Updated October 2026
Gateway National Recreation Area Weather by Month
Gateway National Recreation Area is warmest in July, when the nearest NOAA climate station averages a high of 85°F and a low of 70°F, and coldest in January, with an average high of 40°F and an average low of 28°F. July is the wettest month, with about 4.9 inches of precipitation. Snowfall is heaviest in February, at about 8.5 inches.
These figures are NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals, the 30-year average for each calendar month, from the nearest long-record weather station, 3.9 miles from the park's reference point. A single station cannot describe a whole park: temperatures elsewhere in Gateway National Recreation Area can differ from these, particularly with elevation.
Warmest month
Jul
85°F avg high
Coldest month
Jan
28°F avg low
Wettest month
Jul
4.9 in avg
Snowiest month
Feb
8.5 in avg
Longest days
Jun
14.9 h of daylight
Average weather at Gateway by month
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Precipitation | Snowfall | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 40°F | 28°F | 3.5 in | 6.5 in | 9.4 h |
| February | 42°F | 29°F | 3.0 in | 8.5 in | 10.4 h |
| March | 50°F | 35°F | 4.4 in | 4.4 in | 11.7 h |
| April | 61°F | 45°F | 3.9 in | 0.6 in | 13.1 h |
| May | 71°F | 54°F | 4.0 in | 0.0 in | 14.3 h |
| June | 79°F | 64°F | 4.4 in | 0.0 in | 14.9 h |
| July | 85°F | 70°F | 4.9 in | 0.0 in | 14.6 h |
| August | 83°F | 69°F | 3.9 in | 0.0 in | 13.6 h |
| September | 77°F | 62°F | 3.9 in | 0.0 in | 12.3 h |
| October | 65°F | 51°F | 4.0 in | 0.0 in | 10.9 h |
| November | 54°F | 41°F | 3.2 in | 0.2 in | 9.7 h |
| December | 45°F | 33°F | 4.0 in | 4.3 in | 9.1 h |
| Year total | 47.1 in | 24.5 in |
NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals from station USC00305796, 3.9 miles from the park's reference point. Daylight is the monthly average, computed from the park's latitude. Each month links to how crowded Gateway is at that time of year.
Gateway weather by season
Winter: December to February
Average highs bottom out at 40°F in January, between 45°F in December and 42°F in February, with average lows between 28°F and 33°F. The average low is at or below freezing in January and February. Together the three months average 10.5 inches of precipitation, about 22% of the yearly total and less than in any other season. Snowfall averages about 19 inches for the season. Daylight is at its shortest, about 9.1 hours in December.
Spring: March to May
Average highs climb from 50°F in March to 71°F in May, with average lows between 35°F and 54°F. Together the three months average 12.3 inches of precipitation, about 26% of the yearly total. Snowfall averages about 5 inches for the season, most of it in March. Daylight lengthens from about 11.7 hours in March to 14.3 in May.
Summer: June to August
Average highs peak at 85°F in July, between 79°F in June and 83°F in August, with average lows between 64°F and 70°F. Together the three months average 13.2 inches of precipitation, about 28% of the yearly total and more than in any other season. Daylight is at its longest, about 14.9 hours in June.
Fall: September to November
Average highs fall from 77°F in September to 54°F in November, with average lows between 41°F and 62°F. Together the three months average 11.1 inches of precipitation, about 24% of the yearly total. Snowfall averages about 0.2 inches for the season. Daylight shortens from about 12.3 hours in September to 9.7 in November.
What the National Park Service says about the weather
Gateway National Recreation Area includes several separate land areas spread throughout the New York metropolitan area. The New York area experiences four distinct seasons. Temperatures are moderate in the spring and fall, but range from the high 90's during the summer to snow and sleet in winter.
Weather description courtesy of the National Park Service — official park site.
Today's forecast for Gateway
Averages describe a typical month, not this week. For current conditions and the seven-day outlook, the National Weather Service issues a forecast for the park's reference point at 40.57°N, 73.92°W. It covers that one spot, so other elevations in the park can differ from it, as they do from the averages above.
National Weather Service forecast for Gateway National Recreation Area →
Weather and crowds together
July is both the warmest month and the busiest, with about 1.6× the visitors of the park's average month. February is the quietest. To see those crowds set against the weather for all twelve months, read the best time to visit Gateway National Recreation Area. For hotels, cabins and rentals close to the park, see where to stay near Gateway.
Where to stay near Gateway
Picked a month for Gateway National Recreation Area? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Gateway
Prices for Oct 16–18, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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Frequently Asked Questions
July is the warmest month at Gateway National Recreation Area, with an average high of 85°F and an average low of 70°F. That is the 1991–2020 average at the nearest long-record NOAA station, 3.9 miles from the park's reference point. Temperatures inside the park can differ, particularly with elevation.
January is the coldest month at Gateway National Recreation Area, with an average low of 28°F and an average high of 40°F, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.
July is the wettest month, with about 4.9 inches of precipitation. February is the driest, at about 3 inches. The station records about 47.1 inches of precipitation in an average year.
Yes. The nearest long-record NOAA station, 3.9 miles from the park's reference point, averages about 25 inches of snow a year. February is the snowiest month, at about 8.5 inches. The station averages at least a tenth of an inch of snow in 6 of the 12 months.
Weather at nearby parks
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11 mi away · warmest in July (87°F)
11 mi away · warmest in July (85°F)
11 mi away · warmest in July (85°F)
12 mi away · warmest in July (85°F)
Keep exploring
Sources: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (station USC00305796), daylight computed from latitude, weather description from the National Park Service, crowd levels from National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1979–2025). Updated 2026-10-11. Lodging results are provided by Stay22; WhenToVisitParks may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.