Tag Archives: sea breeze

NYC (KLGA) Climatology for September

During my time taking classes as part of Penn State University’s Undergraduate Certificate in Weather Forecasting, we were taught that understanding the climatology of the location you are interested in is an important prerequisite for making accurate forecasts. This post continues on this theme, adding a climatology for September.

Other Month’s Climatologies

January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
October
November
December

Station Basic Information

City Name / Station ID: New York, NY (LaGuardia Airport – KLGA)

Local Geography and Topography

Station Elevation: 10 feet above sea level.

Station Location: LaGuardia Airport (KLGA) is situated on the north shore of Queens along the East River, approximately 6 miles east-northeast of Midtown Manhattan.

KLGA’s location within the broader NYC area, as seen in a Google Maps terrain view

Important Topographical Features: New York City is located in the extreme southeastern corner of New York State, bordering suburban New Jersey and Connecticut. These suburban regions combined with those in Long Island comprise the Greater New York City Metropolitan Area, which is the most populous urban agglomeration in the United States and one of the populous urbanized areas in the world with an estimated population of 18 million. New York City itself sprawls across the coastal plain around the Hudson River estuary. The terminal moraine formed by glaciers of the last Ice Age result in a ridge of higher terrain that cuts a swath from southwest to northeast across the boroughs from northern Staten Island, northern Brooklyn, southwestern through central and northeastern Queens. Otherwise, the city itself is low lying. This ridge varies in height between 200-400 feet, rising sharply from south to north, but tapering more gently north. North and west of the city (about 30-50 miles away), lie significant elevations of the Catskills (north), Poconos (west), Taconics that are part of the broader Appalachian Mountain Range. The elevations of the lower foothills can range from 1000-1500 feet. Some of the elevations in the Poconos and Catskills, west and north of KLGA respectively, peak between 2000-3000 feet. The open expanse of the Atlantic Ocean lies south of KLGA and New York City. Long Island Sound also lies east-northeast. The vast urbanized area of the NYC metropolitan region has significant effects on local microclimates via differential heating (urban heat island effect). KLGA is in a low-lying area sensitive to UHI effects and marine influences.

Topographical map of New York State

Per the Local Climatological Data report from the National Weather Service:

On winter mornings, ocean temperatures which are warm relative to the land reinforce the effect of the city heat island and low temperatures are often 10-20 degrees lower in the inland suburbs than in the central city. The relatively warm water temperatures also delay the advent of winter snows. Conversely, the lag in warming of water temperatures keeps spring temperatures relatively cool. One year-round measure of the ocean influence is the small average daily variation in temperature.

National Weather Service – NYC Office

Wind Patterns

Below is a wind rose – you can read more about how to interpret this chart here.

Frequency (percentage) of the single most common wind direction: Due northeast (9.5%).

Directions that are most and least common: Most common wind directions include due south (9%), due southwest (8.5%), and northwest (8%). Least common wind directions are east-southeast (1.5%), due southeast (2.5%), and due east (3.5%).

Direction(s) most likely to produce the fastest winds: Winds of 16.5-21.4 knots are most frequently found coming from due northeast, and due northeast. North-northwest, east-northeast, and due south directions can also see less frequent winds over 21.4 knots.

Direction(s) least likely to produce the fastest winds: As is the case with several other months, the least common wind directions of due east, east-southeast, and due southeast also rarely seen winds in excess of 16.4 knots.

Impacts of wind direction on local weather: September’s wind profile sees a shift away from the general pattern of the summer months preceding it (June, July, August) during which southerly winds are predominant, and during which due south is the single most common wind direction. April is the last calendar month when due south isn’t the single most common wind direction, so it takes quite a bit of time in order for winds to shift off this summer pattern.

The most common wind directions in September are almost evenly split between northeasterly and northwesterly and southerly and southwesterly winds in percentage terms of frequency. Northwesterly winds are notably more frequent, and faster northeasterly and northwesterly winds start to appear in September as opposed to the summer months. Northwesterly winds in general will bring cooler, drier Canadian air into the region following cold fronts. Northeasterly winds, on the other hand, are related to backdoor cold fronts sweeping from the Canadian Maritimes, the onshore flow ahead of an advancing warm front, or a passing coastal storm.

The continued downward trend in southerly winds is likely a reflection of the diminishing influence of sea breezes as average land temperatures cool while average sea surface temperatures are still close to their peak (though also cooling). The narrowing gap between these two will tend to reduce the potential for sea breeze circulations to set up. However, these sea breezes can still exert an influence on local temperature and can still provide boundaries for convection. Southwesterly winds are also similarly capable of bringing in oppressive heat, as seen in the temperature section below.

Maximum observed two-minute wind speed for the month: 44 knots (51 mph)

Temperature and Precipitation Averages/Records

Temperature units are in Fahrenheit and precipitation is in inches.

Worth noting: September can still offer up oppressive heat, especially in the first half of the month. The monthly all-time record high of 102°F is also the second highest record temperature recorded for the year at KLGA (August has the hottest record high: 104°F). September’s monthly precipitation record of 4.63″ in one day is also has the 3rd highest single-day precipitation record after April and August. While it can get quite hot in September, it’s also possible for temperatures to get cold too, with the record low for the month in the low-40s! Average high temperatures dip back below 80°F and average lows drop below 60°F again in September after the summer months, marking a definite fall feel.

‘DateNormal HighNormal LowRecord HighRecord LowRecord Lowest MaxRecord Highest MinNormal PrecipRecord Precip
18167965567780.111.20
281661025665810.122.88
38066955468770.122.33
48066935466800.123.12
58066935467790.121.00
68065965362790.123.21
77965905366740.122.37
87965955465760.123.85
97964935365770.110.56
107864955067760.121.47
117864965164780.122.93
127863945268750.123.63
137763935061750.132.93
147763924863740.132.93
157762914959760.130.82
167662954862730.124.63
177662954861790.121.65
187661894864720.131.99
197561924961720.131.62
207560904661740.131.72
217560894359730.133.02
227460934756730.121.00
237459934257770.122.14
247359914452730.121.34
257359904257720.132.84
267358904457720.123.19
277258904356730.132.72
287257844256720.143.27
297157864358720.141.85
307157884356710.141.80
Range71-8157-6784-10242-5652-6871-810.11-0.140.56-4.63



NYC (KLGA) Climatology for August

During my time taking classes as part of Penn State University’s Undergraduate Certificate in Weather Forecasting, we were taught that understanding the climatology of the location you are interested in is an important prerequisite for making accurate forecasts. This post continues on this theme, adding a climatology for August.

Other Month’s Climatologies

January
February
March
April
May
June
July
September
October
November
December

Station Basic Information

City Name / Station ID: New York, NY (LaGuardia Airport – KLGA)

Local Geography and Topography

Station Elevation: 10 feet above sea level.

Station Location: LaGuardia Airport (KLGA) is situated on the north shore of Queens along the East River, approximately 6 miles east-northeast of Midtown Manhattan.

KLGA’s location within the broader NYC area, as seen in a Google Maps terrain view

Important Topographical Features: New York City is located in the extreme southeastern corner of New York State, bordering suburban New Jersey and Connecticut. These suburban regions combined with those in Long Island comprise the Greater New York City Metropolitan Area, which is the most populous urban agglomeration in the United States and one of the populous urbanized areas in the world with an estimated population of 18 million. New York City itself sprawls across the coastal plain around the Hudson River estuary. The terminal moraine formed by glaciers of the last Ice Age result in a ridge of higher terrain that cuts a swath from southwest to northeast across the boroughs from northern Staten Island, northern Brooklyn, southwestern through central and northeastern Queens. Otherwise, the city itself is low lying. This ridge varies in height between 200-400 feet, rising sharply from south to north, but tapering more gently north. North and west of the city (about 30-50 miles away), lie significant elevations of the Catskills (north), Poconos (west), Taconics that are part of the broader Appalachian Mountain Range. The elevations of the lower foothills can range from 1000-1500 feet. Some of the elevations in the Poconos and Catskills, west and north of KLGA respectively, peak between 2000-3000 feet. The open expanse of the Atlantic Ocean lies south of KLGA and New York City. Long Island Sound also lies east-northeast. The vast urbanized area of the NYC metropolitan region has significant effects on local microclimates via differential heating (urban heat island effect). KLGA is in a low-lying area sensitive to UHI effects and marine influences.

Topographical map of New York State

Per the Local Climatological Data from the National Weather Service:

On winter mornings, ocean temperatures which are warm relative to the land reinforce the effect of the city heat island and low temperatures are often 10-20 degrees lower in the inland suburbs than in the central city. The relatively warm water temperatures also delay the advent of winter snows. Conversely, the lag in warming of water temperatures keeps spring temperatures relatively cool. One year-round measure of the ocean influence is the small average daily variation in temperature.

National Weather Service – NYC Office

Wind Patterns

Below is a wind rose – you can read more about how to interpret this chart here.

Frequency (percentage) of the single most common wind direction: Due south (12.25%).

Directions that are most and least common: Most common wind directions include due southwest (10%), due northeast (9.75%), and south-southwest (8.75%). Least common wind directions are east-southeast (1%), due southeast (2.5%), and due east (2%).

Direction(s) most likely to produce the fastest winds: Winds of 16.5-21.4 knots are most frequently found coming from due northeast, and due south. It appears that due northeast also has some probability of exceeding 21.4 knots.

Direction(s) least likely to produce the fastest winds: As is the case with several other months, the least common wind directions of due east, east-southeast, and due southeast also rarely seen winds in excess of 16.4 knots.

Impacts of wind direction on local weather: August winds continue to exhibit a distinctive summer pattern, and share many of the characteristics of the wind profiles for June and July. Southerly and southwesterly winds are a touch less common in August versus July, while northwesterly winds increase in frequency slightly. Like in July, heat waves can accompany the clockwise return flow from the southwest when subtropical Bermuda highs set up southeast of the area. A slight down tick in the frequency of southerly winds may point to a decline in sea breezes, with sea surface temperatures continuing to warm and narrowing the gap with average air temperatures. Increases in northwesterly winds could be an indication of a stronger influence from Canadian high pressure.

Maximum observed two-minute wind speed for the month: 45 (52 mph)

Temperature and Precipitation Averages/Records

Temperature units are in Fahrenheit and precipitation is in inches.

DateNormal HighNormal LowRecord HighRecord LowRecord Lowest MaxRecord Highest MinNormal PrecipRecord Precip
185701006269830.152.03
285701025973860.151.31
385701005970820.162.80
48570996275800.152.78
585701005769810.152.08
68570955769810.152.34
78570996165810.131.31
88570985972810.142.54
985701046171820.142.97
108570995762810.141.91
118570995768790.122.03
128470985664820.136.40
1384701005667840.134.12
148469985972810.146.60
158469975967820.130.98
168469965867790.142.48
178469945870790.133.54
188469955969810.131.18
198469945971770.132.74
208369985870770.141.31
218369975762780.131.24
228368935569780.132.34
238368925670750.141.96
248368935565770.131.40
258368965367800.132.09
2682681035361800.122.58
278268995570780.124.73
288267995461810.113.62
2982671005166840.112.57
308167995470810.111.89
3181671005268790.111.60
Range81-8567-7092-10451-6261-7575-860.11-0.160.98-6.60



NYC (KLGA) Climatology for July

During my time taking classes as part of Penn State University’s Undergraduate Certificate in Weather Forecasting, we were taught that understanding the climatology of the location you are interested in is an important prerequisite for making accurate forecasts. This post continues on this theme, adding a climatology for July.

Other Month’s Climatologies

January
February
March
April
May
June
August
September
October
November
December

Station Basic Information

City Name / Station ID: New York, NY (LaGuardia Airport – KLGA)

Local Geography and Topography

Station Elevation: 10 feet above sea level.

Station Location: LaGuardia Airport (KLGA) is situated on the north shore of Queens along the East River, approximately 6 miles east-northeast of Midtown Manhattan.

KLGA’s location within the broader NYC area, as seen in a Google Maps terrain view

Important Topographical Features: New York City is located in the extreme southeastern corner of New York State, bordering suburban New Jersey and Connecticut. These suburban regions combined with those in Long Island comprise the Greater New York City Metropolitan Area, which is the most populous urban agglomeration in the United States and one of the populous urbanized areas in the world with an estimated population of 18 million. New York City itself sprawls across the coastal plain around the Hudson River estuary. The terminal moraine formed by glaciers of the last Ice Age result in a ridge of higher terrain that cuts a swath from southwest to northeast across the boroughs from northern Staten Island, northern Brooklyn, southwestern through central and northeastern Queens. Otherwise, the city itself is low lying. This ridge varies in height between 200-400 feet, rising sharply from south to north, but tapering more gently north. North and west of the city (about 30-50 miles away), lie significant elevations of the Catskills (north), Poconos (west), Taconics that are part of the broader Appalachian Mountain Range. The elevations of the lower foothills can range from 1000-1500 feet. Some of the elevations in the Poconos and Catskills, west and north of KLGA respectively, peak between 2000-3000 feet. The open expanse of the Atlantic Ocean lies south of KLGA and New York City. Long Island Sound also lies east-northeast. The vast urbanized area of the NYC metropolitan region has significant effects on local microclimates via differential heating (urban heat island effect). KLGA is in a low-lying area sensitive to UHI effects and marine influences.

Topographical map of New York State

Per the Local Climatological Data report from the National Weather Service:

On winter mornings, ocean temperatures which are warm relative to the land reinforce the effect of the city heat island and low temperatures are often 10-20 degrees lower in the inland suburbs than in the central city. The relatively warm water temperatures also delay the advent of winter snows. Conversely, the lag in warming of water temperatures keeps spring temperatures relatively cool. One year-round measure of the ocean influence is the small average daily variation in temperature.

National Weather Service – NYC Office

Wind Patterns

Below is a wind rose – you can read more about how to interpret this chart here.

Frequency (percentage) of the single most common wind direction: Due south (13.5%).

Directions that are most and least common: Most common wind directions include due southwest (9.5%), due northeast (9.25%), and due northwest (8.5%). Least common wind directions are east-southeast (1%), due east (2%), and due southeast (2.5%).

Direction(s) most likely to produce the fastest winds: Winds of 16.5-21.4 knots are most frequently found coming from due northwest, and due south.

Direction(s) least likely to produce the fastest winds: As is the case with several other months, the least common wind directions of due east, east-southeast, and due southeast also rarely seen winds in excess of 16.4 knots.

Impacts of wind direction on local weather: July winds are remarkably similar to June. Southerly and southwesterly winds are a bit more common in July than in June, and northwesterly winds a little less so. This pattern of winds continues to suggest the influence of mid-latitude lows tracking inland north of the area, bringing more southerly warm sector flow. As with June, persistent, subtropical high pressures continue to be a factor at times in July over the western North Atlantic. The clockwise flow around these high pressure centers would result in more southerly and southwesterly winds, which can lead to the onset and maintenance of heat waves. Southerly winds (along with easterly and some northeasterly winds) would bring cooler, and more stable marine air, sometimes in the form of sea breezes. Sea breezes can become commonplace during this month whenever there’s light synoptic winds. At this point in the year, the average max temperatures well exceed the threshold of 5-7°F warmer than sea surface temperatures (which are slowly climbing through the mid-60s) required for sea breezes.

Maximum observed two-minute wind speed for the month: 46 (53 mph)

Temperature and Precipitation Averages/Records

Temperature units are in Fahrenheit and precipitation is in inches.

Worth Noting

July is the month when average temperatures peak at 86ºF. However, sweltering heat is possible well beyond this point, and record highs in this month are frequently in the upper-90s. Meanwhile, record highest low temperatures can easily be in the upper-70s and low-80s – making for very uncomfortable nights. July is also on average the wettest month of the year, which makes sense given the possibility for thunderstorms and a connection to tropical moisture.

DateNormal HighNormal LowRecord HighRecord LowRecord Lowest MaxRecord Highest MinNormal PrecipRecord Precip
18468975668790.121.12
284681015869780.131.59
385681075767810.121.77
485691005762820.122.13
585691005665860.131.75
685691035662850.132.15
785691015971810.132.14
88569996066780.131.24
98569985765820.141.81
108569996071800.152.46
118569986273800.141.68
128570985868810.151.84
138670995869840.162.01
148670995973790.161.02
1586701036267830.163.53
168670975870800.151.19
178670986071790.152.74
1886701016268830.152.67
1986701006271860.151.02
2086701016170830.142.61
2186701006270830.152.06
2286701046270850.153.02
2386701005969820.143.51
248670985968840.153.07
258670975970820.151.60
268670986271800.152.89
2786701005971810.152.77
288670986072830.161.97
298670976275820.173.45
308570996174810.153.46
318570976269780.171.23
Range84-8668-7097-10756-6262-7578-860.12-0.171.02-3.53



NYC (KLGA) Climatology for June

During my time taking classes as part of Penn State University’s Undergraduate Certificate in Weather Forecasting, we were taught that understanding the climatology of the location you are interested in is an important prerequisite for making accurate forecasts. This post continues on this theme, adding a climatology for June.

Other Month’s Climatologies

January
February
March
April
May
July
August
September
October
November
December

Station Basic Information

City Name / Station ID: New York, NY (LaGuardia Airport – KLGA)

Local Geography and Topography

Station Elevation: 10 feet above sea level.

Station Location: LaGuardia Airport (KLGA) is situated on the north shore of Queens along the East River, approximately 6 miles east-northeast of Midtown Manhattan.

KLGA’s location within the broader NYC area, as seen in a Google Maps terrain view

Important Topographical Features: New York City is located in the extreme southeastern corner of New York State, bordering suburban New Jersey and Connecticut. These suburban regions combined with those in Long Island comprise the Greater New York City Metropolitan Area, which is the most populous urban agglomeration in the United States and one of the populous urbanized areas in the world with an estimated population of 18 million. New York City itself sprawls across the coastal plain around the Hudson River estuary. The terminal moraine formed by glaciers of the last Ice Age result in a ridge of higher terrain that cuts a swath from southwest to northeast across the boroughs from northern Staten Island, northern Brooklyn, southwestern through central and northeastern Queens. Otherwise, the city itself is low lying. This ridge varies in height between 200-400 feet, rising sharply from south to north, but tapering more gently north. North and west of the city (about 30-50 miles away), lie significant elevations of the Catskills (north), Poconos (west), Taconics that are part of the broader Appalachian Mountain Range. The elevations of the lower foothills can range from 1000-1500 feet. Some of the elevations in the Poconos and Catskills, west and north of KLGA respectively, peak between 2000-3000 feet. The open expanse of the Atlantic Ocean lies south of KLGA and New York City. Long Island Sound also lies east-northeast. The vast urbanized area of the NYC metropolitan region has significant effects on local microclimates via differential heating (urban heat island effect). KLGA is in a low-lying area sensitive to UHI effects and marine influences.

Topographical map of New York State

Per the Local Climatological Data report from the National Weather Service:

On winter mornings, ocean temperatures which are warm relative to the land reinforce the effect of the city heat island and low temperatures are often 10-20 degrees lower in the inland suburbs than in the central city. The relatively warm water temperatures also delay the advent of winter snows. Conversely, the lag in warming of water temperatures keeps spring temperatures relatively cool. One year-round measure of the ocean influence is the small average daily variation in temperature.

National Weather Service – NYC Office

Wind Patterns

Below is a wind rose – you can read more about how to interpret this chart here.

Frequency (percentage) of the single most common wind direction: Due south (13.5%).

Directions that are most and least common: Most common wind directions include due northwest (9.5%), due northeast (9.25%), and due southwest (just below 9%). Least common wind directions are east-southeast (1%), due east (1.5%), and due southeast (2.5%).

Direction(s) most likely to produce the fastest winds: Winds of 16.5-21.4 knots are most frequently found coming from due northwest, north-northwest, and due south.

Direction(s) least likely to produce the fastest winds: As is the case with several other spring months, the least common wind directions of due east, east-southeast, and due southeast also rarely seen winds in excess of 16.4 knots.

Impacts of wind direction on local weather: Wind patterns in June present a similar pattern to those in May, but with a notable increase in the frequency of winds from the southwestern quadrant, and a decrease in winds from the northeastern quadrant. This could be a reflection of shifting storm patterns, with coastal storms and backdoor cold fronts from the northeast becoming less common while more mid-latitude lows track inland north of the area, bringing more southerly warm sector flow. Persistent Bermuda highs can sometimes also develop in June over the western North Atlantic. The clockwise flow around these high pressure centers would result in more southerly and southwesterly winds. During this time of year, southwesterly winds should generally advect warmer, more humid air from the Southeastern US into the region. When this pattern becomes persistent, it can cause oppressive heat waves. Meanwhile, southerly winds (along with easterly and some northeasterly winds) would bring cooler, and more stable marine air, sometimes in the form of sea breezes. In the wake of passing cold fronts associated with mid-latitude storms, northwesterly and northerly winds, though decreasing in frequency compared to May, should still be effective at transporting cooler, drier Canadian (continential Arctic) airmasses into the area.

Maximum observed two-minute wind speed for the month: 36 (41 mph)

Temperature and Precipitation Averages/Records

Temperature units are in Fahrenheit and precipitation is in inches.

Worth Noting
June is the first month of summer, and not surprisingly is also the first month of the season where record highs have exceeded 100ºF.

DateNormal HighNormal LowRecord HighRecord LowRecord Lowest MaxRecord Highest MinNormal PrecipRecord Precip
17659944658750.141.90
27759944853750.142.85
37760934953750.142.47
47760965154800.142.69
57861914954780.141.78
67861934959720.142.56
77861975060720.143.33
87962975056780.150.94
97962994959780.141.93
1079621004864770.141.25
117963964662760.151.07
128063964964760.142.20
1380631015155800.141.64
148064995161800.131.72
158164965459780.140.55
168164965564790.131.33
178165965362770.132.30
188165954965750.131.84
198265975665770.131.46
208265985560740.120.91
218266985363790.124.00
228266995362760.113.43
238366955363770.121.33
248366965359770.121.51
258367995363760.131.00
2683671015565840.120.82
278467975661770.121.06
288467965663780.111.48
298468985973810.120.98
308468975766800.123.73
Range76-8459-6891-10146-5953-7372-840.11-0.150.41-4.00



NYC (KLGA) Climatology for May

During my time taking classes as part of Penn State University’s Undergraduate Certificate in Weather Forecasting, we were taught that understanding the climatology of the location you are interested in is an important prerequisite for making accurate forecasts. This post continues on this theme, adding a climatology for May.

Other Month’s Climatologies

January
February
March
April
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

Station Basic Information

City Name / Station ID: New York, NY (LaGuardia Airport – KLGA)

Local Geography and Topography

Station Elevation: 10 feet above sea level.

Station Location: LaGuardia Airport (KLGA) is situated on the north shore of Queens along the East River, approximately 6 miles east-northeast of Midtown Manhattan.

KLGA’s location within the broader NYC area, as seen in a Google Maps terrain view

Important Topographical Features: New York City is located in the extreme southeastern corner of New York State, bordering suburban New Jersey and Connecticut. These suburban regions combined with those in Long Island comprise the Greater New York City Metropolitan Area, which is the most populous urban agglomeration in the United States and one of the populous urbanized areas in the world with an estimated population of 18 million. New York City itself sprawls across the coastal plain around the Hudson River estuary. The terminal moraine formed by glaciers of the last Ice Age result in a ridge of higher terrain that cuts a swath from southwest to northeast across the boroughs from northern Staten Island, northern Brooklyn, southwestern through central and northeastern Queens. Otherwise, the city itself is low lying. This ridge varies in height between 200-400 feet, rising sharply from south to north, but tapering more gently north. North and west of the city (about 30-50 miles away), lie significant elevations of the Catskills (north), Poconos (west), Taconics that are part of the broader Appalachian Mountain Range. The elevations of the lower foothills can range from 1000-1500 feet. Some of the elevations in the Poconos and Catskills, west and north of KLGA respectively, peak between 2000-3000 feet. The open expanse of the Atlantic Ocean lies south of KLGA and New York City. Long Island Sound also lies east-northeast. The vast urbanized area of the NYC metropolitan region has significant effects on local microclimates via differential heating (urban heat island effect). KLGA is in a low-lying area sensitive to UHI effects and marine influences.

Topographical map of New York State

Per the Local Climatological Data report from the National Weather Service:

On winter mornings, ocean temperatures which are warm relative to the land reinforce the effect of the city heat island and low temperatures are often 10-20 degrees lower in the inland suburbs than in the central city. The relatively warm water temperatures also delay the advent of winter snows. Conversely, the lag in warming of water temperatures keeps spring temperatures relatively cool. One year-round measure of the ocean influence is the small average daily variation in temperature.

National Weather Service – NYC Office

Wind Patterns

Below is a wind rose – you can read more about how to interpret this chart here.

Frequency (percentage) of the single most common wind direction: The most common wind direction for this month by frequency of occurrence is due south (~13%).

Directions that are most and least common: Due northeast (11.5%) winds present a second maximum of most frequent winds. The least common wind direction is east-southeast (~2%), followed by due east (~2.25%).

Direction(s) most likely to produce the fastest winds: Due northwest winds have a slim possibility of generating winds over 21.5 knots. No other wind direction seems to have a measurable occurrence of winds exceeding this speed. This is a marked difference from the previous two months when wind speeds of this magnitude were much more common. Winds of 16.5-21.4 knots are most frequently found coming from the west-northwest, due northwest, north-northwest, and due south.

Direction(s) least likely to produce the fastest winds: Due east, east-southeast, and due southeast winds rarely exceed 16.4 knots.

Impacts of wind direction on local weather: The most common wind directions in May differ from the previous two months, with northwesterly winds becoming less frequent, while southerly and northeasterly winds become more prominent. In fact, winds from the southern semicircle are generally more common than previous months. Cold air advection from northwest winds continue to influence temperatures in the wake of cold fronts approaching from the west, however, the effect should be dramatic than in prior spring months. Winds from the northeast can be associated to backdoor cold fronts arriving from the Canadian Maritimes, bringing a moist, cool maritime polar air mass; the advance of coastal Nor’easter type storms; or a warm front approaching from the south. The difference between sea surface temperatures and temperatures over land widens during May as daily normal highs increase. This increases the chances for sea breezes during periods of overall weak synoptic winds, though generally, southerly winds would allow for advection of warmer, more moist airmasses into the area. This would often be the case when the NYC region is in the warm sector of mid-latitude lows, preceding the passage of a typical cold front attached such lows.

Maximum observed two-minute wind speed for the month: 36 (41 mph)

Temperature and Precipitation Averages/Records

Temperature units are in Fahrenheit and precipitation is in inches.

Worth Noting: Average temperatures climb above 70ºF in May for the first time during the spring months. In 2019, new record lows were set for the 13th and 14th of May, at 42ºF and 44ºF respectively. In 2020, an all-time monthly record low of 36ºF was set on May 9th. In 2021, record lowest max temperatures were set for the 29th and 30th (52ºF, brrr), and record lows were set for the 29th-31st (48ºF, 48ºF, and 50ºF respectively)!

DateNormal HighNormal LowRecord HighRecord LowRecord Lowest MaxRecord Highest MinNormal PrecipRecord Precip
16749853850620.102.18
26750904047670.120.83
36750934050700.111.45
46750924149720.120.89
56851904246650.122.27
66851934147610.111.28
76851934044600.121.11
86951893749680.112.28
96952923646760.121.21
106952913853710.111.44
117052964251680.111.77
127053884350680.111.30
137053894255670.111.74
147153844454640.112.82
157154924353650.110.89
167154904153630.122.57
177254943856680.121.03
187254974454800.121.44
197255964350680.122.00
207255974452770.141.79
217355934551710.131.60
227356944757700.140.95
237356944555690.141.72
247456914154720.131.82
257457954447740.141.64
267457944555750.131.59
277557924148730.131.84
287558924458730.131.41
297558954852710.142.41
307658964852740.142.19
317659965060780.142.23
Range67-7649-5984-9737-5044-6060-800.10-0.140.83-2.82





NYC (KLGA) Climatology for April

During my time taking classes as part of Penn State University’s Undergraduate Certificate in Weather Forecasting, we were taught that understanding the climatology of the location you are interested in is an important prerequisite for making accurate forecasts. This post continues on this theme, adding a climatology for April.

Other Month’s Climatologies

January
February
March
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

Station Basic Information

City Name / Station ID: New York, NY (LaGuardia Airport – KLGA)

Local Geography and Topography

Station Elevation: 10 feet above sea level.

Station Location: LaGuardia Airport (KLGA) is situated on the north shore of Queens along the East River, approximately 6 miles east-northeast of Midtown Manhattan.

KLGA’s location within the broader NYC area, as seen in a Google Maps terrain view

Important Topographical Features: New York City is located in the extreme southeastern corner of New York State, bordering suburban New Jersey and Connecticut. These suburban regions combined with those in Long Island comprise the Greater New York City Metropolitan Area, which is the most populous urban agglomeration in the United States and one of the populous urbanized areas in the world with an estimated population of 18 million. New York City itself sprawls across the coastal plain around the Hudson River estuary. The terminal moraine formed by glaciers of the last Ice Age result in a ridge of higher terrain that cuts a swath from southwest to northeast across the boroughs from northern Staten Island, northern Brooklyn, southwestern through central and northeastern Queens. Otherwise, the city itself is low lying. This ridge varies in height between 200-400 feet, rising sharply from south to north, but tapering more gently north. North and west of the city (about 30-50 miles away), lie significant elevations of the Catskills (north), Poconos (west), Taconics that are part of the broader Appalachian Mountain Range. The elevations of the lower foothills can range from 1000-1500 feet. Some of the elevations in the Poconos and Catskills, west and north of KLGA respectively, peak between 2000-3000 feet. The open expanse of the Atlantic Ocean lies south of KLGA and New York City. Long Island Sound also lies east-northeast. The vast urbanized area of the NYC metropolitan region has significant effects on local microclimates via differential heating (urban heat island effect). KLGA is in a low-lying area sensitive to UHI effects and marine influences.

Topographical map of New York State

Per the Local Climatological Data report from the National Weather Service:

On winter mornings, ocean temperatures which are warm relative to the land reinforce the effect of the city heat island and low temperatures are often 10-20 degrees lower in the inland suburbs than in the central city. The relatively warm water temperatures also delay the advent of winter snows. Conversely, the lag in warming of water temperatures keeps spring temperatures relatively cool. One year-round measure of the ocean influence is the small average daily variation in temperature.

National Weather Service – NYC Office

Wind Patterns

Below is a wind rose – you can read more about how to interpret this chart here.

KLGA April wind rose

Frequency (percentage) of the single most common wind direction: Due northwest occuring about 13% of the time.

Directions that are most and least common: Most common wind directions following due northwest are due south (10%), west-northwest (9%), and due northeast (8.75%). Least common wind directions are east-southeast (1.25%), due east (2.5%), and due southeast (2.75%).

Direction(s) most likely to produce the fastest winds: Winds from the northwest, west-northwest, and to some extent the northeast and east-northeast tend to produce the fastest winds.

Direction(s) least likely to produce the fastest winds: Winds from the east-southeast, due east, and south-southwest are least likely to produce the fastest winds.

Impacts of wind direction on local weather: Like March northwesterly winds during April are likely tied to the passage of cold fronts and coastal storms. Cold air advection from these winds will still be quite robust during the beginning of the month especially, as record lows for this month suggest. Winds from the northeast are still tied to backdoor cold fronts arriving from the Canadian Maritimes, bringing a moist, cool maritime polar air mass, or the advance of coastal Nor’easter type storms. During April, sea surface temperatures around NYC become markedly cooler than the air temperature as average highs continue climbing in response to more direct sun angle on longer spring days. On days approaching record warmth, in an overall environment of otherwise light winds, you could even see some sea breezes start forming along the coasts.

Maximum observed two-minute wind speed for the month: 48 knots (55 mph).

Temperature and Precipitation Averages/Records

Temperature units are in Fahrenheit and precipitation is in inches.

Worth Noting

April is the first month in the spring when record high temperatures exceed 90ºF. Record lows still routinely dip into the 20s during this month, reflecting the variability that spring can bring. The most recent record low was set in 2021, at 29ºF for 4/2. April also has the second highest single day precipitation record with 6.69″ falling on 4/15.

DateNormal HighNormal LowRecord HighRecord LowRecord Lowest MaxRecord Highest MinNormal PrecipRecord Precip
15540802742560.141.89
25640792939550.141.66
35640772539530.141.59
45741762436560.141.74
55741742538530.142.12
65741802240530.142.45
75842912230630.132.00
85842892538670.142.03
95942842640640.152.28
105943822939530.142.85
115943823242570.150.94
126043862944540.141.72
136044852536590.141.63
146044842741580.140.93
156144862840640.146.69
166145893144680.132.50
176245943245730.131.71
186245913545690.120.58
196246853540700.131.41
206346853547630.131.89
216346863340610.131.84
226347853344610.131.90
236447853644570.122.21
246447873646590.132.06
256448883648590.121.50
266548913747630.131.33
276548893845610.131.85
286649893641680.122.64
296649883649650.131.00
306649894247600.115.26
Range55-6640-4974-9422-4230-4953-730.11-0.150.58-6.69