New York City weather in January
New York City in January averages 1°C (33°F) and 88 mm of rain.
Of the twelve months in New York City, January is the coldest and the third driest.
- Average temp
- 1°C (33°F)
-3–5°C · 26–40°F
- Rainfall
- 88 mm
Showers likely
- Sunshine
- —
- Wind
- 17 km/h
What is New York City like in January?
Daytime
Days are cool.
Rain
Some rain is likely; pack for showers.
Evening
Evenings are cooler. A layer helps after sunset.
What should I pack for New York City in January?
A light rain jacket
About 88 mm falls this month — showers rather than washouts.
A warm mid-layer
Nights drop to around -3°C (26°F).
January compared with December and February
January in New York City is 2.8°C cooler than December and 18 mm drier than it, which averages 3°C (38°F).
January in New York City is 1.2°C cooler than February and 12 mm wetter than it, which averages 2°C (35°F).
Daylight in New York City in January
On 15 January the sun is up for 9 hours 35 minutes in New York City, rising about 07:18 and setting about 16:52 local time.
January ends 46 minutes longer than it begins, so the last week of the month is a different length of day from the first.
That is 5 hours 30 minutes short of June, the longest-lit month here.
Where to stay in New York City
Dates are a starting point for January.
Travel guides for New York City
What to read before you book.
New York City weather by month
TemperatureRainfall
How January compares with the rest of the year
January is highlighted. Every other month links to its own page.
| Month | Average | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1°C / 33°F | 88 mm |
| February | 2°C / 35°F | 76 mm |
| March | 6°C / 43°F | 105 mm |
| April | 12°C / 54°F | 98 mm |
| May | 18°C / 64°F | 101 mm |
| June | 23°C / 73°F | 110 mm |
| July | 26°C / 78°F | 119 mm |
| August | 25°C / 77°F | 105 mm |
| September | 21°C / 69°F | 97 mm |
| October | 14°C / 58°F | 96 mm |
| November | 9°C / 47°F | 85 mm |
| December | 3°C / 38°F | 105 mm |
Similar weather in January
Other destinations whose January averages sit close to this one.
Check another month
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FAQs about New York City in January
January climate averages for New York City, 1991–2020.
New York City averages 1°C (33°F) in January, ranging from about -3°C (26°F) at night to 5°C (40°F) in the afternoon. That is a 1991–2020 average, so an individual week can run either side of it.
Some. About 88 mm falls across January, enough to need a light jacket but not enough to reshape a trip.
No. January averages 1°C (33°F) against 2°C (35°F) in February — 1.2°C cooler.
January is 2.8°C cooler than December, and 18 mm drier.
It is outside the easiest window. The most comfortable stretch here is May to October; January sits outside it, which usually means more heat, more rain, or both — worth it if you would rather have the place to yourself.
This page does not show today's weather. It is a 1991–2020 climate normal from Meteostat — a long-run average of what January is usually like, which is what you want when booking months ahead. For today or the coming week, check a live forecast.
About 9 hours 35 minutes of daylight in mid-January, against 15 hours 5 minutes in June and 9 hours 16 minutes in December.
On 15 January, sunrise is about 07:18 and sunset about 16:52 local time. Both shift across the month — the month ends 46 minutes longer than it starts.
