Weather in New York City in January
January in New York City is a coat month. Treat it as cities, food and short walks, not as a terrace holiday.
In United States, this is how New York City actually wears January, not how a country centroid would. January is the cold side of the year in New York City. Pack for that, not for a leftover summer photo.
- Average temp
- 1°C
-3–5°C
- Rainfall
- 88 mm
Showers likely
- Sunshine
- —
- Wind
- 17 km/h
What to expect
Daytime
You want a proper coat in New York City in January, not a festival jacket. Wind makes the same afternoon feel sharper than the map suggests.
Outdoor time is the middle of the day. Finish plans before the light goes. Evenings are for indoors.
Rain
Mixed skies in New York City in January. Dry days and wet days share the month. Outdoor plans need a backup, not a cancellation policy.
Pack a shell you will actually carry. The monthly table is the place for totals. This is the feel: usable, interrupted.
Evening
Evenings are cooler. A layer helps after sunset.
What to pack
Rain jacket
A layer for cooler evenings
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.
Average weather in New York City
TemperatureRainfall
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
Climate averages for New York City, 1991–2020.
The best time to visit New York City is between May and October, the most comfortable stretch of the year on these averages.
July is the hottest month, with an average around 26°C.
July is the wettest month, with about 119 mm of rain.
No. These are 1991–2020 climate normals from Meteostat, not a live forecast. Actual weather in any given week can differ.
