You’ve probably heard the rumors. People are whispering about a "blockbuster" storm, while others are shrug it off as just another chilly January weekend. Honestly, the weather forecast sunday nyc is a bit of a weird one this time around. We aren't looking at a massive Snowpocalypse that shuts down the MTA for three days, but we are looking at a serious shift in the atmosphere that’s going to make your Sunday brunch plans feel a lot more like an arctic expedition.
Basically, the "Polar Vortex" is doing that thing again where it stretches out like a rubber band. When that happens, all the freezing air that usually stays trapped at the North Pole starts leaking south. By Sunday, January 18, 2026, New York City is going to be right in the crosshairs of that leak.
What’s Actually Happening on Sunday?
If you look at the raw data for Sunday, the high temperature is hitting exactly 33°F. That sounds like standard winter stuff, right? But the low is dipping down to 21°F, and when you factor in the northwest winds at 8 mph, that "RealFeel" is going to bite.
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We’re seeing a 40% chance of snow showers during the day. This isn't the heavy, wet snow that’s great for sledding in Central Park. It’s more likely to be those intermittent, wind-blown flakes that make the sidewalks slick and the air feel like needles. By the time the sun goes down, things actually clear up, with the precipitation chance dropping to 20%.
The Tale of Two Systems
What most people are getting wrong is thinking this is one big storm. It's actually a "one-two punch" situation. Saturday (January 17) has its own little drama with a First Alert Weather Day declared by local experts like Matthew Villafane at CBS New York. That first system is a quick mover.
By Sunday, we’re dealing with the leftovers and a fresh surge of arctic air. It’s a classic setup:
- System One (Saturday): Slushy, messy, and mostly a "north of the city" problem.
- System Two (Sunday): The real cold front arrives. This is when the moisture from the coast tries to clip the city, leading to those stray snow showers.
Why 2026 Feels Colder
Is it actually colder, or are we just getting soft? Well, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) Climatological Reports for Central Park, the normal high for mid-January is usually around 39°F. We are consistently tracking about 6 degrees below that.
There's also the La Niña factor. The NOAA Climate Prediction Center has been watching this weak La Niña persist through the winter of 2025-26. Normally, La Niña means a warmer, drier winter for the East Coast. But this year, the "coupled ocean-atmosphere system" is being stubborn. We've had a nearly 10-inch rainfall deficit over the past year, which means when we do get moisture, it’s a big deal.
Surviving the Sunday Slump
If you're heading out, don't be fooled by the "mostly sunny" or "clear" labels for Sunday night. The humidity is hanging around 75%. In the summer, high humidity makes you sweat; in the winter, it makes the cold "seep" into your bones. It’s that damp, heavy cold that a light puffer jacket just won't stop.
The wind is the real kicker. Coming from the northwest, it’s blowing over the colder landmass rather than the relatively warmer ocean. That’s why the wind chill is going to be the main topic of conversation at every coffee shop from Astoria to the Upper West Side.
Real Talk on Travel
If you’re driving on I-95 or the New York State Thruway, the roads might look "generally clear and dry" according to the latest Thruway Authority updates, but Sunday's snow showers can create "black ice" scenarios. These are the thin, invisible layers of ice that form when snow melts slightly during the 33-degree "peak" of the day and then flash-freezes as the temperature craters toward 21°F in the evening.
The Verdict on the Weekend
Don't expect to be digging your car out of a drift on Monday morning. Do expect to be shivering if you aren't wearing wool socks. The weather forecast sunday nyc is a reminder that January in New York doesn't need a hurricane-level event to be miserable; it just needs a steady wind and a few poorly timed flakes.
Actionable Steps for Sunday:
- Morning (8 AM - 12 PM): This is your best window for errands. The snow shower chance is there, but the accumulation will be negligible.
- Afternoon (1 PM - 5 PM): The "concentrated" snow chance. If you’re walking the dog, do it now before the sun sets and the temp drops 10 degrees in an hour.
- The Gear: Forget the umbrella—the wind will just break it. Go with a hooded parka and a scarf that actually covers your face.
- Home Check: Check your windows for drafts. With a low of 21°F and 75% humidity, a drafty window will turn your living room into a fridge by midnight.
Keep an eye on the local radars, because these "clipper" systems can change their mind faster than a New Yorker looking for a parking spot. But for now, plan for a cold, crunchy, and very grey Sunday.