If you’ve lived in Woodmere for more than a week, you know the drill. You check the weather on your phone, see a "sunny" icon, and walk out of your house on Woodmere Boulevard only to get hit by a face-full of damp, salty Atlantic air that feels ten degrees colder than the forecast promised.
The weather in Woodmere NY is a moody beast.
Because we’re nestled right there in the Five Towns, sandwiched between the JFK runways and the salt marshes of Hewlett Bay, we don’t just get "New York weather." We get a microclimate that’s heavily influenced by the water and the weird way the wind whips around the South Shore. Understanding this isn't just about knowing when to carry an umbrella—it’s about knowing why your basement might flood when it’s barely raining in the city or why you’re shivering in May while your friends in Queens are wearing shorts.
✨ Don't miss: That Cilantro Garlic Sauce Pollo Tropical Makes: Why You Can’t Replicate It at Home
The Microclimate Nobody Tells You About
The biggest thing most people miss about the local climate is the "Marine Layer."
Basically, the ocean acts like a giant thermostat, but one that’s often out of sync with the rest of the island. In the spring, while Manhattan is heating up, the water in the bay is still freezing. This creates a "sea breeze" effect that can keep Woodmere significantly cooler than the North Shore.
I’ve seen days where it’s $75^{\circ}\text{F}$ in Mineola, but barely $62^{\circ}\text{F}$ in Woodmere. It’s a literal wall of cool air. Honestly, you’ve got to keep a light jacket in your car until at least mid-June. Conversely, that same water helps us stay a tiny bit warmer during the first few frosts of autumn, extending the life of your backyard garden by a week or two compared to inland towns.
Summer Heat and the Humidity Trap
July is usually the hottest month, with average highs sitting around $82^{\circ}\text{F}$ or $83^{\circ}\text{F}$. That sounds manageable on paper, right?
Wrong.
The humidity here is no joke. Because we’re so close to the marshes and the ocean, the "dew point" (that's the number that actually tells you how miserable you’ll feel) often climbs into the high 60s or low 70s. When that happens, the air feels thick. It feels like you’re breathing through a warm, wet rag.
We also deal with a weird drought cycle. Wikipedia and local records note that Woodmere is weirdly prone to dry spells from late July through mid-September. You’ll see the grass at the Woodmere Club turn that specific shade of "crispy brown" while the air remains so humid you can practically swim through it. It’s a strange contradiction.
When the Skies Open Up: Flooding and Storms
If you’re looking at weather in Woodmere NY for the fall, you’re looking at hurricane season. We aren’t just talking about the big ones like Sandy in 2012, which absolutely devastated the area with storm surges. We're talking about the "nuisance flooding" that happens during a standard heavy rain in the late spring or early fall.
👉 See also: How Do I Make a Clock That Actually Keeps Time? A No-Nonsense Guide to DIY Horology
The rainiest month is actually May, which surprises a lot of people who expect April showers to be the peak.
Because Woodmere is largely flat and sits at a low elevation (about 16 feet above sea level), the ground saturates fast. If a thunderstorm stalls over the Five Towns, the storm drains can’t always keep up. It’s not uncommon to see several inches of water pooling on the streets near the Cedarhurst border after a particularly nasty cell passes through.
The Winter Reality: 22 Inches of What?
On average, Woodmere gets about 22 inches of snow a year.
But averages are liars.
In some years, we get three "Nor'easters" that dump 10 inches each, and in other years, we just get a depressing mix of slush and "freezing rain." January is the coldest month, with lows averaging around $28^{\circ}\text{F}$, but it’s the wind that kills you. Since we’re so close to the open water, there’s nothing to block the gusts. A $35^{\circ}\text{F}$ day can easily feel like $20^{\circ}\text{F}$ when the wind is whipping off the bay at 20 mph.
A Month-by-Month Cheat Sheet
If you’re planning an event or just trying to survive the season, here’s how the year actually plays out in Woodmere:
✨ Don't miss: Refill Wild Deodorant: Why You’re Probably Doing It Wrong and How to Fix It
- January & February: The "Grey Zone." It’s overcast about 52% of the time. This is when the wind chill is at its peak. If we're going to get a "Big One" (snowstorm), it’s usually in late January.
- March & April: Unpredictable. You’ll get one day that’s $65^{\circ}\text{F}$ followed by a morning of "wintry mix." This is the peak of "mud season."
- May & June: The sweet spot, sort of. It’s rainy, but the flowers in the neighborhood look incredible. This is the best time for outdoor activities, provided you check the radar every hour.
- July & August: The "Steam Room." Expect high humidity and the occasional severe thunderstorm.
- September & October: Honestly, this is the best weather of the year. The humidity drops, the "Marine Layer" is less aggressive, and the temperatures sit in that perfect $60^{\circ}\text{F}$ to $70^{\circ}\text{F}$ range.
- November & December: The "Short Days." It gets dark early—around 4:30 PM by December—and the air turns damp and chilly.
Real-World Advice for Residents
Stop relying on the generic "New York, NY" forecast.
Because we’re so close to JFK, the most accurate data for Woodmere usually comes from the Kennedy Airport weather station (KJFK). If you see a forecast for "Long Island," it’s often averaging in temperatures from way out in Suffolk County, which might be five degrees colder or warmer than us depending on the wind direction.
Also, pay attention to the tides. If there’s a heavy rain forecast and a high tide is coming in, the water in the storm drains has nowhere to go. That’s when you need to make sure your sump pump is actually working.
To stay ahead of the curve, don't just look at the high temperature. Check the wind direction. If the wind is coming from the South or Southeast, it’s coming off the water—expect it to be cooler and damper than the numbers suggest. If it’s coming from the West, you’re getting the heat (or cold) from the mainland.
Pro-tip: Clear your gutters in late October and again in early May. Woodmere’s heavy rain cycles and the local tree canopy are a recipe for clogged drains and basement headaches. If you’re planning a local event, target the last two weeks of September; historically, it’s the most stable window for clear skies and comfortable air in the 11598 zip code.