Honestly, if you were hoping for a mild stroll through Central Park this week, I've got some pretty chilly news for you. New York is about to get a reality check. We’ve been coasting through a somewhat manageable January, but the weather forecast New York City next 5 days is basically screaming at you to find your heaviest puffer coat and those wool socks you lost in the back of the drawer.
We aren't just looking at a "little cold." We are looking at a genuine arctic plunge that's going to make the subway platforms feel like walk-in freezers.
The Immediate Outlook: Wet, Then White
Right now, as of Saturday, January 17, things are a bit messy. We’re sitting at 36°F, but it feels more like 31°F thanks to a damp south wind. If you look out the window today, you’re seeing light rain and grey skies. The high is hitting 39°F, which is the warmest it’s going to be for a while. Enjoy that "balmy" near-forty weather while it lasts, because by tonight, the floor drops out.
✨ Don't miss: Williams Sonoma Deer Park IL: What Most People Get Wrong About This Kitchen Icon
Sunday is where the drama starts. We’ve got a 35% chance of actual snow during the day. It’s not going to be a blizzard—don't go panic-buying milk and bread just yet—but with a high of 35°F and a low of 24°F, whatever falls is going to stick to the frozen pavement.
Why This Matters for Your Monday
Monday, January 19, looks deceiving. It’ll be mostly sunny, which sounds nice, right? Wrong. The sun is a lie in January. We’re looking at a high of 33°F and a bone-chilling low of 20°F. With winds kicking up to 12 mph from the southwest, that "sunny" walk to the office is going to feel significantly more brutal than the thermometer suggests.
🔗 Read more: Finding the most affordable way to live when everything feels too expensive
The Deep Freeze: Tuesday and Wednesday
If you thought Monday was bad, Tuesday is the day the city truly freezes over. We are talking about a high of only 24°F. That is ten degrees below freezing for the maximum temperature. By Tuesday night, it’s dropping to 15°F.
This isn't just "stay inside" weather; it's "check on your elderly neighbors and keep the pipes dripping" weather. Humidity is going to tank to around 43%, so expect a lot of static electricity and dry skin.
💡 You might also like: Executive desk with drawers: Why your home office setup is probably failing you
- Saturday (Jan 17): High 39°F / Low 33°F (Light rain, turning cloudy)
- Sunday (Jan 18): High 35°F / Low 24°F (Snow showers likely)
- Monday (Jan 19): High 33°F / Low 20°F (Sunny but deceptively cold)
- Tuesday (Jan 20): High 24°F / Low 15°F (The peak of the arctic blast)
- Wednesday (Jan 21): High 31°F / Low 15°F (Partly sunny with late-night snow/rain mix)
Survival Tactics for a New York Winter
It's easy to get grumpy when the wind tunnels between the skyscrapers start hitting you in the face. Experts at the National Weather Service often remind us that the "feels like" temperature is what actually causes frostbite, and by Tuesday morning, that number is going to be in the single digits.
Layers are your best friend. Don't just wear one big coat. Wear a base layer that wicks moisture, a fleece or wool sweater, and then your windproof outer shell. Also, watch out for the "Black Ice" on the subway stairs. With Sunday's snow melting slightly and then flash-freezing Sunday night, Monday morning's commute is going to be a literal slip-and-slide.
Basically, the weather forecast New York City next 5 days is a classic mid-winter rollercoaster. We start with rain, move into snow, and end up in a deep freeze that would make a penguin think twice.
What You Should Do Right Now
- Salt your stoop: If you have a brownstone or a sidewalk to maintain, get the salt down before Sunday night’s freeze.
- Check your heating: Make sure your radiators are actually clanking. If they aren't, call your super now before the 15°F temps hit on Tuesday.
- Pet safety: If it’s too cold for you to stand outside in a t-shirt, it’s too cold for your dog’s paws on the salt-covered concrete. Grab the booties.
Stay warm out there, New York. It's going to be a long week.