You’ve felt it the second you stepped out this morning. That sharp, biting wind that hits your face like a cold towel? Yeah, that’s the reality of New York right now. Honestly, if you were expecting a mild winter day, the weather forecast New York city today has some news for you. It is cold. Not just "NYC cold," but "wind-chill-in-the-teens" cold.
The temperature is hovering right around 22°F currently, but with those 11 mph gusts coming out of the west, it feels more like 11°F. It’s the kind of morning where you see people huddled into their scarves, basically power-walking to the nearest subway entrance just to catch a breath of warm, recycled air.
Why the weather forecast New York city today is trickier than it looks
Most people check their phone, see a high of 35°F, and think, "Oh, I can skip the heavy parka." Don't do that. You’ll regret it by lunch. While the sun is trying its best, we’re looking at a mostly cloudy afternoon with a measly high of 35°F.
The humidity is sitting at a crisp 33%, which sounds dry, but that actually makes the cold feel more "brittle." It’s a deceptive day. You’ve got a UV index of 2, so there’s a tiny bit of brightness, but don't let it fool you into thinking the air is warming up. It isn't.
The snow question: Is it actually happening?
Everyone’s talking about the weekend, but what about right now?
The daytime precipitation chance is a low 10%. Basically, you might see a stray flake or two while you’re grabbing coffee, but nothing that’s going to mess up your commute. Tonight is a slightly different story. As the sun goes down, the chance of snow bumps up to 25%. It’s not a blizzard. Not even close. But the clouds are going to thicken up, and we could see a light dusting or some "periodic clouds" turning into actual snow showers by late evening.
Survival tactics for a 35-degree high
If you're out and about, here is the real-world breakdown of what's happening:
- Morning Commute: It’s the coldest part of the day. 22°F feels like 11°F. If you don't have gloves, your hands will be numb in five minutes.
- Lunch Hour: This is your "warm" window. 35°F is as good as it gets. It’ll be mostly cloudy, so don't expect much thermal help from the sun.
- The Evening Grind: Winds stay steady at 11-12 mph. As the temperature drops back toward the low of 22°F, the 25% chance of snow starts to creep in.
Honestly, the biggest mistake people make in this kind of weather is forgetting the wind. West winds at 11 mph might not sound like much on a weather app, but between the skyscrapers, they accelerate. It’s the "canyon effect." A 12 mph wind on 5th Avenue feels significantly more aggressive than 12 mph in an open field.
Looking ahead: The weekend shift
We are currently tracking two systems moving into the region. While today is mostly about the cold, Saturday and Sunday are looking a bit more "wintry." CBS New York and the National Weather Service are both keeping an eye on a clipper-like system that could bring more accumulation. But for today, Friday, January 16, 2026, your main enemy is the frost.
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The low tonight hits 22°F again. If you’re heading out for dinner, expect overcast skies and that lingering 25% chance of snow. It’s classic January in the city—gray, biting, and a little bit unpredictable.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Layer Up: Wear a base layer. The wind will cut right through a single heavy coat if there's nothing underneath it.
- Check the Apps at 6 PM: If that 25% snow chance jumps up, the evening commute could get slippery fast, even with a light coating.
- Hydrate: Dry air at 33% humidity dehydrates you faster than you think. Drink water, even if you don't feel thirsty in the cold.