Weather in New York

The weather in New York, unlike the UK, is well-defined by the seasons. I often receive the question “what will the weather be like”. The best thing to do is of course to check the forecast before you travel. The weather in New York can change a lot from day to day. I’ve listed some tips on how best to prepare for your trip and get the most out of it, no matter the season.

Eric's Index

1 Different seasons
2 Winter in New York
- 2.1 What to wear in the winter
3 Spring in New York
- 3.1 What to wear in the spring in New York
4 Summer in New York
- 4.1 What to wear in the summer in New York
5 Autumn in New York
- 5.1 What to wear in the autumn in New York

Different seasons

The different seasons run as follows:

Winter: December to March
Spring: March to June
Summer: June to September
Autumn: September to December

Winter in New York

Winter in New York begins in mid-December and lasts until the middle of March. In December it’s not yet full-blown winter and contrary to what the movies show, it rarely snows on Christmas in New York. The coldest months of the year and when the real winter usually arrives are in January and February. This is when you are most likely to see snow in New York, perhaps even a blizzard which often brings everything in the city, including your flight if you’re very unlucky, to a halt!

What to wear in the winter

Not sure what to wear in New York? The secret to enjoying New York in the winter months is to wear layers. It really helps when you’re sightseeing and spending time outdoors and indoors where the heaters are blasting. Don’t forget gloves, a hat and good winter boots especially if it snows.

Eric’s Tip: “It can get really cold in New York in January and February. The wind can be brutal and New Yorkers often talk about the wind chill factor which can make -5c temperatures feel like -15c. On those days, I like to plan a mix of indoor activities. Hop on Hop off bus is a good choice for sightseeing and you can visit one of the many museums. For evenings, nothing beats a sports game in Madison Square Garden (indoors!) like the Rangers or the Knicks. A Broadway Musical is a great way to spend the evening warm.”

Spring in New York

Spring in New York begins in mid-March and lasts until the middle of June. The early spring might be one of the trickiest seasons to pack for. In March it can still get chilly and you might need a warm coat. In April, usually, you’ll already have warmer days.

What to wear in the spring in New York

You’ll still need a coat for sure and I might even pack an umbrella too. Best to keep the weather forecast in check.

Summer in New York

Summer in New York begins in mid-June and it can get really hot, tropical even. It’s important to stay hydrated and wear plenty of sunscreen. This is especially crucial for children and if you are taking one of the New York sightseeing cruises.

To beat the heat and find relief from the sticky weather, you might want to take a dip in cool water. However, this is not possible in Manhattan, so choosing a hotel with a pool is the most convenient way to unwind after a day of sightseeing.

What to wear in the summer in New York

Even if the heat makes you feel like wearing shorts and flip-flops, there are a few things to remember: Flip-flops are not the most comfortable choice for walking around the city. Not all restaurants allow you to enter wearing shorts. Also, the air conditioning can feel really cold so you might need a jacket. Heading to Financial District? It’ll always be cooler in that area due to the high rises. If you’re going on a boat tour on the water, remember to protect yourself well from the sun. In a nice breeze, you can easily get sunburned.

Autumn in New York

Autumn begins in mid-September and runs until the middle of December. The beginning of the season is still warm but the nights can get cooler.

What to wear in the autumn in New York

Again, you might need a jacket or a hoodie for those cooler days and in the evenings but it might still get warm during the day.

Eric’s Tip: “This is one of my favourite seasons. It’s not too hot but not too cold either. Chances of rain do increase but you can still sit outside and enjoy the weather for example on a New York rooftop bar. And Central Park looks beautiful in the autumn.”