The best time to visit New York City is April to June or mid-September to early November, when temperatures are mild and humidity is manageable, unlike the sweltering, heat-advisory summers of July-August or the snow-and-Nor’easter-prone winters of December-February.
New York’s Four Seasons: Mild Bookends Around Summer Heat and Winter Storms
New York City has a genuinely seasonal climate, closer to continental Europe than to the tropics, with four distinct seasons rather than a simple wet-dry split. Spring and fall bring the most consistently comfortable weather for walking the city, while summer brings real heat risk and winter brings cold snaps and occasional Nor’easters that can shut down the region’s airports for a day or more.
New York City Weather by Month
The chart below shows average high and low temperatures and monthly precipitation (rain and melted snow) for every month, based on Central Park long-term climate normals.
Jan
(37°/25°F)
11 rainy days
Feb
(41°/27°F)
10 rainy days
Mar
(50°/34°F)
11 rainy days
Apr
(61°/43°F)
11 rainy days
May
(70°/54°F)
11 rainy days
Jun
(81°/64°F)
10 rainy days
Jul
(84°/70°F)
10 rainy days
Aug
(82°/68°F)
9 rainy days
Sep
(77°/61°F)
8 rainy days
Oct
(66°/50°F)
8 rainy days
Nov
(55°/41°F)
9 rainy days
Dec
(45°/32°F)
10 rainy days
| Month | Avg. High | Avg. Low | Precipitation | Rainy Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 3°C / 37°F | -4°C / 25°F | 92 mm | 11 |
| Feb | 5°C / 41°F | -3°C / 27°F | 84 mm | 10 |
| Mar | 10°C / 50°F | 1°C / 34°F | 112 mm | 11 |
| Apr | 16°C / 61°F | 6°C / 43°F | 109 mm | 11 |
| May | 21°C / 70°F | 12°C / 54°F | 109 mm | 11 |
| Jun | 27°C / 81°F | 18°C / 64°F | 94 mm | 10 |
| Jul | 29°C / 84°F | 21°C / 70°F | 112 mm | 10 |
| Aug | 28°C / 82°F | 20°C / 68°F | 104 mm | 9 |
| Sep | 25°C / 77°F | 16°C / 61°F | 109 mm | 8 |
| Oct | 19°C / 66°F | 10°C / 50°F | 109 mm | 8 |
| Nov | 13°C / 55°F | 5°C / 41°F | 99 mm | 9 |
| Dec | 7°C / 45°F | 0°C / 32°F | 94 mm | 10 |
Spring and Fall (April-June, Mid-September to Early November): NYC’s Best Weather Windows
Spring and fall bring New York’s most reliably comfortable weather: mild temperatures, manageable humidity, and rain spread fairly evenly rather than arriving as dramatic downpours. May and late September through mid-October are the two windows most frequently recommended, warm enough for walking the parks and waterfront without the oppressive humidity or bitter cold of the extremes on either side of the calendar.
Summer (July-August): Heat, Humidity, and a Real Health Risk
Average highs of 28-29C (82-84F) understate what New York summers actually feel like, since humidity and the city’s urban heat island effect regularly push the heat index well above the thermometer reading. Heat advisories are now a routine part of a Manhattan or Brooklyn summer, not an occasional event.
New York’s Real Hazard: Heat Kills More Than Storms
Heat is one of New York City’s deadliest weather-related risks, and it’s a bigger killer than most visitors expect. The city’s health department estimates roughly 500 heat-related deaths occur in an average year, and counterintuitively, about 80% of these happen on hot but not extreme days, typically between 28-34C (82-94F), rather than during the most extreme heatwaves. A severe heatwave in June 2025 alone caused 19 heat-stress deaths in the city.
Winter brings a different kind of disruption: Nor’easters, the intense coastal storms that can dump heavy snow on the city in a matter of hours, regularly ground flights at JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark. One recent Nor’easter produced over 1,100 cancellations at JFK alone in a single day. If you’re travelling in winter, building a buffer day around any flight is genuinely worthwhile.
Winter (December-February): Cold, Snow, and Nor’easter Chaos
Winter temperatures hover around or below freezing, with January the coldest month at an average low of -4C (25F). Despite the cold, December remains one of the busiest and most expensive months to visit thanks to holiday markets, ice skating rinks, and the Rockefeller Center tree, so book well ahead if that’s the trip you want.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best month to visit New York City?
May and late September through mid-October are generally considered the best months, offering mild temperatures and manageable humidity while avoiding both summer heat and winter cold.
Is the summer heat in New York dangerous?
Yes. New York City sees an estimated 500 heat-related deaths in an average year, and around 80% of them happen on hot but not extreme days (28-34C / 82-94F) rather than the most severe heatwaves.
What causes winter flight delays in New York?
Nor’easters, powerful coastal storms that can dump heavy snow in a matter of hours, are the main culprit, and a single storm has caused over 1,100 flight cancellations at JFK alone.
Does it snow a lot in New York City?
Snowfall varies significantly year to year, but Nor’easters can deliver heavy snow in short, intense bursts rather than steady accumulation, which is what tends to cause the most travel disruption.
Is December a good time to visit New York?
It’s cold, but December is one of the most popular and expensive months thanks to holiday markets, ice rinks, and the Rockefeller Center tree, so it’s worth booking well in advance if that’s your priority.
What is the rainiest month in New York City?
March averages the most precipitation, around 112mm, though rainfall is spread fairly evenly across the year rather than concentrated in one clear wet season.
In Conclusion
For the most comfortable trip, aim for May or late September through mid-October. If you’re visiting in summer, respect the heat as a genuine health risk, not just discomfort, and if you’re flying in winter, build slack into your itinerary in case a Nor’easter grounds flights.
