Weather for a region or locale is affected by rain, sun, water content in the air, wind patterns and temperature. All of these elements make up what is called a climate in that region. Because these variables can change in terms of mix, one region's climate can be simultaneously very similar and different from another. This is the case between the Atlantic coastal areas of New York and the lower Great Lakes area.
The zone termed the lower Great Lakes covers central and western zones of New York state. Because of the proximity to the lake water, the weather tends to be moderate with frequent cloudy skies. This overcast effect breaks down high heat and acts as buffer to freezing cold elements. The resulting influences reduce the temperature range extremes for the area compared to other parts of New York.
The Atlantic zone pretty much stays consistent with the coastal area of New York facing the ocean. This covers areas of New York City, Long Island, the southern Hudson Valley area and Lake Champlain. However, even within these locations, there are variations between them, referred to as macro-climates. For instance, the Champlain area is considered part of the New England macro-climate while New York City is part of the mid-Atlantic macro-climate. Similar to the lower Great Lakes, the Atlantic Ocean also provides an insulation effect against harsh cold compared to the climate in northern New York.
The New York coastal temperature range can fluctuate from as low as minus 5 degrees C in the winter to as much as 30 degrees C in mid-summer. This temperature can be augmented by rainfall which happens year-round. The lower Great Lakes region is also contact point for arctic freezing winds meeting air masses from the south as far down as the Gulf of Mexico. As a result, depending which wind pattern is blowing, the area's temperature can range just as widely as New York City's.
