Honestly, if you live in zip code 11231, you already know the drill. You check the general city forecast, see a 40-degree day, and step outside only to get smacked in the face by a wind chill that feels ten degrees colder. That's the Red Hook tax. Being a peninsula surrounded by the Upper New York Bay and the Gowanus Canal does weird things to the local atmosphere that the weather stations in Central Park just don't catch.
Right now, as of early Saturday morning, January 17, 2026, it's a bit of a gray mess. The temperature is sitting exactly at 34°F, but with a south wind humming at 4 mph, the real feel is closer to 30°F. Humidity is hanging around 53%, and the sky is a solid wall of clouds. It’s that classic "is it going to snow or just be annoying?" kind of vibe.
Understanding the weather brooklyn ny 11231 Microclimate
Most people think "Brooklyn weather" is a monolith. It's not. 11231 is basically an island attached to a borough. Because it's so low-lying—literally built on old salt marshes and landfill—the water acts like a giant thermal battery. In the summer, the breeze off the bay keeps us a tiny bit cooler than the concrete oven of Bushwick. But in January? That same water makes the air damp and heavy.
Today, Saturday, we’re looking at a high of 38°F and a low of 33°F. There’s a 75% chance of rain and snow during the day. This is the tricky part for 11231. Because we're right on the harbor, that "warm" water often turns what would be a beautiful snowstorm into a slushy, salty puddle. It's "boots weather," not "sledding weather."
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What's coming this week?
If you're planning your commute or just wondering when to salt the sidewalk, here's the outlook based on the latest data:
- Sunday, Jan 18: High of 35°F. Expect snow showers with a 35% chance of precipitation. The wind shifts to the west at 4 mph, which usually brings a bit of that crisp, dry air from Jersey.
- Monday, Jan 19: It stays chilly at 34°F. It’ll be mostly sunny, but don't let the light fool you. The wind picks up to 13 mph from the southwest.
- Tuesday, Jan 20: This is the coldest day in the immediate forecast. We’re hitting a high of only 25°F and a bone-chilling low of 15°F.
The Reality of Living on the 11231 Floodplain
We have to talk about the water. It’s not just about whether you need an umbrella; it's about where that water goes. 11231 is uniquely vulnerable. Historically, this area was a tidal marsh, and during events like Superstorm Sandy, the neighborhood learned the hard way that the "old" geography still matters.
The city is currently working on the Red Hook Coastal Resiliency (RHCR) project—a $218 million endeavor to build floodwalls and gates along the Atlantic Basin and Beard Street. But here’s the thing: most of that protection is designed for a "10-year storm." In plain English, that means it’s built to handle the kind of flooding that has a 10% chance of happening any given year.
Experts like John Shapiro from the Pratt Institute have pointed out that while this helps with the day-to-day nuisance flooding on Van Brunt Street, it might not be enough for the "big one." For residents, "weather" in 11231 means keeping an eye on the high tide cycles just as much as the thermometer.
Survival Tips for a 11231 Winter
Basically, if you’re new to the neighborhood, you’ve gotta change how you prep. Forget the fashion coat; you need something that breaks the wind. The gusts coming off the water at Louis Valentino Jr. Park can be brutal even on a sunny day.
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Keep a pair of waterproof boots by the door. Not "water-resistant"—waterproof. When the rain and snow mix hits later today, the storm drains in the low spots near the Gowanus often back up. You’ll be navigating 4-inch deep slush puddles at every corner.
Also, watch the humidity. At 66% humidity (which is the forecast for later today), the cold seeps into your bones in a way dry cold doesn't.
Actionable Next Steps:
Check your basement for any seepage if you live in a garden-level apartment near Richards Street, especially with the 75% precipitation chance today. If you're parking near the waterfront, maybe move the car a few blocks inland toward Cobble Hill just to be safe from any localized splash-over during the high tide. Finally, grab some heavy-duty salt for your stoop before the Tuesday flash-freeze drops temperatures down to 15°F.