United States New York Weather in January — Climate Guide
January in New York is Below Average
January is Below Average for New York.
January is NYC's cheapest tourist month. Hotel rates drop 25-40% from peak season; mid-range Midtown hotels can be found at $130-180/night vs $300+ in spring. Tourist crowds are at minimum.
The two big draws this month are NYC Restaurant Week (mid-January, runs 2-3 weeks) and Winter Jazzfest. Restaurant Week offers $30 prix-fixe 3-course lunches and $45 dinners at top restaurants — Le Bernardin, Eleven Madison Park, and other Michelin-starred spots participate. Reservations open about 1 month ahead and book up fast for top restaurants.
Travel score
New York January Weather Stats
Avg High
4°C
Avg Low
-3°C
Rainy Days
11
84mm total
Sunshine
5h
Daily avg
Humidity
64%
Damp
UV Index
1
Low
Wind
16 km/h
Gusts 32
Snow Days
4
Monthly avg
Crowds
Moderate
At attractions
January Sunrise & Sunset
Expect about 4 snow days this month. Bring slip-resistant shoes and warm gear.
Air Quality
PM2.5
18 μg/m³
PM10
28 μg/m³
Status
Moderate
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
1°C
Nighttime
-8°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
16 km/h
Max gust 32 km/h
Activities Recommended for January
January Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Cheapest month for hotels and flights
- Restaurant Week — $30 lunch at top restaurants
- Empty museums and Broadway shows
Cons
- Cold (4°C / 39°F daytime, often colder with wind chill)
- Short daylight (sunset 4:50 PM)
- Snow storms can disrupt outdoor plans
January Events & Festivals
- Restaurant Week (mid-January) — $30 prix-fixe lunches at top restaurants
- Winter Jazzfest (mid-January)
- Three Kings Day Parade (Jan 6) in Spanish Harlem
New York in January — Full Picture
January is NYC's cheapest tourist month. Hotel rates drop 25-40% from peak season; mid-range Midtown hotels can be found at $130-180/night vs $300+ in spring. Tourist crowds are at minimum.
The two big draws this month are NYC Restaurant Week (mid-January, runs 2-3 weeks) and Winter Jazzfest. Restaurant Week offers $30 prix-fixe 3-course lunches and $45 dinners at top restaurants — Le Bernardin, Eleven Madison Park, and other Michelin-starred spots participate. Reservations open about 1 month ahead and book up fast for top restaurants.
Weather is the trade-off — average highs 4°C / 39°F, lows -3°C / 27°F, with wind chill making it feel much colder. Snow happens 2-3 times per month with one major storm (10+ inches) typical. Bring snow boots if visiting during a storm; NYC streets clear quickly but slush lasts 2-3 days.
Indoor sights are at their most enjoyable: Met has 10-15 minute Mona Lisa-equivalent crowds vs 30-45 in summer. Broadway shows at non-premium pricing. Central Park ice skating at Wollman Rink is the iconic January experience ($20 entry + $10 skate rental).
Days are short (sunrise 7:20 AM, sunset 4:50 PM) — plan outdoor walks for midday.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Heavy waterproof coat, scarf, gloves, hat. Layered with sweater and thermal base. Snow boots if visiting during a storm. NYC winter is genuinely cold and damp.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
16.7°C
7°C
12/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
28.7°C
19°C
10.3/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
18.7°C
10.3°C
9.3/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current5.3°C
-1.7°C
10.3/mo
New York Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4° | -3° | 11d·84mm | 5h | 64% | 1 | Moderate | Low season | |
| 6° | -2° | 10d·78mm | 6h | 64% | 2 | Moderate | Low season | |
| 11° | 2° | 12d·95mm | 7h | 62% | 4 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| April (Best) | 17° | 7° | 12d·110mm | 8h | 60% | 6 | Busy | Peak |
| May (Best) | 22° | 12° | 12d·115mm | 9h | 64% | 8 | Busy | Peak |
| June (Best) | 27° | 17° | 11d·105mm | 10h | 65% | 9 | Very busy | Peak |
| 30° | 20° | 10d·105mm | 10h | 64% | 9 | Very busy | Peak | |
| 29° | 20° | 10d·105mm | 9h | 67% | 8 | Busy | Shoulder | |
| September (Best) | 25° | 16° | 9d·100mm | 8.5h | 68% | 7 | Busy | Peak |
| October (Best) | 19° | 10° | 9d·95mm | 8h | 65% | 5 | Busy | Shoulder |
| 12° | 5° | 10d·95mm | 6h | 65% | 3 | Busy | Peak | |
| 6° | 0° | 10d·90mm | 5h | 64% | 1 | Very busy | Peak |
View Other Months
New York January Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is January a good time to visit New York?
New York in January is Below Average. Tourist crowds are moderate and flight/hotel prices are low season.
What's the average temperature in New York in January?
New York January averages a high of 4°C and a low of -3°C.
Does it rain much in New York in January?
New York January averages 84mm of rainfall over about 11 rainy days.
What should I wear in New York in January?
Heavy waterproof coat, scarf, gloves, hat. Layered with sweater and thermal base. Snow boots if visiting during a storm. NYC winter is genuinely cold and damp.
What time are sunrise and sunset in New York in January?
New York January sunrise is 07:20 and sunset is 16:50, with 9h 30m of daylight.
What's the air quality like in New York in January?
New York January air quality (AQI) averages 42, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 18μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in New York in January?
In January, New York is great for Restaurant Week dining, Wollman Rink ice skating, Indoor museum days.
Is January peak season in New York?
New York January crowds are moderate and prices are low season. You can travel relatively comfortably without long queues.
Best Months to Visit New York
View Other Months
Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.