Late summer · Weather & things to do
Ithaca in August
Little changes in Ithaca from July: highs stay near 82°F (28°C), lows near 62°F (17°C), and about 4.2 in (107 mm) of rain falls.
August opens the best stretch on our comfort score, at 76/100 (4th of 12).
- Avg high
- 82°F (28°C)
- Avg low
- 62°F (17°C)
- Rain
- 4.2 in (107 mm)
- Humidity
- 73%
- Cloud cover
- 58%
- Daylight
- ~13 h 44 min
- Comfort score
- 76/100 · Great
What August feels like
Highs settle around 82°F (28°C), warm enough for short sleeves most of the day.
Lows average 62°F (17°C).
Showers are part of the month, adding up to about 4.2 in (107 mm).
Plan around August
August is one of Ithaca's best months on the climate data.
- Inside the wettest three-month stretch, June – August.
- Opens the best-scoring stretch on our comfort score: May & June and August & September.
- Comfort holds steady from July (74 → 76/100).
- August sits inside the May – Oct window our Finger Lakes Wine Trail route recommends.
What to pack for August
- Light, breathable clotheshighs average 82°F
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hatstrong sun this month
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaabout 4.2 in of rain
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Ithaca in August
August is good outdoor weather here, so these picks lean toward the open air.
Cornell Botanic Gardens
Herb gardens, arboretum and gorge trails on the Cornell campus.
Why now Our curated notes say it's best May–Oct.
Buttermilk Falls State Park
Gorge Trail beside a chain of cascades ending in a swimming hole.
Why now Our curated notes say it's best summer.
Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art
Free I.M. Pei-designed art museum with a 5th-floor view over Cayuga Lake.
Ithaca Farmers Market
Lakeside pavilion market with farm stands and prepared food from local vendors.
Why now Our curated notes say it's best saturday morning, Apr–Dec.
Moosewood Restaurant
Vegetarian restaurant since 1973 whose cookbooks shaped American meatless cooking.
Nearby in August
- Keuka Lake in August~34 mi · highs 82°F, 3.9 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Seneca Lake in August~38 mi · highs 82°F, 3.7 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Prince Edward County in August~114 mi · highs 78°F, 2.3 in rain · 3°C (5°F) cooler by day, drier
- Hudson in August~139 mi · highs 83°F, 4.7 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~401 m to Ithaca's ~121 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Ithaca in August: quick answers
Is August a good time to visit Ithaca?
Yes. On the climate data it's one of the best months, scoring 76/100. Expect highs of 82°F (28°C) and 4.2 in (107 mm) of rain. August is inside the May – Oct window our Finger Lakes Wine Trail route recommends.
How hot is Ithaca in August?
Average highs are 82°F (28°C) and average lows 62°F (17°C), making it the 2nd-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Ithaca in August?
Some: about 4.2 in (107 mm) of rain falls across August on average, the 4th-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 42.2 in (1071 mm).
What should I pack for Ithaca in August?
Bring light, breathable clothes (highs average 82°F), sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat (strong sun this month), packable rain jacket or umbrella (about 4.2 in of rain) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
Routes in season in August
- Finger Lakes Wine Trail May – Oct
Planning Ithaca in August?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.