Weather Overview for New York City
New York City is often depicted as cold, especially in winter when it's covered in snow. But what many people don't realise is that although it's true the city can be bitingly cold during the winter months, it can also get swelteringly hot during the summer.
Although the average temperatures for New York in summer might not look that high, due to the high concentration of people and the protective effects of the skyscrapers and other concrete buildings, the temperatures can feel a lot hotter than they actually are.
New York Has A Continental Climate
New York's climate is classed as being continental, which means that it receives four distinct seasons spring (March-May), summer (June-August), autumn (September-November) and winter (December-February.
When Is The Best Time To Visit New York?
The best time to visit New York is autumn or spring, as you avoid theextremely high temperatures of summer and very low temperatures of winter.
When you travel during these seasons, you'll also be visiting in the off-peak time, which means that the city will be much quieter and less crowded than the more popular summer and winter months.
In spring the daily temperatures sit comfortably in the 20s, creating very pleasant weather in which to explore the many exciting sights and sounds of New York City.
Spring Weather in New York
Spring Temperatures In New York
Temperatures in New York rise from extremely cold to pleasantly mild in spring. In March, the average temperature for the city is around 4°C, this rises up to 11°C in April and 16°C in May.
Average daily highs and lows follow the same pattern, rising from 8.5°C/1°C in March, to 14.5°C/5.5°C in April and 19.5°C/10.5°C in May.
Hottest and Coldest Spring Temperatures In New York
The highest temperature which has ever been recorded in New York in spring is 35°C, which was registered in May. And the coldest spring temperature is -11°C, which was recorded in March.
How Much Does It Rain In Spring In New York?
Rainfall is fairly high at this time of year, with an average of 103mm falling over 14 days each month. On average, May is usually the wettest month of spring, when 114mm of rainfall is expected.
Average Sunshine Hours
Spring is when the sun really begins to shine in New York. During this season, the city enjoys an average of eight hours of sunshine each day, rising from seven to eight to nine daily hours as the months progress.
Humidity In New York in Spring
The average humidity for the city at this time of year is 65%, which is fairly low, meaning the mild temperatures and sunshine should always feel pleasant never overwhelming.
Summer Weather in New York
Summer Temperatures In New York
Summer is the hottest season of the year for New York. In June, the average temperature for the city is around 22°C, which rises up to 25°C in July (the hottest month of the year) then drops down to 24°C in August.
Average daily highs and lows follow the same pattern, rising from 27°C/17°C in June up to 29°C/20°C in July, before falling to 28°C/20°C in August.
Hottest and Coldest Summer Temperatures in New York
The hottest temperature ever recorded in New York in summer is 42°C, which was recorded in July 22 in 1926. And the coldest summer temperature registered is 9°C, which was recorded in June.
How Much Does It Rain In New York in Summer?
Compared to spring, rainfall in summer is fairly minimal, with an average of 93mm falling over 13 rainy days each month. On average, July tends to be the wettest month of the summer, when 101mm of rain falls.
Amount Of Sunshine Hours
Summer boasts the highest quantity of sunshine hours in New York, and is when the city enjoys an average of 10.5 hours of the stuff every day, falling from 11 daily hours in June and July down to ten daily hours in August.
Summer Humidity Levels In New York
The average humidity for the city in the summer is 71%, which can make the high temperatures seem a bit hotter than they actually are.
Autumn Weather in New York
Autumn Temperatures In New York
After a hot and balmy summer, things really start to cool down in New York in autumn. In September, the average temperature for the city is 20°C, which drops down to 14°C in October and 9°C in November.
Average daily highs and lows change in the same way, falling from 20°C/14.5°C in September down to 18°C/9.5 °C in October and 11.5°C/4.5°C in November.
The Hottest And Coldest Autumn Temperatures in New York
The highest temperature ever recorded in New York in autumn is 34°C, which was recorded in September. The coldest temperature ever registered here during this season is -17°C, which was registered in December 2017.
How Much Does It Rain In New York City in Autumn?
Just like in summer, the rainfall in New York is minimal when compared to the other months. During this season, each month experiences an average of 90mm of rainfall divided between 11 rainy days, with September being the wettest month Autumn with 108mm of rain.
How Much Sunshine Does New York Get In Autumn?
During autumn, New York enjoys an average of 7.5 hours of daily sunshine that is a major decrease compared to summer. The daily sunshine hours start off at nine in September, dropping down to seven in October and six in November.
How Humid Is It In New York in Autumn?
The average humidity for the city at this time is 68%, which means that whenever the sun is shining, it should always feel pleasantly mild and never uncomfortable.
Winter Weather in New York
How Cold Is New York In WInter?
Winter is always the coldest season of the year for New York. At the start of December, the average temperature for the city is 9°C, which drops down to 2°C in January.
Average daily highs and lows follow the same pattern, falling from 7°C/-0.5°C in December, down to 4°C/-3°C in January and rising up to 5°C/-0.5°C in February.
January 2020 - Record Temperatures
On 12 January 2020 new record highs were set at Central Park (68°), Newark (69°), JFK (68°), Islip (68°), and Bridgeport (69°), breaking records previously set in 2017 and 2018.
What Are The Hottest And Coldest Winter Temperatures In New York?
The warmest temperature ever recorded in New York in winter is 22°C, which was registered in December. And the coldest in New York in winter is a staggering -47°C, set at Stillwater Reservoir in February 1934 and at Old Forge in February 1979.
How Rain Does New Yor Get In Winter?
Surprisingly, winter is the driest season of the year for New York. During this season, each month experiences an average of 71mm of precipitation divided between ten rainy days.
How Much Snow Does New York Get In WInter?
Snow is very common during this season, with December receiving five snowy days, January eight snowy days and February six snowy days.
Sunshine Hours In New York In Winter
Across winter, New York receives an average of 5.5 hours of sunshine each day that's a major decrease compared to autumn. Daily sunshine hours begin at five in December and rise up to six in January and February.
How Humid Is New York In WInter?
The average humidity for the city during this season is 63%, which means that whenever the sun does come out, it will never feel uncomfortable.
Extreme Weather In New York
WInter of 2006 In New York
New York is regularly hit with severe cold spells. In the winter of 2006 New York was buried underneath 70cm of snow a record which previously hadn't been broken since 1947.
Freak storms and heavy snowfall meant that many flights were cancelled and numerous roads closed, resulting in chaos throughout much of the state of New York and various other parts of north eastern USA.
November 2014 Snowstorm in New York
A severe snowstorm hit New York in November 2014. At least five people died as freezing temperatures made their way across New York, with records of more than 5 feet/1.5 metres of snow in some areas, trapping snow plows, buses, cars and lorries in heavy drifts. High winds and freezing temperatures caught emergency services off-guard.
Summer of 2011
2011 saw stifling hot temperatures take over New York in July 2011, temperatures of 40°C were recorded in Central Park, just 2°C short of the hottest temperature ever recorded there.