New York City’s weather really shifts from month to month. It might be one of the most unpredictable climates in the country. Summers get hot and sticky, while winters turn cold, but rain or snow can show up anytime.
If you want to plan your trip or just figure out what to wear, it helps to know New York’s monthly weather patterns. That way, you’re not caught off guard by a sudden heatwave or a chilly breeze.
The city’s spot on the Atlantic coast really stirs up some unique weather. Sometimes the temperature swings feel wild. Summer highs can surge into the 80s or 90s, but in winter, it drops below freezing. Snow usually shows up in winter, and when summer hits, the humidity can make those hot days feel even stickier.
Weather in New York doesn’t just change with the calendar—it really impacts daily life. Visibility, wind, and even the best times to get out and explore all depend on the season. Every month brings something different, from crisp autumn air to muggy summer nights. It’s worth knowing what to expect before booking a trip or planning outdoor plans.
Monthly Weather Patterns Overview
New York City rolls through four distinct seasons. Temperatures swing from freezing in winter to pleasantly warm in summer, while rain and snow stay pretty steady all year, with just a few ups and downs.
Seasonal Differences in New York City
New York City fits the humid subtropical climate mold, with all four seasons showing up clearly. December through February brings the coldest stretch, with highs between 36°F and 42°F and lows dipping down to 26°F to 33°F.
Spring starts in March and sticks around through May. Temperatures warm up slowly, from March highs of 46°F to May’s comfortable 68°F. This season feels like a breath of fresh air after the cold.
Summer runs from June through August, and it’s definitely the hottest. July turns up the heat the most, with highs around 83°F. Humidity cranks up too, so it can feel even warmer than the thermometer says.
Autumn kicks off in September and goes until November. Temperatures cool off, dropping from September’s 75°F to November’s 51°F. It’s a nice in-between before winter comes back.
Monthly Temperature Trends
Temperatures in New York City follow a pretty familiar pattern each year. January stands out as the coldest month, with highs near 37°F and lows down to 26°F. February doesn’t warm up much.
March starts the slow climb out of winter, with highs hitting 46°F. April feels much better, reaching 58°F. By May, you’re looking at 68°F and real spring weather.
June brings in summer with highs of 77°F. July heats up the most at 83°F, and August stays hot at 82°F. These months all feel pretty toasty.
September starts to cool, with highs at 75°F. October gets that crisp fall feeling at 63°F. November drops further to 51°F as winter creeps in.
Average Precipitation by Month
Rain (and sometimes snow) stays pretty steady in New York, ranging from 2.76 to 4.02 inches each month. July usually gets the most rain, about 4.02 inches, thanks to summer thunderstorms.
November tends to be the driest, with just 2.76 inches. Most months land somewhere between 2.8 and 3.4 inches, so you won’t see drastic swings.
Snow starts to matter in winter. March brings the most snow, averaging 2.64 inches, and February isn’t far behind at 1.89 inches. Snow generally falls from November through March.
Spring and summer mostly just get rain. May sees about 3.39 inches, mostly from spring showers. Summer storms bump up July totals, but autumn slowly dries out.
Monthly Temperature Variations
Temperatures in New York City really run the gamut, from winter lows around 27°F to summer highs that can reach 86°F. The coldest stretch runs from December through February, while July and August bring the real heat.
Daytime Highs and Lows
Winter days stay chilly. January averages just 39°F for daily highs, making it the coldest month. February doesn’t warm up much, sticking around 42°F.
Spring comes on slowly. March hits 50°F, April jumps to 63°F, and by May, highs average a comfortable 73°F.
Summer is when things get steamy. July peaks at 86°F, making it the hottest month. August isn’t far behind at 84°F, and June averages 80°F.
Fall cools off month by month. September starts warm at 78°F. October drops to 66°F, and by November, highs are down to 54°F.
Overnight Temperature Shifts
Winter nights can get downright cold. January lows average 27°F, and it often drops below freezing. February stays close, averaging 29°F.
New York gets about 67 nights a year below 32°F. Most of those freezing nights show up between December and March. January alone brings around 21 nights below freezing.
Summer nights feel warm and a bit muggy. July lows average 71°F, August cools just a little to 69°F, and June nights hover around 64°F.
Spring and fall nights land in the middle. March nights average 35°F, November drops to 41°F, April warms to 46°F, and October cools back to 53°F.
Yearly Extremes and Record Temperatures
New York doesn’t often hit 100°F, thankfully. The city only gets about 12 days a year at 90°F or higher. Most of those scorchers happen in July and August.
Cold snaps can push temperatures down to 10°F or even lower, but that only happens about three times a year, usually in January or February.
You’ll find 16 days a year where it never gets above freezing. Most of these bitter cold days cluster in January, but a few spill into December, February, and March.
New York averages 200 days a year above 60°F. From June through September, you can count on every day hitting at least 60°F. Even in winter, you might catch a day or two in the 60s.
Humidity and Comfort Levels
Humidity in New York City swings a lot, too. September tops out at 68%, while April drops to the lowest at 55%. The muggy season drags on for nearly four months, so summer can feel way hotter than the numbers suggest.
Average Monthly Humidity
On average, New York City sits around 63% humidity. September feels the stickiest at 68%, while April gives you the driest air at 55%.
Monthly Humidity Pattern:
- Spring: April is the driest at 55%
- Summer: Humidity climbs fast as it gets warmer
- Fall: September peaks at 68%
- Winter: Humidity stays moderate
This humid subtropical climate means you’ll notice the difference as seasons change. In July, when temps hit 86°F, high humidity can make it feel downright oppressive.
Winter months, like February, see high temps around 41°F with moderate humidity. It’s a totally different kind of “uncomfortable” compared to summer.
Seasonal Variations in Comfort
The muggy stretch in New York City lasts about 3.8 months, from early June through late September. During this time, at least 14% of the time feels muggy, oppressive, or just plain miserable.
Summer humidity and heat combine to make being outside a challenge. July is probably the worst for sticky, uncomfortable weather.
Comfort Levels by Season:
- June-September: Muggy, oppressive, sometimes miserable
- October-May: Much more comfortable
- April: Typically the most pleasant for humidity
Spring and fall are the sweet spots for comfort. The transition from late spring into early summer marks the start of the muggy, tough-to-breathe period.
Precipitation Patterns and Weather Events
Rain falls pretty evenly in New York, but summer months get the most. Winter brings notable snowfall, especially in late winter and early spring.
Rainfall Distribution Throughout the Year
Rain shows up all year long. Each month gets between 2.76 and 4.02 inches.
Summer usually brings the most. July stands out with the highest rainfall at 4.02 inches. June and August also get above-average rain.
Spring sees a steady increase from March through May. March gets 2.83 inches, and May bumps up to 3.39 inches.
Fall and winter tend to dry out a bit. November is the driest with just 2.76 inches. October lands in the middle at 3.15 inches.
Humidity sticks between 70% and 76% year-round, which helps keep rain pretty steady no matter the season.
Snowfall in Winter Months
Snow is a big part of winter in New York. It usually falls from December through March.
March actually brings the most snow (see here), averaging 2.64 inches. So, late winter can be snowier than the coldest months.
February also gets a lot of snow, with about 1.89 inches on average. December and January pick up their share, too.
Snow and freezing temps go hand in hand. Highs range from 36.5°F to 42.3°F, and lows drop to 26.1°F–32.9°F.
This pattern lines up with the city’s continental climate. Cold air from the north brings snow instead of rain during the winter.
Visibility and Wind Conditions
Visibility in New York changes with the seasons. Summer usually brings the clearest air, while winter can be foggy or snowy and harder to see through. Wind speeds don’t swing much, but you’ll notice slight changes as seasons shift.
Typical Visibility Levels by Season
Spring sees visibility get better as winter fades. March can still be foggy or snowy, but April and May usually clear up, with visibility between 8–10 miles most days.
Summer probably gives you the best visibility. June through August often have clear skies and visibility over 10 miles. Sometimes heat haze shows up on really hot days, but it doesn’t last long.
Fall keeps the air pretty clear in September and October. November starts to see more fog and overcast days, so visibility can drop to 5–7 miles during storms.
Winter brings the most trouble for visibility. Snow, sleet, and freezing rain can cut it down to less than a mile. Fog is common, especially near the water.
Monthly Averages for Wind Speed
Wind in New York stays pretty steady. Winter (December to February) averages 10–12 mph, but cold fronts can whip up gusts of 20–25 mph.
Spring gets a bit windier as weather systems pick up. March and April average 11–13 mph, with gusts during storms. May calms down, dropping to 9–11 mph.
Summer is the calmest for wind. July averages 8–10 mph, with gentle breezes most days. August is about the same, except for the occasional thunderstorm.
Fall sees wind speeds climb again. September averages 9–11 mph, and by October and November, winds rise to 10–12 mph as winter nears.
Best and Worst Months to Visit
New York City’s weather shifts a lot, so timing your visit matters. Spring and fall usually offer the best conditions for exploring the city. Summer can be brutally hot and humid, while winter brings cold snaps and the chance of snow.
Most Pleasant Weather Periods
April through May really feels like the perfect time to visit New York City. Temperatures usually sit between 50°F and 70°F.
You’ll find mild conditions that make walking tours and outdoor adventures a breeze. Spring fills Central Park with blooming flowers, and while it does rain now and then, the showers rarely mess up your plans for long.
September through November brings another great stretch for a trip. Fall temperatures hang out between 55°F and 75°F, especially through October.
The weather stays warm enough for exploring, but you can skip the sweaty summer heat. Once November hits, the air turns crisp, and the skies often clear up.
Central Park puts on a show with its colorful autumn leaves this time of year. These months really strike a nice balance between pleasant weather and crowds that aren’t overwhelming.
Plus, hotel prices tend to stay pretty reasonable compared to those sky-high summer rates.
Challenging Weather for Travelers
July and August can be rough for visitors. Temperatures often push past 80°F, and the humidity? It’s just relentless.
That mix makes walking and outdoor exploring pretty uncomfortable. Summer storms tend to show up out of nowhere, and they can definitely mess with your travel plans.
The heat really settles in around the concrete jungle of Manhattan. Sometimes, it feels like the city is just baking.
December through February brings winter’s toughest stretch. Temperatures drop below freezing, and January usually hovers around 32°F.
Snow shows up pretty often, and March, oddly enough, gets the most—about 2.6 inches. You’ll need heavy coats and a bit of extra planning to get around.
Icy sidewalks can turn a simple walk into a bit of an adventure. It’s not for everyone, but some folks love the holiday lights and winter scenes in Central Park.