When Does It Get Cold In New York? What To Expect + Tips (2025)
When Does It Get Cold In New York? The short answer is that it usually starts to get cooler in October-November, but the coldest months are December through February.
Keep reading to learn more about the coldest and hottest months, the best and worst weather, what to pack if you’re visiting and more!
I lived in NYC for a year, and I visit a lot – and I completely understand not wanting to suffer from New York’s extreme weather conditions! Especially in the city, you’re outside a lot, so it’s best to plan a visit or outdoor activities when the weather is nicest.
Planning Your New York Trip? Use my favorite resources:
Accommodation: Booking.com
Mid-Priced Hotel: Selina Hotel in Chelsea NYC
Rent a Car: Discover Cars
Travel Insurance: Allianz
Flights: WayAway
Tour: Private NYC Walking Tour with a Personal Photographer
When Does It Get Cold In New York? It depends on where you are
New York state is mostly in the “humid continental” climate, while Southeastern New York, which includes NYC and Long Island, is in the “humid subtropical” climate, which means it’s generally warmer than the rest of the state. New York City is also warmer because it’s, well… a city! The buildings and concrete, plus other aspects of urbanization make it warmer overall.
The coldest part of New York State is the Adirondacks, which stay below freezing for around 3 months during the winter.
The cold season in southern New York (which includes NYC) is technically early December through early March, and the average high temperature for all these months is lower than 48°F.
In northern New York, the cold season lasts from November through April.
Basically, figuring out when it starts to get cold takes a bit more explanation – and knowing what to look for when you check the weather!
When Does It Get Cold In New York? Look at average temps
The first best way to figure out when it gets cold in New York for any given year is to look at the average temperatures for the cold months. Here they are for New York City:
October:
Low: 65°F/18°C
High: 52°F/11°C
October is when summer starts to really cool down, and some days can get cold – especially in the morning and evening. October is still one of the best months to visit NYC, because the weather is really nice!
November:
Low: 54°F/12°C
High: 42°F/6°C
November starts to get actually cold, even though there may still be some nice days earlier on in the month.
December:
Low: 45°F/7°C
High: 34°F/1°C
December is cold, and it’s just the beginning – it will keep getting colder as the month goes on!
January:
Low: 29°F/-2°C
High: 40°F/4°C
The coldest months of the year in New York are January through February, when lows hover around freezing to below zero degrees Fahrenheit.
February:
Low: 42/6°C
High: 30/-1°C
February is the snowiest month in NYC, and it doesn’t get much warmer than January.
March:
Low: 51°F/11°C
High: 37°F/3°C
March is the most unpredictable month, so it’s best to be prepared for anything!
When Does It Get Cold In New York? Look at cloud cover
The second best way to figure out when it gets cold in New York for any given year is to look at the average cloud cover, because it’s always colder (at least in how it feels) when it’s overcast!
The clearest month is September, and then it starts to become more regularly overcast in early November, lasting through later June. January is the cloudiest month, and it’s overcast for around half the month (no wonder it’s also the coldest month)!
When Does It Get Cold In New York? Look at precipitation
The third best way to figure out when it gets cold in New York for any given year is to look at the average precipitation, because the more humid it is, the colder it feels – and if it’s freezing rain or snow, even colder!
The months with the most precipitation begin in late March and last through late August. June is the wettest month, and that’s in the summer so it’s not cold then, anyways! January has the least days with precipitation.
The Great Lakes region of New York has the most rain and snowfall per year. Lake-effect snowfall happens in western and central NY throughout the winter, as well.
What is the snowiest month in New York?
Here are the average inches of snowfall per region:
Western-Central NY: 75-150 inches
Western NY and the Adirondacks have lake-effect snow from Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. This means some places around the area have a lot of snow, while others – in similar areas – have less or no snow! The Adirondacks has the most snow in the state of New York on average.
Catskills: 25-50 inches
New York City, Long Island & Hudson Valley: 10-25 inches
New York also gets Nor’easters, which are blizzards that go along the East Coast that start in the Northeast. They’re the worst from September-April, and can leave a lot of snow, plus damage and even flooding, costing over a billion dollars for the worst storms.
When Does It Get Cold In New York? More things to consider
Make sure to check the forecast for windiness in addition to temperature, cloudiness and precipitation! New York Winters are windy, and that always makes cold weather feel even colder.
Another thing to note is the time of sunset in the winter, because as it gets dark earlier, it also gets colder earlier.
New York City in particular has high rates of air pollution and particle pollution, which causes warmer temperatures but is also unhealthy.
Is 60 degrees cold in New York?
The first thing to consider to know if 60 degrees is cold is what I’ve already mentioned with the forecast: cloud cover, wind, humidity and precipitation. The higher the humidity, the colder it will probably feel – same with the others.
The second thing to consider is what your body is used to. For example, I’ve spent most of the last 10 years living in New Orleans and Israel, so weather that feels warm to some feels colder to me! I definitely need a jacket or sweatshirt if it’s 60 degrees, and I might still feel chilly when the sun goes down.
This depends on your body temperature and what you consider to be cold and warm, too. If you’re in New York City and you’re outside walking around a lot, you’ll warm up from the exercise, and possibly the sun as well!
The best way to be prepared for 60-degree weather in New York is to bring layers, and a daypack for any layers you remove.
What are the nicest months in New York?
The months that have the best weather in New York are May-June and September-October! You’ll want to bring a jacket for evenings or early mornings. The Fall is also cheaper to visit and less crowded, because it’s shoulder season.
What is the hottest month in New York?
The hottest month in New York is July. Average high temperature is 84°F, and low is 71°F. The hotter and warmer months in New York are early June through mid-September.
What to wear when it starts to get cold in New York
Here are my suggestions for what to pack and wear in New York – especially New York City – when the weather is starting to get cold, or even at the end of Winter when it’s beginning to warm up but still unpredictable! You want to think about blocking potential wind, especially for your outer layer.
Jackets for not-quite-winter in New York:
👉 A leather jacket is my go-to for being stylish and staying warm without feeling bulky!
👉 A trenchcoat is an always fashionable look for NYC, and good for any weather:
👉 A Denim Jacket is great, especially with layers, and if you know it won’t get too cold:
👉 A Hoodie or sweatshirt is great, but if it’s going to get too cold or windy, think about adding a coat:
👉 A fleece-lined jacket for any weather can be a great way to be prepared for rain or snow if it’s a possibility when you’re visiting!
More things to pack & bring for New York when it gets cold:
👉 Fashionable and good quality walking shoes for all weather: Tennis shoes can actually get cold in the winter if they’re too breathable – plus, if it gets rainy or snows, it can be even worse! I recommend Dr. Martens Chelsea boots, so they’re good for your feet and unpredictable weather – plus they look good on everyone!
Fingerless Gloves: These have been my favorite for years for when it gets cold in NYC! It makes it easier to use your phone, pull out your MetroCard for the subway and more. I love ones that have mitten covers you can pin back for when my fingers get cold, too!
👉 Hat: A hat is a fabulous way to keep your head warm and protect yourself from the sun in New York! When it gets cold, the most important areas to keep warm are your head and your feet – so warm socks are smart to pack, too!
👉 Pants: you’re most likely not going to pull out the shorts, so it’s good to bring jeans and even lighter-weight pants – just bring a pair of leggings or thermal underwear for if it gets unexpectedly cold, to add as a layer!
👉 Umbrella: It’s always good to bring an umbrella, though it can get windy + rainy – I’ve had my umbrella turn inside-out before in NYC! I suggest bringing a packable one that doesn’t take up too much space so it can be easily put into a bag if it becomes unusable. It also needs to be windproof, like this one:
👉 Sunscreen: The sun is still out in New York in all seasons, and sunscreen is still important – especially if you’ll be spending a lot of time outdoors!
Places to Stay In NYC On Any Budget
If you’re headed to NYC, here are the top-rated and best located places to stay on any budget!
✅ Budget Option: POD 39 Hotel NYC
The POD 39 Hotel NYC is a favorite hotel in NYC, because it’s in an ideal location, just steps from Grand Central so you don’t have to brave the cold too much to get to the subway!
It’s also full of amenities like a seasonal rooftop bar, lobby lounge and bar with a fireplace (perfect for when the city gets cold), a game room with table tennis, and airport transport!
🌇 Check Availability at POD 39 Hotel NYC Here
✅Mid-Tier Option: Selina Hotel Chelsea NYC
The Selina Hotel in Chelsea NYC is a 4-star hotel in NYC with a great location in the Chelsea Gallery District, which is close to High Line Park and in walking distance from Penn Station! It also has more amenities including a rooftop with NYC skyline views, gourmet on-site dining, outdoor pool, basement bar, events and more.
🌇 Check Availability at the Selina Hotel Chelsea NYC Here
✅ Luxury Option: Equinox Hotel Hudson Yards NYC
The Equinox Hotel in Hudson Yards NYC is a centrally located, celebrity-level hotel with amazing experiences and honestly the best sleep set-up ever! They have amazing rooftop views, 2 swimming pools, rooms with terraces, spa treatments, a fitness center that includes classes and personal trainers, a bar, in-room breakfast, soundproofed rooms with blackout blinds and tech, and more!
🌇 Check Availability at the Equinox Hotel Hudson Yards NYC Here
🛏️ VRBO is a great place to find vacation rental houses for yourself or a whole group to have the entire place to yourself.
Getting to and around New York
👉 Flights: WayAway is a flight aggregator that helps you find the cheapest flights. Use the code MUKI-TRAVELS for 10% off WayAway Plus.
👉 MetroCard for NYC: You can buy a MetroCard in the subway station at a kiosk, or on your phone with OMNY to just tap and go (through your Apple Wallet on iPhone)!
👉 Lyft & Uber: NYC has both of these services, which can be good if you’re running late, have a lot of luggage or when the weather is bad!
👉 Rent a car in New York: Discover Cars is a great tool to use to find the best deals (I don’t recommend renting a car or driving if you’re in NYC, but you can rent a car there, and it is a good idea if you’re looking to do a road trip or a day trip!)
🛂 National Parks Passport
New York has a lot of National Parks! America’s National Parks Store is where you can get National Park passports, clothing and more. They also donate a portion of their proceeds to the National Parks System!
🥾 Visit America’s National Parks Passport Store Here
All In All: When Does It Get Cold In New York?
Whether you’re planning a trip to New York, or just wondering when it will be cold this year, I hope this guide helped you answer your question and prepare for any trips you might be planning!
👉 If you’re in NYC, make sure to also snag cheap Broadway and NYC Ballet tickets.
👉 The 57 Best Places To Take Pictures In NYC (With Map)
👉 Fall In New York: Weather, 33+ Things To Do, Foliage Spots + What To Pack
👉 Renting A Car In New York City: Everything You Need To Know
👉 Is Rhode Island In New York? Facts, Map, Things To Do + More
👉 Also, check out this guide to Boston (just a bus ride away from NYC)!
