You’ve probably heard the jokes about New York weather. If you don't like it, wait five minutes, right? Honestly, that cliché feels a little too real today. If you’re standing on 5th Avenue right now looking at the grey sky, you’re feeling that 34°F bite. It’s "cloudy" in that heavy, Manhattan way where the buildings seem to trap the dampness.
Basically, the city is in a weird transition zone. While it feels like 30°F because of a light 5 mph breeze coming off the south, the "real" story is hidden in the clouds. We’re looking at a day that’s going to get messy. Fast.
The Hourly Breakdown You Actually Need
Most people just check the "high" for the day and call it a night. Big mistake. Today, Saturday, January 17, 2026, is a classic example of why the new york city hourly weather matters more than the daily summary.
Right now, we are sitting at 34°F. It’s stable-ish. But the high is pegged at 38°F. That’s not exactly "warm," but it's the magic number that turns snow into slush. During the daytime hours, there is a massive 83% chance of precipitation. And it’s not just one thing. It’s the dreaded "rain and snow" mix.
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Imagine walking through Midtown. At noon, it’s a cold mist. By 2:00 PM, those big, wet flakes start mixing in. Because the ground isn't a frozen tundra yet, it hits the pavement and turns into that grey, salty New York slush soup. You know the one. The kind that destroys leather boots in six minutes flat.
What’s happening with the wind?
Currently, it’s a gentle 5 mph from the south. Don’t get comfortable. As the day progresses, it’s shifting southwest and kicking up to 10 mph. It’s a subtle change, but in the wind tunnels between skyscrapers, that extra 5 mph makes the 30°F "feels like" temperature drop significantly.
Why the "Mix" is Worse Than a Blizzard
Ask any local: we’d rather have six inches of dry powder than two inches of this slushy mess. When the temperature hovers between 31°F and 38°F, the city struggles.
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- The Subway Slick: Steel stairs and wet snow are a nightmare.
- The "Splash" Zone: Yellow cabs don't slow down for puddles. If you're on the curb when a bus passes a slush pile, it's game over.
- Visibility: It’s not a whiteout, but that "cloudy" 61% humidity creates a haze that makes the top of the One World Trade Center disappear.
Tonight, things actually "calm down" in a sense. The precipitation chance drops off a cliff to just 10% after dark. The low will hit 31°F. If you’re out late, keep in mind that everything that melted at 38°F is going to turn into a thin sheet of black ice by midnight.
Surviving the NYC Winter Reality
Honestly, you’ve got to dress for three different climates in one day. The humidity is at 72% for the day overall, which means the cold isn't "crisp"—it’s "heavy." It gets under your coat.
Experts like those at NYC Emergency Management always harp on layers, but specifically, you need a waterproof outer shell today. A wool coat is beautiful until it absorbs three pounds of freezing rain. Go for the tech-shell.
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Also, watch the UV index. It’s at 0 today. No, you won't get a tan, but the lack of sunlight usually means the "perceived" cold feels much worse. There’s no solar relief. It’s just you and the clouds.
Real Talk on Gear
If you're heading out, skip the sneakers. I see tourists doing this every January and I genuinely feel for their toes. Waterproof boots with a lug sole are the only way to navigate the corner puddles that look two inches deep but are actually six.
Actionable Steps for Today
- Check the Radar Every Hour: That 83% chance of snow/rain is going to pulse. There will be 20-minute windows of "clear" sky. Use them to move between locations.
- Footwear is Non-Negotiable: If it isn't waterproof, don't wear it.
- The "Feels Like" Factor: Even if the thermometer says 38°F later, the 10 mph wind will keep the bite alive. Keep the scarf tucked in.
- Evening Commute: Expect delays. Rain-snow mixes usually trigger "signal problems" or "slippery rail" warnings on the MTA. Give yourself an extra 20 minutes if you’re heading to dinner in Brooklyn or Queens.
The city looks incredible under a layer of fresh white, but today is more about the "grind" of winter. It’s grey, it’s wet, and it’s quintessentially New York. Grab a hot coffee, stay off the metal cellar doors on the sidewalk, and you’ll be fine.