New York City sits on the northeastern Atlantic coast of the United States, at the mouth of the Hudson River, at approximately 40.71°N, 74.01°W. It has a climate on the boundary between humid subtropical and humid continental (Köppen Cfa/Dfa), with hot, humid summers and cold winters and four distinct seasons. The Atlantic moderates its temperatures — milder in winter and cooler in summer than places inland — while a strong urban heat island keeps the dense city warmer than its surroundings.

Summer, from June to August, is warm to hot and humid, with July the warmest month — average highs around 29–30°C — and hot, muggy spells that can push temperatures past 35°C, made to feel hotter still by humidity and the city's concrete and asphalt. Late-afternoon thunderstorms are common, and the remnants of tropical systems can occasionally bring heavy rain and wind in late summer and autumn, as Hurricane Sandy did in 2012.

Winter, from December to February, is cold, with January the coldest month — average highs around 4°C and lows near -3°C — kept milder than inland cities by the Atlantic, though cold snaps can drop temperatures well below freezing. Snow falls most winters, averaging around 75 cm a year but highly variable, and powerful coastal storms called nor'easters can occasionally bring heavy snow, wind and blizzard conditions.

New York is fairly wet, receiving around 1,200–1,270 mm of precipitation a year, spread remarkably evenly across all months — every month sees meaningful rain, with a slight spring maximum — so there is no dry season. A share of the winter total falls as snow. Live rainfall, humidity, and pressure readings for the city are shown in the panels above.

New York's coastal position gives it changeable weather where continental and maritime air masses meet, and two hazards stand out: the winter nor'easter, a powerful coastal storm that can bury the city in snow, and the late-summer threat of tropical systems tracking up the Atlantic seaboard. A pronounced urban heat island keeps Manhattan several degrees warmer than the surrounding region, especially on clear nights.

To follow any single measurement in New York more closely, use our live instruments: the online barometer for atmospheric pressure, the thermometer for temperature, the hygrometer for humidity, the anemometer for wind speed, the wind vane for wind direction, and the rain gauge for rainfall.