the arrival of spring, residents can witness a considerable rise in temperature and daylight as compared to the winter months.
Weather in March »
Weather in April
By
April, spring is in full swing in
Clifton,
New Jersey. An increase in daylight hours signals longer days and more opportunities for outdoor activities. Coinciding with the season's change, there's an observable decrease in snowfall and an increase in rainfall, marking a transition in the form of precipitation.
Weather in April »Weather in May
May imprints the impression of late spring on the weather calendar of
Clifton,
New Jersey. With a substantial increase in both the daily high and low temperatures from
April, the city truly starts to warm up. Accompanied by an extension in daylight hours, the weather in May encourages an outdoor-friendly environment.
Weather in May » Weather in June
The arrival of
June brings summer to
Clifton,
New Jersey. The rise in temperatures continues, warming the city up significantly. Notably, the daily maximum temperature can reach as high as 77.5°F (25.3°C), portraying the classic summer heat.
Weather in June »
Weather in July
July is the height of summer in
Clifton,
New Jersey, and is the hottest month of the year. Average temperatures exceed 80°F (26.7°C), with the highest temperature recorded at 84.2°F (29°C). This month also witnesses the least relative humidity over the year, dropping to 72%.
Weather in July » Weather in August
By
August, the weather in
Clifton,
New Jersey, remains in the summer groove. Although the temperatures start to decline from
July’s highs, they remain comfortably settled in the 80°F (26.7°C) range. Interestingly, August sees a slight decrease in average daylight hours compared to July, but they're still high enough to enjoy a lot of sunshine.
Weather in August »Weather in September
Weather in October
Weather in November
As
November arrives, the city of
Clifton,
New Jersey starts to feel the cold. With a significant drop in temperature from the previous month, November truly kickstarts the transition to winter conditions. With fewer daylight hours, November ushers in shorter days and longer nights.
Weather in November »Weather in December
Concluding the year, the last month is truly a winter month for the citizens of
Clifton,
New Jersey.
December takes temperatures to as low as 31.1°F (-0.5°C), signifying a distinct switch from the preceding month. As the daylight hours continue to decrease, the city gets engulfed in a longer duration of darkness.
Weather in December »