Weather Syracuse: Six Months Without a Dry Weekend

Since mid-November 2024, Syracuse, New York, has not experienced a single completely dry weekend, according to climate data from the New York State Weather Risk Communication Center at the University at Albany. That marks an unbroken streak of 26 weekends—and counting—during which some rain or snow has fallen on both Saturday and Sunday.

This persistent pattern has left residents under a nearly constant blanket of clouds and moisture every weekend for over half a year. And as of Memorial Day weekend 2025, this upcoming Saturday and Sunday are expected to follow suit, bringing that total to 27 consecutive wet weekends.

Not just Syracuse

The damp weekend streak isn’t isolated to Syracuse. Watertown, Albany, and Saranac Lake have reported similar weekend precipitation patterns. While Western New York and the Southern Tier managed to enjoy a dry weekend earlier in May, Central and Northern New York haven’t been so fortunate.

Rain every weekend—but not always a washout

Though every weekend has had some measurable precipitation, not all felt like a washout. On Saturday, March 8, for instance, only 0.06 inches of precipitation fell, mostly before sunrise. Still, that trace was enough to continue the wet-weekend record.

Spring showers, not spring sunshine

Since April 1, Syracuse has had 22 days with some rainfall, totaling nearly 9 inches—roughly three months’ worth of normal precipitation packed into less than two months. Cool temperatures have added to the dreariness, keeping spring from feeling like, well, spring.

A glimpse of sun for Memorial Day

There is hope for better weather on Monday, Memorial Day, when skies are expected to clear and temperatures will approach 70°F (21°C). While not tropical, it should be pleasant enough for barbecues and outdoor gatherings. Rain chances return on Tuesday, but are expected to stay below 40% through Thursday.

So, while the clouds may have overstayed their welcome in Central New York, there’s a glimmer of brightness ahead—just not this weekend.