Atlantic City, which is known as the inspiration for the American version of Monopoly and as a gambling hub to rival Las Vegas, is located on Absecon Island on the Atlantic coast. It may come as some relief to gambling holiday-makers that, even if the money dries up, the usually weather wonât!<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
One of the main features of <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Atlantic City is its extensive boardwalk stretching along the beach for just under six miles, the longest boardwalk in the world. Originally started by hotel owners trying to keep sand out of their lobbies, the boardwalk actually used to be around seven miles long until the Great Atlantic Hurricane of 1944 destroyed part of it.
The climate in Atlantic City is classified as a humid subtropical climate which entails hot, humid summers and chilly winters (colder than the word âsubtropicalâ might have you believe). This kind of climate also involves plenty of precipitation as well as stormy weather and even the occasional hurricane or cyclone.
July has the warmest average temperature which may feel slightly hotter than it actually is due to the fact that it also has the highest humidity. August is, on average, the wettest month while January tends to be the coolest month. The highest temperature on record for AC is 102°F (39°C) which was documented in 1983. The lowest temperature ever recorded in the city was -3°F (-19.5°C) in 1994.
Atlantic Cityâs location on the coast is integral to the kind of weather it receives. The oceanic breeze tempers the hottest of the summer days and there is a significant amount of fog all year round although it is more common in July and August. The influence of the Atlantic Ocean also lessens the chance of snow in the city, making it more likely to rain in AC while neighbouring cities further inland receive snowfall.
There has been a $63million project to replenish the eroded beaches and dunes along 8.1 miles of Absecon Islandâs oceanfront. Completed in 2005, the new beaches are constructed with sand made from recycled glass and are intended to protect Atlantic City and other settlements from storm damage and other weather that could blow in from the Atlantic Ocean.
Summer
Although ACâs weather is generally mild, summer tends to have a bit more of everything. The city is more humid, receives much more sunshine (usually nine hours per day throughout summer) and sees more fog coupled with a greater average volume of rain. However, it may be worth noting that, while more rain falls, there are normally fewer rainy days which is indicative of shorter but heavier showers.
Summer in the city is usually pleasantly clement with average temperatures of 70°F, 75°F and 74°F in June, July and August respectively. The sea tends to be between 70°F and 73°F, perfect for swimming. Given the coastal location of Atlantic City, it is best to pack for changeable weather and take a peek at the forecast before setting off on your vacation.
Winter
With average low temperatures ranging from 22°F to 36°F and averages highs between 41-56°F, this period (from November to January) tends to be decidedly chilly. Night-time temperatures can drop below freezing and there is a small chance of snow between December and March. These conditions may be of little consequence to gamblers since itâs much warmer inside the casinos.
Although the typical sea temperatures for winter are colder (43-55°F), autumn actually experiences the coldest seawater. Similarly, while winter rains are more frequent than in summer, autumn tends to be rainiest. There is normally less fog and less sunshine throughout winter.