Best time to visit
Best Time to Visit New York
A dense, round-the-clock city of five boroughs, where world-famous skyline views, museums, and neighbourhood food scenes sit a subway ride apart. Manhattan gets most of the attention, but Brooklyn, Queens, and the other boroughs hold plenty of their own draws.
Best time to visit: April to June or September to November, avoiding the humid peak of summer and the coldest weeks of winter.
Local tip: Get a 7-day unlimited MetroCard (or use contactless tap) if you're staying more than a couple of days — it's far cheaper than single rides.
Getting around: The subway runs 24 hours a day and is the fastest way to cross Manhattan and reach the other boroughs — walking works well within a single neighbourhood but not much further.
Good to know: Tipping (typically 15–20%) is expected at sit-down restaurants and for many services — it's built into how service workers are paid, not optional the way it can be elsewhere.
What to plan your trip around
- Central Park
An 843-acre green space cutting through Manhattan, popular for walking, boating, and people-watching.
- Empire State Building
An Art Deco skyscraper with an observation deck offering sweeping views across the city.
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
One of the largest and most comprehensive art museums in the world.
- Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island
The harbour monument and adjoining former immigration station, reachable by ferry.
New York weather by month
New York weather by month
Average temperatures and rainfall New York gets in each month (2011–2020). Tap a month for the full breakdown.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 4°C | -1°C | 124 mm | 82% |
| February | 4°C | -1°C | 116 mm | 82% |
| March | 7°C | 2°C | 117 mm | 80% |
| April | 12°C | 6°C | 109 mm | 82% |
| May | 17°C | 12°C | 118 mm | 85% |
| June | 22°C | 17°C | 110 mm | 83% |
| July | 27°C | 22°C | 133 mm | 80% |
| August | 26°C | 21°C | 135 mm | 78% |
| September | 23°C | 18°C | 92 mm | 78% |
| October | 18°C | 13°C | 126 mm | 78% |
| November | 12°C | 6°C | 117 mm | 79% |
| December | 7°C | 3°C | 155 mm | 83% |
New York through the year
January · 4° / -1°C · 124 mm
- Mornings start cold: the average low is -1°C, and frost is common.
- Days and nights are close, only about 5°C apart.
April · 12° / 6°C · 109 mm
- Just 130 km apart, but New York runs about 5°C cooler than Philadelphia this month.
- Check the hourly forecast before heading to Metropolitan Museum of Art — showers are likely.
July · 27° / 22°C · 133 mm
- Days and nights are close, only about 5°C apart.
- It's humid — around 80% — so the heat feels heavier.
October · 18° / 13°C · 126 mm
- There's little difference between day and night (around 5°C).
- It cools down fast from here: November is about 6°C cooler.
The best time to visit New York is May, June and September, when average highs are 17–23°C and rainfall is around 107 mm a month.
At a glance
When to go to New York, season by season
December – February
Rainy5° / 0°C · 132 mm
The wettest part of the year. Showers are likely, so pack a rain jacket and keep plans flexible.
March – May
Rainy12° / 6°C · 115 mm
The wettest part of the year. Showers are likely, so pack a rain jacket and keep plans flexible.
June – August
Rainy25° / 20°C · 126 mm
The wettest part of the year. Showers are likely, so pack a rain jacket and keep plans flexible.
Frequently asked questions
- When is the best time to visit New York?
- For pleasant, fairly dry weather, go to New York in May, June and September. Average highs are then 17–23°C.
- Why is May a good time to visit New York?
- In May, New York averages 17°C by day and 12°C at night, with about 118 mm of rain and 65% cloud cover: warm enough to be outdoors without the peak heat or the wettest weather.
- What is the warmest month in New York?
- July is the warmest month in New York, with average highs of 27°C and lows of 22°C.
- What is the coldest month in New York?
- January is the coldest month in New York: average highs of 4°C, dropping to -1°C at night.
- When does it rain the most in New York?
- December is the wettest month in New York with about 155 mm of rain. The driest is September, with around 92 mm.
- When is the worst time to visit New York?
- January is the least pleasant month in New York, with average highs of just 4°C. It's still fine for museums and fewer crowds.
- How can I check the weather in New York before I travel?
- Compare the live forecast for New York from three independent weather services on WeatherCompare. When they agree, the forecast is more reliable.
Cite or embed this data
Writing about this destination? Copy a ready-made citation or embed a live widget — free, just keep the link.
Best time to visit New York. WeatherCompare, 2026 (climate averages: NASA POWER / ERA5, 2011–2020). https://weathercompare.eu/guides/best-time-to-visit/usa/new-york
<a href="https://weathercompare.eu/guides/best-time-to-visit/usa/new-york">Best time to visit New York</a> (WeatherCompare)
<iframe src="https://weathercompare.eu/embed/usa/new-york" width="300" height="160" style="border:0;border-radius:12px" loading="lazy" title="Best time to visit New York"></iframe> <p style="font-size:12px"><a href="https://weathercompare.eu/guides/best-time-to-visit/usa/new-york">Best time to visit New York</a> – WeatherCompare</p>