What’s the Weather like in NYC and What to Wear

Detail of month to month’s weather in NYC and what to wear. New York is tricky. The weather can change drastically from one month to another. In this post, I wanna share the best tips for what to pack for your New York vacation in terms of clothing and details about how’s the weather gonna be like when you come to the city. Hope you find this useful!

DECEMBER

New York City in December - Winter
December 25, 2014
COLD AND POSSIBLE SNOW

The week of Christmas and New Year’s Eve is one of the most crowded and expensive times to visit NYC. The Christmas Decorations all around the city are absolutely stunning and magical. Peak season to book hotels and flights. It gets dark very early, at 5pm.

TEMPERATURE RANGE

0°C to 7°C / 32°F to 44°F.

WHAT TO WEAR

Warm / Winter clothing: boots (UGGs or similar are ideal), warm sweater, Winter coat, long pants. Be prepared to have a beanie, a scarf and gloves. Try to bring some waterproof coat and shoes in case it snows.

FEATURED EVENTS IN DECEMBER

ICE SKATING RINKS. Click here to know which are the best ones, prices, hours and more.

WEEK OF CHRISTMAS: visit the famous Rockefeller Christmas Tree, the SAKS Light Show, the Christmas holiday window displays on Fifth Avenue and Macy’s, Winter Village at Bryant Park and more! It’s beautiful!

AFTER CHRISTMAS SALES: Dec. 26th to Jan 8th.

JANUARY and FEBRUARY

New York City in January - Winter
January 10, 2015
New York City in January - Snow
January 23, 2016
New York City in January - Snow
January 23, 2016
VERY COLD AND SNOWY

High probability of snow, freezing rain and wind. Lately, February has been was much colder than January. It gets dark very early in Winter (at 4:30/5pm). The cheapest time to visit New York. Low season to book flights and hotels.

TEMPERATURE RANGE

It can go from around -12°C to 2°C (10°F to 36°F).

It’s usually somewhere around 2°C / -3°C (35°F / 27°F). The coldest days can go to -12/-17°C (10°F / 1.4°F).

The “feels like” temperature is even colder.

WHAT TO WEAR

Winter clothing. Make sure to bring gloves, scarves, heavy winter coat, thermal clothing (thermal shirts, pants and socks), warm sweaters, warm Winter boots, beanie.

If you’re planning on spending a good amount of time in New York, I would suggest to also bring snow boots. Some thermal underwear might be good too.

THINGS TO DO IN WINTER

ICE SKATING: Check this post to know which are the best rinks, prices, hours and more.

PRESIDENT’S DAY SALES (3rd Monday of February). Good time to go to the best outlets in New York.

RESTAURANT WEEK: around middle of January to Beginning of February. You can eat in the best places at a cheaper and fixed price.

BROADWAY WEEK: 2×1 Broadway Tickets. Around middle of January to beginning of February.

CHOCOLATE SALES the day after Valentine’s Day (Feb. 15th).

Tip: you can buy very cheap Winter clothing at Forever 21, H&M, Century 21, Marshalls. Check out the best places to shop in Manhattan.

MARCH

New York City in March - Snow
March 5, 2015
New York City in March - Snow
March 20, 2015
New York City in March - Snow
March 22, 2015
UNPREDICTABLE: COLD

March is very unpredictable. It can be a cold month and there are still some possibilities of snow. Hotels and flights will go up comparing to January and February but it’s still off-peak season.

TEMPERATURE RANGE

Usually around -1°C to 10°C /  30°F to 50°F.

WHAT TO WEAR

Winter clothing: warm coat, gloves, scarves, beanie, warm boots.

FEATURED EVENTS IN MARCH

St. Patrick’s Day Parade in March 17th.

APRIL

WARMER WEATHER THAN MARCH. SOME RAIN.

The transition from Winter to Spring. April is warmer than February and March. It can be cold (mainly at the beginning of April) but not as cold as February. April can be a rainy month. The temperature will start raising up slowly.

TEMPERATURE RANGE

It can be around 7°C to 18°C / 45°F to 65°F.

WHAT TO WEAR

You’ll still need to bring Winter clothing: gloves, beanie, warm coat/jacket, scarf, boots, closed toe shoes, a sweater. A raincoat or waterproof jacket might be good too if it rains.

WHERE TO BUY UMBRELLAS

You can find cheap umbrellas at any Duane Reade or CVS. There’s a place called Jack’s World that’s very cheap. You can get an umbrella for only $5 (it’s kind of “a dollar store”). If it rains, you’ll also see people selling cheap umbrellas on the streets.

FEATURED EVENTS IN APRIL

Beginning of the Baseball calendar. You may get tickets to see the Yankees or the Mets.

Tribeca Film Festival: (usually starts middle of April)

MAY

NICE AND WARM SPRING

I think May is one of the best months to visit New York, because it’s not so cold as in February and not so warm as in July or August. It may rain.

TEMPERATURE RANGE

Usually around 9°C to 25°C /  48°F to 76°F.

WHAT TO WEAR

Spring clothing. Nice jacket, sweater, boots. The weather in May can be warm enough to wear short sleeves.

FEATURED EVENTS IN MAY

Memorial Day Weekend Sales (last Monday of May). Good time to go to the best outlets in New York.

JUNE

New York City in June
June 19, 2015
New York City in June
June 20, 2015
NICE WEATHER

It can get cold at night, especially at the beginning of June. It may rain. One of the best months to visit NYC.

TEMPERATURE RANGE

18°C to 26°C / 64°F to 79°F.

WHAT TO WEAR

Light jacket, warm sweater. Be prepared to bring Summer clothing such as shorts, short sleeves shirts, flip flops.

FEATURED EVENTS IN JUNE

Museum Mile Festival on Central Park East side around middle of June. You have Free Admission to all the museums located in Fifth Avenue from 82nd to 103rd Streets. Read more about it here.

Jazz Festivals in Bryant Park. Check calendar here.

Gay Pride Week Parade (late June).

JULY

New York City in July - Summer
July 13, 2015
HOT, HUMID, STICKY

Possible thunderstorms. Broadway shows and seasonal events may sell out quickly. Busy season.

TEMPERATURE RANGE

21°C to 29°C / 70°F to 85°F.

WHAT TO WEAR

Light clothing. Shorts, short sleeves, sunscreen if you are planning on going to the beach or lying down under the sun at Central Park.

If you plan on going to the beach, bring a swimsuit. You can buy sunscreen at any Duane Reade.

FEATURED EVENTS IN JULY

4th OF JULY SUMMER SALE. Good time to go to the best outlets in New York.

4th OF JULY FIREWORKS.

RESTAURANT WEEK: around middle of July. You can eat in the best places at a cheaper and fixed price up to 50% Off in Lunch and Dinner.

HEAD TO THE BEACH: the famous beaches at The Hamptons. You also go to the beaches in Coney Island, Rockaway or the beautiful beaches of New Jersey (e.g. Long Beach Island in Jersey).

AUGUST

New York City in August - Summer
August 19, 2014
VERY HOT, HUMID, STICKY

Thunder showers are frequent this month. Broadway shows and seasonal events may sell out quickly. Busy season.

TEMPERATURE RANGE

21°C to 28°C /69°F to 83°F.

WHAT TO WEAR

Summer clothing and some waterproof clothes for the rain.

If you plan on going to the beach or lying down under the sun at Central Park, bring a swimsuit and sunscreen (you can always buy sunscreen at any Duane Reade).

THINGS TO DO IN AUGUST

HEAD TO THE BEACH: the famous beaches at The Hamptons. You also go to the beaches in Coney Island, Rockaway or the beautiful beaches of New Jersey (e.g. Long Beach Island in Jersey)..

SEPTEMBER

New York City in September
September, 2015
WARM. STARTING TO GET COOLER

It’s one of the best months to come to NYC because the weather’s nice (not so hot as in August and not so cold as in March). All the schools have just started and it’s not a common vacation time for Americans. Hotel prices start dropping and it’s not that crowded as in August. Peak season to book flights and hotels.

TEMPERATURE RANGE

16°C to 26°C /61°F to 79°F.

WHAT TO WEAR

Summer / Spring clothing.

If you plan on going to the beach or lying down under the sun at Central Park, bring a swimsuit and sunscreen (you can always buy sunscreen at any Duane Reade).

THINGS TO DO ONLY IN SEPTEMBER

Labor Day Weekend Sales (1st Monday of September). Good time to go to the best outlets in New York.

OCTOBER

New York in October
October 16, 2015
New York City in October
October 17, 2015
New York City in October
October 18, 2015
NICE WEATHER. COOLED DOWN.

One of the best months to visit NYC. The weather has cooled down compared to August and September. You won’t face the Summer crowds. The weather’s good. It’s still nice to be walking outside and exploring the city by foot. It can get cold by Halloween, at the end of the month. Peak season to book flights and hotels.

TEMPERATURE RANGE

10°C to 18°C /50°F to 65°F.

WHAT TO WEAR

Bring a warm jacket and some sweaters as well. Closed toe shoes.

FEATURED EVENTS IN OCTOBER

COLUMBUS DAY WEEKEND SALE (2nd Monday of October). Great time to go to the best outlets in New York.

COLUMBUS DAY PARADE on Fifth Avenue (a must see!). Check here for more info.

BEGINNING OF NFL SEASON. You can head to New Jersey to see the NY Jets and NY Giants in their $1.6 Billion Dollar Meadowland stadium with fireworks and more.

NYC HALLOWEEN PARADE: you can join the parade or be a spectator! It’s super fun. Everyone is with their awesome costumes dancing and enjoying the night on the streets of Manhattan.

Great sales on Halloween Costumes and Candies the day after Halloween (at Duane Reade, CVS, or Halloween Shops)

NOVEMBER

BEGINNING OF COLD WEATHER

It starts to get dark very early around 5/5:30pm.

TEMPERATURE RANGE

5°C to 12°C /41°F to 54°F. Nights can be cold.

WHAT TO WEAR

Warm clothing: coat, sweater, boots. Be prepared to have a scarf, beanie and gloves.

FEATURED EVENTS IN NOVEMBER

MACY’S PARADE (a must see!). Click here for more info.

BLACK FRIDAY SALES (4th Friday of November, the day after Thanksgiving).

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SEASONAL TIPS

BRING COMFORTABLE SHOES

New York City is a place where you’ll be walking a lot.

BUYING AN UMBRELLA

There’s a place called Jack’s World that is very cheap and you can get an umbrella for only $5 (it’s kind of “a dollar store”). If it’s raining you’ll also find people selling cheap umbrellas on the streets.

IF YOU HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO EXPLORE NYC

It’s worth the trip to Jersey Gardens Outlet or Woodbury, mainly if you’re here on major holiday sales days.

YOU MAY ALSO WANNA CHECK OUT

Featured Events in NYC month to month.

Best places to shop in Manhattan.

Enjoy!

NewYorkerTips.com

NewYorkerTips

Hi there :) I'm Jess and I came to NYC to pursue my dream and I feel I'm living it every day. New York is magical and you have to be open to everything because you never know who is sitting next to you on the subway or behind you in the line of the supermarket. I decided to create this blog about NYC because I realized how many powerful tips would have helped me if I knew them before coming to the city from someone who was living in NY! So I thought that it would be awesome to share with you some tips about New York from a New Yorker. I'm going to keep updating this blog so stay tuned :)