Honestly, if you looked out your window this morning and thought, "Oh, just another grey January day," you're only half right. New York City weather today is playing a bit of a psychological game with us. We’ve got this weird mix of a Winter Operations Advisory from the DSNY and a forecast that feels more like a cold drizzle than a blockbuster blizzard.
But here is the thing.
The city is currently sitting at a crisp 34°F, though it feels like 30°F thanks to a light 3 mph breeze coming from the south. It's cloudy. It's quiet. But don't let the stillness fool you into leaving your umbrella—or your boots—at home.
The Saturday Snow Dilemma
The big story for January 17, 2026, is the light snow that’s supposed to fill in throughout the day. We are looking at a high of 38°F and a low of 32°F.
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Now, normally, 38 degrees means "slush." But because the ground is still holding onto the chill from that recent arctic dip, anything that falls has a decent chance of creating those annoying, slick patches on the sidewalk.
The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) isn't taking chances. They’ve already deployed salt spreaders and are using their new "Bladerunner 2.0" tracking system to keep the streets from turning into a skating rink. Basically, they are prepping for the worst so we don't have to deal with it.
The precipitation chance is sitting at 64% during the day. It’s not going to be a "bury your car" kind of event, but it's definitely a "ruin your suede shoes" kind of day.
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Why Today Feels Different
Most people get the NYC winter wrong by thinking it's all about the temperature. It isn't. It's about the humidity and the wind tunnels created by the skyscrapers.
Today, humidity is hovering around 65%. That’s that "damp cold" that gets into your bones even if the thermometer says it’s above freezing.
A Quick Breakdown of the Day:
- Morning: Cloudy and cold. Expect the first flakes or a snow-rain mix to start becoming more obvious.
- Afternoon: This is the "peak" of the system. Light snow is expected to be most concentrated in the city during the early afternoon before migrating east.
- Evening: Things should taper off. The chance of precipitation drops to 20% tonight, with the temperature settling right at the freezing mark of 32°F.
Interestingly, while we’re dealing with this grey slush-potential, there was actually a chance to see the Northern Lights as far south as New York last night. If you missed it because of the clouds, join the club. The atmospheric activity is high, but the NYC cloud cover is, as usual, a total buzzkill for stargazers.
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The Sunday Warning
If you’re planning your weekend, today is actually the "easy" day.
Meteorologists like Matthew Villafane from CBS New York are already pointing toward a second, more organized system potentially clipping the region on Sunday. While today is a "First Alert Weather Day" for light-to-moderate snow, Sunday could bring a different set of headaches.
The city is currently in a "lower level" snow-fighting notification, but that can change fast. If you've lived here long enough, you know that a "dusting" in the forecast can easily turn into three inches if the wind shifts ten miles.
What You Actually Need to Do
Don't be the person slipping on a subway grate today.
- Check the DSNY Alerts: If you’re parked on the street, keep an eye on alternate side parking. As of now, the schedule is regular, but salt spreaders need room to work.
- Layers, not just Bulky Coats: With a high of 38°F, you’ll sweat in a heavy parka if you’re power-walking to the G train. Go with a waterproof shell over a fleece.
- Prepare for Monday: Remember, Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. There’s no trash or recycling collection. If today's snow turns into a mess, that holiday cleanup is going to be delayed even further.
The "New York City weather today" might look underwhelming on a phone app, but between the salt trucks and the damp 34-degree air, it's a classic mid-winter grind. Stay dry, keep your feet warm, and maybe grab that extra espresso—you’re going to need the internal heat.