Waking up in Manhattan this morning, you probably noticed that gray, heavy sky that only happens when the atmosphere is trying to decide between a cold shower and a snow globe. Honestly, the new york city weather for saturday is doing that annoying thing where it refuses to commit to one vibe.
We’ve got a high of 39°F today, January 17, which sounds manageable until you factor in the 86% chance of precipitation. It’s not just rain; it’s that classic "winter mix" that New Yorkers love to hate. We're talking rain and snow colliding to create that lovely sidewalk slush that soaks through your "water-resistant" boots in under five minutes.
The DSNY Is Already Moving
The Department of Sanitation didn't wait for the first flake to fall. They issued a Winter Operations Advisory starting at midnight. If you were out late last night, you probably saw the salt spreaders out in force. They’ve got over 700 of them hitting the pavement today.
It’s a low-level advisory, but they aren’t taking chances. Why? Because the ground is cold. Even if the air is 39°F, those roads can get slick fast when the rain turns to snow. DSNY is even using their "Bladerunner 2.0" GPS system to track every ounce of salt hitting the streets. It’s kinda wild how much tech goes into keeping a bike lane clear these days.
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What to Actually Expect Hour-by-Hour
You've basically got a window of "messy" followed by "cloudy." The daytime is the main event for the moisture. Most of the snow/rain mix is hitting during the morning and afternoon hours.
By the time the sun sets—or at least when the sky turns a darker shade of charcoal—the precipitation chance drops significantly to around 20%. The low tonight is hovering at 33°F. That’s the danger zone. It’s just cold enough for whatever didn't drain away to turn into a thin sheet of ice.
- Current Temp: 39°F (Cloudy right now)
- Wind: 3 mph from the south (Barely a breeze, which is nice)
- Humidity: 45% (Rising as the day goes on)
- UV Index: 0 (Don't bother with the sunscreen)
The Sunday Shadow
Here’s the thing most people are missing while they focus on today's slush: Sunday might be the bigger headache. Meteorologists are watching a separate system that could bring more organized winter weather.
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While Saturday is a "mix," Sunday is looking colder. If you're planning a trip to the Museum of Natural History or trying to snag a table for brunch in the West Village, today is actually the better day to do it. Just bring an umbrella you don't mind losing to a gust of wind, though with the wind only at 7 mph later today, you might actually keep it this time.
Why "Stickage" Is the Word of the Day
In the weather world, we talk about "stickage" a lot. Today, there’s almost zero. Because the high is nearly 40 degrees, the snow doesn't have the muscle to stay solid. It hits the warm-ish pavement and dies.
However, if you're heading north to Orange or Putnam counties, it's a totally different story. They’ve got actual Winter Weather Advisories with 2 to 4 inches expected. In the five boroughs? You’ll be lucky to see a white dusting on a parked car.
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Survival Tips for a Gray Saturday
- Waterproof Everything: If you have leather shoes, leave them in the closet. The salt-slush combo is a death sentence for nice loafers.
- Check the Bridges: If you're driving, the BK and Manhattan bridges tend to ice up faster than the surface streets. Even with the salt, a 33°F night makes things tricky.
- The "S" Word: Watch out for the slush puddles at the curb. They look shallow. They are usually four inches deep.
- Trash Talk: Surprisingly, the DSNY says the collection schedule is normal for now. But remember, Monday is MLK Day, so don't put your bins out Sunday night expecting a pickup.
Basically, today is a day for a heavy hoodie and a rain shell. It’s not a blizzard, but it’s definitely not "walk in the park" weather. Keep an eye on the sky around 4 PM; that's when the steadier stuff should start to taper off into a simple, gloomy cloud cover.
Next Steps for New Yorkers:
Check the "Notify NYC" app around 6 PM tonight for updates on Sunday's potential snow. If you have a car parked on the street, make sure it’s not in a spot where a salt spreader might bury it in a gray mountain of slush.