We are flying from London for a fortnight.and are planning to go to NYC, washington DC and Niagara Falls on 1st April 2011. Any idea what the weather is like, mainly for driving from DC to Niagara? Temp in C would be really helpful.
Thanks a lot.

http://www.wunderground.com/tripplanner/index.asp will give you historic temps and rain/snow info for almost anywhere in the world on any dates. The drive to Niagara Falls is at least 7 hrs. from NYC and much further from DC. Not a good use of your time. Flying to Buffalo, NY from either NYC or Washington would be a better option.

New York has susbstantially colder winters than the UK - with a lot more snow. While it will be early spring in New York City = you will not have any leaves on the trees yet - and can still get snow even in NYC - and temps can be early spring - or winter cold and snow. (One of our biggest blizzards - with about 2 feet of snow - was late March. Niagara Falls is likely to be colder and I think you'll find that on April 1st many of the sights will still be closed. They typically don;t open until May at the earliest.

I really think you need to reschedule you trip.

For New York city the average C highs and lows are 8 and 1 for March and 16 and 6 for April. (so about 12 and 4 for the begining of April). Niagara Falls is colder:-4 and minus 3 for March and 12 and 2 for April, so about 8 and zero for april 1st.

Also do realize that if it's the begining of April you may well run into bad weather trying to drive to Niagara Falls from either DC or NYC.

I dont think she needs to reschedule her trip but keep to DC / Baltimore area.

Or keep it flexible for hotel rooms in DC and NYC. When it gets close and the weather is nice, then come to NYC.

No matter what, you don't want a car. Just take Amtrak b/w DC and NYC.

I would agree that Niagara Falls doesn't work that early.

Why doesn't Niagara Falls "work" that early?

As NYT pointed out, a lot of the sites are closed and the weather most likely will not be good.

Thanks everyone. Unfortunately I cannot change the trip dates.I am flying to JFK and planning to be in NYC for 6/7 nights. Then be in DC for 3 and Niagara for 3/4. Does it sound doable. Won't be in Niagara before 10th April, maybe.

If you look at the info for Niagara Falls you will find that Maid of the Mist doesn;t operate that early, that things will not be looking their best since the trees won't be in leaf and there will be few flowers, that there may well still be snow on the ground - making seeing some of the other sights difficult or hazardous due to slippery conditions. Also have no idea what you will do there for 3 or 4 days. IMHO this area is good for 1 or at most 2 days - and that's in the good weather when you can explore Niagara on the Lake as well as the falls.

DC will be warmer - but I think you may still be too early for Cherry blossoms - which differ year by year. And you can certainly do NYC - which has a host of things to do indoors. But realize you may still run into bad weather - in any of the cities or traveling. there is no guarantee of good rod conditions in the NIagara area that early in the year - and unless you are used to driving in snow I wouldn;t attempt it. You may get warmer weather - but there is certainly no guarantee, If you must go to the falls better to fly up and back from NYC - than do a 14 hour or more drive RT.

This site has the average weather info on Niagara Falls:
http://www.niagara-usa.com/about_weather.html

I think that 3 or 4 nights is way too many at the Falls. There just isn't that much to do there and many of the touristy attractions don't open until the weather is better. And the best viewing of the Falls is from the Canadian side.

If you must see the Falls, Mclaurie's suggestion of flying to Buffalo might be the best idea. It's probably a 9 or 10 hours drive from DC, in good weather. I know Southwest and Jet Blue both fly to Buffalo. You could fly from DC and then fly back to NY and spend the later part of your trip in NY.

Agree that the best sights ar eon the Canadian side - so you need to make sure you have any necesary documents for mulitple entries into the US (not sure what that is for you). Th eupside of going at that time of year is that the hotels will be emptyand probably cost next to nothing.

Your suggestions are good, so we are planning to include Toronto in the 3/4 days at the Falls. Is visiting Toronto for a full day feasible?
Thanks

Toronto is only about a 1.5 hour drive from the Falls - assuming the roads and weather are good. (If they;re bad who knows?) And there is a lot to see and do there indoors. You might even be able to take in a baseball game - not sure what days the Jays are in town - but their web site will tell you (the stadium has a dome so they play in all weather).

Just be sure you have clothes and boots sufficient for any weather you might run into.