Honestly, if you’re stepping out in Brooklyn today, Friday, January 16, 2026, don’t let that morning sun trick you. It looks gorgeous through a window. But the second you hit the sidewalk? Different story. We are currently sitting at 22°F, and with a biting west wind at 15 mph, it feels more like 9°F. Basically, it's that kind of deep freeze that makes your phone battery drain in ten minutes and your eyes water the moment you turn a corner.
The sky is clear for now, which is a nice change from the gray slush we often deal with this time of year. But "clear" in January usually just means there’s nothing to trap the heat. According to current data, we’ve got a humidity level of 45% and a UV index of 0. You won't be getting a tan, but you might be getting frostnip if you're not careful.
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Hour by Hour Weather Brooklyn: The Friday Breakdown
If you're planning your day around the borough—maybe a coffee run in Fort Greene or a walk near the waterfront—you need to know that the needle isn't moving much. We’re looking at a high of 34°F later today. That’s "warm" only in a very relative, slightly depressing winter sense.
The wind is the real protagonist here. It’s staying steady from the west at about 15 mph.
- 7:00 AM: Expect 25°F. It’s going to feel "bitterly cold," likely in the single digits for the "RealFeel."
- 10:00 AM: Creeping up to 29°F. The sun is out, but that west wind is still gusting.
- 1:00 PM: This is our peak at 34°F. If you have to do something outside, this is your window. It’s "sunny" but the air is still sharp.
- 4:00 PM: Starting the slide back down. Temps will hover around the low 30s as the sun starts to dip.
By tonight, things shift. The clear skies are going to give way to clouds. We’re looking at a low of 22°F again, but the humidity will drop slightly to 39%. There’s a tiny chance—about 10%—of some snow flurries moving in overnight. It’s not a blizzard, but keep an eye on the sidewalk if you're coming home late; even a dusting can make those Brooklyn subway stairs feel like a luge track.
Is the Weekend Going to be Any Better?
Sorta, but not really. Saturday is looking mostly cloudy with a high around 43°F. It sounds better on paper, but that comes with a 50% chance of a rain and snow mix. Sunday stays cold with a high of 36°F and more clouds.
If you're tracking the trends for the rest of the month, January 2026 has been sticking to its cold guns. We've already seen a few "snow squalls" earlier in the year that put down quick coatings of snow, and the National Weather Service has been keeping the City's Winter Weather Emergency Plan on standby. Experts like those at the Department of Sanitation (DSNY) are already pre-deploying salt spreaders when these dips happen because, as anyone who lives here knows, a "thin coating" of ice on a Brooklyn street is often more dangerous than six inches of the fluffy stuff.
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What You Should Actually Do
Look, don't overthink it. It's winter in New York.
- Layer up. Seriously. A heavy coat is good, but a thermal layer underneath is what actually keeps the wind from stealing your soul.
- Check the gusts. The wind is coming from the west today. If you’re walking toward the East River, you’re walking right into it.
- Watch the "Feel Like" temp. The actual temperature of 22°F is a lie. The 9°F wind chill is the reality.
- Salt your stoop. If you’re one of the lucky ones with a brownstone or a small patch of sidewalk to manage, throw some salt down before tonight. That 10% chance of snow could easily turn into a 100% chance of a slip-and-fall by Saturday morning.
Stay warm out there. It’s a classic Brooklyn winter day—bright, freezing, and a little bit windy.