New York has four distinct seasons: cold winters with the odd big snowstorm, hot and humid summers, and changeable springs and autumns in between. Its clock runs on Eastern Time, the reference for US markets, national television and much of the country's business day.
Climate overview
New York City has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa), close to the boundary with humid continental. Continental air masses bring cold winters and hot summers, while the Atlantic Ocean moderates temperatures slightly, especially near the coast. Average highs range from 4°C in January to 29°C in July, and average lows from −2°C in the coldest month to 21°C in midsummer.
Precipitation is spread very evenly through the year: about 1,258 mm in total, falling on roughly 100 days, with every month between 81 mm and 117 mm. In winter some of it falls as snow, and in late summer and autumn the remnants of tropical storms can bring very heavy rain in a short time.
- New York
- London
Show the numbers
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 4.2 | 5.7 | 9.9 | 16.6 | 21.9 | 26.5 | 29.4 | 28.5 | 24.5 | 18.1 | 12.2 | 6.9 |
| London | 8.6 | 9.1 | 11.9 | 15.1 | 18.4 | 21.4 | 23.6 | 23.3 | 20.2 | 15.9 | 11.6 | 9.0 |
New York through the seasons
Winter (December to February)
Winters are cold, with highs of 4–7°C and January lows of −2°C. Cold snaps from Canada can push temperatures far below the averages for days at a time. Snowstorms, including powerful nor'easters, can bury the city in a single event, though some winters see very little snow. Wind funnelled between tall buildings and along the rivers makes it feel colder still.
Spring (March to May)
Spring warms from 10°C in March to 22°C in May, but it can swing between cold, rainy days and warm, sunny ones in the same week. Late April and May bring blossom to Central Park and the city's botanical gardens.
Summer (June to August)
Summer is hot and humid, with highs of 27–29°C and warm nights of 18–21°C. Heatwaves come most summers, and the heavy air makes them feel worse than the thermometer reads. Afternoon thunderstorms often break the heat. Subway platforms can be stifling, so carry water.
Autumn (September to November)
Autumn is often the most pleasant season. September is still warm at 25°C, October crisp and colourful at 18°C, and November cools to 12°C. Tropical storms can occasionally reach the region in late summer and early autumn.
What makes New York's weather distinctive
Nor'easters are the city's signature winter storm: low-pressure systems that track up the Atlantic coast, named for the strong north-easterly winds they bring. They can deliver heavy snow, damaging gusts and coastal flooding at the same time, and can shut down airports and transport for a day or more.
The bigger threat in summer and autumn is water. Hurricane Sandy in October 2012 pushed a storm surge into lower Manhattan and flooded subway tunnels, and the remnants of Hurricane Ida in September 2021 brought intense rain that flooded basements and subway stations across the city. When a tropical storm is forecast, follow city emergency alerts and expect transport disruption.
Best time to visit New York
May to June and September to October are the best times to visit New York, with highs of 22–27°C in late spring and 18–25°C in early autumn. Autumn is especially popular for its clear, crisp days and colourful parks. December is cold but festive, with the city's holiday lights and windows at their best. July and August are hot and humid, and January and February are the coldest, quietest and often cheapest months.
What to pack
- A warm winter coat, hat, gloves and waterproof boots from December to March
- Light, breathable clothing for summer, plus a layer for air-conditioned interiors
- A compact umbrella: rain falls in every month
- Layers for spring and autumn, when days can start cold and end warm
- Comfortable walking shoes: New York is best seen on foot
Time in New York
New York uses the America/New_York time zone and is currently on UTC−5. It keeps Eastern Standard Time (UTC−5) in winter and Eastern Daylight Time (UTC−4) from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November, with the clocks changing at 2:00 a.m. local time. The next change forward is on 14 March 2027. The next change back is on 7 November 2027.
Living on New York time
On 18 November 1883, known as "the day of two noons", North American railroads replaced dozens of local times with standard zones; clocks in New York were set back by about four minutes. Congress made time zones and daylight saving time federal law with the Standard Time Act of 1918.
Eastern Time is the default reference for US national television schedules, financial markets and many company deadlines, so much of the country, and plenty of international firms, works to New York's clock. Early calls before 8 a.m. are uncommon outside a few industries, but the working day often runs late.
New Year's Eve in Times Square has featured a ball drop since 1907. When the ball reaches the bottom at midnight, it is already 5 a.m. in London and 2 p.m. on New Year's Day in Tokyo: most of the world has been celebrating for hours.
Scheduling with New York
Right now New York is 5 hours behind London and 3 hours ahead of Los Angeles. The New York morning overlaps with the London afternoon, the busiest window of the day for transatlantic business. Europe changes its clocks on the last Sundays of March and October, so the gap with London shrinks by an hour for two to three weeks each spring and one week each autumn: a classic cause of missed meetings. Asia is the hard case. New York's evening meets the next morning in Tokyo, and New York is 14 hours behind Tokyo. Our guide to scheduling meetings across time zones has a step-by-step method.
| With | Difference | Time in New York | Their time |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | +5 h | 09:00–13:00 | 14:00–18:00 |
| Dubai | +9 h | No overlap | – |
| Tokyo | +14 h | No overlap | – |
| Sydney | +16 h | 17:00–18:00 | 09:00–10:00 |
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 March | 06:58 | 19:08 | 12 h 9 min |
| 21 June | 05:25 | 20:30 | 15 h 5 min |
| 22 September | 06:43 | 18:53 | 12 h 9 min |
| 21 December | 07:16 | 16:31 | 9 h 15 min |
Frequently asked questions
How cold does New York get in winter?
January averages 4°C by day and −2°C at night. Cold snaps can bring temperatures well below these averages for several days.
Does it snow a lot in New York?
Snowfall varies widely from year to year. Some winters bring several big storms, while others see very little snow at all.
When is the best time to visit New York?
Late spring and early autumn, May, June, September and October, offer the most comfortable weather.
Does New York observe daylight saving time?
Yes. Clocks go forward one hour on the second Sunday in March and back on the first Sunday in November. The offset in use right now is UTC−5.
How far behind London is New York?
Usually five hours. For two to three weeks in March and about one week around the end of October it is only four hours, because the US and UK change their clocks on different dates.