Climate Overview
New York has a humid-subtropical climate with hot, muggy Jul–Aug around 30°C and cold winters dipping below freezing at night. Rainfall is evenly spread (76–134mm monthly, Jul highest). Late spring (May–Jun) and autumn (Sep–Oct) hit the sweet spot — mild days, crisp air, and Central Park at its best.
Monthly Climate
Temperature range, rainfall, and humidity by month
Monthly Data
| Month | High | Low | Rainfall | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 2.9° | -3.4° | 17mm | 62% |
| Feb | 5.2° | -1.7° | 72mm | 66% |
| Mar | 13.5° | 3.1° | 123mm | 64% |
| Apr | 17.7° | 8.3° | 78mm | 61% |
| May | 21.5° | 13.1° | 114mm | 73% |
| Jun | 27.8° | 19.1° | 47mm | 65% |
| Jul | 31.5° | 22.6° | 86mm | 67% |
| Aug | 28° | 19.1° | 28mm | 61% |
| Sep | 26° | 17.8° | 47mm | 71% |
| Oct | 19.2° | 11.3° | 70mm | 68% |
| Nov | 12.3° | 5.1° | 23mm | 67% |
| Dec | 4.7° | -2.5° | 37mm | 68% |
When to Visit
Experiences to seek out and peak periods to plan around
Experiences & Highlights
Brooklyn Botanic Garden's Sakura Matsuri peaks late Apr; mild 17–22°C highs and moderate rain (≈105mm) pair with the Tribeca Film Festival's 12-day run in early Jun around Lower Manhattan.
US Open tennis runs late Aug to mid-Sep at Flushing Meadows; humid 29°C August softens to a drier 26°C September, but Aug is the 2nd-wettest month (≈108mm) — pack a light shell.
NYFW kicks off early Sep; Central Park and the Hudson Valley peak in late Oct with crisp 20°C days, the driest humidity dip (Oct at 74%), and long golden-hour walks.
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade rolls down CPW on the 4th Thursday of Nov; Rockefeller tree-lighting, Bryant Park Winter Village and the Bank of America rink follow — cold 7–13°C highs, frequent damp spells (≈95mm avg).
Peak Periods & Travel Advisories
Midtown hotels run 2–3× shoulder rates; Times Square pens close by early afternoon on the 31st with no re-entry, food, or restrooms. Book 3+ months out.
Parade route (77th/CPW to Macy's Herald Sq) draws 3M+ spectators; JFK/LGA/EWR set annual traffic records and UWS hotels sell out weeks ahead.
Fashion Week (Spring Studios, Midtown venues) and the US Open finals weekend collide; Manhattan hotel rates climb 30–50% and Flushing-bound 7-train platforms back up on match evenings.
United States Destination Comparison
Compare climate across destinations in United States
| City | Avg High | Avg Low | Annual Rain | Season Overview |
|---|---|---|---|---|
🇺🇸 New York | 18° | 9° | 742 mm | |
🇺🇸 San Francisco | 19° | 11° | 376 mm |
Official Resources
Government portals and tourism boards for New York, United States