Right now, if you step outside in New York, it’s 32°F. Honestly, it's that classic "bitter but not quite frozen" vibe that January in the city loves to throw at us.
The air feels a bit sharper than the thermometer suggests, with a "feels like" temp of 27°F. You’ve probably noticed the sky looks like a flat sheet of grey. That’s because we’re currently sitting under mostly cloudy skies, and while the wind is currently a lazy 5 mph coming from the south, don't let the calm fool you. This is the quiet before a somewhat messy weekend.
What Is the Weather in New York Today and Why It’s Changing
Basically, we’re in a transition phase. As we move through the rest of this Friday night and into early Saturday, January 17, things are going to get interesting. The humidity is currently at 45%, but that’s going to climb as two different weather systems start eyeing the Tri-State area.
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If you have late-night plans, you should know that clouds are increasing for a reason. By around 1:00 a.m., there’s a real chance of snow starting to move in.
- Current Temp: 32°F
- Conditions: Mostly cloudy
- Wind: South at 5 mph
- The Vibe: Bundle up, it’s damp and cold.
Is it going to be a "Snowpocalypse"? Not really. But the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) isn't taking chances; they’ve already issued a Winter Operations Advisory. They have over 700 million pounds of salt ready to go. That’s a lot of salt. They’re mostly worried about the overnight hours when that 32°F could easily turn any moisture on the ground into a literal skating rink.
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The Saturday Shift
When you wake up tomorrow, the "what is the weather in New York" question gets a new answer: rain and snow. We’re looking at a high of 38°F, which is just warm enough to turn what could have been a pretty snowfall into a slushy, grey mess.
There is a 65% chance of precipitation during the day. Most of that will be snow early on, transitioning to a rain-snow mix as the temperature climbs those few extra degrees. If you’re in the city, don't expect much to stick—maybe a trace to an inch at most. If you’re heading north or west into places like Orange or Putnam counties, though, they’re under a Winter Weather Advisory and could see a few actual inches.
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The Sunday Outlook
Sunday keeps the trend going. We’re expecting mostly cloudy conditions with a high near 36°F and a 30% chance of light snow, especially in the afternoon. It’s one of those weekends where the weather can’t quite decide if it wants to be a winter wonderland or just a cold, soggy day in January.
Actionable Steps for New Yorkers Today
Given the shifting conditions, here is how you should actually prep:
- Check the Salt: If you’re a homeowner, get your salt or sand out now. The DSNY is salting the streets tonight to prevent icing, and you should probably do your sidewalk too before the midnight moisture hits.
- Footwear Choice: Forget the suede. Between the potential overnight snow and the Saturday slush, you want something waterproof with good grip.
- Travel Timing: If you have to drive, try to get where you’re going before midnight tonight or wait until Saturday afternoon when the temps hit that 38°F mark and things start to melt.
- Monday Reminder: Don’t forget that Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. There’s no trash or recycling collection, so don't be that person who puts their bins out in the slush for no reason.
The weather in New York today is basically telling us to stay inside, order some takeout, and maybe keep an eye on the window after midnight to see the first flakes fall. Stay warm out there.