Weather in Manhattan

July is the warmest month (average 24.0°C, high 28.9°C) and January is the coolest (average -2.1°C, low -6.1°C). That 26.1°C swing in monthly averages is the first thing to plan around in Manhattan.

Rain is rain in every month and about 1236 mm across the year. The wettest month is October at 122 mm; the driest is January at 81 mm. Manhattan is in United States at 40.8°N. The 2001–2020 NASA POWER daily record describes a continental climate with a wide temperature swing. On this site the months that score closest to a 22°C day, lighter rain, and moderate humidity are July, August, and September.

How warm Manhattan gets

The heat peaks in July, when the typical afternoon is 28.9°C. The opposite pole is January, when mornings average -6.1°C.

Across the year the mean afternoon high is 15.8°C. If you want the smallest day–night shock, look at months where the high and low sit close together; July nights still hold 19.0°C.

Rain through the year

Rain does not take a season off. Manhattan receives about 1236 mm a year, and even January still sees 81 mm. October is the peak at 122 mm and 10 days with at least 1 mm.

Humidity peaks near 87%. That usually lines up with the wetter months rather than the hottest ones.

The calendar in Manhattan

The year bottoms out in January. Plan for -6.1°C at night and 1.8°C in the afternoon. In February, Manhattan averages 3.2°C by day and -5.3°C at night, with 81 mm of rain. March: 7.7°C high, -1.6°C low, 100 mm rain, 82% humidity. April stands apart from the months beside it: 14.5°C / 3.9°C and 102 mm. May brings 98 mm and 13 rainy days; temperatures run from 9.9°C to 20.1°C. In June, Manhattan averages 25.1°C by day and 15.4°C at night, with 117 mm of rain.

Peak heat arrives in July: 28.9°C by day, 19.0°C at night, and 74% humidity. August stands apart from the months beside it: 28.5°C / 18.6°C and 114 mm. September brings 105 mm and 10 rainy days; temperatures run from 14.6°C to 25.1°C. October is the wettest month — 122 mm and 10 rainy days, with 78% humidity. In November, Manhattan averages 11.2°C by day and 2.3°C at night, with 90 mm of rain. December brings 116 mm and 10 rainy days; temperatures run from -2.3°C to 5.1°C.

When the score favours a visit

The three months with the highest comfort score are July, August, and September: July (24.0°C average, 109 mm, 74% humidity); August (23.5°C average, 114 mm, 73% humidity); September (19.8°C average, 105 mm, 74% humidity). They fall in calendar order. The score rewards averages near 22°C, lower rainfall, and humidity near 60%. It is a climate score, not a festival or price calendar.

If you prefer the hottest stretch, that is July. The coolest stretch is January.

Manhattan and other cities in United States

New York City is about 8 km away: Manhattan is about as warm as New York City at the hot peak and 76 mm drier over the year than New York City. New York City’s wettest month is December (133 mm) versus October here.

Philadelphia is about 137 km away: Manhattan is 0.5°C cooler than Philadelphia in its hottest month and a similar annual rainfall (1226 mm in Philadelphia). Philadelphia’s wettest month is July (124 mm) versus October here.

Chicago is about 1148 km away: Manhattan is 1.4°C warmer than Chicago in its hottest month and 254 mm wetter over the year than Chicago. Chicago’s wettest month is May (117 mm) versus October here.