Hottest (avg)
#12 / 12
New York in January
January weather, climate averages, and packing tips.
Avg High
Avg Low
Rain
Daylight 10h
What to expect
As winter continues, January brings, where temperatures are dropping quickly. Daytime highs average 3°C / 38°F, dropping to -5°C / 24°F at night.
Skies are often changeable, and you should be prepared for regular rainfall (approx. 11 wet days).
January in context
How it compares to the rest of the year in New York.
Wettest (avg)
#9 / 12
Daylight Hours
#11 / 12
Windiest (avg)
#3 / 12
Highest UV
#11 / 12
Most Humid
#9 / 12
Temperature
- Daytime high
-
- Nighttime low
-
- Feels like (avg)
-
Sunshine
- Daylight
- 9.6 hours
- UV index (max)
- 3
- Typical sun hours
- 07:15 – 16:54
Rain & Snow
- Total
-
- Rainy days
- 11
- Cloud cover
- 58%
- Snowfall
-
Humidity & Wind
- Humidity (avg)
- 69%
- Wind (avg)
-
- Wind (max gusts)
-
Frequently asked questions
Is January a good time to visit New York?
Typical January days in New York reach highs of 3°C (37°F) with nights around -5°C (23°F). It usually feels chilly by day and very cold after dark. Overall, January sits in the middle of the New York climate range.
What are temperatures like in January?
In January, you can usually expect highs of 3°C (37°F) and lows near -5°C (23°F). That means chilly days and very cold nights, so pack layers you can add or remove.
How much does it rain in January?
Rainfall in January averages 89 mm (3.5 in) across roughly 11 days. Overall it is a quite rainy time of year, so a light rain jacket and waterproof shoes are very handy.
How many hours of daylight are there in January?
You can expect about 10 hours of daylight in January. Sunrise is typically around 07:15 and sunset near 16:54. Days are on the shorter side, so plan activities around limited daylight.
How strong is the sun in January?
UV levels are moderate (around 3); sunscreen and sunglasses are still a good idea.
Is it windy in January?
In January, average wind speeds are around 13 km/h (8 mph), with gusts on the windiest days reaching about 58 km/h (36 mph). On the ground, it is it can feel quite windy at times, particularly when weather systems move through.