Best time to visit New York City

The best time to visit New York City is in spring or autumn, thereby avoiding the winter cold and summer heat.

The month of May, and from mid-September to mid-October is particular good. Early summer, from mid-June to mid-July offers pleasant warm weather.

Summer in New York is usually hot and humid. The summer average temperature is 29°C (84°F), while winter averages 2°C (35°F).

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New York City weather

New York experiences a continental climate with cold winters and hot summers, with rainfall in all months. It is frequently windy.

Summer, from June to August, is hot and humid, especially in July and August. Temperatures often reach 35°C (95°°F), and above. Thunderstorms can occur in the afternoon.

Autumn, from September to November, is generally mild. Early-September is still hot and humid, with good sunshine and occasional afternoon thunderstorms, before becoming mild until the second half of October, when the first cold days occur. November is cold, during which time the first snowfalls may occur.

Winter, from December to February, is cold: the average temperature is just above freezing at 0°C (32°F). The wind chill can make the air feel colder than it actually is. Snowfalls are frequent.

You can also expect some mild, clear and sunny days.

Spring, from March to May, the first warm days alternate with cold weather. March and April, may see some snowfalls. However, by May, the average temperature is more pleasant.

Here are the average temperatures recorded at Central Park Weather Station, in New York City.

Which is the hottest month in New York City?
July is usually the hottest month in New York City, with an average high temperature of 29°C (84°F), with high heat and humidity, and a low of 21°C (70°F).

The warm season lasts from early-June through to mid-September, with an average daily high temperature above 24°C (75°F).

However on the warmest days of July and August, the temperature usually climbs to 35°C (95°F), and occasionally beyond.

Which is the coldest month in New York City?
January is the coldest month in New York City, with an average high-temperature of 4°C (39°F) and an average night-time temperature of -2.7°C (27°F).

The cool season lasts from early-December to mid-March, with an average daily high temperature below 9°C (48°F).

On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -12°C (10°F).

When is it sunniest in New York City?
The sunniest time of year in New York City is usually August, with an average of 8.5 hours of sunshine per day – that's around 63% of daylight hours.

The months of May through August get an average of 8.5 hours of sunshine per day.

When is the sea warmest in New York City?
The sea is usually at its warmest in New York City in August, when the water temperature averages a high of 23°C (73°F), which is just acceptable for swimming.

In general, coastal sea waters in New York City are too cold for swimming.

Which month has the most rain in New York City?
You can expect rain showers throughout the year.

July is usually the wettest month in New York City, with more than 115mm (4.5in) of rainfall on average, distributed across 11 days.

The rainy time of year usually lasts from April through August, with a greater than 29% chance of a given day being a wet day.

The drier season lasts from September to late-March. The month with the least rainfall in New York City is February.

Which month has the most snowfall in New York City?
The month with the most snowfall in New York City is February, with an average snowfall of 158 millimetres (6 inches), distributed across four to five days.

You can expect some snowfall from December through to early-April.

Which is the windiest month in New York City?
The windiest month of the year in New York City is February, with an average hourly wind speed of 16 kilometres per hour (10 mph; 8.6 knots).

The windy part of the year lasts from mid-October to late-April, with average wind speeds of more than 13 kilometres per hour (8 mph; 7 knots).

The less-windy time of year lasts from late-April through to mid-October. The calmest month of the year in New York City is July, with an average hourly wind speed of 10 kilometres per hour (6 mph; 5 knots).

The predominant average wind direction in New York City varies throughout the year.

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New York City Weather Averages

Holiday seasons

High season: Christmas, New Year and especially the first two weeks of December during the annual shopping sales.

Low season: July and August offer the best hotel deals despite the humid weather. Thanksgiving Day holiday weekend (fourth Thursday in November) is also good value.

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Note: Meteorological data for New York City is based on weather statistics gathered for the 30-year period 1991 to 2020 by the National Weather Service (NWS / NOAA) from the closest weather station: New York City, Central Park (KNYC), located 8km (5mi) northeast of downtown New York.

Advice on the best time to visit a particular destination is based on average local weather statistics, when the weather conditions are generally better than at other times of the year. We consider the high and low temperatures, risk of rain (and thunderstorms, etc.), the amount of sunshine and the sea temperature. Often, the best times correspond to high season and therefore involve higher prices.

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Latest update: New York City Weather: 12 May, 2024

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Disclaimer: The information on this site is provided as is, without any assurances as to its accuracy or suitability for any purpose. Weather data and conditions at any given location and time are unpredictable and variable. We assume no responsibility and can not be held legally responsible for any decisions made on the basis of the information presented on this site.

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