01Weather
New York City weather in October
Afternoons in October average 20.3 °C (69 °F) and nights cool to 13.3 °C (56 °F). The month brings about 103 mm (4.0 in) of rain spread over roughly 7 days. Compared with September it is 5.7 °C cooler; November is 7.0 °C cooler again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical October | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 26 °C / 79 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 16 °C / 60 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | 9 °C / 48 °F | one night in ten is colder than this |
| Days above 30 °C (86 °F) | 0.1 | per month, average 2016–2025 |
| Nights at or below 0 °C (32 °F) | 0.0 | frost mornings per month |
| Days with snow cover | 0.1 | snow depth ≥ 1 cm, per month |
| Chance of rain on any given day | 24 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest October day 2016–2025 | 31.0 °C / 3.3 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 October | 06:52 | 18:38 | 11.8 h |
| 15 October | 07:07 | 18:16 | 11.1 h |
| 31 October | 07:25 | 17:53 | 10.5 h |
Daylight shrinks by about 78 minutes over the month. Times are local (America/New_York), including the clock change on the last Sunday of October.
03Crowds
How busy New York City is in October
busy The main sights are busy in October. What drives it:
- best weather
- Halloween Parade
- Comic Con
- Marathon prep
04Public holidays
Public holidays in October 2027
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 11 Oct 2027 | Columbus 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 October
Every year in October
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Village Halloween Parade | 31 October, Sixth Avenue | parade |
07Packing
What to pack for New York City in October
- layers: t-shirt plus a light jacket for evenings
- comfortable walking shoes
- a compact umbrella for occasional showers
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
October has crisp air, afternoons around 18 °C, fall colours in Central Park by the end of the month and the Village Halloween Parade on 31 October on Sixth Avenue. Comic Con fills the Javits Center in the second week. It is dry and comfortable, with rain on about eight days, and among the most popular months, so book well ahead. Columbus Day on the second Monday brings a parade on Fifth Avenue.
The New York Film Festival at Lincoln Center runs through the first half. Hotel rates are at their autumn peak. The Statue of Liberty and the Empire State are busy but manageable on weekdays. The clocks go back on the first Sunday of November. For the Marathon, Thanksgiving and the start of the holiday season, see November.
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 October? See the best time to visit New York City.
10Elsewhere
October in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Toronto in October | 16 °C | 10 |
| Orlando in October | 29 °C | 3 |
| Miami in October | 31 °C | 11 |
| Cancún in October | 30 °C | – |
| Las Vegas in October | 28 °C | 0 |
| Vancouver in October | 14 °C | 13 |
11FAQ
New York City in October: your questions
Is October a good time to visit New York City?
October is one of the best months to visit New York City. Daytime highs average 20 °C (69 °F), rain falls on about 7 days, and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are busy.
What is the weather like in New York City in October?
Expect mild days around 20 °C (69 °F) and nights near 13 °C (56 °F). One October in ten brings afternoons above 26 °C, and one in ten stays below 16 °C.
Does it rain a lot in New York City in October?
October brings about 103 mm (4.0 in) of rain over roughly 7 days, which is fairly dry by New York City standards. On any given day the chance of at least 1 mm of rain is 24 percent.
What should I wear in New York City in October?
Pack layers: t-shirt plus a light jacket for evenings, comfortable walking shoes, a compact umbrella for occasional showers.
Is New York City crowded in October?
The main sights are busy in October. Main drivers: best weather; Halloween Parade; Comic Con.
What time does it get dark in New York City in October?
Around the middle of October the sun sets at about 18:16 and rises at 07:07, giving 11.1 hours of daylight.