New York in January
In January, New York averages 4°C (39°F) during the day and -3°C (27°F) at night, with around 11 days of rain (84 mm total).
Off-peakConditions are cold — pack winter layers. Plan for unsettled weather and bring rain gear. Snowfall occurs on roughly 4 days.
January in New York is outside the typical sweet spot for sightseeing weather. It can still be a great time to visit if you have specific reasons (festivals, off-season pricing, etc.).
How January compares to the rest of the year in New York
January is one of the coolest months in New York (12th of 12) and one of the wettest months (1st of 12). Daytime temperature runs 13°C below the annual average (17°C). January runs 3°C cooler than December (7°C) and warms a further 2°C into February (6°C).
January sunrise & sunset in New York
Times shown for New York local time (America/New_York), calculated for the 15th of January. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.
Photography light in New York — January
Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of January, in New York's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).
📅 When to book — New York in January
Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on January's tier (Off-peak) and New York's popularity.
January in United States — events that affect travel
Known cultural, religious, or national events that surge prices, fill hotels, or close businesses during this month. Plan around them, or build your itinerary around the ones you'd like to see.
Major travel surge plus widespread Dec 24-26 and Jan 1 business closures.
Plan: Book flights and hotels well ahead; expect many restaurants/shops closed Dec 25 and Jan 1.
Crowds & pricing — January in New York
This is off-peak for New York — the lowest prices of the year and the fewest crowds, but with real trade-offs: some restaurants, hotels, and beach businesses may close for the season; weather conditions can make outdoor activities unpredictable; and a handful of seasonal sights run reduced hours or close entirely. Great if you prefer a quiet local rhythm and don't mind the climate giving you reasons to choose indoor activities.
Why this tier: challenging tourism weather
Sun & mosquito risk — January in New York
UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.
🌨 Some snow — New York in January
Gear: Occasional snow, often slushy by afternoon. Waterproof boots, warm coat, hat and gloves.
Sea temperature in New York — January
Across the year New York's sea swings from 4.9°C (February) to 23.5°C (July) — January sits at 5.3°C.
New York in other months
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall | Rain days | Snow days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 4°C / 39°F | -3°C / 27°F | 84 mm | 11 | 4 |
| February | 6°C / 43°F | -2°C / 28°F | 78 mm | 10 | 3 |
| March | 11°C / 52°F | 2°C / 36°F | 109 mm | 11 | 2 |
| April | 17°C / 63°F | 7°C / 45°F | 105 mm | 11 | 0 |
| May | 22°C / 72°F | 13°C / 55°F | 102 mm | 11 | 0 |
| June | 27°C / 81°F | 18°C / 64°F | 99 mm | 10 | 0 |
| July | 30°C / 86°F | 21°C / 70°F | 117 mm | 11 | 0 |
| August | 29°C / 84°F | 21°C / 70°F | 113 mm | 10 | 0 |
| September | 25°C / 77°F | 17°C / 63°F | 99 mm | 9 | 0 |
| October | 18°C / 64°F | 11°C / 52°F | 102 mm | 9 | 0 |
| November | 13°C / 55°F | 6°C / 43°F | 96 mm | 10 | 1 |
| December | 7°C / 45°F | 0°C / 32°F | 102 mm | 11 | 3 |
Other cities with similar January weather
🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for New York in January →
Frequently asked questions
How hot is New York in January?
In January, New York averages a high of 4°C (39°F) and a low of -3°C (27°F) — generally cold.
Does it rain a lot in New York in January?
January can be fairly wet in New York, with about 11 rainy days on average and roughly 4 snow days.
Is January a good time to visit New York?
January is cold. It suits travelers who are comfortable with cold weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.
What should I pack for New York in January?
Pack heavy winter layers, a coat, hat and gloves, plus a compact umbrella or rain jacket. See the full January packing list for New York for a complete, climate-based checklist.
Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.