Right now, if you look out a window in Midtown, it’s just grey. Not the pretty, cinematic grey, but that heavy, soggy Manhattan sky that feels like a wet wool blanket. As of Sunday afternoon, January 18, 2026, the current temperature in New York is sitting at exactly 33°F. It basically feels like 28°F once you factor in that 4 mph breeze coming off the North.
It's "cloudy," says the official report. But New Yorkers know better.
The air is thick with 91% humidity. That’s the kind of dampness that finds the gap between your scarf and your chin and just settles there. If you’ve been tracking nyc weather hourly weather today, you’ve likely noticed the shift from "maybe it’ll be a nice winter walk" to "stay inside and order Thai food."
The Sunday Slush: Breakdown of the nyc weather hourly weather
Honestly, the city is currently caught in a weird thermal purgatory. We are hovering right at the freezing mark. Earlier today, the National Weather Service (NWS) and New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) put out a Winter Weather Advisory that runs until 8 p.m. tonight.
What does that look like on the ground?
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Between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., things are expected to get a bit messy. While the current precipitation chance is 31% with a light rain/snow mix, the daily forecast suggests we are heading into a 100% chance of snow during the daytime hours, transitioning into 79% for snow showers tonight.
- The 4 p.m. Window: Expect the "frozen mix" to turn into more consistent flakes. Visibility usually drops around this time as the light fades.
- The Evening Commute: If you’re heading back from a Sunday brunch or a museum trip, 6 p.m. looks like the peak for actual accumulation.
- The Overnight Dip: We’re looking at a low of 27°F. That’s the danger zone. Anything that melted into slush at 33°F is going to turn into a sheet of black ice by tomorrow morning’s commute.
Why 1 Inch of Snow is Actually a Big Deal
You might hear "1 to 3 inches" and laugh. "That’s nothing!" you'll say. But in New York, an inch of snow isn't just an inch of snow. It’s a logistics nightmare.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani already has the Department of Sanitation (DSNY) out in force. They aren't just waiting; they're pre-treating the bridges and the hilly sections of Upper Manhattan and the Bronx. Because when the temperature is 33°F, the snow hits the warm asphalt and melts. Then it rains. Then the temp drops four degrees, and suddenly the Brooklyn Bridge is a skating rink.
NYCEM Commissioner Zach Iscol has been pretty vocal about this: even a small amount of accumulation during a holiday weekend (it’s Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, after all) can cause "significant travel disruptions."
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Airport Chaos and the La Niña Factor
If you were planning to fly out of JFK, LaGuardia, or Newark today, you’ve likely already seen the headlines. Yesterday’s fast-moving system grounded hundreds of flights. Ground stops were issued, and some travelers saw four-hour delays.
While today isn't a full-blown blizzard, the residual effect of yesterday's storm combined with today’s "light rain and snow showers" means de-icing crews are working overtime. Airlines are already pre-emptively canceling flights to keep crews from getting stranded.
Basically, it's a mess.
Experts like Meteorologist Steven DiMartino have been pointing out that this January is following a classic weak La Niña pattern. We get these "nuisance" storms—not enough to bury the city, but just enough to make the nyc weather hourly weather a constant source of anxiety for anyone with a subway transfer or a flight to catch.
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Survival Tips for the Next 12 Hours
Kinda feels like we say this every year, but people still forget:
- Check your carbon monoxide detectors. Since it's 33°F and dropping, everyone’s cranking the heat.
- The 62°F Rule. If you’re a renter, your landlord is legally required to keep your place at least 62°F at night. If they don't, call 311. Don't freeze just because you don't want to be "that" neighbor.
- Salt now, not later. If you have a stoop or a sidewalk to clear, get the salt down before the 27°F freeze hits tonight.
The biggest misconception about nyc weather hourly weather is that "light rain" means you don't need boots. Wrong. You need the waterproof ones. The slush puddles at the corner of every crosswalk are currently 3 inches deep and waiting to ruin your day.
Looking ahead to tomorrow, the highs will stay in the 20s. The wind is going to pick up. That 4 mph breeze we have right now? It's going to feel like a punch in the face by Monday morning. If you don't have to be out tonight after 8 p.m., don't be. The transition from "cloudy" to "snow showers" is happening right as you read this.
Stay warm, keep your phone charged, and maybe check the MTA app one last time before you head out. This city doesn't stop for an inch of snow, but it sure does slow down.
Next steps for you: Check the "feels like" temperature before leaving the house tomorrow morning, as wind chills are expected to drop into the teens. Verify your flight status directly with the airline's mobile app rather than relying on third-party trackers, as ground delays are being updated in real-time.