Right now, if you step outside in New York, you're going to feel a very specific kind of bite. Honestly, the air is thick, the sky is that heavy shade of Manhattan grey, and the temperature in New York City is sitting at a crisp 32°F. It’s exactly freezing. But if you’re standing on a street corner waiting for the M15 bus, it feels a lot colder than that.
The "feels like" factor is currently 27°F. That five-degree gap might not sound like much on paper, but when the wind is kicking up from the northeast at 6 mph, it’s the difference between "I'm fine in this coat" and "I should have worn the thermal leggings."
The Real-Time Breakdown
Basically, we're looking at a light rain situation right now. Humidity is essentially maxed out at 98%, which is why the air feels so heavy. It’s damp. It’s that raw New York winter moisture that gets into your bones.
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Looking ahead at the rest of this Sunday, January 18, 2026, things are gonna get a bit messy. While we have light rain at the moment, the daily forecast is calling for snow. Here is what the numbers actually look like:
- High Temperature: 33°F
- Low Temperature: 25°F
- Precipitation Chance: 87% during the day, jumping to 90% tonight
- Conditions: Snow likely throughout the day, turning to clouds tonight
- Wind: Shifting slightly to the north at 7 mph
Why the Temperature in New York City is Rarely Just One Number
People always talk about "the temperature," but New York is a giant heat sink made of concrete and glass. If you're in the middle of Times Square, the ambient heat from the billboards and the thousands of bodies can actually make it feel a couple of degrees warmer than the official reading at the Central Park Belvedere Castle.
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On the flip side, if you're walking down a narrow side street in the Financial District, those "urban canyons" create wind tunnels. You might see a forecast for 32°F, but that wind-chill can easily drag your experience down into the low 20s.
What to Expect for the Rest of January
Historically, January is the coldest month of the year here. We usually see average highs around 39.5°F and lows hovering near 27.9°F. Today is actually tracking a bit colder than the historical average, especially with that overnight low of 25°F looming.
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The City has already issued a travel advisory. Between 1 to 3 inches of snow are expected to accumulate across the five boroughs. Because the temperature is dancing so close to the freezing mark, the consistency of that snow is going to be heavy and slushy—not the light, fluffy stuff you see in movies.
Survival Tips for a 32-Degree Day
Kinda goes without saying, but waterproof boots are the only thing that matters right now. The "slush puddles" at the corner of every crosswalk are legendary for being six inches deep and ice-cold.
- Layers are a religion: Start with a base layer that wicks moisture. Since the humidity is at 98%, if you sweat while walking to the subway, you’ll stay damp and freeze the moment you get back outside.
- Protect your neck: A scarf isn't just a fashion choice; it’s a structural necessity to keep the wind from whistling down your coat.
- Check the wind direction: Today it’s coming from the northeast. If you’re walking uptown and east, you’re walking right into it.
The temperature in New York City is famously unpredictable, but for today, the message is clear: it's freezing, it's wet, and it's probably going to snow. Stay dry and keep an eye on the subway apps, because a few inches of snow is usually all it takes to turn a 20-minute commute into an hour-long saga.
Actionable Advice for New Yorkers Today
- Check the drains: If you own property or a storefront, clear any slush near the drains before the temperature drops to 25°F tonight and everything turns into a solid sheet of ice.
- Salt early: Don't wait for the snow to stop. A light layer of salt now can prevent the bottom layer from bonding to the sidewalk.
- Plan for delays: The MTA tends to slow down when the tracks get wet and cold, so give yourself an extra 15 minutes if you have to be anywhere tonight.