Honestly, if you stepped outside this morning in Queens expecting a typical bright January Saturday, you probably realized pretty quickly that the sky had other plans. It’s one of those weird, indecisive New York days. You know the ones. It’s not quite a blizzard, but it’s definitely not a "nice walk in Flushing Meadows" kind of day either. Basically, the borough is currently sitting under a thick blanket of clouds with a temperature hovering right at 39°F.
It feels a bit damp. That’s the 41% humidity talking, which isn't swampy, but combined with the chill, it bites.
The Reality of Weather Today in Queens
Most people see "39 degrees" on their phone and think a light jacket will suffice. Don't do that to yourself. While the wind is currently a gentle 4 mph coming from the south, it’s just the setup for a messy afternoon. We are looking at a high of 39°F and a low of 33°F later tonight.
What’s actually happening is a bit of a localized drama. The daytime forecast calls for light rain, but here is the kicker: there is an 83% chance of precipitation, and the "type" listed is snow.
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Wait, rain and snow?
Yeah, it’s that classic slushy mix that Queens does so well. The kind that turns the corner of 71st and Continental into a giant puddle of gray mush by 3:00 PM.
Why the Forecast Feels Different Depending on Where You Are
If you're closer to the water in Long Island City or Astoria, that south wind might feel a little more piercing than if you're tucked away in the middle of Forest Hills. By this afternoon, the wind is expected to pick up slightly to 6 mph, shifting to come from the southwest. It’s not a gale, but it’s enough to make that 39 degrees feel more like the low 30s.
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- Current Temp: 39°F
- Sky: Cloudy (moving into light rain/snow)
- Wind: 4 mph South
- Humidity: 41% (rising to 53% later)
- UV Index: 0 (Don't worry about the sunscreen today)
What You Should Actually Wear
Forget looking like a fashion icon on the 7 train today. You need layers that can handle getting wet. Since the precipitation chance is so high (83%), and it's likely to be a "snow-rain" hybrid, a water-resistant shell over a fleece is the pro move.
If you wear a heavy wool coat, it’s just going to soak up the drizzle and weigh ten pounds by the time you get home. Leather boots are fine, but make sure they’re treated. The salt on the sidewalks from earlier in the week is still out there, and once this light rain hits it, it’ll be a mess.
Tonight’s Outlook
Once the sun goes down (or rather, once the sky gets even darker), the "light rain" transitions back into just being cloudy. The low is 33°F, which is just above freezing. This is actually good news—it means we probably won't deal with a flash freeze on the roads, though the chance of snow drops significantly to 20% after dark.
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Basically, the "event" is a daytime affair. If you have dinner plans in Bayside or Howard Beach, the worst of the slush should be over, though the sidewalks will be slick.
Surviving the Slushy Saturday
If you're heading out, keep your expectations low for the "snow" part. This isn't the kind of snow you build a snowman with; it's the kind of snow that vanishes the second it hits the pavement, leaving only wet socks in its wake.
Actionable Next Steps for Queens Residents:
- Check the drainage: If you have a house in Queens Village or Whitestone, make sure your nearest storm drain isn't clogged with old leaves. This rain-snow mix can pool fast.
- Opt for the Subway: Driving in "mix" conditions in Queens is a nightmare, mostly because people forget how to brake on wet steel and asphalt.
- Plan for Indoors: Today is a perfect day for a trip to the Museum of the Moving Image or just staying in and ordering from that one Thai place that actually delivers in the rain.
The weather today in Queens is ultimately a reminder that January in New York is rarely pretty, but it’s always manageable if you don't trust the thermometer alone.