Franklin Lakes isn't just another Bergen County suburb with big houses and quiet streets. It’s a place where the environment dictates the rhythm of life, from the frozen edges of Indian Trail Club in January to the thick, humid afternoons of July. If you're looking for the typical weather in Franklin Lakes NJ, you probably already know it’s a "four-season" town. But that doesn't really tell the whole story of how the local microclimate actually feels when you're living it.
Honestly, the weather here can be a bit of a moody neighbor.
The Reality of Winter in the Lakes
Right now, we are in the thick of it. January in Franklin Lakes usually means scraping ice off the windshield while the sun is still a suggestion behind the horizon. The average high struggles to hit 37°F, and the lows? They frequently dip to 22°F or lower.
Historically, this is the cloudiest time of the year. About 54% of the time, the sky is just a flat, oppressive gray.
Wait. It’s not all doom. There is a specific kind of beauty when a fresh six inches of snow blankets the estates. 2026 has started off somewhat drier than the record-breaking wet years we’ve seen recently, but the "Lake Effect" (even if it's just from our local ponds) can sometimes create localized patches of black ice that the main roads in Wyckoff or Oakland seem to miss.
If you are heading out to the Franklin Lakes Nature Preserve, you've got to dress for the wind. The average wind speed jumps to over 13 mph in the winter, making that 30-degree day feel more like 15.
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Spring: The Great Muddy Awakening
March is a tease. You’ll get one day that hits 60°F, everyone puts on shorts, and then it snows the next morning. It’s basically the law of North Jersey.
By the time May rolls around, the town finally starts to look like the brochures. This is actually the wettest month of the year. Most people assume it’s April because of the "showers" rhyme, but May typically sees a 40% chance of precipitation on any given day.
- Average Highs: 70°F–72°F
- The Vibe: Breezy, blooming, and very green.
- What to Wear: Layers. You'll start the day in a fleece and end it in a T-shirt.
This is the season when the humidity starts to creep back in. By late May, the dew point begins its steady climb, signaling that the "comfortable" days are numbered.
Why Summer Hits Different Here
July is the heavy hitter. It’s the hottest month, with average highs of 83°F, though we regularly see spikes into the 90s. But it’s not the heat that gets you—it’s the "oppressive" humidity.
Because Franklin Lakes is nestled in a bit of a valley compared to the higher ridges of the Ramapo Mountains, the air can feel stagnant.
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On a "muggy" day, the air feels like a damp wool blanket. You’ve probably noticed that the mosquitoes near the lakes are particularly ambitious during these weeks. Tropical storms are a real factor here too. In recent years, late summer has brought intense "deluges" where several inches of rain fall in just a few hours, leading to localized flooding near the lower-lying creek beds.
September and October: The Local Secret
If you ask anyone who has lived here for twenty years, they’ll tell you: autumn is the only reason to put up with the rest of the year.
September is officially the clearest month. The sky stays that deep, "Carolina blue" about 63% of the time. The humidity drops off a cliff, the air gets crisp, and the foliage around the various lakes is genuinely world-class.
Highs usually hover around 74°F in September and drop to 63°F in October. It’s perfect. It's the kind of weather that makes you want to walk through the town center or hike the High Mountain Park Preserve.
Quick Stats: Franklin Lakes Climate at a Glance
Actually, let’s look at the raw numbers for a second so you can plan your week.
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The warm season lasts from late May to mid-September. During this window, you’re looking at daily highs above 74°F. The cold season kicks in around December 2nd and doesn't let go until mid-March, with daily highs rarely breaking 46°F.
On average, the town sees about 49 inches of rain and 35 inches of snow annually. That’s more precipitation than the national average, which explains why the lawns here look so lush (and why everyone owns a heavy-duty snowblower).
Dealing With Severe Weather
We do get some wildcards.
- Nor'easters: These are the big ones. They usually hit between December and March, bringing heavy, wet snow that knocks out power lines because of all the mature trees in town.
- Summer Thunderstorms: These move fast. One minute you’re at the club pool, and the next, the sky is purple and the wind is ripping through the umbrellas.
- Drought Warnings: Despite the rain, 2025 and early 2026 have seen some persistent precipitation deficits. Even in a "wet" town, we occasionally get those NJDEP Drought Warnings where you have to stop watering the lawn.
Actionable Tips for Navigating the Local Climate
If you’re moving here or just visiting for the weekend, don't rely solely on the generic "New York City" forecast on your phone. Franklin Lakes is often 3–5 degrees cooler than Manhattan because of the elevation and tree cover.
- Invest in a "shoulder season" wardrobe. You need a high-quality raincoat for May and a dedicated windbreaker for those October nights.
- Check the basement. If you're living here, a dehumidifier is non-negotiable from June through August.
- Winter Car Prep. Get your snow tires on by Thanksgiving. The hills around Ewing Ave and High Mountain Rd aren't forgiving when they're iced over.
- Monitor the Dew Point. If the dew point is over 65, cancel your outdoor strenuous activities. That’s the threshold where "warm" becomes "unbearable."
- Tree Maintenance. Since we get heavy snow and high winds, keep the limbs over your roof trimmed. A "minor" storm can become a major headache if a branch takes out your power line.
The weather in Franklin Lakes NJ is ultimately a trade-off. You deal with the gray Januaries and the sticky Julys to get those perfect, gold-tinted October afternoons that make the Garden State feel like the only place worth being.