You’ve probably looked out the window and noticed that weird, gray New York sky that looks like it’s deciding whether to ruin your plans or just be annoying. Honestly, the weather in NY right now is a classic January mixed bag. We aren't talking about a massive, city-stopping blizzard yet, but it’s definitely not "walk in the park" territory either.
Right now, as of Saturday morning, January 17, 2026, the temperature in the city is hovering at 34°F. But if you’re heading out for a bagel run, it actually feels like 30°F. That’s thanks to a light south wind at 5 mph. It’s cloudy, kind of damp, and basically the definition of "raw" winter weather.
What’s Actually Happening with the Snow?
The big question everyone’s asking is if we’re getting buried. The short answer? It depends on where you’re standing. According to the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Upton, we’re dealing with two distinct systems back-to-back.
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Today, Saturday, we’ve got a 79% chance of precipitation. For the city proper—Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens—it’s mostly a messy transition from light snow to rain as the day warms up to a high of 39°F. If you’re in the Lower Hudson Valley or western Connecticut, you’re looking at actual accumulation, maybe 2 to 4 inches. But for the 5 boroughs, it’s mostly slush.
- Central Park: Expect a trace to maybe half an inch if things stay cold enough early on.
- Orange and Putnam Counties: You’re under a Winter Weather Advisory until 4 PM today.
- Tonight: Things settle down a bit, dropping to 33°F and staying mostly cloudy.
The Sunday Situation
Don't put the shovel away just yet. There’s a coastal low forming down south that’s creeping up for Sunday. This one is a bit of a wildcard. Forecasters are seeing increasing confidence that eastern Long Island and parts of Connecticut will get more light snow tomorrow. For NYC, it’s a coin flip between a dusting and a couple of inches.
The NWS Area Forecast Discussion notes that track variability is narrowing, but the western edge of the storm (that's us) is always the hardest to predict. If that low pressure pulls just a bit further east, we get nothing. If it hugs the coast? Get ready for a late-Sunday headache.
Why This January Feels Different
We’ve had a relatively mild start to the month, but this weekend marks a shift. The "arctic air mass" we’ve been hearing about is finally making its presence felt. Even after the snow/rain mix clears out, the real story for next week is the cold.
Honestly, it's going to get brutal. We are looking at temperatures 10 to 20 degrees below normal starting Monday night. Monday and Tuesday will see wind gusts up to 25 mph, making the "feels like" temp drop into the single digits or even sub-zero in the suburbs.
Is This a "Snow Squall" Risk?
You might have seen alerts about snow squalls in the Midwest. While the Plains are getting hammered with near-zero visibility, our local threat is more about "warm advection." Basically, warm air is sliding over the cold air at the surface. That’s why we get that annoying "will it, won't it" rain-snow line right over the city.
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Actionable Tips for New Yorkers Today
- Check the MTA: Even "little to no accumulation" usually means the L train is going to have some kind of drama. Check the app before you head out.
- Watch the Ice: Since it’s 34°F now but was colder overnight, side streets are going to be slick. The transition from snow to rain is the most dangerous time for slips.
- Prep for Monday: This is the most important one. The cold coming after this system is legit. Make sure your radiators are actually working and you have your heavy-duty gloves ready for the Tuesday morning commute.
Stay dry out there. The weather in NY right now is less about a winter wonderland and more about not getting your socks soaked in a slush puddle at the corner of 42nd Street.
Next Steps for Your Weekend:
Keep an eye on the Sunday afternoon track for that coastal low. If you have travel plans heading toward Long Island or New England tomorrow evening, you might want to move them to Sunday morning before the visibility drops. Grab some salt for your stoop tonight before the Sunday system hits, as whatever melts today will likely refreeze.