If you’re living in or traveling through the Capital Region this week, you’ve probably already noticed that the air has that specific, biting New York sting to it. Honestly, it’s just that time of year. Today, January 17, 2026, we’re looking at a 7 day forecast for albany new york that feels remarkably like a classic Upstate winter—lots of gray, some stubborn flurries, and temperatures that can’t quite decide if they want to stay above freezing.
Right now, as of Saturday afternoon, it's 32°F outside. It feels more like 25°F though, thanks to a 8 mph wind coming out of the south. We've got light snow showers moving through, and there’s about a 36% chance that’ll keep up for the next few hours.
What the 7 day forecast for albany new york actually looks like
You basically need to keep the shovel handy but maybe don't cancel your plans just yet. Today, the high is topping out at 32°F with a 45% chance of snow during the day. Tonight, it drops to 27°F and stays mostly cloudy.
Here is the vibe for the rest of the week:
Sunday keeps things chilly with a high of 31°F and a low of 20°F. There’s a slight chance of a frozen mix in the afternoon, maybe around 30%. Monday, for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, looks a bit better. We’re expecting it to be partly sunny with a high of 31°F and a low of 18°F.
Then things get kinda weird on Tuesday.
The temperature is going to dive. We’re looking at a high of only 20°F and a low of 12°F. It’ll be partly cloudy, but that wind chill is likely going to make it feel like zero or even lower. If you've got errands, Monday is definitely the day to get them done. Wednesday bounces back slightly to 25°F, but it stays overcast. Thursday and Friday bring back the snow chances—about 30% each day—with highs sitting right around 32°F and 25°F respectively.
Why this January is a bit different
According to historical data from the National Weather Service and the Old Farmer’s Almanac, Albany typically sees an average high of 32°F in January. We’re right on the money there. However, the precipitation is currently a bit below the usual 2.5 inches we expect for the month.
There’s been some talk among meteorologists about a polar vortex disruption later in the month, specifically around January 28, which could send temperatures 30 degrees below average. But for this specific 7-day stretch, we’re mostly dealing with standard "gray sky" New York winter.
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Road conditions are the main thing to watch. The NYS Thruway has already reported snow and ice conditions on I-90 between Schenectady and Canajoharie. When the temps hover right at 32°F like they are today, the roads get that nasty slush that turns into a skating rink the second the sun goes down.
Practical steps for the week ahead
Since Tuesday is going to be the "big chill" day, you’ll want to check your tire pressure now. Cold snaps make that "low pressure" light pop up every single time. Also, if you’re commuting on I-87 or I-90, give yourself an extra ten minutes tomorrow morning; the slush from today's 45% snow chance is going to freeze solid overnight as we hit that 27°F low.
Keep an eye on the local radar if you're heading toward the Adirondack foothills, as they usually catch double the accumulation we see in the city. For now, just dress in layers and maybe grab some extra salt for the sidewalk before the Tuesday freeze hits.