Honestly, if you live in the 10801, you already know the drill. One minute you're looking at a light dusting of snow on North Avenue, and the next, a full-blown coastal low is hammering the Long Island Sound. It’s localized. It’s moody. And right now, as of Sunday, January 18, 2026, it is officially intense.
We are currently sitting at a crisp 31°F. Humidity is maxed out at 97%, which is basically the atmosphere's way of saying it’s done holding back. The current condition? Snow. Not just a few flakes, but a heavy snow storm that is expected to drop most of its weight throughout the day. If you’re looking out your window toward Glen Island, you’ve probably noticed the visibility is pretty shot.
The "Queen City of the Sound" has a weird relationship with the water. Because about 20% of New Rochelle is actually water, that moisture from the Sound acts like a fuel tank for storms. Today, we’re seeing a high of 34°F and a low of 24°F. Winds are coming from the northeast at 6 mph, which isn't huge, but when you combine it with a 95% chance of heavy snow, it’s enough to make the Sunday grocery run at ShopRite a genuine mission.
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Why 10801 Weather Hits Different
Most people check a generic New York app and assume it’s the same everywhere from Yonkers to Mamaroneck. It isn't. New Rochelle sits in that weird transition zone. Technically, we’re categorized as a humid subtropical climate (Cfa) by some experts like those at the Köppen classification, but we're constantly flirting with the humid continental (Dfa) line.
What does that actually mean for your Saturday plans? It means our winters are "bitterly cold" but tempered just enough by the salt water to keep us from being as frozen as, say, Buffalo. But don't get it twisted—the humidity here in the winter makes the cold feel "heavy." It gets into your bones.
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Tomorrow, Monday, January 19, the script flips completely. We’re moving from a snow-heavy Sunday to a sunny Monday. The high will stay around 31°F, but the low is going to tank to 14°F. That’s a massive swing. If you’ve got pipes in an uninsulated wall, this is the night they decide to cause trouble. The wind is also going to kick up to 12 mph from the southwest, so that "sunny" day is going to feel significantly sharper than the thermometer suggests.
The Flooding Factor Nobody Talks About
If you’re near the downtown area or the shoreline, weather isn't just about the temperature; it's about the water level. According to data from First Street and local FEMA maps, about 21.5% of properties in Downtown New Rochelle currently face a risk of flooding. This isn't just from hurricanes like Sandy. It’s the "shallow flooding"—the kind where a heavy rain or rapid snowmelt hits and suddenly Huguenot Street looks like a canal.
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Quick Forecast Breakdown for the Week:
- Tuesday: Sunny but brutal. High of 20°F, low of 11°F. West winds at 12 mph.
- Wednesday: Mostly cloudy. High of 33°F, low of 11°F.
- Thursday: A bit of a "warm" up to 39°F. Partly sunny.
You’ve gotta watch those low-water crossings. Nearly half of flash flood fatalities are vehicle-related. In a town with as many dips and coastal inlets as ours, "Turn Around Don't Drown" isn't just a catchy phrase—it’s the difference between getting home and needing a rescue boat. Six inches of water can take out a sedan. Two feet? That’ll float even the biggest SUV you see parked at the New Roc City garage.
Surviving the Sound
Living here means respecting the Small Craft Advisories. Even if it looks "calm" from your balcony, the National Weather Service has been flagging west winds up to 30 knots recently. The Sound is a beast of its own, created by the Late Wisconsin Glacier 18,000 years ago. It’s shallow in spots and deep in others, meaning the waves get choppy and unpredictable fast.
Basically, New Rochelle weather is a game of layers and local knowledge. You can't trust the "average" high of 39°F for January when a coastal low is passing offshore today.
Next Steps for New Rochelle Residents:
- Check your drainage: With the heavy snow today and the deep freeze (14°F) tomorrow, clear your gutters now. Ice dams in the 10801 are notorious for ruining ceilings.
- Salt the walkways: The transition from today's 34°F slush to tomorrow's 14°F freeze will turn every driveway into a skating rink by 6:00 AM Monday.
- Monitor the Sound: If you’re near the coast, keep an eye on the high tide cycles during this snow storm. Wind-driven surges can push water into low-lying yards faster than you'd expect.