It is Tuesday, January 13, 2026, and if you stepped outside this morning expecting that sharp, nose-hair-freezing New York winter, you were probably pleasantly surprised. Or confused. Honestly, the weather forecast for today NYC feels more like a late October afternoon than a mid-January deep freeze. We are currently sitting in the middle of a "January Thaw," a meteorological breather that has everyone ditching their heavy parkas for light puffers.
But don't let the 46°F high fool you into thinking winter is over.
By the time you’re heading home from work or grabbing dinner in the East Village tonight, the atmosphere is going to start shifting. It’s that classic New York bait-and-switch. We’ve got gray skies, rising humidity, and a breeze that’s about to turn a lot more aggressive.
What to Expect for the Rest of Tuesday
The National Weather Service has been tracking a low-pressure system moving across southeastern Canada, and while the brunt of it is staying north, the tail end is sweeping right over the five boroughs.
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The Midday Outlook
Basically, the sun is playing hide-and-seek. You might see a few slivers of blue through the clouds near Central Park, but overcast conditions are the real theme today. Temperatures will hover in the mid-40s, which is actually about 10 degrees above the historical average for this date.
The Evening Commute
This is where things get a bit messy. Around 4 PM or 5 PM, keep an eye out for "spits" of rain. It’s not going to be a washout—most of the pavement might not even stay wet—but the wind is going to kick up. We are looking at southwest gusts hitting up to 30 or 35 mph. If you’re crossing the Verrazzano or the George Washington Bridge, you’re definitely going to feel the car sway a bit.
The Overnight Drop
Tonight stays relatively mild compared to what’s coming later this week. We’ll bottom out around 32°F to 41°F depending on which neighborhood you’re in. The humidity is staying high (around 57%), so it’ll feel damp and heavy rather than crisp.
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Navigating the City Today
Since the weather isn't "extreme" yet, most of the city's infrastructure is running normally, but there are some specific transit hiccups to watch for that intersect with the breezy conditions.
- Alternate Side Parking: It’s in effect. Don’t get a ticket thinking the city is taking a "weather day."
- Bridge Closures: The NYC DOT has scheduled maintenance on several bridges today, including intermittent full closures of the Third Street Bridge over the Gowanus Canal between 11 PM and 5 AM. With the wind gusts picking up tonight, these overnight work windows can get tricky.
- Flight Delays: The FAA has already flagged that gusty winds could slow down traffic at JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark this afternoon. If you’re flying out, check your carrier’s app before you head to the Airtrain.
The Massive Shift Coming Wednesday Night
If today is the "calm," Wednesday night is the "storm." Meteorologists like Drew Montreuil and the team at the NWS are warning that this January Thaw ends abruptly tomorrow.
A secondary cold front is currently charging toward the Northeast. On Wednesday, rain will transition into a steady snow as temperatures plummet from the mid-30s at sunset to the low 20s by midnight. We are looking at a potential 2 to 4 inches of accumulation by Thursday morning.
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The real danger isn't the snow depth; it's the "flash freeze." Because the ground is relatively warm today, that rain/snow mix on Wednesday evening will likely create a layer of ice underneath the snow as the mercury drops.
Quick Gear Guide for Today
- Footwear: You don’t need the heavy Sorels today. Standard leather boots or water-resistant sneakers are fine for those stray evening showers.
- Outerwear: A medium-weight trench or a light down vest is the "pro move." You’ll overheat in a Canada Goose on the subway today.
- The Umbrella Situation: Honestly? Leave the cheap deli umbrella at home. With 35 mph gusts, it’ll be inside-out in three minutes. Opt for a hooded jacket instead.
The atmosphere is in a state of flux. While today feels like a gift, it's actually the setup for a much more volatile 48-hour stretch.
Actionable Next Steps:
Check your window seals this afternoon while it's still mild. If you feel a draft today, it's going to be a freezing gale by Thursday when wind chills hit zero. Also, if you have outdoor plants that aren't frost-hardy, bring them in tonight before the Wednesday night transition begins. Keep an eye on the MTA "Service Status" page starting tomorrow afternoon, as the transition from rain to snow usually triggers the most switch and signal issues.