If you’ve spent any time on Long Island, you know the drill. You wake up in East Meadow, look out the window at a gray sky, and wonder if you’re getting a light dusting of snow or a full-blown Nor'easter that’ll trap you in your driveway for three days. Honestly, the weather here is a bit of a moving target.
Right now, we're sitting in the thick of a classic January stretch. It’s cold. It’s damp. As of early this morning, the temperature is holding steady at 32°F. There’s a persistent east wind at about 3 mph, and the humidity is basically through the roof at 98%. If it feels like you're walking through a cold, wet sponge, that's exactly why.
The Reality of Weather East Meadow NY in Winter
Most people think of Long Island winters as just "cold," but there's a lot more nuance to it. Because we’re tucked right in the middle of Nassau County, we don’t always get the same buffering the South Shore gets from the ocean, nor do we get the same elevation shielding as the North Shore. We're in the "Goldilocks Zone" of weather variability.
Today, Sunday, January 18, 2026, we’re looking at a high of 36°F and a low of 26°F. There’s a massive 79% chance of light rain and snow throughout the day. By tonight, that shifts mostly to light snow with a 45% chance of precipitation. It’s not a blizzard, but it’s enough to make the Southern State Parkway a total nightmare.
What the Next Few Days Look Like
If you're planning your week, Monday is when things finally start to clear up, though it won't necessarily feel "warm."
- Monday (Jan 19): High of 32°F, low of 18°F. Totally sunny, but that 14 mph southwest wind is going to bite.
- Tuesday (Jan 20): High of 22°F, low of 17°F. This is the coldest day of the bunch. Bundle up because it's going to stay clear but frigid.
- Wednesday (Jan 21): We see a slight "heat wave" with a high of 39°F, but the clouds return.
Why East Meadow Weather is So Weird
You’ve probably noticed that one town over in Levittown it's snowing, while in Hempstead it’s just raining. That's the "Long Island Effect." Our proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and the Long Island Sound creates these micro-climates.
In the summer, it's great. July usually peaks around 82°F, which is perfect for a day over at Eisenhower Park. But in January? That moisture from the Atlantic hits the cold air coming down from Canada, and suddenly you have 96% humidity at freezing temperatures. It creates a very specific kind of bone-chilling cold that visitors from the Midwest never seem to understand. They have dry cold; we have "wet" cold.
The Seasonal Shifts
While winter is the current obsession, East Meadow actually has a pretty predictable rhythm if you look at the long-term data.
Historically, September is actually our clearest month. You get clear or partly cloudy skies about 63% of the time. Contrast that with January, where we’re overcast more than half the month. If you’re a fan of the sun, this is basically the "dark period" for our zip code.
Surviving the Cold Snaps
We’re heading into a particularly cold stretch later this week. By next Saturday, January 24, we’re looking at a low of 9°F. That’s not a typo. Single digits.
When it gets that cold, the humidity drops—down to about 40%—and the winds pick up. We’re expecting northwest gusts around 17 mph. Honestly, that's when you really need to keep an eye on your pipes and make sure your heater isn't struggling.
Quick Prep for the Week Ahead
- Monday's Sun is Deceptive: Don't let the clear skies fool you; the wind chill will make 32°F feel more like 20°F.
- Tuesday is Frigid: With a high of only 22°F, it's the kind of day where you just stay inside if you can.
- Snow Watch: Keep an eye on Monday, January 26. The current forecast is calling for a 75% chance of snow with 24 mph winds. That could be our first real "event" of the month.
The weather in East Meadow NY is all about preparation and checking the local stations. Whether it's the station at the East Meadow Public Library or the readings from Farmingdale's Republic Airport, the data helps, but your eyes and a good heavy coat help more.
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Next Steps for Your Week:
Since there's a significant chance of snow and ice today and tonight, you should check your salt supply and ensure your vehicle is cleared off before the temperature drops to 18°F tomorrow morning, which will turn any slush into solid ice.