New York has subtropical oceanic type of climate. Precipitation is evenly distributed through a year. Despite coastal location difference between ranges of temperatures of summer and winter is significant due to prevailing inland air masses. Impact of the ocean is secondary yet it smoothen shifts of temperature. Another key factor is dense urban development which causes microclimate with higher average temperatures.

Average winter temperature is between 28 °F (-2 °C) and 41 °F (5 °C) with occasional abnormalities. Summer is rather hot with range of average temperatures between 66 °F (19 °C) and 82 °F (28 °C) and occasional periods of high humidity. In addition summertime extremum may reach 100 °F (38 °C) from time to time.

 

Seasons

 

Contents:

• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter

Spring in NYC

Spring is the city rather pleasant season in terms of weather conditions. Since late March temperature rises to 59 °F (15 °C) and above. However spring is time of occasional blizzards. Their probability remains until late April. At April city turns in to sort of branch of Japan for this is the of sakura blossoms. Main respective festivities are held in the Brooklyn Botanical Garden.

In addition any spring day may surprise visitors with sudden torrential rains. Spring is rainy in general. Amount of precipitation reaches its peak at May with about  4.7” (120 mm). Thus some umbrella or raincoat is important part of “ammunition” for visit the Big Apple.

Climate of the Spring Months

March Max average t°: 49 °F (+9 °C) Min average t°: 33 °F (+1 °C) Water t°: 41 °F (+5 °C) Sundial in the day: 6.5 hours Rainy days: 5 days Precipitation: 3.1" (79 mm)

April Max average t°: 60 °F (+15.5 °C) Min average t°: 42 °F (+6 °C) Water t°: 46 °F (+8 °C) Sundial in the day: 7.5 hours Rainy days: 4 days Precipitation: 2.5" (64 mm)

May Max average t°: 71 °F (+21.5 °C) Min average t°: 53 °F (+11.5 °C) Water t°: 57 °F (+14 °C) Sundial in the day: 8 hours Rainy days: 6 days Precipitation: 2.9" (74 mm)

Spring Holidays

Variable dates of March-April – Easter celebrations and parade.

March 17 – St. Patrick's Day procession.

Variable date of May – International Food Festival.

Summer in NYC

Summer in the city is hot and humid. Meaning average 82 °F (28 °C) feels like 104 °F (40 °C) in drier regions. There’s no salvation except air conditioning or local beaches. Since middle of June water of the ocean warms up to 72 °F (22 °C) and up 77 °F (25 °C) later at the season. July is the hottest months. Working locals are hiding in cool offices while other prefers country houses.

August continues “traditions” of July. Stuffy heat remains until late September. Swimsuit season finishes only at 20 of September. At this time the ocean luminesces at nights due to plankton and jelly-fishes. Summer is heist of tourists season thus at evening all sights are crowded.

 

Climate of the Summer Months

 

June Max average t°: 80 °F (+26 °C) Min average t°: 62 °F (+17 °C) Water t°: 66 °F (+19 °C) Sundial in the day: 9.5 hours Rainy days: 6 days Precipitation: 2.9" (74 mm)

July Max average t°: 85 °F (+29 °C) Min average t°: 68 °F (+20 °C) Water t°: 73 °F (+23 °C) Sundial in the day: 10.5 hours Rainy days: 5 days Precipitation: 3.0" (75 mm)

August Max average t°: 83 °F (+28 °C) Min average t°: 67 °F (+19 °C) Water t°: 74 °F (+23.5 °C) Sundial in the day: 9.5 hours Rainy days: 5 days Precipitation: 3.0" (75 mm)

Summer Holidays

July 4 – Independence Day.

August – Harlem's Week.

Autumn in NYC

September is some trace of summer. True autumn with yellow leaves and stuff begins since second half of October. Streets are filled with smells of fried chestnuts, bagels and, of course, hot-dogs. By the way street food is some sort of fetish in NY. At October temperature remains in range between 50 °F (10 °C) and 64 °F (18 °C). Warm clothes (sweaters, coats etc.) will be useful for cool evenings. Below 32 °F (zero 0 °C) temperature will drop only after middle of October.

Since October weather gradually transforms into pleasant autumn coolness. Clean and fresh air is cool at mornings. It crystalizes skyscrapers of Manhattan and golden crowns of Central-Park in very special way.

 

Climate of the Autumn Months

 

September Max average t°: 76 °F (+24 °C) Min average t°: 59 °F (+15 °C) Water t°: 71 °F (+21.5 °C) Sundial in the day: 8 hours Rainy days: 4 days Precipitation: 2.3" (59 mm)

October Max average t°: 65 °F (+18 °C) Min average t°: 48 °F (+9 °C) Water t°: 63 °F (+17 °C) Sundial in the day: 7 hours Rainy days: 4 days Precipitation: 2.7" (69 mm)

November Max average t°: 53 °F (+12 °C) Min average t°: 39 °F (+4 °C) Water t°: 54 °F (+12 °C) Sundial in the day: 6 hours Rainy days: 3 days Precipitation: 1.9" (49 mm)

Autumn Holidays

September-October – New York Film Festival.

First Sunday of October – New York City Marathon.

Second Monday of October – Parade in honor of Columbus.

Fourth Thursday of November – Thanksgiving.

Winter in NYC

Since December it starts snowing. Yet first shaggy snowflakes aren’t making any cover for temperature is around 32 °F (zero 0 °C) and they melting immediately after touching the ground. Snowy NY is beautiful yet chill winds from ocean, slush and puddles of melted snow are more common at this time.

January is the coldest month. Thermometer will show about 27 °F (-3 °C). Combined with high humidity this temperature may be exceptionally cold. Thus it is necessary to pay attention to “feels like” graph in weather forecast. At February temperature starts to gradually rise to about 41 °F (5 °C).

Climate of the Winter Months

December Max average t°: 42 °F (+6 °C) Min average t°: 30 °F (-1 °C) Water t°: 48 °F (+9 °C) Sundial in the day: 5 hours Rainy days: 4 days Precipitation: 2.4" (60 mm)

January Max average t°: 38 °F (+3 °C) Min average t°: 24 °F (-4 °C) Water t°: 41 °F (+5 °C) Sundial in the day: 5.5 hours Rainy days: 5 day Precipitation: 2.8" (72 mm)

February Max average t°: 40 °F (+4.5 °C) Min average t°: 26 °F (-3 °C) Water t°: 39 °F (+4 °C) Sundial in the day: 5.5 hours Rainy days: 5 days Precipitation: 3.1" (79 mm)

Winter Holidays

December 25 – Christmass.

Third Monday of January – Parade in honor of Martin Luther King's Day.

A day between January 21 and February 21 – Chinese New Year in Chinatown.