Atlantic City, NJ: When to Go and Weather

Weather: . Atlantic City weather has everything to do with its close proximity to the ocean. Situated on New Jersey's Absecon Island, Atlantic City has a climate that's a mix of coastal and continental: humid, with mild winters and blazing hot summers. Though the city is almost never directly hit with a hurricane, Atlantic City is coastal, and for stretches of the late summer and fall, the area could be rainier and windier due to hurricanes elsewhere in the Atlantic Ocean.

Summer: Thanks to the hot sun and cool ocean, you'll have a hard time finding a place to put down your beach blanket in Atlantic City during July and August. The average temperature is 75 degrees F and the average rainfall is 4 inches per month.

Fall: As the temperatures cool, the heavy beach crowds diminish and Atlantic City becomes a more relaxed weekend destination. The average temperature is 60 degrees F and the average monthly rainfall is 3 inches.

Winter: Snow is possible in Atlantic City during December, January, and February, but the winter precipitation often turns to freezing rain, sleet, or slush due to the mild temperatures. The average temperature is 31 degrees F and the average monthly rainfall is 3.2 inches.

Spring: Rain is frequent in April and May, though these months also see plenty of mild, sunny days fit for beach trips and outdoor activities. The average temperature is 55 degrees F and the average rainfall is 3.4 inches per month.

Local sources for weather include NBC 40.

When to Go: Peak Season

Atlantic City is known for two major attractions: the coast and the casinos. In the summer months of June, July, and August, both throng with visitors eager to get a tan, catch a show, play the slot machines, or just revel in the gaudy glamour of the seaside resort. Hotel rates are up - way up - in summer, and the weather is often hot and sunny during the day with afternoon thunderstorms temporarily breaking up the heat. You'll rarely need long sleeves as the weather is warm and humid even when it's overcast. This isn't the time to come to Atlantic City if you're seeking a little R&R: everywhere you turn, you'll see crowds.

When to Go: Off Season
Winter is cold and gray in Atlantic City, and many of the big hotels close their doors for the coldest weather. But while Atlantic City weather dips down below freezing some days in January and February, the area still draws a modest number of tourists or weekenders from Philadelphia or New York who just want to get away for a few days. Hotel rates are about a third of their usual price during winter, and while the lively spirit of Atlantic City tends to dissolve when the weather gets cold, the city is a pleasantly mellow destination for boardwalk strolling and seafood feasts in the off season.

When to Go: Shoulder Season
On spring weekends, eager gamblers and beachgoers flood Atlantic City. Hotel room rates climb as it gets closer to the start of summer, and even the spring rainstorms don't seem to put a damper on the enthusiasm of tourists - after all, you can just head to the craps table when gray clouds hang over the beach. Fall, too, draws healthy crowds, especially on weekends, though you'll see more families on bicycles than wild bachelor parties heading into the casinos. Atlantic City weather is cooler and sunny in September and October, making it an appealing destination for a short getaway.

• Mon

   

  Showers

  51  50

• Tue

   

  Drizzle

  55  46

• Wed

   

  Mostly Cloudy

  58  50

• Thu

   

  Showers

  57  47

• Fri

   

  Showers

  51  41

• Sat

   

  Partly Cloudy

  48  39

• Sun

   

  Sunny

  49  42

Get more information on Atlantic City weather.