New York climate: weather by month, temperature, rain (2024)

The climate of New York is continental, with cold winters and hot summers.
The city is located in the eastern United States, at almost 41 degrees north latitude, on the edge of a continent that cools down in winter and heats up in summer, and where different air masses collide: the cold ones coming from Canada and the warm ones coming from the Gulf of Mexico. The result is an unstable climate, with waves of bad weather alternating with clear and sunny days. The wind blows frequently as well.
In the Central Park Weather Station, the daily average temperature ranges from 0.8 °C (33.4 °F) in January to 25.3 °C (77.5 °F) in July. Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation is abundant: in one year, 1,260 millimeters (49.5 inches) of rain (or snow) fall. Here is the average precipitation.

Winter, from December to February, is cold: the average temperature is just above freezing (0 °C or 32 °F), but cold spells, during which the temperature can drop to about -10/-15 °C (5/14 °F), are not rare. The wind chill can make the air feel colder than it actually is.
In the last decades, the coldest record is -19 °C (-2 °F), set in January 1985 and in January 1994.
Snowfalls are frequent, and sometimes can be abundant, resulting in real snowstorms. The heaviest snowfall in a single day occurred on January 23, 2016, when 69 centimeters (27.3 inches) of snow fell. On average, 76 cm (29.8 in) of snow fall annually.
On other occasions, the wind can blow from the south, bringing some mild days, with highs around 12/15 °C (54/59 °F). There are also clear and sunny days, with cold nights, and daytime temperatures mild or in any case acceptable.

In spring, from March to May, the weather continues to be unstable: the first warm days alternate with the return of cold weather. In March, it can snow, and this can sometimes happen still in early April. But already in April, the temperature can sometimes exceed 25 °C (77 °F). By May, the average temperature becomes pleasant, although there can still be cool days, or even a little cold and rainy, while the first heat waves can bring the temperature above 30 °C (86 °F). On sunny days, the first afternoon thunderstorms can erupt.

Summer, from June to August, is hot, especially in July and August. However, there are different situations also in this season: cool days, maybe rainy as well, with highs around 23/25 °C (73/77 °F), alternate with hot days, with highs around 28/30 °C (82/86 °F). On sunny days, thunderstorms can occur in the afternoon.
Sometimes, even heat waves occur, when the temperature reaches 35/38 °C (95/100 °F), and remains high at night, around 25 °C (77 °F) or above. The highest record is 39.5 °C (103 °F), set in August 2001.

Autumn, from September to November, is milder and less unstable than the other seasons, at least in the first part. In early September, the weather is often still characterized by heat and humidity, with sunshine and some afternoon thunderstorms, then it quickly becomes mild and relatively quiet until mid-October, while in the second half of October, the first cold days may occur. November is by now a cold month, during which the first snowfalls may occur. There is a moderate amount of rainfall also in autumn, but it is still the season in which rainy days are a little less frequent.

The amount of sunshine in New York is good in summer, but it's not low even in winter because, as mentioned, some sunny days can always occur. The sun shines for 2,535 hours a year. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

The sea at Long Beach is never very warm, however, it can be considered as warm enough for swimming in July and August, when the water temperature reaches 22/23 °C (72/73 °F), while it becomes definitely cold in winter. Here are the average sea temperatures.

Best Time

The best times to visit New York are spring and autumn, in order to avoid both the winter cold and the summer heat, and in particular, the month of May and from mid-September to mid-October. June is often a good month as well, but sometimes it can be hot. In early September, the weather can be sticky, though not as hot as in midsummer. In April, it can sometimes be cold and the weather can be unstable, especially at the beginning of the month, while the second half of the month is usually mild.
In autumn (usually around late October), in the parks of the city, you can admire the beautiful colors of the trees losing their leaves (the phenomenon called fall foliage).

New York - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

January, the coldest month of the year, is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 0.8 °C (33 °F), with a minimum of -2.7 °C (27.1 °F) and a maximum of 4.3 °C (39.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -12 °C (10 °F). However, it dropped to -18.9 °C (-2 °F) in January 1994.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 16 °C (60.5 °F). However, it reached 22.2 °C (72 °F) in January 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 55% of the time.
The average humidity is 60%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 5.5 °C (42 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

February is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 1.8 °C (35 °F), with a minimum of -2 °C (28.4 °F) and a maximum of 5.7 °C (42.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -10.5 °C (12.5 °F). However, it dropped to -17.2 °C (1 °F) in February 2016.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 16.5 °C (61.5 °F). However, it reached 23.3 °C (73.9 °F) in February 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 55% of the time.
The average humidity is 56%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 3.5 °C (38.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

March is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 5.7 °C (42 °F), with a minimum of 1.6 °C (34.9 °F) and a maximum of 9.8 °C (49.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -6.5 °C (20 °F). However, it dropped to -12.2 °C (10 °F) in March 2014.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 20.5 °C (69 °F). However, it reached 30 °C (86 °F) in March 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 110 mm (4.3 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 57% of the time.
The average humidity is 57%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 4 °C (39 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

April is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 11.6 °C (53 °F), with a minimum of 7.1 °C (44.8 °F) and a maximum of 16.2 °C (61.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1 °C (33.5 °F). However, it dropped to -5 °C (23 °F) in April 1995.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27.5 °C (81.5 °F). However, it reached 35.6 °C (96.1 °F) in April 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 105 mm (4.1 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 56% of the time.
The average humidity is 56%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 6.5 °C (43.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

May is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 17.0 °C (63 °F), with a minimum of 12.4 °C (54.3 °F) and a maximum of 21.7 °C (71.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6.5 °C (44 °F). However, it dropped to 2.2 °C (36 °F) in May 2020.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31.5 °C (88.5 °F). However, it reached 35.6 °C (96.1 °F) in May 1996.
Precipitation amounts to 100 mm (3.9 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 30 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 57% of the time.
The average humidity is 63%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 11 °C (52 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

June is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 22.2 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 17.8 °C (64 °F) and a maximum of 26.5 °C (79.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11.5 °C (52.5 °F). However, it dropped to 9.4 °C (48.9 °F) in June 1997.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92.5 °F). However, it reached 36.7 °C (98.1 °F) in June 1994.
Precipitation amounts to 115 mm (4.5 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 5 minutes. So the days are long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 57% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17 °C (62.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

July, the hottest month of the year, is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 25.3 °C (78 °F), with a minimum of 21.1 °C (70 °F) and a maximum of 29.5 °C (85.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 17 °C (62.5 °F). However, it dropped to 13.3 °C (55.9 °F) in July 2001.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35.5 °C (95.5 °F). However, it reached 38.9 °C (102 °F) in July 1991.
Precipitation amounts to 115 mm (4.5 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 40 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 59% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22 °C (71.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

August is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 24.6 °C (76 °F), with a minimum of 20.6 °C (69.1 °F) and a maximum of 28.5 °C (83.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 16.5 °C (61.5 °F). However, it dropped to 13.3 °C (55.9 °F) in August 2007.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93.5 °F). However, it reached 39.4 °C (102.9 °F) in August 2001.
Precipitation amounts to 115 mm (4.5 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 63% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 23 °C (73.5 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.

September is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 20.6 °C (69 °F), with a minimum of 16.8 °C (62.2 °F) and a maximum of 24.5 °C (76.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 10.5 °C (51 °F). However, it dropped to 6.1 °C (43 °F) in September 2000.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31.5 °C (88.5 °F). However, it reached 35.6 °C (96.1 °F) in September 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 110 mm (4.3 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 59% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 21 °C (70 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

October is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 14.4 °C (58 °F), with a minimum of 10.7 °C (51.3 °F) and a maximum of 18.2 °C (64.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4 °C (39.5 °F). However, it dropped to 0.6 °C (33.1 °F) in October 2011.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26.5 °C (79.5 °F). However, it reached 33.9 °C (93 °F) in October 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 110 mm (4.3 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 61% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17 °C (62.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

November is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 8.8 °C (48 °F), with a minimum of 5.3 °C (41.5 °F) and a maximum of 12.3 °C (54.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2 °C (28 °F). However, it dropped to -8.3 °C (17.1 °F) in November 2018.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21.5 °C (70.5 °F). However, it reached 26.7 °C (80.1 °F) in November 1993.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 51% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 12.5 °C (54.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

December is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 3.8 °C (39 °F), with a minimum of 0.7 °C (33.3 °F) and a maximum of 7 °C (44.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -7.5 °C (18.5 °F). However, it dropped to -12.2 °C (10 °F) in December 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17 °C (63 °F). However, it reached 23.9 °C (75 °F) in December 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 110 mm (4.3 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 20 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 48% of the time.
The average humidity is 60%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 8.5 °C (47.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.