Best Time to Visit New York
United States · Humid Continental climate · Data averaged from 2020-01-01 to 2024-12-31 (5 years)
Recommended Months
Based on temperature comfort, low precipitation, and sunshine hours, the best time to visit New York is:
June → August → July
June scores 63/100 — the highest-rated month for travel.
Monthly Ratings (0-100)
Scores are weighted: temperature comfort (50%), low precipitation (30%), sunshine (20%). Higher is better.
| Month | Overall Score | Temp Comfort | Precipitation | Sunshine | Bar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| February | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| March | 8 | 16 | 0 | 0 | |
| April | 19 | 38 | 0 | 0 | |
| May | 32 | 64 | 0 | 0 | |
| June | 47 | 94 | 0 | 0 | |
| July | 44 | 89 | 0 | 0 | |
| August | 48 | 95 | 0 | 0 | |
| September | 42 | 85 | 0 | 0 | |
| October | 29 | 58 | 0 | 0 | |
| November | 14 | 28 | 0 | 0 | |
| December | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Monthly Temperature Comfort
| Month | Mean Temp | Comfort Level |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1.4°C (34.5°F) | Cool (0-9°C) |
| February | 1.9°C (35.4°F) | Cool (0-9°C) |
| March | 6.3°C (43.3°F) | Cool (0-9°C) |
| April | 10.6°C (51.1°F) | Mild (10-17°C) |
| May | 15.8°C (60.4°F) | Mild (10-17°C) |
| June | 21.7°C (71.1°F) | Warm (18-24°C) |
| July | 25.2°C (77.4°F) | Hot (25-29°C) |
| August | 24.0°C (75.2°F) | Warm (18-24°C) |
| September | 20.0°C (68.0°F) | Warm (18-24°C) |
| October | 14.6°C (58.3°F) | Mild (10-17°C) |
| November | 8.5°C (47.3°F) | Cool (0-9°C) |
| December | 3.4°C (38.1°F) | Cool (0-9°C) |
Monthly Precipitation Rating
| Month | Rainfall (mm) | Rainy Days | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 101.5 mm | 12.0 | Very Wet |
| February | 87.8 mm | 10.0 | Wet |
| March | 128.6 mm | 14.0 | Very Wet |
| April | 126.2 mm | 16.0 | Very Wet |
| May | 86.1 mm | 13.2 | Wet |
| June | 83.0 mm | 14.2 | Wet |
| July | 144.4 mm | 18.4 | Very Wet |
| August | 134.4 mm | 18.0 | Very Wet |
| September | 135.8 mm | 12.2 | Very Wet |
| October | 146.6 mm | 13.2 | Very Wet |
| November | 75.4 mm | 10.8 | Wet |
| December | 119.6 mm | 12.2 | Very Wet |
Monthly Sunshine Rating
| Month | Sunshine (hrs/day) | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| January | 5.7 hrs | Moderate |
| February | 6.7 hrs | Good |
| March | 8.1 hrs | Excellent |
| April | 8.9 hrs | Excellent |
| May | 10.6 hrs | Excellent |
| June | 11.7 hrs | Excellent |
| July | 11.7 hrs | Excellent |
| August | 10.7 hrs | Excellent |
| September | 9.1 hrs | Excellent |
| October | 8.1 hrs | Excellent |
| November | 7.5 hrs | Good |
| December | 5.8 hrs | Moderate |
Season-by-Season Breakdown
Spring (Mar-May)
Temperature: 10.9°C (51.6°F)
Rainfall: 113.6mm avg
Sunshine: 9.2 hrs/day
Humidity: 66.9%
Rainy Days: 14.4/mo
Mild transitional weather — comfortable for most activities.
Summer (Jun-Aug)
Temperature: 23.6°C (74.5°F)
Rainfall: 120.6mm avg
Sunshine: 11.4 hrs/day
Humidity: 72.0%
Rainy Days: 16.9/mo
This is the warm season. Ideal for outdoor activities but be prepared for heat.
Autumn (Sep-Nov)
Temperature: 14.4°C (57.9°F)
Rainfall: 119.3mm avg
Sunshine: 8.2 hrs/day
Humidity: 72.2%
Rainy Days: 12.1/mo
Mild transitional weather — comfortable for most activities.
Winter (Dec-Feb)
Temperature: 2.2°C (36.0°F)
Rainfall: 103.0mm avg
Sunshine: 6.1 hrs/day
Humidity: 70.8%
Rainy Days: 11.4/mo
This is the cool season. Pack warm layers and plan indoor activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to visit New York?
Based on our data-driven analysis, the best months to visit New York are June, August, July, when temperatures are comfortable, rainfall is lower, and sunshine is plentiful. June scores 63/100, the highest-rated month.
What is the hottest month in New York?
July is the hottest month with an average temperature of 25.2°C (77.4°F).
What is the coldest month in New York?
January is the coldest month with an average temperature of 1.4°C (34.5°F).
When is the rainy season in New York?
October is the wettest month with an average of 146.6mm of precipitation. New York experiences about 164.0 rainy days per year. The driest month is November with 75.4mm.
What should I pack for a trip to New York?
Packing recommendations depend on the season of your visit. Based on the climate data, pack lightweight, breathable clothing if visiting during the warm months (July is hottest at 25.2°C). For cooler months, bring layers and a warm jacket (January averages 1.4°C). A waterproof jacket or umbrella is recommended year-round as New York receives 1369.0mm of annual precipitation. Sun protection is important, especially during months with high UV index.
There's something about New York in October — the city wears autumn like a costume. Central Park becomes a canvas of red and gold, and there's a crispness in the air that makes walking feel like a gift. I've visited in every season, and while summer's energy is infectious, it's the shoulder seasons — May and October — that reveal the city's true character. Winter is brutally cold, but the empty museum lines almost make it worth it.
Data Source: Open-Meteo historical archive (2020-01-01 to 2024-12-31). Daily measurements aggregated into monthly climate normals. Coordinates: 40.71°, -74.01°. Timezone: America/New_York. Last updated: 2026-07-30.