New York City gets a fairly even spread of precipitation year-round, averaging around 1,200 mm (about 47 inches) annually, making it one of the wetter major cities in the U.S. despite having no single dominant wet season. Winter can bring nor’easters that combine heavy rain or snow with strong coastal winds, while summer sees pop-up thunderstorms that can stall over the dense urban landscape and overwhelm storm drains surprisingly quickly. The city’s mix of high-rise density and impervious pavement means water has limited places to go, so even moderate rain can cause localized street and subway flooding. Remnants of tropical systems occasionally track through the region too, as seen with Hurricane Ida’s remnants in 2021. Radar imagery is widely used here to judge whether an approaching band is likely to be a brief shower or a slow-moving, high-intensity cell worth planning around before commuting or heading outdoors.
Learn more: How Does Rain Radar Work? · Open the full Rain Map
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it raining in New York right now?
The map above shows recent radar observations over New York where coverage is available. Use the map legend and timestamp to interpret the imagery. A blank map over New York can mean no detected precipitation, missing coverage, delayed data, or rain too light for radar to detect.
How often does the New York rain radar update?
Updates depend on the radar provider and local network. Check the timestamp on the map for the latest available frame, and press play to compare recent observations. Radar imagery can lag conditions on the ground.
Can I see if a storm is heading toward New York?
Press play to compare recent radar frames over United States and see the direction of detected rain. This can help you assess approaching showers near New York, but storms can grow or change direction; check your local weather service for forecasts and warnings.
Is this New York rain radar free to use?
Yes, completely free – no account, app download, or sign-up required. It works in any browser on desktop and mobile.