If you’ve lived in Nassau County for more than five minutes, you know the drill. You walk outside in a light hoodie because the sun is out, but by the time you're hitting the Long Island Expressway, you’re regretting every life choice as the wind picks up. Plainview New York weather is a strange beast. It’s not just "New York weather"—it’s specifically a mid-island microclimate that gets caught between the Atlantic Ocean and the Sound.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a tug-of-war.
The town sits right in that sweet spot of the island where you don't always get the cooling sea breeze of the South Shore, but you definitely get the humidity. If you are planning a move here or just visiting for a weekend at the Old Bethpage Village Restoration, knowing what’s actually going on with the sky is half the battle.
🔗 Read more: Why Aunt Chiladas Hilton Head SC Is Still a Local Obsession After Three Decades
The Reality of Plainview Winters
Most people think Long Island is just a snowy wasteland from December to March. Not exactly. While we definitely get hit with the occasional Nor'easter—those massive coastal storms that can dump two feet of snow overnight—the day-to-day is more about the "damp cold."
January is usually the hardest month. Average highs hover around 38°F, but the lows drop to 25°F. That doesn't sound too bad on paper, right? Wrong. The humidity stays high, around 70%, which means the cold literally seeps into your bones. It’s a wet cold.
You’ve got to watch out for the wind too. January is the windiest month in Plainview, with average speeds hitting 17 mph and gusts that can easily top 40 mph near the open shopping centers on Old Country Road.
- Snowfall: We average about 25 inches a year.
- The Peak: February is actually the snowiest month, often bringing those "slushy" storms that make the Manetto Hill Road hills a nightmare for drivers.
- Sunshine: It’s pretty gray. Only about 49% of the time is the sky actually clear in the winter.
Spring is Kind of a Lie
Don't be fooled by a 60-degree day in late March. In Plainview, spring is less about flowers and more about mud and "Plan B" indoor activities.
April is technically our wettest month. You're looking at about a 35% chance of rain on any given day. The ground is usually saturated from the melting snow, and the temperatures are all over the place. One day it’s 45°F and raining, the next it’s 70°F and gorgeous.
By May, things start looking up. The high jumps to 65°F. This is when the town really starts to green up. If you're into gardening, wait until after the last frost—usually mid-May—before putting anything sensitive in the ground. The "urban heat island" effect from nearby development keeps us slightly warmer than the deep woods of Suffolk County, but it’s still risky.
✨ Don't miss: Thanh Sơn Hiền Khánh: What Really Happened to This Historic Landmark
The "Fucking Disgusting" Summer Humidity
I’m being blunt because you need to know: July in Plainview is a swamp.
While the high temperature usually averages 82°F, the dew point is the real killer. On a bad day, the humidity makes it feel like 95°F. Because Plainview is landlocked in the center of the island, we don't get the consistent 10-degree relief that Jones Beach gets.
August is slightly better for wind (it’s the calmest month), but it's also when we start watching the tropics. Tropical storms or the remnants of hurricanes occasionally track up the coast. They don't usually hit as full-blown hurricanes, but they bring massive amounts of rain that can flood the basements of older split-level homes in the area.
Why Fall is the Only Sensible Season
If you want to experience Plainview New York weather at its absolute best, come in September or October.
September is the clearest month of the year. The sky is clear or partly cloudy about 63% of the time. The air loses that heavy, sticky summer weight, and the nights start getting crisp. It is arguably the most "comfortable" time to be outside.
- September: Highs of 73°F. Perfect for the Plainview-Old Bethpage community fairs.
- October: Highs of 63°F. The foliage peaks in late October, and the town turns shades of burnt orange and deep red.
- November: Highs of 53°F. It starts feeling "wintry" after the clocks change and the sun starts setting at 4:30 PM.
Plainview Weather Facts (The Fast Version)
Here is a quick breakdown of what to expect throughout the year without all the fluff:
- Hottest Day: July 21 (Average high of 82°F).
- Coldest Day: January 29 (Average high of 38°F).
- Wettest Month: April (3.8 inches of rain).
- Driest Month: September (Lowest chance of precipitation at 24%).
- Cloudiest Day: January 3 (Overcast or mostly cloudy 52% of the time).
How to Handle It
Look, the weather here isn't trying to kill you, but it is trying to annoy you.
The biggest mistake people make is not dressing in layers. You might start your day in a heavy coat and be sweating by 2 PM. Also, if you’re a local, keep a snow shovel and a good pair of waterproof boots ready by December 1st—don't wait for the first forecast to hit the news, or you'll be fighting the crowds at the local hardware store.
If you’re visiting, aim for the window between September 15th and October 20th. You’ll get the best hiking weather at Trail View State Park and won't need to carry an umbrella every five minutes.
For those living here, keep an eye on your gutters in late autumn. Plainview is known for its beautiful, massive oak and maple trees. When those leaves drop right before the November rains, they’ll clog your drainage and lead to ice dams once January hits. Clear them out early to save yourself a massive headache.
💡 You might also like: The Temperature in Norway: What Most People Get Wrong
Keep a weather app with "hyper-local" alerts active. Since we’re between the North and South shores, storms can sometimes split or intensify right over Nassau County. Being five miles inland makes a bigger difference than you’d think.