AI-generatedCape May, New Jersey at a glance
- Best time
- Jul – Aug
- Warmest month
- Jul · 27°
- Warmest sea
- Aug · 24.0°
- Sunshine a year
- 2,370 h
- Rain a year
- 1,168 mm
- Climate
- Temperate
- Time zone
- UTC−5 / UTC−4
- Elevation
- 2 m
Climate in Cape May, New Jersey
Cape May, New Jersey has a temperate climate with warm summers and cool winters. July is the warmest month with average highs of 27 °C, while January is the coolest at 5 °C. With around 2,370 hours of sunshine a year, Cape May, New Jersey is sunny; July is the sunniest month with 8.5 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Weather in October
Holiday weather in October
Poor
Best time to visit: July – August
October is the peak of the hurricane season
Good forSightseeing & walks
Keep in mindStorm season
A typical day in October
- Morning, 08:00: about 14°
- Midday, 13:00: about 18°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 18°
- Evening, 20:00: about 16°
- Night, 23:00: about 15°
07:0818:23
Cool evenings: pack a jumper or a jacket.
Estimated from the average high and low: coolest around sunrise, warmest in mid-afternoon.
Light for photos in October
- Golden hour
- Morning 06:51–07:44 · evening 17:47–18:39
- Blue hour
- Morning 06:41–06:51 · evening 18:39–18:50
Golden hour: the sun between 4° below and 6° above the horizon; blue hour: 6° to 4° below it. Times for the 15th of the month; mountains and clouds shift the light.
What is the weather like in Cape May, New Jersey in October?
In October, Cape May, New Jersey is mild: daytime highs average 18 °C, and nights cool down to about 14 °C. The sea averages 18.6 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. Expect around 6 hours of sunshine a day. Rain falls on about 8 days, adding up to 111 mm. All in all, October is not an ideal month for a holiday in Cape May, New Jersey.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 11 h 15 min07:08 – 18:23
- UV index
- 4 · moderateclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
- Muggy days
- 2 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
- Wind
- 23 km/haverage daily peakAll months
- Cloud cover
- 49 %on averageAll months
- Hot days
- 0 days30 °C or moreAll months
- Snow days
- 0 days1 cm or more of fresh snowAll months
- Time zone
- UTC−4America/New_York
How the score comes together
- Temperatureweight 35 %0 %
- Seaweight 25 %23 %
- Sunshineweight 20 %50 %
- Few rainy daysweight 20 %69 %
Each factor is rated from 0 to 100 % and weighted for the travel style “Sun, sea & sand”.
What to pack in October
- Wetsuit for longer swims
- Sunscreen
- A jumper for the evenings
- Rain jacket or umbrella
Sea temperature in Cape May, New Jersey
Monthly sea surface temperature with the range of cooler and warmer years.
8 in 10 years: 17.5 – 20.0 °C
Swimming season: Jul – Sep
- cold
- fresh
- refreshing
- pleasant
- warm
- very warm
The sea temperature in Cape May, New Jersey ranges from 3.9 °C in February to 24.0 °C in August. It is warm enough for a comfortable swim (20 °C and more) from July to September.
The sea warms up slowly: it is warmest in August, while the air already peaks in July. From October to December the sea is even warmer than the afternoon air. The sea temperature varies from year to year: in August, eight out of ten years were between 22.9 and 25.1 °C.
| Month | Average | Cool year | Warm year | Feels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 5.1° | 3.0° | 6.6° | cold |
| FebruaryFeb | 3.9° | 2.7° | 5.5° | cold |
| MarchMar | 5.6° | 4.0° | 7.0° | cold |
| AprilApr | 9.3° | 7.8° | 10.5° | cold |
| MayMay | 14.2° | 12.9° | 15.6° | cold |
| JuneJun | 19.8° | 18.2° | 21.0° | fresh |
| JulyJul | 23.3° | 21.8° | 24.9° | pleasant |
| AugustAug | 24.0° | 22.9° | 25.1° | pleasant |
| SeptemberSep | 22.7° | 21.9° | 23.5° | refreshing |
| OctoberOct | 18.6° | 17.5° | 20.0° | fresh |
| NovemberNov | 13.2° | 12.3° | 14.2° | cold |
| DecemberDec | 8.5° | 7.2° | 10.3° | cold |
Sunshine hours in Cape May, New Jersey
Average hours of bright sunshine per day, next to the length of the day. Tap a month to select it.
In October, the sun shines for about 6.0 of 11.3 hours of daylight in Cape May, New Jersey, 53 % of the day.
Sunshine hours: estimated from radiation data (ERA5, 1996–2025) and calibrated against measured station values; no weather station is close enough here. Daylight is the time from sunrise to sunset on the 15th of the month.
UV index in Cape May, New Jersey
How strong the sun is at noon, month by month, and how quickly unprotected skin burns.
- Clear-sky UV in October
- 4 · moderateAround midday seek shade; use sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
The sun is strongest in June (UV 10).
Minutes until sunburn in October
- Very fair skin
- about 30 min
- Fair skin
- about 40 min
- Light brown skin
- about 55 min
- Olive skin
- about 70 min
Rough guide for unprotected skin at noon under a clear sky; clouds lengthen it, water, sand and snow shorten it. Sunscreen extends the time only partly.
Monthly values: clear-sky noon estimate from the sun's angle, ozone and altitude. UV today: Open-Meteo forecast.
Rain in Cape May, New Jersey: rainy days and rainfall
A rainy day is a day with at least 1 mm of rain or snow; the amount is what falls in the whole month. Tap a month to select it.
In October, Cape May, New Jersey has about 8 rainy days with 111 mm of rain in total.
Wind and clouds in Cape May, New Jersey
How breezy and how cloudy Cape May, New Jersey is through the year. Tap a month to select it on the whole page.
Wind
Typical daily peak of the wind in km/h: what the afternoon breeze usually reaches, not the gusts.
In October, the wind in Cape May, New Jersey typically peaks at 23 km/h during the day: Beaufort 4, moderate breeze.
Breezy months for windsurfing and kiting
From Beaufort 4 (20 km/h) the daily breeze is usually enough for windsurfing and often for kiting: Sep – Jun.
Clouds
Average share of the sky covered by cloud, day and night.
In October, cloud covers on average 49 % of the sky over Cape May, New Jersey: variable cloud, with about 6.0 hours of sunshine a day.
Wind: mean daily maximum of the hourly wind 10 m above ground (ERA5, 1996–2025). Gusts are stronger, and the model grid of about 28 km smooths out local effects such as capes and valley winds. Clouds: mean total cloud cover of all layers over day and night (ERA5, 1996–2025). Thin high cloud counts as cover even when the sun still shines through.
Heat and humidity in Cape May, New Jersey
How often the day gets hot in Cape May, New Jersey (30 °C and more), and in which months heat and humidity come together. Tap a month to select it.
Heat calendar
- pleasant
- some hot or muggy days
- often muggy
- often hot
- hot and muggy
In October, Cape May, New Jersey has about 0 hot days, with an average daytime high of 18 °C: pleasant. Heat plays no part this month.
Hot days reach at least 30 °C; a month counts as muggy when the mean dew point reaches 18 °C on at least 15 days. Averages from ERA5 and ERA5-Land, 1996–2025. Muggy nights through the year
Snow in Cape May, New Jersey
Snow is possible in Cape May, New Jersey, but no month makes it likely: the chance of seeing snow during a week's stay, the days with fresh snow and how much falls. Tap a month to select it.
Snow calendar
- hardly any
- possible
- likely
- very likely
In October, it hardly ever snows in Cape May, New Jersey.
Snow days bring at least 1 cm of fresh snow. Fresh snow comes from ERA5 snowfall (1996–2025) at the height of the place, not on the slopes above it; the snow chance also weighs whether the snow settles. An estimate from climate averages, not a snow report.
Climate through the year
Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.
Nights and sleep in Cape May, New Jersey
How warm the nights get in each month, from the mean night-time low. Tap a month for details.
- Cold 0–8°
- Cool 8–15°
- Pleasant 15–20°
- Warm 20–24°
- muggy month (10+ muggy days)
CoolOctober: nights around 14°. A duvet at night and a jumper for the evening. Muggy on about 2 days (dew point 18 °C or more).
The coolest nights are in January (0°), the warmest in July (22°). Tropical nights of 20 °C and more are the rule from July to August; then air conditioning or a fan helps you sleep. Nights are pleasant for sleeping (15 to 20 °C) in June and in September. Nights fall below 8 °C on average from December to March, so the room should be heated. It is muggy (dew point 18 °C or more) on about 81 days a year, mostly from June to September.
Temperatures through the year
Average daytime high, night-time low and sea temperature per month.
| Month | Score | Day | Night | Sea | Sun | Rain days | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 18 | 5° | 0° | 5.1° | 4.9 h | 10 | 90 |
| FebruaryFeb | 20 | 6° | 1° | 3.9° | 5.3 h | 10 | 89 |
| MarchMar | 22 | 9° | 4° | 5.6° | 6.2 h | 10 | 106 |
| AprilApr | 25 | 14° | 9° | 9.3° | 7.2 h | 10 | 92 |
| MayMay | 26 | 19° | 14° | 14.2° | 7.6 h | 10 | 93 |
| JuneJun | 67 | 24° | 19° | 19.8° | 8.2 h | 10 | 87 |
| JulyJul | 86 | 27° | 22° | 23.3° | 8.5 h | 11 | 105 |
| AugustAug | 86 | 26° | 22° | 24.0° | 7.7 h | 11 | 112 |
| SeptemberSep | 69 | 23° | 19° | 22.7° | 6.3 h | 10 | 98 |
| OctoberOct | 29 | 18° | 14° | 18.6° | 6.0 h | 8 | 111 |
| NovemberNov | 22 | 13° | 8° | 13.2° | 5.3 h | 8 | 80 |
| DecemberDec | 17 | 8° | 3° | 8.5° | 4.6 h | 10 | 105 |
Climate averages 1996–2025, not a forecast. Data: Copernicus ERA5 / ERA5-Land via Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0), NOAA OISST, WMO 1991–2020 (NOAA NCEI), GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Sources & licences
38.94° N, 74.91° W · 2 m · America/New_York
Best time to visit Cape May, New Jersey
The best time to visit Cape May, New Jersey is from July to August. For a beach holiday with the sea above 21 °C, go from July to September. For sightseeing, day trips and hiking, conditions are most comfortable from May to October. The wettest month is August with 112 mm of precipitation.
Cape May, New Jersey through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
Cape May, New Jersey in spring
Mar – May
Poor
- 9–19 °C by day
- Sea 10 °C
- 7 h of sun a day
- 31 rainy days in all
Cape May, New Jersey in summer
Jun – Aug
Excellent
- 24–27 °C by day
- Sea 22 °C
- 8 h of sun a day
- 32 rainy days in all
Cape May, New Jersey in autumn
Sep – Nov
Fair
- 13–23 °C by day
- Sea 18 °C
- 6 h of sun a day
- 26 rainy days in all
Cape May, New Jersey in winter
Dec – Feb
Poor
- 5–8 °C by day
- Sea 6 °C
- 5 h of sun a day
- 29 rainy days in all
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Cape May, New Jersey for you.
Your best months: July – August
Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.
Compare two months in Cape May, New Jersey
Pick two months to see how the weather differs. A tick marks the clearly better value; for temperatures it depends on your plans.
July has the better holiday weather in Cape May, New Jersey: score 86 against 29. In July, days are 9 °C warmer than in October. The sea is 5 °C warmer in July. July has 3 more rainy days. The sun shines 3 hours longer a day in July.
| Month | October | July |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 29 | 86better |
| Day high | 18° | 27° |
| Night low | 14° | 22° |
| Sea | 18.6° | 23.3° |
| Sunshine | 6.0 h | 8.5 hbetter |
| Rainy days | 8better | 11 |
| Rainfall | 111 mm | 105 mm |
| Muggy days | 2better | 25 |
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Which month for what?
Beach & swimming
Jul – Sep
Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry
Sightseeing & hiking
May – Oct
15–28 °C and not too much rain
Snow
Jan – Feb
Snow on 2 or more days
Cape May, New Jersey month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
18January5° · Sea 5° · 5 h
In January, Cape May, New Jersey is cold: daytime highs average 5 °C, and nights cool down to about 0 °C. The sea averages 5.1 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 5 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 90 mm in total. Snow falls on about 2 days. All in all, January is not an ideal month for a holiday in Cape May, New Jersey.
Cape May, New Jersey in January20February6° · Sea 4° · 5 h
In February, Cape May, New Jersey is cold: daytime highs average 6 °C, and nights cool down to about 1 °C. The sea averages 3.9 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 5 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 89 mm in total. Snow falls on about 2 days. All in all, February is not an ideal month for a holiday in Cape May, New Jersey.
Cape May, New Jersey in February22March9° · Sea 6° · 6 h
In March, Cape May, New Jersey is cold: daytime highs average 9 °C, and nights cool down to about 4 °C. The sea averages 5.6 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 6 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 106 mm in total. All in all, March is not an ideal month for a holiday in Cape May, New Jersey.
Cape May, New Jersey in March25April14° · Sea 9° · 7 h
In April, Cape May, New Jersey is cool: daytime highs average 14 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. The sea averages 9.3 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 92 mm in total. All in all, April is not an ideal month for a holiday in Cape May, New Jersey.
Cape May, New Jersey in April26May19° · Sea 14° · 8 h
In May, Cape May, New Jersey is mild: daytime highs average 19 °C, and nights cool down to about 14 °C. The sea averages 14.2 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 93 mm in total. All in all, May is not an ideal month for a holiday in Cape May, New Jersey.
Cape May, New Jersey in May67June24° · Sea 20° · 8 h
In June, Cape May, New Jersey is warm: daytime highs average 24 °C, and nights cool down to about 19 °C. The sea averages 19.8 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 87 mm in total. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, June is a good month for a holiday in Cape May, New Jersey.
Cape May, New Jersey in June86July27° · Sea 23° · 9 h
In July, Cape May, New Jersey is warm: daytime highs average 27 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 22 °C. The sea averages 23.3 °C – pleasant for swimming. The sun shines for around 9 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 105 mm in total. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, July is an excellent month for a holiday in Cape May, New Jersey.
Cape May, New Jersey in July86August26° · Sea 24° · 8 h
In August, Cape May, New Jersey is warm: daytime highs average 26 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 22 °C. The sea averages 24.0 °C – pleasant for swimming. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 112 mm in total. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, August is an excellent month for a holiday in Cape May, New Jersey.
Cape May, New Jersey in August69September23° · Sea 23° · 6 h
In September, Cape May, New Jersey is warm: daytime highs average 23 °C, and nights cool down to about 19 °C. The sea averages 22.7 °C – refreshing for a swim. Expect around 6 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 98 mm in total. All in all, September is a good month for a holiday in Cape May, New Jersey.
Cape May, New Jersey in September29October18° · Sea 19° · 6 h
In October, Cape May, New Jersey is mild: daytime highs average 18 °C, and nights cool down to about 14 °C. The sea averages 18.6 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. Expect around 6 hours of sunshine a day. Rain falls on about 8 days, adding up to 111 mm. All in all, October is not an ideal month for a holiday in Cape May, New Jersey.
Cape May, New Jersey in October22November13° · Sea 13° · 5 h
In November, Cape May, New Jersey is cool: daytime highs average 13 °C, and nights cool down to about 8 °C. The sea averages 13.2 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 5 hours of sunshine a day. Rain falls on about 8 days, adding up to 80 mm. All in all, November is not an ideal month for a holiday in Cape May, New Jersey.
Cape May, New Jersey in November17December8° · Sea 9° · 5 h
In December, Cape May, New Jersey is cold: daytime highs average 8 °C, and nights cool down to about 3 °C. The sea averages 8.5 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 5 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 105 mm in total. All in all, December is not an ideal month for a holiday in Cape May, New Jersey.
Cape May, New Jersey in DecemberCape May, New Jersey compared
Put Cape May, New Jersey side by side with another destination.
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Cape May vs. Atlantic City
In October the holiday weather in Cape May and Atlantic City is about equally good (score 29 vs. 28). During the day it is about as warm in Atlantic City as in Cape May. The sea in Atlantic City is 1 °C cooler.
| in October | Cape May | Atlantic City |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday score | 29 | 28 |
| Daytime high | 18° | 18° |
| Sea | 19° | 18° |
| Sunshine | 6 h | 6 h |
| Rainy days | 8 | 8 |
| Best time | Jul – Aug | Jul – Sep |
Through the year
USA in October: the best places
In October, Cape May, New Jersey ranks 21 among the 31 nearest destinations in this country.
- Charlotte22°85
- 2Raleigh22°84
- 3Richmond21°82
- 4Washington20°19°81
- 5Philadelphia19°18°79
- 6Baltimore19°18°79
- 7New York18°18°77
- 8Myrtle Beach23°24°73
- 21Cape MayThis page18°19°29
Planning a trip to Cape May, New Jersey
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
Cape May, New Jersey in the school holidays
How the weather suits the usual holiday periods. Dates vary by school and region, so each holiday uses the months it usually falls in.
Cape May, New Jersey has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 86) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 18).
- 24
Easter holidays
Mar – Apr
Poor
- 13 °C by day
- Sea 8 °C
- 6.9 h of sun a day
- 10 rainy days a month
- 34
May half-term
May – Jun
Poor
- 20 °C by day
- Sea 15 °C
- 7.7 h of sun a day
- 10 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 86
Summer holidays
Jul – Aug
ExcellentBest holidays
- 26 °C by day
- Sea 24 °C
- 8.0 h of sun a day
- 11 rainy days a month
Good for: Beach & swimming, Sightseeing & walks
Keep in mind: Storm season
- 29
October half-term
Oct
Poor
- 18 °C by day
- Sea 19 °C
- 6.0 h of sun a day
- 8 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
Keep in mind: Storm season
- 18
Christmas holidays
Dec – Jan
Poor
- 7 °C by day
- Sea 7 °C
- 4.8 h of sun a day
- 10 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Snow
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Getting there
Flying from
- Nonstop flight
- about 7 h 25 min
- Distance
- 5,730 km
- Time zone
- UTC−4
- Jet lag
- About 3 days (5 h west)
Rule of thumb for flying west: for a few days before, stay up a little later, and get afternoon and evening light at your destination.
Estimated from the straight-line distance: 30 minutes for take-off and landing plus 830 km/h cruising speed.
Storm season
Cape May, New Jersey lies in an area that Atlantic hurricanes can reach. The hurricane season runs from June to November, with most storms from August to October. A direct hit on any one place is rare, but if you travel then, keep an eye on weather warnings and book flexibly.
- January
- February
- March
- April
- May
- June: Season
- July: Season
- August: Peak
- September: Peak
- October: Peak
- November: Season
- December
Official season dates of the regional warning centres (NOAA, JMA, IMD, Météo-France, BoM); not a forecast.
Frequently asked questions about Cape May, New Jersey
When is the best time to visit Cape May, New Jersey?
The best time to visit Cape May, New Jersey is from July to August. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.
How warm is the sea in Cape May, New Jersey?
The sea temperature in Cape May, New Jersey ranges from 3.9 °C in February to 24.0 °C in August. It is warm enough for a comfortable swim (20 °C and more) from July to September.
Can you swim in Cape May, New Jersey in October?
Only if you don't mind cold water: in October the sea averages just 18.6 °C. Comfortable swimming is possible from July to September.
What is the warmest month in Cape May, New Jersey?
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 27 °C and nights around 22 °C. January is the coolest month at 5 °C.
When does it rain most in Cape May, New Jersey?
The wettest month is August with 112 mm of precipitation. The driest month is November with 80 mm.
How many hours of sunshine does Cape May, New Jersey get?
Cape May, New Jersey gets around 2,370 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is July with 8.5 hours a day; in December there are 4.6 hours a day.
What time zone is Cape May, New Jersey in?
Cape May, New Jersey uses the time zone America/New_York: UTC−5 in January and UTC−4 in July.
How long is the flight from London to Cape May, New Jersey?
A nonstop flight from London to Cape May, New Jersey takes about 7 h 25 min, for a straight-line distance of about 5,730 km.
When is hurricane season in Cape May, New Jersey?
Cape May, New Jersey lies in an area that Atlantic hurricanes can reach. The hurricane season runs from June to November, with most storms from August to October. A direct hit on any one place is rare, but if you travel then, keep an eye on weather warnings and book flexibly.
Which school holidays are best for Cape May, New Jersey?
Cape May, New Jersey has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 86) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 18). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 24, May half-term 34, Summer holidays 86, October half-term 29, Christmas holidays 18.
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