Right now, if you’re looking out a window in Manhattan or checking the cams at Times Square, you’re seeing the first real "NYC winter" moment of 2026. Honestly, it’s been a weirdly mild start to the year, but the atmosphere finally decided to cooperate. Or crash the party, depending on how you feel about wet socks.
As of Sunday morning, January 18, 2026, the temperature in New York City is sitting at exactly 31°F. It’s that classic, biting damp cold that only the Northeast really perfects. We’ve got a light wind coming from the southeast at about 2 mph, which sounds like nothing, but with humidity at 92%, that chill just sticks to your bones.
The big story isn't just the cold, though. It's the snow.
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The Current New York City Weather Situation
We are officially in the middle of a Winter Weather Advisory. The National Weather Service and NYC Emergency Management aren't messing around today, mostly because this is the first time this year we’re seeing snow that actually wants to stick to the pavement. Earlier this morning, things were just "kinda" misty, but we've transitioned into a steady snowfall.
Here is the raw data for today, Sunday, January 18:
- Current Temp: 31°F
- Expected High: 34°F
- Expected Low: 23°F
- Precipitation Chance: 94% (It’s basically a guarantee at this point)
- Wind: Shifting to the North later at about 7 mph
The city is currently under a "Snow Alert" from the Department of Sanitation. That means those big salt spreaders—the ones that make that rhythmic thwack-clink sound—are already out on the avenues. Mayor Zohran Mamdani even put out a statement this morning thanking the DSNY crews for working through the weekend. It’s a Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, so the timing is a bit of a headache for anyone planning to head out for brunch or a Broadway matinee.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Storm
You’ll hear people on the subway saying we’re getting a "blizzard." We aren't. Not in the city, anyway. While parts of Western New York (shoutout to Buffalo and Niagara Falls) are getting absolutely hammered with up to 20 inches, we’re looking at a much more "New York modest" 2 to 5 inches.
The tricky part is the timing. This isn't a "blink and you miss it" flurry. It’s an all-day event. The heaviest bands are expected to roll through between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. tonight. If you're planning to take the PATH or the LIRR, expect the kind of "minor signal delays" that magically turn into hour-long adventures.
Why 31°F is the "Danger Zone"
There’s a specific reason why today feels messier than a 15°F day. At 31°F, we are hovering right at the freezing point. This creates that lovely New York slush—part ice, part gray water, part mystery. Because the ground was relatively warm yesterday, the snow is melting slightly on contact and then refreezing as the temperature drops toward the overnight low of 23°F.
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Basically, the sidewalks are going to be a skating rink by 9 p.m.
What to Expect for the Rest of Sunday
- Midday: Moderate snow continues. Visibility is down to about a mile in some spots.
- Late Afternoon: The "Prime Time" of the storm. Snowfall rates could hit an inch per hour. This is when you want to be inside with a bagel.
- Tonight: The system starts moving east toward Long Island. The sky stays cloudy, and the wind picks up from the North, making that 23°F low feel a lot more like 10°F.
Real Talk on Travel and Safety
A "Code Blue" is currently in effect. This is a serious thing—it means the city is ramped up to make sure anyone experiencing homelessness has a warm place to go. If you see someone who looks like they’re struggling in this cold, do the NYC thing and call 311.
For the rest of us? The subways are mostly running, but the above-ground sections of the N, Q, and F lines are going to be sluggish. DSNY has their "Bladerunner 2.0" GPS system active to track every plow in real-time. It’s actually pretty cool tech if you’re into logistics, but for most people, it just means the streets might actually be drivable by Monday morning.
Practical Steps for New Yorkers Right Now
- Salt your stoop now: Don't wait until 8 p.m. when the temperature drops to 25°F and the slush turns into concrete.
- Check the Monday schedule: Tomorrow is MLK Jr. Day. There’s already no trash or recycling collection scheduled for the holiday, but the snow might make Tuesday’s pickup even slower.
- Watch the "Freezing Line": Keep an eye on the transition. If you see the snow turning into rain near the coast (Brooklyn/Queens), don't get comfortable. The cold air is filtering back in from the West, and it will flip back to ice quickly.
The city is beautiful when it's covered in a fresh layer of white, before the taxis and buses turn it into that standard New York gray. Enjoy the view from inside if you can. If you have to be out, waterproof boots aren't optional today—they're a survival requirement.