So, if you looked out your window this morning and thought, "Oh, just a little drizzle," honestly, don't let that fool you. New York City weather for today is doing that classic bait-and-switch it loves to pull in mid-January. We are looking at the first real, honest-to-goodness accumulating snow of 2026.
It's not a blizzard. Let's be clear. Nobody is out there building igloos on Broadway just yet. But for a city that has been relatively "dry" in terms of the white stuff lately, this fast-moving system is enough to make your commute a total mess.
The National Weather Service and NYC Emergency Management have been pinging phones all morning with a Winter Weather Advisory. It’s in effect until 8:00 p.m. tonight. If you're planning to head out, basically, expect a slushy, wet, and increasingly cold situation.
What’s actually happening with the New York City weather for today?
The current temperature is hovering right around 33°F. It feels raw. That’s because the humidity is sitting at a whopping 96%. When it’s that damp, the cold just sinks into your bones.
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Right now, we've got light showers and some rain mixing in, but that’s about to change. As the day goes on, the "freezing line" is going to slide toward the coast. That means that what looks like a rainy Sunday morning is going to transition into steady snow.
Expect the heaviest accumulation to hit in two main windows. The first is through noon, and the second "prime time" is between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. If you’re trying to get back home after a Sunday brunch or a museum trip, that’s when the roads are going to get the slickest.
The Numbers You Actually Care About
- High Temperature: 34°F (and we’re basically there already).
- Low Temperature: 24°F (dropping fast after sunset).
- Total Snowfall: Most of the city is looking at 1 to 3 inches.
- The "Wildcard": Parts of eastern Queens and southeast Brooklyn might see a sneaky 4 inches if the bands sit over them long enough.
Why the DSNY is already "salty"
The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) isn't playing around. They issued a "Snow Alert" starting at 4:00 a.m. This is their higher-level notification. They’ve got about 700 million pounds of salt ready to go. You’ve probably already seen the spreaders out on the FDR or the BQE.
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The interesting thing is their new "Bladerunner 2.0" tracking system. They’re monitoring every single plow and salt spreader in real-time from their GPS room. It’s pretty high-tech for just moving slush around, but hey, it keeps the bike lanes clear too.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani mentioned this morning that while the roads might stay mostly wet because they’re still relatively warm, the snow is going to stick to the grass and sidewalks. So, if you're a property owner, remember: you’ve got a legal clock ticking to clear your sidewalk once the snow stops. If it stops before 5:00 p.m., you’ve only got four hours.
How to not hate your life in this weather
Honestly, the biggest mistake people make with New York City weather for today is wearing "fashion" boots. If they aren't waterproof, you're done. The "slush puddle" is a legendary NYC trap. You think it’s a shallow splash, and suddenly you’re ankle-deep in freezing grey Gatorade.
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A Code Blue is also in effect. This is important. If you see someone outside who looks like they’re struggling with the cold, call 311. The city’s outreach teams are canvassing all five boroughs to get people into shelters. In a Code Blue, nobody seeking shelter is turned away.
Quick Travel Reality Check
- Subways: Usually the safest bet, but expect "stairway slush" which makes those iron steps like a skating rink.
- Driving: Just don't. Or go slow. Like, really slow.
- Flights: Check your app before you even think about heading to JFK or LaGuardia. Small accumulations often cause big delays because of de-icing.
Looking ahead to the holiday
Tomorrow is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The good news? The snow should be long gone. The bad news? It’s going to be freezing. We’re looking at a low of 24°F tonight, and with the wind picking up from the North at 7 mph (with higher gusts), the wind chill is going to be brutal.
Monday will be "bright and breezy," which is weatherman-speak for "sunny but you'll still want your heaviest parka." Highs will be near 39°F, but that wind is going to bite during the parades.
The New York City weather for today is a reminder that winter doesn't care about your weekend plans. It’s fast, it’s messy, and it’s finally here.
Next Steps for New Yorkers:
- Check your windows: Make sure they’re sealed tight before the temps drop into the 20s tonight.
- Download Notify NYC: It’s the fastest way to get updates if the MTA starts acting up.
- Salt your walk: If you have a stoop or a sidewalk, get the salt down now before the "heavy burst" hits this afternoon.
- Plan for Tuesday: Temperatures are going to stay low (topping out near 30°F), so don't pack away the thermal layers just yet.