New York weather
in January
“Cool and moody. Best paired with warm rooms and long lunches.”
Roughly 10 rainy days across the month, on average.
In january, New York settles into its cold, contemplative stillness. The city keeps a different pulse than in summer or midwinter, and travellers who arrive with the right expectations are rewarded.
Days average around 5°C (40°F), cooling to -3°C after sunset. Expect meaningful rain — some 10 wet days across the month. Pack accordingly and let the weather choose your afternoons.
These figures are climatological averages, drawn from a decade of daily records via the Open-Meteo Archive — not a forecast. But they are honest, and they are the sort of thing a good travel guide ought to tell you before you book the flight.
What to pack for New York in January
- •A properly warm coat — not a fashion piece
- •A compact travel umbrella — one you'll actually carry
- •A merino base layer for the cold evenings
- •Comfortable, broken-in walking shoes
- •A small daypack that won't look like a tourist beacon
What to pack for New York in January
- →Merino wool base layerAmazon · shop this
- →Insulated puffer jacketAmazon · shop this
- →Thermal glovesAmazon · shop this
- →Packable rain jacketAmazon · shop this
- →Compact travel umbrellaAmazon · shop this
- →Waterproof dry bagAmazon · shop this
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Where to stay in New York
We don't review individual hotels — plenty of people do that well. What we do is send you to compare rooms in New York across trusted platforms.
Compare hotels on Booking.com→Other places with a similar climate right now
New York in January — FAQ
Q01Is January a good time to visit New York?
Is January a good time to visit New York?
It is a challenging month — you may want to consider another time of year. In January, New York averages a high of 5°C (40°F) and a low of -3°C (27°F), with 101mm of rainfall across roughly 10 rainy days.
Q02What is the average temperature in New York in January?
What is the average temperature in New York in January?
The average high temperature in New York during January is 5°C (40°F), with an average low of -3°C (27°F). These figures are averaged from ten years of daily records (2015–2024, Open-Meteo Archive).
Q03How many rainy days does New York have in January?
How many rainy days does New York have in January?
New York averages approximately 10 rainy days in January, with a total monthly rainfall of about 101mm. This is based on daily precipitation records where days with 1mm or more of rain are counted as rainy days.
Q04What should I pack for New York in January?
What should I pack for New York in January?
For New York in January, pack a warm winter coat, a merino base layer for evenings, a compact umbrella or waterproof jacket, comfortable walking shoes. These recommendations are based on the ten-year weather averages for this specific month.
Q05How crowded is New York in January?
How crowded is New York in January?
Tourist crowds in New York during January are typically low — winter is off-season, meaning quiet streets and better hotel deals. Consider this when planning accommodation — prices track crowd levels closely.