If you've lived in New York for more than five minutes, you know that "wintry mix" is basically code for "your shoes are going to get ruined." Honestly, tomorrow in Manhattan is looking exactly like one of those days where the sky can't quite decide if it wants to be a winter wonderland or just a cold, soggy mess.
Saturday, January 17, 2026, is bringing a weird cocktail of weather to the island. We’re looking at a high of 38°F and a low of 34°F. That four-degree window is the danger zone. It’s the difference between a pretty dusting of white on the Central Park elms and that gray, slushy "street juice" that splashes onto your jeans when a yellow cab hits a pothole on 2nd Avenue.
The Saturday Slush: Breaking Down the Manhattan Forecast
The daytime conditions are officially listed as rain and snow. With a 40% chance of precipitation during the day, you aren't guaranteed to get soaked, but you’d be a bit of a gambler to leave the umbrella at home. Because the temperature is hovering at 38°F—well above freezing—most of what falls during the heat of the day will struggle to stick to the pavement.
It’s gonna be damp. The humidity is sitting at 65%, which, combined with a 6 mph wind coming from the south, makes for that raw, biting New York cold that seems to go right through a wool coat.
👉 See also: Sleeping With Your Neighbor: Why It Is More Complicated Than You Think
What to Expect Hour-by-Hour (Sorta)
While the morning might start off with some flakes, the midday "warmth" (if you can call it that) will likely turn things over to a cold drizzle.
- Morning: Expect a mix of light snow and rain. It’ll look pretty from your window but feel gross on the sidewalk.
- Afternoon: The 38°F high peaks. This is when the snow usually turns into that annoying fine mist or light rain.
- Evening: As we head into the night, the temperature dips toward 34°F. The chance of precipitation actually drops to 20%, but if anything does fall, it’ll likely be snow again as the air cools.
The UV index is a measly 1. Basically, the sun is taking a personal day. Don't expect to see it behind the thick blanket of clouds.
Why This Specific Forecast is a Pain for New Yorkers
The real issue with weather for tomorrow in Manhattan isn't the volume of snow—it's the timing and the temperature. Since the low is 34°F, we aren't even hitting a true freeze at ground level. This means no ice skating on the sidewalks (thankfully), but it also means no "snow day" vibes.
✨ Don't miss: At Home French Manicure: Why Yours Looks Cheap and How to Fix It
Instead, you get the slush.
If you're planning on hitting the Winter Village at Bryant Park or walking the High Line, wear the waterproof boots. Seriously. The south wind at 6 mph isn't enough to blow your hat off, but it’s enough to keep that damp air moving against your skin.
Actionable Tips for Saturday in the City
Don't let the 40% chance of snow fool you into thinking it's a blizzard. It’s a "nuisance" weather day.
🔗 Read more: Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Menu: Why You’re Probably Ordering Wrong
- Footwear is everything: Leather soles are your enemy tomorrow. Stick to rubber or treated Gore-Tex. The corners of 57th and 5th will have those hidden deep puddles.
- Layering: Since it’s 38°F, you’ll sweat in a heavy Canada Goose if you’re power-walking to the subway, but you’ll freeze the second you stand still. Go with a light down layer under a waterproof shell.
- Commuter Alert: Bridges and overpasses always get slipperier than the surface streets. If you're driving over the RFK or the Queensboro, just take it slow.
- Pet Care: That rain-snow mix often means more salt on the sidewalks. Wash your dog's paws when you get back inside; that stuff is brutal on their pads.
Basically, Saturday is a perfect day for a museum or a long movie at the Angelika. If you have to be outside, just assume you're going to get a little bit wet and a little bit cold.
Keep an eye on the sky toward sunset. As the "mostly cloudy" night conditions take over, the city lights hitting the low cloud cover usually give the skyline that eerie, orange-ish glow that only happens in the winter. It's the one silver lining of a 34-degree night.