New York in October

In October, New York averages 18°C (64°F) during the day and 11°C (52°F) at night, with around 9 days of rain (102 mm total).

Shoulder

Conditions are comfortable for sightseeing without being sweltering. Occasional showers are likely but won't dominate.

It's peak hurricane season in New York during October. Travel is possible but expect storm risk, possible flight disruption, and generally lower travel insurance coverage.

18°C
Avg high
11°C
Avg low
9
Rain days
102 mm
Rainfall

How October compares to the rest of the year in New York

6th
warmest month of the 12
12th
wettest month of the 12
8%
of yearly rainfall falls in October
11 h 10 min
daylight on the 15th

October is in the middle of the year for warmth in New York (6th of 12) and one of the driest months (12th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 1°C above the annual average (17°C). October runs 7°C cooler than September (25°C) and cools 5°C in November (13°C).

October sunrise & sunset in New York

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
7:06 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
6:16 PM
Day length
11 h 10 min

Times shown for New York local time (America/New_York), calculated for the 15th of October. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.

Photography light in New York — October

Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of October, in New York's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
6:06 AM – 6:46 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
6:46 AM – 7:46 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
5:36 PM – 6:36 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
6:36 PM – 7:16 PM

📅 When to book — New York in October

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 October's tier (Shoulder) and New York's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
6-10 weeks
Sweet spot for value. Major fare-sales (US: Black Friday, EU: post-Easter) hit hardest in shoulder months for shoulder travel. ⚠ Peak hazard season — book flexible-change tickets and travel insurance with weather-disruption coverage.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
4-8 weeks
Lots of selection. Look for shoulder-season packages — many hotels add value (free breakfast, spa credit) to fill rooms.

Crowds & pricing — October in New York

Shoulder

New York is in a shoulder season month — fewer crowds, slightly lower prices, and a calmer atmosphere than peak weeks. Most major sights stay open with normal hours, though a handful of seasonal restaurants or boat trips may run reduced schedules. Many regulars consider these months the best time to visit because you trade a small amount of weather reliability for a much more pleasant on-the-ground experience.

Why this tier: excellent tourism weather peak hazard season (1 active)

Sun & mosquito risk — October in New York

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
7.2
High
Cover up and apply SPF 30+ for any outdoor activity longer than 30 minutes.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●●○○○
Low
Mosquitoes present but manageable. Pack repellent (DEET 10-20%) for evenings near water.

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.

Sea temperature in New York — October

17.5°C (64°F)
cool
swimmable but bracing — wetsuit helps for long sessions

Across the year New York's sea swings from 4.9°C (February) to 23.5°C (July) — October sits at 17.5°C.

New York in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow 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 October weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for New York in October →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is New York in October?

In October, New York averages a high of 18°C (64°F) and a low of 11°C (52°F) — generally mild and pleasant.

Does it rain a lot in New York in October?

October sees occasional rain in New York, with about 9 rainy days on average.

Is October a good time to visit New York?

October is mild and pleasant. It suits travelers who are comfortable with mild and pleasant weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.

What should I pack for New York in October?

Pack light layers for warm days and cooler evenings. See the full October packing list for New York for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open New York on the interactive map

Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.