Does it snow in the Hamptons? The Hamptons is a place in New York state that is about 30 miles away from Manhattan.
It is precisely on the eastern end of Long Island and has beautiful beaches, fancy houses, and a lot more to enjoy.
People love visiting this place in the summer but often ask about the winter and, “Does it snow in the Hamptons, New York?”
Yes, it can snow in the Hamptons, but it is usually not so frequent, so you won’t find ski resorts or winter sports involving snow.
Let’s find out more about it now.
A Bit about the Hamptons and Its Weather
The Hamptons is located on Long Island and is a popular place for people from New York City to go on vacation.
It is where you will find fancy neighborhoods like:
- Sag Harbor
- East Hampton
- Shinnecock Hills
- Amagansett
This area is famous for its countryside beauty and awesome attractions like:
- Cooper’s Beach
- The Shinnecock Golf Club
- the well-known Hampton Classic horse show
Lots of people from different parts of the United States and even other countries come to see it.
How to Get to the Hamptons?
If you are driving without any traffic, it usually takes around two and a half hours to get there. If you go to Montauk at the very end, you will need to travel an extra 50 miles, and it will take you at least three hours from NYC.
More about the Weather in the Hamptons
The weather in the Hamptons is affected by the nearby Atlantic Ocean. It means summers are hot and rainy, while winters are cold and damp.
The Hamptons experiences four different seasons throughout the year, and rainfall is fairly evenly distributed throughout each season.
In the winter, it sometimes snows instead of raining.
In a typical year, The Hamptons receive about 50-90 centimeters of snowfall. Moreover, Long Island experienced six hurricanes in the 1900s.
Here is a bit about the average maximum and minimum temperatures in the Hamptons:
Months | Avg. Minimum Temp | Avg. Maximum Temp |
January | 21.2 | 37.4 |
February | 23 | 39.2 |
March | 30.2 | 46.4 |
April | 37.4 | 55.4 |
May | 46.4 | 64.4 |
June | 55.4 | 75.2 |
July | 62.6 | 80.6 |
August | 62.6 | 80.6 |
September | 53.6 | 73.4 |
October | 44.6 | 64.4 |
November | 35.6 | 53.6 |
December | 26.6 | 42.8 |
Does It Snow in the Hamptons?
Yes, sometimes it snows in The Hamptons, but not very often.
The Hamptons is a bunch of small towns and villages in Long Island, New York. They are called East Hampton and Southampton.
Even though the Hamptons is primarily famous as a fancy summer spot for wealthy and famous people, the area actually gets quite a bit of snow during the winter.
This area usually snows about 30 inches (76 cm) each year. But sometimes, they get even more snow than that in certain years.
If you want to have fun in the snow this winter, you should think about going to the Hamptons.
When Does It Snow in the Hamptons?
The Hamptons is at the very end of Long Island, New York, and is famous for its beautiful beaches, but what about the weather?
Does it snow in the south Hamptons? Well, it does. The amount of snow that falls can change from one year to another.
In simple terms, the winters in the Hamptons are colder than other places on Long Island and even New York City.
In some areas, you will likely see more snow than in others. For instance, Bridgehampton gets around 27 inches (68 centimeters) of snow each year.
If you really want to make snowmen or go sledding, it is a good idea to think about the chance of snow when planning your trip, even though there is no guarantee it will happen.
An Important Consideration
The snowflakes that come down in the Hamptons are bigger and softer than in other places. They are really light and fluffy, almost like they are made of cotton candy.
Fact: Sometimes, during the coldest part of winter, the Hamptons get covered in a beautiful layer of shiny white snow.
What is Winter Like in the Hamptons?
The winter in the Hamptons goes from December to February and is really cold.
But sometimes, it gets even colder, around -10 to -15 degrees Celsius (5 to 14 degrees Fahrenheit). The wind makes it feel even colder, so make sure to dress warmly.
Sometimes, the wind comes from the south and makes the weather warmer.
It can be around 12 to 15 degrees Celsius (54 to 59 degrees Fahrenheit). You might even have some nice and sunny days, but the nights will still be cold.
Here is a bit more about average snowfall in the Hamptons:
Months | Avg. Snowfall |
January | 4.4″ |
February | 4.3″ |
March | 2.4″ |
April | 0.2″ |
May | 0.0″ |
June | 0.0″ |
July | 0.0″ |
August | 0.0″ |
September | 0.0″ |
October | 0.0″ |
November | 0.3″ |
December | 2.2″ |
Factors Contributing to Low Snow Occurrence
There are a number of reasons why it is quite unlikely to see as much snow in the Hamptons as you see in other winter destinations.
For instance:
Geography
One of the main reasons it doesn’t snow much in the Hamptons is its geography and the ocean’s influence.
The Atlantic Ocean surrounds the Hamptons and Peconic Bay on one side.
The ocean and bay are like big heat storage tanks. They soak up heat when it is hot outside and then let it out slowly when it is cold.
The ocean nearby keeps the temperatures from getting too cold, so it doesn’t snow much.
Oceanic Currents
The Gulf Stream is a warm ocean circulation originating in the Gulf of Mexico and is a major climatic factor in the Hamptons.
This heats the coastal waters as it moves northward along the Eastern Seaboard.
Wintertime temperatures at the ocean serve to moderate the surrounding air, lowering the possibility of the extreme cold snaps needed for significant snowfall.
Fact: The Gulf Stream protects the Hamptons from the worst winter weather by acting as a natural climatic buffer.
Storm Tracks
A significant component affecting snowfall patterns is the course of winter storms, often known as storm tracks.
However, the Hamptons, located on the eastern tip of Long Island, frequently find them outside of typical storm patterns.
That is why the Hamptons can avoid the worst of these storms, while adjacent areas may see heavy snowfall.
Things to See and Do in the Hamptons
When you pick the Hamptons as your next vacation spot, know that you will be in for a great ride, as there is so much to see and do in the area.
Here are some exciting activities to consider:
Venue/Activity | Description |
Parrish Art Museum | The place honors the art from the East End of Long Island. They have an extensive collection of more than 2,600 modern artworks. |
Baker House Spa | It started way back in 1898 and is a place where they gather and show old stuff and papers that have to do with the history and growth of Southampton. |
Unique boutiques and downtowns | Check out the lively city centers and small town stores, great for finding souvenirs or keepsakes from your vacation. |
Southampton History Museum | It was started way back in 1898 and is a place where they gather and show old stuff and papers that have to do with the history and growth of Southampton. |
The Best Time to Visit the Hamptons
The best time to visit the Hamptons for outdoor tourist activities is during the summer months, specifically from mid-June to late September.
The busiest time is usually the last week of August. The temperatures usually range from 65°F to 80°F, which means it will be perfect for going outside and exploring.
If you like doing things in hot weather, like going to the beach or pool, the best time to go is from early July to late August.
The absolute best time to go is the last week of July.
Takeaway
Does it snow in the Hamptons? Yes, it does snow in the area, but it is not consistent and unpredictable.
Still, if you plan your winter trip, you will probably see some snowfall during your stay.
But do not count on that because it is usually not enough to give you a feel of an established ski resort.
Even if you miss the snow, you can still find more than enough opportunities to have an unforgettable time in the Hamptons.