You’ve stepped out of Penn Station or maybe just peeked through the blinds of your Upper West Side apartment, and the air hits you like a cold slap. Honestly, Manhattan in mid-January is usually a gamble, but today, Friday, January 16, 2026, it’s being surprisingly straightforward—at least for now.
The current weather Manhattan New York is 23°F. That sounds manageable until you factor in the wind. A steady 12 mph breeze is cutting in from the west, making the "feels like" temperature a much more aggressive 11°F. If you’re heading out, that extra scarf isn't just an accessory; it’s a survival tool.
The Sunny Deception and Tonight’s Shift
Right now, it’s beautiful. Sunny skies across the island make for great photos of the Chrysler Building, but don't let the blue sky fool you into thinking it's warming up. We are looking at a daytime high of 34°F. That’s about as good as it gets today.
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Basically, the city is in a "calm before the flurry" state. While the humidity is sitting at 43% and the UV index is effectively zero, things start to get moody as the sun goes down.
What to expect as the day goes on:
- Cloud cover: Expect things to turn grey and "cloudy" by evening.
- The Dip: Temperatures will slide back down to a low of 22°F tonight.
- The Snow Factor: There's a 10% chance of snow after midnight. It's not a blizzard, but more like a "snow globe" effect that might make the sidewalks a bit slick for the late-night crowd.
Why the Weekend Forecast is Messy
If you have brunch plans on Saturday, keep your eyes on the sky. The National Weather Service is tracking a system that could bring 1 to 2 inches of light snow to the region, though the coast (where we are) might see it turn into a cold, miserable rain-mix after sunrise.
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Manhattan is a heat island, so we often miss out on the "pretty" snow that hits the Lower Hudson Valley. Instead, we get the slush. Tomorrow’s high is 41°F, which is just warm enough to turn any morning flakes into a grey puddle by noon.
Surprising Cold on the Horizon
The real story isn't just today's 11-degree wind chill. It's next week. Meteorologists are eyeing an Arctic front that's going to make this Friday look like a tropical vacation. We’re talking about lows in the single digits by Tuesday night.
If you're wondering why it feels so volatile, we are currently in a weak La Niña pattern. Historically, this means we get "wetter" winters, but it also makes the temperature swings more dramatic. One day you’re wearing a light parka, and the next, you’re layered up like an onion just to walk to the subway.
Real-World Impact for New Yorkers
Traffic is already a headache with the usual Manhattan construction, but the DOT has issued rain/snow dates for electrical repairs on the Broadway Bridge today. If that snow chance kicks up, expect some bridge closures to shift. Also, if you're taking the I-90 out of the city toward Rochester, they’re already reporting snow and ice conditions.
Quick Tips for Today:
- Layering is king: 11°F wind chill means exposed skin will start to sting after 15 minutes.
- Footwear: You don't need heavy boots yet, but the 10% snow chance tonight means tomorrow morning could be slippery.
- Skincare: That 43% humidity combined with the wind is a recipe for chapped everything. Use the heavy moisturizer.
Don't wait for the weekend to run your errands. The sunny window we have right now is the most pleasant the current weather Manhattan New York is going to be for several days. Grab your coffee, enjoy the crisp air, and prepare for the deep freeze coming our way.
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Check your radiator valves now. By Tuesday, when the single digits hit, you’ll be glad you didn't ignore that weird clanking sound. Dress for the "feels like" temp, not the number on the thermometer, and keep an eye on the Saturday morning changeover if you're traveling across the bridges.