01Weather
New York City weather in January
Afternoons in January average 5.3 °C (42 °F) and nights cool to -1.1 °C (30 °F). The month brings about 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain spread over roughly 8 days. Compared with December it is 2.2 °C cooler; February is 2.4 °C warmer again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical January | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 12 °C / 53 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | -1 °C / 30 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | -8 °C / 18 °F | one night in ten is colder than this |
| Days above 30 °C (86 °F) | 0.0 | per month, average 2016–2025 |
| Nights at or below 0 °C (32 °F) | 16.9 | frost mornings per month |
| Days with snow cover | 5.1 | snow depth ≥ 1 cm, per month |
| Chance of rain on any given day | 28 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest January day 2016–2025 | 19.4 °C / -16.1 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 January | 07:20 | 16:39 | 9.3 h |
| 15 January | 07:17 | 16:52 | 9.6 h |
| 31 January | 07:06 | 17:12 | 10.1 h |
Daylight grows by about 48 minutes over the month. Times are local (America/New_York).
03Crowds
How busy New York City is in January
moderate The main sights are moderate in January. What drives it:
- New Year's Day busy then the quietest weeks of the year
- Broadway Week
- Restaurant Week
04Public holidays
Public holidays in January 2027
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| 18 Jan 2027 | Martin Luther King, Jr. Day |
On public holidays many shops close and museums run on Sunday hours; check opening times for the day before and after as well.
05Events
What's on in New York City in January
Every year in January
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| NYC Broadway Week and Restaurant Week | late January to early February | culture |
07Packing
What to pack for New York City in January
- a winter coat, gloves and a hat
- thermal layer for early mornings
- waterproof shoes
- a compact umbrella for occasional showers
- gloves: frost on about 17 mornings
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
January is cold, with afternoons around 4 °C and the occasional snowstorm, but the two weeks after New Year's Day are the cheapest of the year and Broadway Week and Restaurant Week run from mid-January to early February with two-for-one tickets and set menus. Museums are quiet on weekdays. Dress in proper layers; the wind between avenues is brutal. The Rockefeller tree stays up to mid-January.
Rain or snow falls on about ten days. Martin Luther King Day on the third Monday is a long weekend. The Winter Jazzfest fills the Village clubs in mid-January. Ice skating at Bryant Park is free with skate rental charged; Rockefeller and Wollman Rink charge entry. Daylight runs from about seven to five. For the coldest month and the Lunar New Year parade, see February.
09Compare
New York City month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun h | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 5 °C | -1 °C | 8 | – | moderate | Good |
| February | 8 °C | 1 °C | 9 | – | quiet | Good |
| March | 11 °C | 3 °C | 8 | – | moderate | Good |
| April | 16 °C | 8 °C | 8 | – | busy | Good |
| May | 22 °C | 13 °C | 9 | – | busy | Excellent |
| June | 27 °C | 19 °C | 9 | – | very busy | Good |
| July | 31 °C | 23 °C | 8 | – | very busy | Mixed |
| August | 29 °C | 22 °C | 8 | – | busy | Excellent |
| September | 26 °C | 19 °C | 6 | – | busy | Excellent |
| October | 20 °C | 13 °C | 7 | – | busy | Excellent |
| November | 13 °C | 6 °C | 7 | – | very busy | Mixed |
| December | 8 °C | 1 °C | 10 | – | very busy | Off-season |
Not sure about January? See the best time to visit New York City.
10Elsewhere
January in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Toronto in January | 0 °C | 10 |
| Orlando in January | 22 °C | 2 |
| Miami in January | 25 °C | 5 |
| Cancún in January | 27 °C | – |
| Las Vegas in January | 14 °C | 1 |
| Vancouver in January | 8 °C | 16 |
11FAQ
New York City in January: your questions
Is January a good time to visit New York City?
January is a good month to visit New York City. Daytime highs average 5 °C (42 °F), rain falls on about 8 days, and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are moderate.
What is the weather like in New York City in January?
Expect cold days around 5 °C (42 °F) and nights near -1 °C (30 °F). One January in ten brings afternoons above 12 °C, and one in ten stays below -1 °C.
Does it rain a lot in New York City in January?
January brings about 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain over roughly 8 days, which is fairly dry by New York City standards. On any given day the chance of at least 1 mm of rain is 28 percent.
What should I wear in New York City in January?
Pack a winter coat, gloves and a hat, thermal layer for early mornings, waterproof shoes.
Is New York City crowded in January?
The main sights are moderate in January. Main drivers: New Year's Day busy then the quietest weeks of the year; Broadway Week; Restaurant Week.
What time does it get dark in New York City in January?
Around the middle of January the sun sets at about 16:52 and rises at 07:17, giving 9.6 hours of daylight.