Weather in New York City

New York City is in United States at 40.7°N. The 2001–2020 NASA POWER daily record describes a continental climate with a wide temperature swing. Rain is rain in every month and about 1312 mm across the year. The wettest month is December at 133 mm; the driest is February at 95 mm.

July is the warmest month (average 23.7°C, high 26.2°C) and January is the coolest (average 1.0°C, low -1.5°C). From the coolest night in January (-1.5°C) to the hottest afternoon in July (26.2°C), the raw range is 27.7°C. On this site the months that score closest to a 22°C day, lighter rain, and moderate humidity are July, August, and September.

Temperature through the year

Monthly average highs run from 3.5°C in January to 26.2°C in July. Nights follow the same curve: -1.5°C in January and 21.1°C in July.

Across the year the mean afternoon high is 14.8°C. If you want the smallest day–night shock, look at months where the high and low sit close together; July nights still hold 21.1°C.

Rainfall pattern

Rain does not take a season off. New York City receives about 1312 mm a year, and even February still sees 95 mm. December is the peak at 133 mm and 10 days with at least 1 mm.

Humidity peaks near 84%. That usually lines up with the wetter months rather than the hottest ones.

What stands out month by month

The year bottoms out in January. Plan for -1.5°C at night and 3.5°C in the afternoon. February is the driest month, averaging only 95 mm across 9 rainy days. Highs sit near 4.1°C. March: 6.9°C high, 1.4°C low, 114 mm rain, 81% humidity. April stands apart from the months beside it: 12.0°C / 6.1°C and 107 mm. May brings 101 mm and 13 rainy days; temperatures run from 11.5°C to 17.0°C. In June, New York City averages 22.4°C by day and 17.2°C at night, with 115 mm of rain.

Peak heat arrives in July: 26.2°C by day, 21.1°C at night, and 80% humidity. September brings 97 mm and 9 rainy days; temperatures run from 18.0°C to 23.2°C. October: 17.6°C high, 12.2°C low, 124 mm rain, 78% humidity. In November, New York City averages 11.9°C by day and 6.6°C at night, with 101 mm of rain. December is the wettest month — 133 mm and 10 rainy days, with 82% humidity.

When the score favours a visit

The three months with the highest comfort score are July, August, and September: July (23.7°C average, 114 mm, 80% humidity); August (23.7°C average, 114 mm, 78% humidity); September (20.6°C average, 97 mm, 77% 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.

New York City and other cities in United States

Manhattan is about 8 km away: New York City is about as warm as Manhattan at the hot peak and 76 mm wetter over the year than Manhattan. Manhattan’s wettest month is October (122 mm) versus December here.

Philadelphia is about 130 km away: New York City is 0.8°C cooler than Philadelphia in its hottest month and 87 mm wetter over the year than Philadelphia. Philadelphia’s wettest month is July (124 mm) versus December here.

Chicago is about 1146 km away: New York City is 1.1°C warmer than Chicago in its hottest month and 331 mm wetter over the year than Chicago. Chicago’s wettest month is May (117 mm) versus December here.