What’s the Weather Like in Franconia Notch?
Located in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Franconia Notch State Park offers visitors beautiful vistas and many fun activities during all four seasons. But what’s the weather like there? To answer that question, let’s take a look at the franconia notch weather statistics from recent years
Why Visit Franconia Notch
While most people visit only to hike up Cannon Mountain and see Cannon Cliff, there are many reasons why someone would want to visit Franconia Notch. The area is rich with history and culture, as well as natural beauty. There are two major ski resorts nearby, Bretton Woods and Cranmore Mountain Resort (both offer summer ski programs). Other activities include mountain biking, rock climbing and fishing (specifically fly fishing). As for outdoor hiking, there are plenty of trails in the surrounding White Mountains with spectacular views from Mt Washington on clear days. If you’re looking for indoors fun too, there is a casino nearby called Northern Nights Casino. It has restaurants, entertainment and gaming options.
General weather conditions
The weather franconia notch conditions on Mount Washington can change quickly, often producing whiteout conditions and extremely strong winds. The average annual temperature is 41 degrees Fahrenheit (5 °C), but temperatures can reach as low as -48 °F (-44.4 °C) during winter and rise to 82 °F (27.8 °C) during summer. Temperatures at night stay below freezing all year long, making a visit from late September to early June most ideal for tourists seeking good franconia notch weather. Summer is also tourist season for Mount Washington, meaning that hotels and restaurants are open throughout that time period. Additionally, you’ll likely see more travelers visiting in late August or early September since those months offer slightly warmer temperatures but still have plenty of daylight hours left.
Winter Conditions
From mid-November through late March, visitors should prepare for sustained cold temperatures and a lot of snow. In particular, plan to be off the mountains by noon—this is when afternoon storms tend to blow through. But aside from that, there’s no bad time to visit: The Green Mountains provide shelter on both sides, so you can enjoy a full day of skiing even if it happens to be raining at base camp. That said, February is probably Franconia’s best month: It boasts an average temperature of 34 degrees Fahrenheit and 4 feet of snowfall. If you get tired of skiing, horseback riding is another good way to see scenic mountain vistas; trails are available for all skill levels.
Spring Conditions
The franconia notch weather is generally pleasant from spring to fall, with warm days and crisp nights. Summer days are long but temperatures can quickly climb during midday. The best time to visit Franconia Notch State Park is during summer months, when temperatures hover between 35°C (95°F) and 17°C (63°F). Average daytime highs run around 33°C (91°F) while average nighttime lows are 18°C (64°F). Local hiking trails open as early as May while campgrounds remain open through October.
Summer Conditions
Tourists visiting Franconia Notch State Park can expect warm temperatures during summer months. From June through August, daily highs average around 72 degrees. It’s no surprise that July is one of New Hampshire’s warmest months—it’s often sunny and humid, with an average temperature of 78 degrees. The sunniest days are usually find in July or August; if you plan to visit during these months, it would be wise to pack sunscreen and an umbrella for a quick shower. (For those interested in visiting during spring or fall, it should be noted that temperatures tend to cool down at night.)
Fall Conditions
The last couple of weekends have been full of fall franconia notch weather and autumn foliage in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. Temperatures have hovered around 70°F, providing ideal hiking conditions, while rainfall has provided a beautiful backdrop to mountains painted with reds, yellows and oranges. The week ahead looks similar with occasional showers predicted every afternoon. On Sunday, expect mostly sunny skies with a high temperature near 70°F and an overnight low around 30°F. Monday through Wednesday will bring overcast skies with brief sun breaks each day; highs will stay near 60°F and lows dip into the mid-30s at night. More rain is expected on Thursday through Saturday before drying out for early November by Sunday morning.
Posted on: June 14, 2022
By Daniel Johnson