The best times to visit New York for ideal weather are
April 16th to June 24th
based on average temperature and humidity from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Read below for more weather and travel details.
New York Travel Guide
Other New York Travel Info
Weather in New York
Temperature
Average temperatures in New York vary drastically. Considering humidity, temperatures feel cold for about half of the year and otherwise nice with a chance of rain or snow throughout most of the year. The area is less temperate than some — in the 31st percentile for pleasant weather — compared to tourist destinations worldwide. Weeks with ideal weather are listed above. If you’re looking for the very warmest time to visit New York, the hottest months are July, August, and then June. See average monthly temperatures below. The warmest time of year is generally mid July where highs are regularly around 87.3°F (30.7°C) with temperatures rarely dropping below 71.1°F (21.7°C) at night.
New York Temperatures (Fahrenheit)
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New York Temperatures (Celsius)
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“Feels-Like” Temperatures
The way we experience weather isn’t all about temperature. Higher temperatures affect us much more at higher humidity, and colder temperatures feel piercing with high winds. Our perceived temperatures factor in humidity and wind chill to better represent how hot or cold the day feels to a person.
New York Perceived Temperature (F)
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New York Perceived Temperature (C)
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Average New York Temperatures by Month
Daily highs (averaged for the month) usually give the best indication of the weather. A significantly lower mean and low generally just means it gets colder at night.
Show Fahrenheit
Month | Avg. High (°F) | Avg. Mean (°F) | Avg. Low (°F) |
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Jan | 40.1 | 33.6 | 28.6 |
Feb | 40.6 | 33.3 | 27.7 |
Mar | 52.3 | 43.4 | 37 |
Apr | 63.8 | 53.7 | 46.3 |
May | 72.7 | 62.6 | 54.7 |
Jun | 80 | 71.1 | 64.4 |
Jul | 84.8 | 76.2 | 69.1 |
Aug | 82.9 | 74.5 | 67.9 |
Sep | 75.8 | 68.1 | 61.7 |
Oct | 65.1 | 57.7 | 51.7 |
Nov | 53.7 | 47.5 | 42.5 |
Dec | 43.3 | 36.9 | 31.8 |
Show Celsius
Month | Avg. High (°C) | Avg. Mean (°C) | Avg. Low (°C) |
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Jan | 4.5 | 0.9 | -1.9 |
Feb | 4.8 | 0.7 | -2.4 |
Mar | 11.3 | 6.3 | 2.8 |
Apr | 17.7 | 12.1 | 7.9 |
May | 22.6 | 17 | 12.6 |
Jun | 26.7 | 21.7 | 18 |
Jul | 29.3 | 24.6 | 20.6 |
Aug | 28.3 | 23.6 | 19.9 |
Sep | 24.3 | 20.1 | 16.5 |
Oct | 18.4 | 14.3 | 10.9 |
Nov | 12.1 | 8.6 | 5.8 |
Dec | 6.3 | 2.7 | -0.1 |
Precipitation (Rain or Snow)
If dry weather is what you’re after, the months with the lowest chance of significant precipitation in New York are September, January, and then March. Note that we define “significant precipitation” as .1 inches or more in this section. The lowest chance of rain or snow occurs around mid to late September. For example, on the week of September 17th there are no days of precipitation on average. By contrast, it’s most likely to rain or snow in late October with an average of 3 days of significant precipitation the week of October 22nd.
When can you find snow in New York? Weather stations report large amounts of snow likely to be deepest around March, especially close to late February and early March. The best time to ski (if at all) in New York is often around around December 17th when fresh powder is deepest. Please note that a value of 0 for snow in the graph below may either mean there was no snow, or that snow is unreported.
Chance of Precipitation
The graph below shows the % chance of rainy and snowy days in New York.
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Snow on the Ground
The graph below shows the average snow on the ground in New York (in).
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Average Rain and Snow by Month
Show Inches
Month | Daily Chance of Rain | Average Snow Depth (in) | Total Precipitation (in) |
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Jan | 19% | 2.1 | 3.2 |
Feb | 24% | 4.8 | 3.8 |
Mar | 23% | 6.2 | 5.6 |
Apr | 24% | 0 | 4.2 |
May | 26% | 0 | 3.7 |
Jun | 29% | 0 | 5.8 |
Jul | 24% | 0 | 4.9 |
Aug | 23% | 0 | 5.3 |
Sep | 17% | 0 | 3.6 |
Oct | 23% | 0 | 4.6 |
Nov | 27% | 0 | 2.9 |
Dec | 37% | 4.4 | 8 |
Show Centimeters
Month | Daily Chance of Rain | Average Snow Depth (cm) | Total Precipitation (cm) |
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Jan | 19 | 5.3 | 8.1 |
Feb | 24 | 12.2 | 9.7 |
Mar | 23 | 15.7 | 14.2 |
Apr | 24 | 0 | 10.7 |
May | 26 | 0 | 9.4 |
Jun | 29 | 0 | 14.7 |
Jul | 24 | 0 | 12.4 |
Aug | 23 | 0 | 13.5 |
Sep | 17 | 0 | 9.1 |
Oct | 23 | 0 | 11.7 |
Nov | 27 | 0 | 7.4 |
Dec | 37 | 11.2 | 20.3 |
Humidity and Wind
New York has some slightly muggy months, with moderately humid months on the other side of the year. The least humid month is March (43.6% relative humidity), and the most humid month is June (60%).
Wind in New York is usually calm. The windiest month is February, followed by December and March. February’s average wind speed of around 6.6 knots (7.6 MPH or 12.2 KPH) is considered “a light breeze.” Maximum sustained winds (the highest speed for the day lasting more than a few moments) are at their highest in early to mid March where average top sustained speeds reach 12.9 knots, which is considered a moderate breeze.
Relative Humidity (%)
The graph below shows the average % humidity by month in New York.
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Wind
The graph below shows wind speed (max and average) in knots.
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Average Wind Speeds
Show Wind Speeds
All wind speeds are in knots. 1 knot = 1.15 MPH or 1.85 KPH.
Month | Avg. Wind | Avg. Wind Feel | Sustained High Wind | High Wind Feel |
Jan | 6 | Light breeze | 11.4 | Significant breeze |
Feb | 6.6 | Light breeze | 12 | Significant breeze |
Mar | 6.3 | Light breeze | 11.9 | Significant breeze |
Apr | 5.7 | Light breeze | 11.1 | Significant breeze |
May | 4.7 | Light breeze | 10.1 | Significant breeze |
Jun | 4 | Light breeze | 9.1 | Gentle breeze |
Jul | 4 | Light breeze | 8.4 | Significant breeze |
Aug | 3.7 | Barely noticeable | 8.2 | Gentle breeze |
Sep | 4.3 | Light breeze | 9 | Significant breeze |
Oct | 4.5 | Light breeze | 9.3 | Gentle breeze |
Nov | 5.4 | Light breeze | 10.5 | Significant breeze |
Dec | 6.4 | Light breeze | 12 | Significant breeze |
Show Relative Humidity by Month
Month | Avg. Relative Humidity |
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Jan | 44.2% |
Feb | 44.8% |
Mar | 43.6% |
Apr | 43.6% |
May | 50.6% |
Jun | 60% |
Jul | 55.7% |
Aug | 58.8% |
Sep | 58.7% |
Oct | 58% |
Nov | 53.4% |
Dec | 51.6% |
Is it Safe to Travel to New York?
Our best data indicates this area is generally safe. As of Dec 04, 2023 there are no travel advisories or warnings for the United States; exercise normal security precautions. Check this page for any recent changes or regions to avoid: Travel Advice and Advisories. This advisory was last updated on Dec 04, 2023.
The Busiest and Least Crowded Months
The busiest month for tourism in New York, NY, US is July, followed by September and August. Prices for hotels and flights will be most expensive during these months, though you can save if you purchase well in advance. Tourists are unlikely to visit New York in December. Those willing to visit at these times will likely find it the least expensive month.
Estimated Tourism by Month
Most Popular Months to Visit
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Overall New York Travel Experience by Season
Spring (March through May)
Humidity and temperatures combine to make this season feel moderately cold. Highs range from 79.8°F (26.6°C) and 44.4°F (6.9°C) with warmer temperatures in the later months. Rain is somewhat common with 7 to 8 days of significant precipitation per month. Spring is fairly slow for tourism, which makes it a good time for those looking for deals.
Summer (June through August)
The middle-year months have very comfortable weather with high temperatures that are comfortable. These months see moderate precipitation with 7 to 9 days of precipitation per month. June – August is the busiest season for tourism in New York, so lodging and other accommodations may cost more than usual.
Fall (September through November)
Fall daily highs range from 81.1°F (27.3°C) and 49.1°F (9.5°C), which will feel comfortable given the humidity and wind. It rains or snows a significant amount: 5 to 8 days per month. Tourism is the second busiest during these months due to the weather, so hotels may be slightly higher priced.
Winter (December through February)
Weather is far too cold this time of year in New York to be enjoyable for warm weather travelers. The average high during this season is between 46.6°F (8.1°C) and 37.2°F (2.9°C). On average, it rains or snows a fair amount: 6 to 11 times per month. These times of year are the slowest with tourists.
Best Times to Travel› the United States › New York, NY, US