Honestly, if you're looking at the weather ny 7 days forecast and thinking it's just another standard winter week, you've gotta look closer. New York is currently smack in the middle of a shifting pattern that basically feels like a seesaw.
Right now, as of Sunday night, January 18, 2026, we are dealing with a light rain and snow mix that’s making the streets a mess. The humidity is sitting at a full 100%, and it feels like 25°F out there even though the thermometer says 32°F. It’s that damp, bone-chilling cold that New Yorkers know all too well.
The Immediate Mess: Snow and Slush
Sunday isn't done with us yet. We’re looking at a 94% chance of snow tonight. The National Weather Service even issued a Winter Weather Advisory because we're expecting about 3 to 5 inches citywide. If you're in eastern Queens or southeast Brooklyn, you might even see a bit more.
The "lull" we had earlier this afternoon was just a breather. The second round of heavier snow is picking up now and will likely last until the early hours of Monday morning. If you don't have to be on the BQE or the LIE tonight, just don't.
Monday and Tuesday: The Arctic Punch
Monday, January 19—MLK Day—is going to look beautiful but feel brutal. It'll be sunny, sure. But the high is only hitting 31°F, and by Monday night, the bottom drops out to 14°F.
Then comes Tuesday.
Tuesday is gonna be the real test.
We’re looking at a high of only 21°F. With winds coming from the west at 15 mph, those wind chills are going to be deep in the single digits, maybe even dipping below zero in the shaded canyons of Midtown.
- Monday: High 31°F / Low 14°F (Sunny but windy)
- Tuesday: High 21°F / Low 13°F (The coldest day of the week)
- Wednesday: High 34°F / Low 13°F (Clouds start moving back in)
Why the Forecast Keeps Shifting
You might wonder why the weather ny 7 days outlook seems to change every time you refresh your app. Basically, it’s all about the coastal low-pressure systems. This week, we have a "clipper" system dropping in from the Northern Plains, followed by an Arctic air mass.
When these cold Canadian fronts hit the relatively warmer waters of the Atlantic, things get weird. A shift of just 20 miles in the storm track can mean the difference between two inches of annoying slush and six inches of "dig-the-car-out" snow.
Looking Toward Next Weekend
By Thursday, we get a tiny bit of "relief"—if you can call 42°F relief. It’ll be the warmest day of the week, but don't get used to it. Another shot of cold air is timed for Friday and Saturday.
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Saturday, January 24, looks particularly harsh with a high of only 15°F and a low of 9°F. That is serious "stay inside and order Joe's Pizza" weather.
Actionable Survival Steps for the Week
- Check your detectors: Since it's gonna be freezing, your heater will be cranking. NYC law requires working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors—make sure they’re live.
- Salt now, not later: With temperatures dropping to 14°F on Monday night, any slush left on your sidewalk is going to turn into a sheet of black ice. Get the salt down before the sun goes down on Sunday.
- Layer up: Forget the heavy single coat. Go with a base layer, a fleece or sweater, and then a windproof shell. Tuesday’s 15 mph winds will cut right through a standard wool overcoat.
- Watch the pipes: If you’re in an older brownstone, keep a tiny drip going in your faucets on Tuesday night when it hits 13°F to prevent those prehistoric pipes from bursting.
The city is ready—DSNY has about 700 salt spreaders on standby—but your individual commute is still gonna suck if you aren't prepared for the ice. Stay warm, keep an eye on the local radar, and maybe give yourself an extra 20 minutes for the subway tomorrow morning.