Best time to visit New York, month by month

New York has four proper seasons – and they differ more than many visitors expect. July is humid and hot, January frosty, and in between are two shoulder seasons when the city is at its most pleasant. We analysed the weather of 2015 to 2024 for Manhattan: how warm does it get by day, how cold at night, and how much rain falls each month?

The short answer

For a classic city break with lots of walking, May, June, September and October are best. Daytime highs are between 19 and 26 °C, evenings are mild, and you can spend hours in Central Park, on the Brooklyn Bridge and in Manhattan's neighbourhoods. If you want to see the city lit up, go in the weeks before Christmas – and pack warm clothes. July and August are the hottest and most humid months, January and February the coldest, but hotels are often cheaper then.

New York's climate: all 12 months

Temperature and rain: average of 2015–2024 from the ERA5 reanalysis (via Open-Meteo) for Lower Manhattan, rounded. The values describe a grid cell of about 25 km; between the high-rises, summer often feels even hotter.

Two things stand out. Rain is spread evenly across the year – there is no real dry season. And the gap between summer and winter is large: in July it is on average 25 degrees warmer by day than in January. Rain in New York usually comes in short, heavy showers or thunderstorms rather than for days on end, but an umbrella belongs in every suitcase.

Spring (April to June): the city comes alive

In April daytime highs climb to almost 16 °C, but nights are still cool at 6 °C. This is when the cherry trees blossom, especially at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and in Central Park. May is the ideal month for many: 21 °C by day, less rain than in summer, and the parks are green. By June it is summery at 26 °C, with long warm evenings – good for rooftop bars and walks on the High Line.

Spring is also high season. Flights and hotels are in demand, especially around Easter and long weekends, so book your accommodation early.

Summer (July and August): hot, humid and stormy

July is the hottest month with an average high of 29.6 °C, and nights barely drop below 21 °C. Humidity is high. Heat builds up between the towers and subway stations are often stuffy, while shops and museums are strongly air-conditioned – bring a light layer for indoors. July is also the wettest month at 140 mm; the rain usually arrives as a short, heavy afternoon thunderstorm.

Summer still has its upsides: many parks run open-air programmes, and the subway takes you to the beach at Coney Island. Plan walking for the morning and evening and museums for the hottest hours.

The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June to November. New York is rarely hit directly, but the remnants of tropical storms can bring heavy rain in late summer. Check the forecast before you travel.

Autumn (September to November): the other best season

September is still warm at 25 °C, but the sticky heat eases. October brings 19 °C by day, clear air and, from the middle of the month, autumn colours in Central Park – for many the most beautiful time in New York. November is clearly cooler at 12.5 °C, but with 76 mm it is the driest month of the year.

Thanksgiving falls on the fourth Thursday in November and is one of the most important holidays in the US. The famous parade runs through Manhattan, many Americans travel, and some shops and restaurants close that day.

Winter (December to March): Christmas and frost

In the run-up to Christmas, New York is as festive as any city in the world: the big tree at Rockefeller Center, decorated windows on Fifth Avenue, ice rinks and holiday markets. At 7.4 °C by day and just above freezing at night, you need a coat, hat and gloves. Around Christmas and New Year the city is very busy and hotels are expensive.

January and February are the coldest months: 5 to 6 °C by day and on average nearly three degrees below zero at night. Snow is possible, and the wind between the towers feels colder than the thermometer suggests. On the other hand, flights and hotels are often cheapest after the holidays, and museums such as the Metropolitan Museum or MoMA are quieter. March remains changeable at just under 10 °C.

Month by month: our recommendation

New York trip planDay by day, with map and tips

Entry: don't forget the ESTA

Citizens of countries in the Visa Waiver Program – including the UK and most EU countries – do not need a visa for short trips to the US, but they do need an electronic travel authorisation (ESTA). You apply online before you travel, and it costs a fee. Only use the official US Customs and Border Protection website – many intermediaries charge extra. The current conditions are on the official site.

How to plan the trip

From London a direct flight to New York takes approx. 8 hours; the way back is usually faster thanks to tailwinds. New York is usually five hours behind UK time. Five to seven days are good for a first visit; a long weekend is enough for Manhattan only.

In YesTrip you enter New York and your dates and get a day-by-day plan with a map that keeps distances short – with the forecast for your travel days and a packing list that matches the weather (including the adapter for US plugs). You can take over our ready-made plan and adapt it; there is also a version for families.