New York City Weather: Four Distinct Seasons, Not Just Hot or Cold

New York City has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) transitioning to humid continental (Dfa) in the suburbs — meaning it experiences four full seasons with significant temperature swings.

Seasonal Profile

• Winter (Dec–Feb): Avg Jan temp 32°F (0°C). Cold, often freezing. Nor'easters bring heavy snow (avg 25–30"/yr). Wind chill can drop below 0°F (-18°C).
• Spring (Mar–May): Volatile. March can snow; May hits 75°F (24°C). Cherry blossoms, rain, rapid green-up.
• Summer (Jun–Aug): Avg Jul temp 77°F (25°C). Hot & humid. Heat waves push 95–100°F (35–38°C); heat index >105°F. Afternoon thunderstorms.
• Fall (Sep–Nov): "Best weather." Crisp, dry, 50–70°F (10–21°C). Peak foliage late Oct–early Nov.

Extremes

• Record high: 106°F (41°C) — July 9, 1936 (LaGuardia).
• Record low: -15°F (-26°C) — Feb 9, 1934 (Central Park).
• Urban Heat Island: NYC core 2–4°F warmer than suburbs nightly.

Microclimates

Coastal Queens/Brooklyn moderated by ocean; inland Bronx/Staten Island more extreme; Manhattan canyon effect traps heat/pollution.

Bottom line: NYC is neither always hot nor always cold — it's a four-season city where you need a real winter coat, a rain shell, light layers, and shorts — sometimes all in the same week (April).