Honestly, if you stepped outside in Poughkeepsie today expecting that mild January thaw everyone keeps whispering about, you probably got a bit of a reality check. It’s cold. Not "end of the world" cold, but definitely "where did I put my heavy wool socks" cold.
The high for Thursday, January 15, 2026, hit 39°F during the daylight hours, which sounds manageable on paper, but the wind had other plans. We had a steady breeze coming out of the southwest at about 12 mph. It makes a difference. You feel it right in the bridge of your nose the second you walk out of the Deli.
Why the Poughkeepsie Forecast is Trickier Than It Looks
People tend to look at a single number and assume they’ve got the day figured out. Big mistake. While the day was mostly sunny, we actually had a 20% chance of snow during the daytime. It wasn’t a blizzard, obviously, but those random Hudson Valley flurries can slick up a windshield or a sidewalk faster than you’d think.
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Right now, as we’ve transitioned into the night, things are getting even crispier.
The current temperature is sitting at 23°F, but because of a 10 mph wind coming from the west, the "feels like" temperature is actually a biting 13°F. If you’re heading out to catch a late movie or just taking the dog for a quick loop around the block, that 10-degree difference is exactly what catches people off guard.
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The Nighttime Breakdown
- Condition: Partly cloudy.
- Low Temperature: Dropping down to 16°F.
- Humidity: Hovering around 46%.
- Precipitation: The chance of snow has dropped to 10% for the overnight hours.
Basically, the air is drying out, which is why it feels so sharp. The humidity during the day was higher, around 61%, but as that moisture leaves the air and the temperature plummets toward that overnight low of 16°F, it becomes that classic, bone-dry New York winter night.
What This Means for Your Morning
You’re going to want to give yourself an extra five minutes tomorrow. Not necessarily for shoveling—since we didn't get any real accumulation—but for the frost. With the UV index at a flat 0 tonight and the temperature well below freezing, whatever moisture was on your car is now a solid sheet of ice.
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It’s interesting how the wind shifted, too. We started with a southwest flow during the day, but it’s moved to a more direct western wind tonight. That's usually a sign that the colder air is really settling in to stay for a bit.
Most folks see "partly cloudy" and think it’s a wash, but in Poughkeepsie, that usually means some pretty decent stargazing if you can stand the chill. The air is clear enough that the visibility is solid, despite the biting wind chill.
If you’re planning your Friday, just know that the "warmth" of today—if you can call 39°F warm—is likely the best we're going to get for a window. The dip to 16°F tonight is the real story. It’s the kind of night where you make sure the heat is up a notch and you check that the pipes in the crawlspace are doing okay.
Actionable Insights for Tonight:
Make sure to clear any lingering slush off your porch before it hits that 16°F mark, otherwise, it’s going to be a skating rink by 6:00 AM. Also, if you’re commuting early, remember that the "feels like" temperature of 13°F is what you’re actually dressing for, not the number on the thermometer. Layer up, keep the West-wind in mind, and maybe grab a hot coffee for the walk to the station.