Honestly, if you're standing on a street corner in Manhattan right now, you aren't thinking about meteorological averages. You're probably thinking about how the wind tunnel effect between those skyscrapers makes your face feel like it’s being exfoliated by a frozen Brillo pad.
As of early afternoon on Friday, January 16, 2026, the official temperature in New York City New York is 31°F.
But here's the kicker. It doesn't actually feel like 31 degrees. Because of a steady 15 mph wind whipping in from the west, the "feels like" temperature is actually hovering at a biting 21°F. That’s a ten-degree "tax" just for existing outdoors today.
Why 31 Degrees in NYC Isn't Just 31 Degrees
New York weather is a bit of a trickster. You look at your phone, see a number that’s just a hair below freezing, and think, "I can handle that." Then you step out of Penn Station and realize the humidity and the concrete canyons have other plans.
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Right now, the humidity is sitting at a crisp 32%. That’s actually pretty low for the city, which is why the air feels so sharp and dry. The sky is partly sunny, which basically means the sun is teasing you—it’s there, but it’s not providing any actual warmth.
The Real-Time Breakdown
If you're planning your afternoon, here is exactly what's happening on the ground:
- Current Temp: 31°F
- Wind Chill: 21°F
- Wind Speed: 15 mph (West)
- Sky Condition: Partly sunny
- Chance of Snow: A negligible 1% for the next hour
Basically, it's a standard mid-January day in the city. Cold, breezy, and bright enough to make you regret forgetting your sunglasses, but not warm enough to unbutton your coat.
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What Most People Get Wrong About NYC Winters
People see "31°F" and think it’s the same 31 degrees they’d feel in a place like Denver or Chicago. It’s not.
NYC is a coastal city. Even in the dead of winter, the Atlantic Ocean plays a massive role in how the temperature "lands." We get these shifts where a La Niña pattern—which we've been seeing transition to "neutral" this month—creates weird pockets of moisture.
Take tomorrow, Saturday, January 17. The high is expected to climb to 36°F, which sounds better, right? Wrong. The humidity is going to spike to 74%, and there’s a 45% chance of a rain-snow mix. I’d take a dry 31 degrees over a "slushy" 36 degrees any day of the week. Slush is the true villain of New York City.
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Historical Context: Is 2026 Normal?
Looking at the data from the National Weather Service and Central Park's historical logs, 31°F is pretty much right on the money for mid-January. Historically, the average high for this date is about 39°F, with lows around 27°F.
We’re running a little colder than average today, but after the "Bitter Cold" flurries we saw at the start of the month (thanks, January 1-7 cold snap!), this feels relatively stable. We aren't hitting the record lows of 2°F seen in years past, but we aren't exactly basking in the 58°F warmth that occasionally hits during a random January thaw.
Upcoming Forecast at a Glance
- Tonight: Dropping to 22°F with cloudy skies.
- Sunday: 34°F with a chance of snow showers.
- Monday: 33°F and sunny (ideal for a walk, if you have a scarf).
- The "Big Dip": Keep an eye on Tuesday, January 20. The high is only hitting 22°F, with a low of 15°F. That’s the day you stay inside.
Survival Tips for Today's Temperature
If you're out and about, stop worrying about the "high" of 34°F. That won't happen until late afternoon, and by then, the sun will be dipping.
- Cover the neck. The 15 mph wind is the real enemy today. A scarf isn't a fashion statement; it's a structural necessity.
- Watch the shadows. In Midtown, the sun rarely hits the sidewalk. It can be 5-7 degrees colder in the shade of a skyscraper than it is in the middle of a park.
- Footwear matters. While there’s only a 1% chance of snow right now, the ground is cold. Thin-soled shoes will leech the heat right out of your feet.
Basically, the temperature in New York City New York right now is exactly what you'd expect from a city that doesn't care if you're cold or not. It's beautiful, it's brisk, and it's 31 degrees of "get where you're going."
Actionable Next Steps:
Check the wind chill before you leave the house—the raw temperature is a lie. If you're commuting on Tuesday, start digging out your heavy-duty thermal layers now, as we're looking at a 15-degree low that will likely feel like zero with the wind. Keep an umbrella handy for Saturday's predicted rain-snow mix, as a wet coat in 36-degree weather is a recipe for a miserable day.