You’re standing on 5th Avenue, the wind is whipping between the skyscrapers like a localized hurricane, and suddenly that "light dusting" the news mentioned feels a lot more like a personal attack. Honestly, New York in January is a vibe, but it’s a cold one. If you’re checking the weather for New York right now—specifically for Saturday, January 17, 2026—you’re looking at a classic mid-winter mix that basically sums up why locals have such a love-hate relationship with this month.
Today is looking pretty gray.
The current temperature is hovering right at 33°F, but it actually feels like 29°F. That four-degree gap might not sound like much, but when you’re walking past the damp drafts of the subway grates, you’ve definitely gotta notice it. We’re looking at a high of 39°F later today and a low of 33°F tonight.
The Slush Factor: Rain and Snow Today
Here is the thing about NYC today: it isn't just cold; it's complicated. We have a 75% chance of precipitation during the day. It’s expected to be a messy mix of rain and snow.
If you’re visiting, don’t let the "39 degrees" fool you into thinking it's mild. That’s prime "slush puddle" territory. You know the ones—they look like solid ground but are actually six inches of freezing grey soup. The humidity is sitting at 66%, making the air feel heavy and biting.
- Morning/Day: Mostly rain and snow mix.
- Wind: Coming from the south at 8 mph.
- Night: The precipitation chance drops to 20%, leaving us with just cloudy skies and a steady 33°F.
There’s also this massive Polar Vortex talk looming in the headlines. While today is just "regular" cold, meteorologists are tracking a stretch in the vortex that could dump even more frigid air into the Northeast for the rest of the month.
Surviving the "Wind Tunnel" Effect
Most people think the temperature tells the whole story. It doesn't.
New York’s grid system turns every cross-street into a wind tunnel. Even a gentle 8 mph breeze from the south, like we have today, can feel significantly sharper when it’s funneled between limestone towers. It’s why you see New Yorkers wearing those floor-length "sleeping bag" parkas. It's not a fashion statement; it's a survival tactic.
If you're out and about, the UV index is a 1, so you don't need to worry about the sun. You need to worry about your feet.
What You Actually Need to Wear Today
- Waterproof Boots: Seriously. If you wear canvas sneakers today, you’ve basically surrendered. The mix of rain and snow means the gutters will be treacherous.
- Layers: The subway is usually about 80 degrees, while the platform is 30. You’ll be stripping off your scarf and unzipping your coat every ten minutes.
- Gloves with Touchscreen Tips: You’ll need your maps to find that one specific coffee shop, and taking your gloves off in 33-degree weather is a mistake you only make once.
Is January Actually the Worst Time to Visit?
Kinda, but also no.
While the weather in New York today is a bit of a slog, this is also when the city is at its quietest. The holiday crowds have vanished. You can actually get a seat at a restaurant in the West Village without a month-long reservation.
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The average high for NYC in January is usually around 39°F, so today is perfectly "normal." But normal in New York means being prepared for the sky to change its mind every two hours. We’ve seen Januarys where it hits 60°F and others where the fountains in Bryant Park freeze solid.
Actionable Tips for Today
If you are in the city right now, move your outdoor activities to the evening when the rain/snow mix tapers off to just clouds. Use the afternoon for the "indoor" New York—the Met, the MoMA, or just lingering in a Chelsea gallery.
Check the subway alerts before you head out. A little bit of snow and ice can turn the N/Q lines into a waiting game. Stay dry, keep your head down against the wind, and remember that a hot bagel fixes almost any weather-induced bad mood.