A New York City forecast packs a lot of information into a few lines, and knowing what each figure means makes it far more useful than just glancing at an icon.
High and Low Temperature
The high is the warmest air temperature expected during the day, usually reached in the mid-to-late afternoon; the low is the coolest, typically just before sunrise. Because Manhattan, the outer boroughs, and nearby New Jersey and Long Island suburbs don’t all warm and cool at the same rate, official readings from Central Park can run a degree or two apart from conditions at LaGuardia, JFK, or Newark.
“Feels Like” Temperature
This adjusts the actual air temperature for wind and humidity. In summer, high humidity can make it feel several degrees hotter than the thermometer reads (the heat index); in winter, wind chill can make it feel significantly colder, which matters for anyone walking to the subway or waiting on an exposed platform.
Chance of Precipitation
A 40% chance of rain doesn’t mean it will rain for 40% of the day — it means that, given similar atmospheric setups, rain has occurred somewhere in the forecast area about 40% of the time. Coastal sea breezes and building-heavy microclimates mean one neighborhood can stay dry while another gets a passing shower.
Wind, Humidity, and Dew Point
Wind direction matters as much as speed in NYC: a southerly flow off the Atlantic usually brings milder, moister air, while a northwest wind after a cold front signals a sharp temperature drop. Dew point is a more reliable humidity gauge than relative humidity — a dew point above 65°F starts to feel muggy, and above 70°F feels oppressive.
Where the Numbers Come From
Local forecasts blend data from National Weather Service models, private forecasting services, and real-time observations from stations across the five boroughs. Because short-range forecasts (0–48 hours) are the most reliable, checking the forecast again the morning of your plans is always smarter than trusting a forecast made several days earlier.
Use this page as a quick reference, and check back on our Today’s Forecast section each morning for the day’s outlook.