You know that feeling when you step out of your house in Center Square thinking a light jacket is enough, only to get blasted by a wind tunnel effect that feels ten degrees colder? Honestly, checking the weather Albany NY hourly isn't just a casual habit for us; it’s basically a survival skill.
Albany has this weird, moody temperament. Because we sit right where the Hudson and Mohawk rivers meet, the valley floor traps cold air while the surrounding hills—the Helderbergs and the Rensselaer Plateau—do their own thing. It’s why you’ll see snow piling up in Voorheesville while it’s just a cold, miserable drizzle at the Empire State Plaza.
Why Your Hourly Forecast Keeps Changing
Most people think meteorologists are just guessing, but the reality is way more complex. Albany sits in a "convergence zone." We get the moisture coming up from the Atlantic, the freezing blasts from Canada, and the lake-effect remnants from the west. When you're looking at the weather Albany NY hourly feed, you’re seeing a high-stakes chess match between these air masses.
Currently, we're looking at a temperature of 28°F, but it feels like 19°F. That gap is everything. A south wind at 8 mph might sound gentle, but with 93% humidity, that cold doesn't just sit on your skin—it sinks into your bones. It's that "damp cold" that New Yorkers love to complain about, and for good reason.
The Breakdown for Today and Tonight
If you're planning on heading out tonight, Saturday, January 17, it's gonna stay cloudy. Don't expect to see many stars. We’ve got a 10% chance of some light snow, but nothing that's going to require a shovel yet.
Tomorrow, Sunday, January 18, is when things get a bit more interesting. We're looking at a high of 31°F and a low of 22°F. The big headline? Snow showers are expected throughout both the day and night.
- Daytime: 35% chance of snow.
- Nighttime: 25% chance of snow.
- Wind: Switching to the northwest at 8 mph.
Basically, it’s a standard January day in the Capital Region. Gray, crunchy underfoot, and perfect for staying inside with a hot cider.
The Micro-Climate Trap
I’ve lived here long enough to know that "Albany" is a broad term. If you’re checking the weather Albany NY hourly while standing in Colonie, it might be totally different from what’s happening in Troy or Delmar.
The "River Effect" is real. The Hudson River acts as a thermal ribbon. In the early winter, the water is still relatively warm compared to the air. This can sometimes turn what should be a snowstorm into a "wintery mix" (the most hated phrase in the local vocabulary) for those living right on the banks. But move three miles inland and two hundred feet up in elevation? You’re in a winter wonderland.
Expert Tip: Don't Just Look at the Number
I talked to some folks who track this stuff professionally, and they all say the same thing: watch the dew point and the wind direction. If the wind is coming from the south, like it is today, we're pulling in that Atlantic moisture. That's why the humidity is at 93%. It makes the air feel heavy. When that wind flips to the northwest tomorrow, it brings in the "dry" cold from the Canadian interior. It'll feel crisp, but it’ll also zap the moisture right out of your skin.
Dealing with the "Real Feel"
We’ve all seen the "Feels Like" temperature on our phones. In Albany, that's the only number that actually matters. When the wind picks up across the open spaces of the Harriman State Office Campus or the UAlbany podium, a 30-degree day can feel like 10 degrees in seconds.
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- Layers aren't a suggestion. They’re a requirement. A base layer of wool or synthetic is better than cotton because of that 93% humidity we're seeing today.
- The UV Index is low. It’s currently at 0, and tomorrow it’ll hit a staggering 1. You don't need to worry about a sunburn, but the lack of vitamin D is real.
- Check the radar, not just the icons. Icons are static. Radars show the "blobs" of snow moving through the Mohawk Valley. If you see a green or blue blob headed east on I-90, give it about 45 minutes to hit downtown.
Actionable Steps for the Next 24 Hours
Since we’re expecting those snow showers tomorrow, here is what you should actually do:
Check your wiper fluid tonight. There is nothing worse than driving on the Northway with salt spray blinding you and a frozen pump. Since the temp is hovering at 28°F, things are just cold enough to freeze on contact.
If you’re heading to the Sunday morning market or out for a walk in Washington Park, wear shoes with actual grip. With a low of 22°F tonight, any moisture on the sidewalks from today’s clouds is going to turn into a thin sheet of "black ice."
Keep an eye on that northwest wind shift tomorrow. It’s going to make the afternoon feel significantly colder than the morning, even if the thermometer says the temperature is rising.
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The weather Albany NY hourly data shows we’re in a typical winter holding pattern. No major blizzards on the immediate horizon for this weekend, but enough "nuisance snow" to make the roads slick. Stay warm, keep the salt handy, and maybe grab an extra bag of coffee before the snow showers start tomorrow morning.