The best times to visit Amherst for ideal weather are
June 11th to September 23rd
based on average temperature and humidity from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Read below for more weather and travel details.
Amherst Travel Guide
Other Amherst Travel Info
Weather in Amherst
Temperature
Average temperatures in Amherst vary drastically. Considering humidity, temperatures feel cold for about half of the year and otherwise nice with a chance of rain or snow throughout most of the year. The area is less temperate than some — in the 20th percentile for pleasant weather — compared to tourist destinations worldwide. Weeks with ideal weather are listed above. If you’re looking for the very warmest time to visit Amherst, the hottest months are July, August, and then September. See average monthly temperatures below. The warmest time of year is generally late July where highs are regularly around 77.7°F (25.4°C) with temperatures rarely dropping below 57.7°F (14.3°C) at night.
Amherst Temperatures (Fahrenheit)
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Amherst Temperatures (Celsius)
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“Feels-Like” Temperatures
The way we experience weather isn’t all about temperature. Higher temperatures affect us much more at higher humidity, and colder temperatures feel piercing with high winds. Our perceived temperatures factor in humidity and wind chill to better represent how hot or cold the day feels to a person.
Amherst Perceived Temperature (F)
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Amherst Perceived Temperature (C)
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Average Amherst Temperatures by Month
Daily highs (averaged for the month) usually give the best indication of the weather. A significantly lower mean and low generally just means it gets colder at night.
Show Fahrenheit
| Month | Avg. High (°F) | Avg. Mean (°F) | Avg. Low (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 31.1 | 20.7 | 11.5 |
| Feb | 30.1 | 20.6 | 11.3 |
| Mar | 38.2 | 28.3 | 19.1 |
| Apr | 50.9 | 40 | 30.1 |
| May | 62.2 | 50.5 | 39.7 |
| Jun | 70.1 | 58.5 | 48.3 |
| Jul | 76.9 | 66 | 55.8 |
| Aug | 76.5 | 65.4 | 55.2 |
| Sep | 69.9 | 58.6 | 48 |
| Oct | 58.3 | 48.2 | 38.5 |
| Nov | 47.4 | 38.5 | 30.1 |
| Dec | 37.1 | 28.6 | 20.7 |
Show Celsius
| Month | Avg. High (°C) | Avg. Mean (°C) | Avg. Low (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | -0.5 | -6.3 | -11.4 |
| Feb | -1.1 | -6.3 | -11.5 |
| Mar | 3.4 | -2.1 | -7.2 |
| Apr | 10.5 | 4.4 | -1.1 |
| May | 16.8 | 10.3 | 4.3 |
| Jun | 21.2 | 14.7 | 9.1 |
| Jul | 24.9 | 18.9 | 13.2 |
| Aug | 24.7 | 18.6 | 12.9 |
| Sep | 21.1 | 14.8 | 8.9 |
| Oct | 14.6 | 9 | 3.6 |
| Nov | 8.6 | 3.6 | -1.1 |
| Dec | 2.8 | -1.9 | -6.3 |
Precipitation (Rain or Snow)
If dry weather is what you’re after, the months with the lowest chance of significant precipitation in Amherst are May, September, and then August. Note that we define “significant precipitation” as .1 inches or more in this section. The lowest chance of rain or snow occurs around mid to late September. For example, on the week of September 17th there is 1 day of precipitation on average. By contrast, it’s most likely to rain or snow in mid December with an average of 3 days of significant precipitation the week of December 17th.
When can you find snow in Amherst? Weather stations report very large amounts of snow likely to be deepest around February, especially close to mid February. The best time to ski (if at all) in Amherst is often around around March 26th when fresh powder is deepest. Please note that a value of 0 for snow in the graph below may either mean there was no snow, or that snow is unreported.
Chance of Precipitation
The graph below shows the % chance of rainy and snowy days in Amherst.
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Snow on the Ground
The graph below shows the average snow on the ground in Amherst (in).
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Average Rain and Snow by Month
Show Inches
| Month | Daily Chance of Rain | Average Snow Depth (in) | Total Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 26% | 7.5 | 3.6 |
| Feb | 24% | 13.8 | 3.8 |
| Mar | 21% | 11.5 | 3.4 |
| Apr | 24% | 8.7 | 3.2 |
| May | 19% | 0.5 | 3 |
| Jun | 29% | 0 | 4.5 |
| Jul | 25% | 0 | 3.6 |
| Aug | 20% | 1.6 | 3.8 |
| Sep | 19% | 0.4 | 4.2 |
| Oct | 25% | 0.9 | 4.3 |
| Nov | 24% | 4.5 | 4.9 |
| Dec | 35% | 6 | 5.8 |
Show Centimeters
| Month | Daily Chance of Rain | Average Snow Depth (cm) | Total Precipitation (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 26 | 19.1 | 9.1 |
| Feb | 24 | 35.1 | 9.7 |
| Mar | 21 | 29.2 | 8.6 |
| Apr | 24 | 22.1 | 8.1 |
| May | 19 | 1.3 | 7.6 |
| Jun | 29 | 0 | 11.4 |
| Jul | 25 | 0 | 9.1 |
| Aug | 20 | 4.1 | 9.7 |
| Sep | 19 | 1 | 10.7 |
| Oct | 25 | 2.3 | 10.9 |
| Nov | 24 | 11.4 | 12.4 |
| Dec | 35 | 15.2 | 14.7 |
Humidity and Wind
Amherst has some very humid months, and above average humidity throughout the year. The least humid month is March (64.1% relative humidity), and the most humid month is December (76.1%).
Wind in Amherst is usually moderate. The windiest month is March, followed by January and April. March’s average wind speed of around 9 knots (10.4 MPH or 16.7 KPH) is considered “a gentle breeze.” Maximum sustained winds (the highest speed for the day lasting more than a few moments) are at their highest in late December where average top sustained speeds reach 16.7 knots, which is considered a moderate breeze.
Relative Humidity (%)
The graph below shows the average % humidity by month in Amherst.
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Wind
The graph below shows wind speed (max and average) in knots.
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Average Wind Speeds
Show Wind Speeds
All wind speeds are in knots. 1 knot = 1.15 MPH or 1.85 KPH.
| Month | Avg. Wind | Avg. Wind Feel | Sustained High Wind | High Wind Feel |
| Jan | 8.9 | Gentle breeze | 16 | Significant breeze |
| Feb | 8.6 | Gentle breeze | 15.5 | Significant breeze |
| Mar | 9 | Gentle breeze | 16.1 | Significant breeze |
| Apr | 8.8 | Gentle breeze | 15.4 | Significant breeze |
| May | 8.2 | Gentle breeze | 14.9 | Significant breeze |
| Jun | 6.9 | Light breeze | 12.8 | Significant breeze |
| Jul | 6.7 | Light breeze | 12.5 | Significant breeze |
| Aug | 6.5 | Light breeze | 11.9 | Significant breeze |
| Sep | 7.2 | Gentle breeze | 13.1 | Significant breeze |
| Oct | 7.8 | Gentle breeze | 14 | Significant breeze |
| Nov | 8.5 | Gentle breeze | 14.9 | Significant breeze |
| Dec | 8.6 | Gentle breeze | 15.6 | Significant breeze |
Show Relative Humidity by Month
| Month | Avg. Relative Humidity |
|---|---|
| Jan | 69.6% |
| Feb | 69.7% |
| Mar | 64.1% |
| Apr | 64.7% |
| May | 67.5% |
| Jun | 72.5% |
| Jul | 74.2% |
| Aug | 74.9% |
| Sep | 75.1% |
| Oct | 73.9% |
| Nov | 73.4% |
| Dec | 76.1% |
Is it Safe to Travel to Amherst?
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The Busiest and Least Crowded Months
The busiest month for tourism in Amherst, NS, Canada is July, followed by August and June. Prices for hotels and flights will be most expensive during these months, though you can save if you purchase well in advance. Tourists are unlikely to visit Amherst in December. Those willing to visit at these times will likely find it the least expensive month.
Estimated Tourism by Month
Most Popular Months to Visit
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Overall Amherst Travel Experience by Season
Spring (March through May)
Humidity and temperatures combine to make this season feel moderately cold. Highs range from 66.2°F (19°C) and 32.6°F (0.3°C) with far warmer temperatures in the later months. Rain is somewhat common with 6 to 7 days of significant precipitation per month. Spring is the second busiest for tourism, which makes it a good time for those looking for things to do.
Summer (June through August)
The middle-year months have very comfortable weather with high temperatures that are comfortable. These months see moderate precipitation with 6 to 9 days of precipitation per month. June – August is the busiest season for tourism in Amherst, so lodging and other accommodations may cost more than usual.
Fall (September through November)
Fall daily highs range from 73.3°F (22.9°C) and 42.4°F (5.8°C), which will feel chilly given the humidity and wind. It rains or snows a significant amount: 6 to 8 days per month. Tourism is fairly slow during these months due to the weather, so hotels may be lower priced.
Winter (December through February)
Weather is far too cold this time of year in Amherst to be enjoyable for warm weather travelers. The average high during this season is between 40.7°F (4.8°C) and 25.7°F (-3.5°C). On average, it rains or snows a fair amount: 7 to 11 times per month. These times of year are the slowest with tourists.
Best Times to Travel› Canada › Amherst, NS, Canada