Cape May, at the southern tip of New Jersey, features a humid subtropical climate with warm, humid summers and cold, wet winters. The area experiences moderate rainfall year-round, frequent breezes, and abundant sunshine in summer. These conditions create an inviting atmosphere for beachgoers, outdoor enthusiasts, and visitors seeking a classic East Coast seaside experience.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Cape May’s climate is shaped by its coastal location, resulting in four distinct seasons. Summers (June–August) are warm and humid, with average highs around 25°C (77°F) and peak temperatures reaching 32°C (90°F) in July. Nights remain mild at 19°C (67°F). July is one of the wettest months, with 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain over about 10 days, yet the humidity drops to a more comfortable 74%. Winds are gentle in summer, averaging 10 km/h, and the ocean is warm and inviting for swimming. Sunshine is abundant, with long daylight hours and vibrant beach life.
Winters (December–February) are cold, wet, and windy, with average highs of 4–7°C (39–45°F) and lows dipping to –3°C (27°F). Snowfall is possible, averaging 12–14 inches annually, but rain is more common. Cloud cover is frequent, and winds are brisk, often reaching 14–16 km/h. Spring and autumn are transitional, featuring mild temperatures (10–20°C), moderate rainfall, and variable weather. Autumn, in particular, is known for its crisp air, colourful foliage, and quieter beaches. Cape May receives about 44 inches (1,100 mm) of rain per year, spread over 113 days, and enjoys roughly 202 sunny days annually. Daylight varies from about 9 hours in winter to over 15 hours in midsummer, supporting a long beach season and lively outdoor events.
| Average climate data for Cape May, United States | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 5 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 18 | 23 | 26 | 26 | 23 | 18 | 12 | 8 | 26 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 0 | 1 | 4 | 9 | 14 | 20 | 23 | 23 | 20 | 15 | 8 | 4 | 0 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 54 | 63 | 82 | 64 | 87 | 81 | 81 | 97 | 67 | 84 | 64 | 80 | 903 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 9 | 9 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 13 | 9 | 11 | 158 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 17 | 16 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 79 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 9 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 73 | 75 | 76 | 77 | 82 | 80 | 79 | 77 | 76 | 75 | 73 | 75 | 77 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 19 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 8 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 13 | 18 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 18 | 14 | 11 | 14 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 9 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 5 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 42 | 46 | 45 | 40 | 42 | 30 | 25 | 26 | 32 | 36 | 37 | 45 | 37 |
| Average UV index | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 4 |
The best time to visit Cape May is from late May to early October, when temperatures are warm, the ocean is inviting, and the town is lively with events and festivals. These months offer the best conditions for beach outings, outdoor dining, and exploring Cape May’s historic charm.
The least favourable time to visit is from December to February, when cold, wet, and windy conditions prevail. While winter brings a peaceful atmosphere and festive holiday events, outdoor activities are limited, and some attractions may operate on reduced schedules.
Cape May has a humid subtropical climate with warm, humid summers and cold, wet winters. Rain falls year-round, and the area experiences moderate snowfall in winter, with abundant sunshine in summer.
The best beach weather is from June to September, when temperatures are warm (25–32°C), the ocean is comfortable for swimming, and sunshine is plentiful. Arrive early to secure a good spot during peak season.
Yes, Cape May averages 12–14 inches (30–36 cm) of snow per year, mostly in winter. However, rain is more common, and snow typically melts quickly due to the coastal influence.
Cape May receives about 44 inches (1,100 mm) of rain annually, with precipitation spread throughout the year. July and October are among the wettest months, but showers are usually brief and followed by sunshine.
Yes, Cape May is often breezy, especially in winter and early spring, with average wind speeds of 14–16 km/h. Summer winds are gentler, averaging 10 km/h, creating a pleasant coastal atmosphere.
In summer, bring light, breathable clothing, sun protection, and a raincoat for occasional showers. For spring and autumn, pack layers for variable weather. In winter, dress warmly with waterproof shoes and wind-resistant outerwear.
Cape May is peaceful in winter, with festive decorations and fewer crowds. While outdoor activities are limited due to cold and wet weather, the town’s historic charm and cosy inns make it a pleasant winter escape.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is July (26.2 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (4.7 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 15.4 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is July (23 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (0.2 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 11.7 °C.
The month with the highest average water temperature is August (24.1 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is February (5.9 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 14.3 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is August (96.5 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is January (53.7 mm). Over the whole year there are 902.8 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is July (17.3 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is January (8.7 days). Over the whole year there are 157.6 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is December (27.1 mm). The months with the least snowfall are April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 79 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is January (2.5 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are August and October (0 days). Over the whole year there are 8.7 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is May (81.8 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is January (73.1 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 76.5 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is January (22 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is July (14.6 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 19 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is February (45.7 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is July (24.9 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 37.1 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 14.1 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 9 h). Over the whole year there are 11.8 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is June (Average sunshine: 10.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is February (Average sunshine: 4.2 h). Over the whole year there are 7.3 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are June, July and August (UV index: 6). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, February and December (UV index: 2). Over the whole year the average UV index is 4.
