Honestly, if you looked out the window this morning in Manhattan and thought you could get away with just a light trench coat, I've got some news for you. New York City is currently sitting at a crisp 34°F, but with that slight 3-mph breeze coming in from the south, it actually feels more like 30°F. It’s that biting, damp cold that tends to sneak up on you once you step out from between the buildings.
The sky is hanging heavy and cloudy right now. Basically, we are in the "calm before" stage of the day. While the current humidity is at 54%, that’s going to climb as we move through the afternoon.
What’s Actually Happening with the Weather for Today in NYC
Most people get the winter transition wrong. They see a high of 38°F and think it’s a "warm" winter day. It’s not. We are looking at a 64% chance of light snow during the daytime hours.
The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) didn't just issue a Winter Operations Advisory for fun. They've already got 700 salt spreaders and those specialized bike lane spreaders ready to roll. Even though the forecast says "light snow," the real threat is the mix.
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The Breakdown of Your Saturday
- The High Point: We’ll hit 38°F, but don't let that number fool you. It's going to be wet.
- Precipitation: That 64% chance of snow is the main event for the daylight hours.
- The Wind Factor: A steady 8 mph south wind will be pushing through later today, keeping the damp air moving.
The city is bracing for a messy mix. Since the temperature is hovering so close to freezing, we're likely to see that slushy, grey New York "slop" rather than a Winter Wonderland. If you're heading out to Brooklyn or Queens, just know that the roads are likely being salted as we speak to prevent those nasty icy patches.
Why This Polar Vortex Talk Matters
You might have heard the buzz about the Polar Vortex dipping down. While the most brutal, sub-zero stuff is currently hammering the Midwest, we're starting to feel the leading edge of that shift.
The NWS Weather Prediction Center has been tracking this deep troughing over the Eastern U.S., and while today is mostly about that light snow and rain mix, it’s setting the stage for much colder air coming in tomorrow.
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"Regardless of what comes our way this holiday weekend, New York’s Strongest will be ready," according to the DSNY.
That’s a fancy way of saying: "Stay home if you can, because the roads are going to be a salted, slushy mess."
Nighttime Outlook
By the time the sun goes down (which is around 4:55 PM EST, by the way), the chance of snow drops to about 20%. It’ll stay cloudy with a low of 33°F.
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Wait, did you catch that? The low is 33°F, and the high was 38°F. That is a tiny five-degree window. This means the temperature is going to stay stagnant and cold all night long. Humidity will linger around 66%, so that "raw" feeling in the air isn't going anywhere.
Survival Tips for the NYC Slush
If you have to be out, forget the fashionable suede boots. You’ve seen what salt does to them. It’s a tragedy.
- Waterproof everything. It’s not a heavy snow day, but it’s a "wet" snow day.
- Watch the curbs. We all know the classic NYC trap: a puddle that looks one inch deep but is actually a four-inch deep slush lake.
- Check the trains. Snow, even light snow, tends to give the MTA an excuse for "signal problems."
The UV index is a big fat 1 today, so you don't need to worry about sun protection, but you definitely need to worry about visibility if you're driving. The mix of light snow and grey clouds makes for some pretty flat light on the FDR and the West Side Highway.
What Happens Next?
Looking ahead, the city is watching a separate event for Sunday that could be more significant. For today, it's all about managing the dampness and the salt.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Layer up with a moisture-wicking base; the 66% humidity will make the 34-degree air feel much colder if you get damp.
- Move your car if you're in a zone where salt spreaders need wide berths, and check for any emergency "No Parking" signs that pop up during advisories.
- Walk with caution on subway stairs; the transition from salted sidewalks to wet metal stairs is a recipe for a wipeout.