Honestly, if you’re planning to be in the city this week, you’d better find your heaviest coat and maybe a pair of waterproof boots. New York is about to get a real taste of winter. We’ve had a weirdly warm start to the year, but that "January thaw" everyone was enjoying? Yeah, that’s officially over.
Right now, as of Sunday, January 18, 2026, the city is sitting under a thick blanket of gray. It’s 31°F outside, and the humidity is a whopping 92%. If you look out the window, you’ll see the snow already coming down. It’s not just a dusting either; we’re looking at a heavy snow storm today with a 93% chance of precipitation during the day.
The Polar Vortex Is Making a Comeback
You’ve probably heard meteorologists tossing around the term "polar vortex" like it’s a buzzword, but it’s the real deal for the new york 7 days weather outlook. According to recent reports from the National Weather Service and climate experts like those cited in the Washington Post, a series of Arctic air surges are sliding down from Canada.
This isn't just one quick cold snap. It’s a triple threat. The first wave is hitting us right now with this Sunday snow. The second and third surges are lined up for later in the week and into next Monday. Basically, the atmosphere is opening the freezer door and leaving it ajar.
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The Mid-Week Deep Freeze
By Tuesday, January 20, things get intense. Even though the sun will be out, don't let those clear skies fool you. We’re looking at a high of only 21°F and a low of 14°F. When you add in the 13 mph winds coming from the west, the wind chill is going to make it feel like single digits.
It’s that "biting" kind of cold that hits your face the second you step out of a subway station.
- Monday, Jan 19: Sunny but brisk. High 32°F, Low 15°F.
- Tuesday, Jan 20: The coldest day of the stretch. Sunny. High 21°F, Low 14°F.
- Wednesday, Jan 21: Mostly cloudy. High 34°F, Low 14°F.
- Thursday, Jan 22: A brief "break" with a high of 40°F.
That Thursday "warm-up" to 40°F is going to feel like a tropical vacation compared to Tuesday, but it’s short-lived. By the time we hit the weekend, the temperatures are heading back down into the 20s.
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What This Means for Your Commute
When the new york 7 days weather includes a heavy snow storm followed by sub-freezing temperatures, the biggest issue isn't the snow itself—it's the ice. Sunday's 35°F high means some of that snow might melt or turn to slush, but when it drops to 23°F tonight and 15°F tomorrow, everything on the sidewalks is going to turn into a skating rink.
The city’s Department of Sanitation is usually pretty quick with the salt, but secondary streets and subway stairs can be treacherous. If you're heading to work on Monday morning, give yourself an extra 20 minutes. The southwest winds at 14 mph will be pushing that cold air through the "canyons" of Manhattan, making wait times on elevated platforms pretty miserable.
Surviving the Chill
If you’re a tourist or just a local who’s been getting soft with the mild December we had, here’s the reality check: layered clothing isn't a suggestion; it’s a survival tactic.
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- The Base Layer: Wear moisture-wicking fabric. Sweat is your enemy in 14-degree weather because once you stop moving, that moisture turns cold and saps your body heat.
- The Windbreaker: Tuesday’s 13 mph winds and Saturday’s 13 mph gusts from the northwest are the real "heat thieves." Make sure your outer layer is wind-resistant.
- The Footwear: Sunday's snow is 90% likely, and the humidity is staying high (94% today). Wet feet are a one-way ticket to a miserable day.
Looking Ahead to Next Weekend
By Saturday, January 24, we’re back to partly sunny skies, but the temperature is plummeting again. We’re looking at a high of 25°F and a bone-chilling low of 7°F. Yes, 7 degrees. That’s the third wave of the polar plunge moving in.
There are even early signals that another system could bring more snow by next Monday, January 26, with a 75% chance of flakes. It looks like the "prolonged winter dry spell" the region was seeing earlier this month is officially broken.
Actionable Insights for the Week:
- Sunday: Stay in if you can. The heavy snow storm and 93% precip chance mean travel will be messy.
- Monday/Tuesday: Salt your stoops and sidewalks. The flash freeze from Sunday's slush will be dangerous.
- Mid-week: Check on elderly neighbors. Sub-20 temperatures are no joke for older heating systems.
- Travelers: Keep an eye on flight statuses at JFK and LGA today; 90% snow chance usually leads to de-icing delays.
Stay warm, New York. This is the week winter finally decides to show up for real.