Best time to visit New York City: month-by-month weather (2026)
The highest-scoring months in New York City are Jun, Aug and Sep.
Best months
Jun, Aug and Sep
Peak season
Jun, Jul, Aug and Sep
Off season
Jan, Mar and Dec
Monthly Temperatures (°C)
Monthly Rainfall (mm)
Month-by-Month Guide
Temperature, rainfall and sunshine are measured. The visit score below is derived from those three (design spec §5.3)estimate.
Jan
Temp: -2.2°C – 5°C
Rain: 103mm
Sunshine: 5.7h/day
Visit score: 2.6/10
Feb
Temp: -2.2°C – 6.5°C
Rain: 65mm
Sunshine: 7.2h/day
Visit score: 3.8/10
Mar
Temp: 1.8°C – 11.5°C
Rain: 169mm
Sunshine: 8.2h/day
Visit score: 2.3/10
Apr
Temp: 7°C – 17°C
Rain: 107mm
Sunshine: 8.8h/day
Visit score: 4.7/10
May
Temp: 11.9°C – 21.7°C
Rain: 113mm
Sunshine: 10.2h/day
Visit score: 6.7/10
Jun
BestTemp: 17.4°C – 27.8°C
Rain: 93mm
Sunshine: 11h/day
Visit score: 8.2/10
Jul
Temp: 21.2°C – 30.9°C
Rain: 137mm
Sunshine: 11.8h/day
Visit score: 6.7/10
Aug
BestTemp: 18.6°C – 28.2°C
Rain: 119mm
Sunshine: 11h/day
Visit score: 8.2/10
Sep
BestTemp: 15.8°C – 25.1°C
Rain: 129mm
Sunshine: 8.7h/day
Visit score: 8.2/10
Oct
Temp: 9.8°C – 19.8°C
Rain: 80mm
Sunshine: 9h/day
Visit score: 6.7/10
Nov
Temp: 3.6°C – 12.4°C
Rain: 61mm
Sunshine: 7.4h/day
Visit score: 5.4/10
Dec
Temp: -1.5°C – 6°C
Rain: 133mm
Sunshine: 5.9h/day
Visit score: 2.6/10
When to go, and when not to
The most favorable months to visit New York City are June, August, and September, based on visit scores. June brings average highs of about 27.8C and lows of 17.4C, with around 93mm of rain and up to 11 hours of sunshine a day. August is similarly warm, with highs near 28.2C and the same 11 hours of sunshine, while September offers slightly cooler highs of about 25.1C and just under 9 hours of sunshine, making it a comfortable transition into autumn.
These months fall within the wider peak season of June through September, so travelers should expect larger crowds and higher demand at popular sites. July is the hottest month, with highs averaging 30.9C, and also one of the wettest, with about 137mm of rain, while March records the highest rainfall of the year at 169mm despite being part of the cheaper off-season alongside January and December.
Season Guide
Spring
March – May
Mild temperatures and blooming gardens. A great time for sightseeing with fewer crowds than summer.
Packing tips
- · Light layers
- · Rain jacket
- · Comfortable walking shoes
Summer
June – August
Warmest months with the longest days. Peak tourist season in most destinations.
Packing tips
- · Sunscreen
- · Hat
- · Light clothing
- · Refillable water bottle
Autumn
September – November
Cooling temperatures and autumn foliage. Shoulder season with good deals on accommodations.
Packing tips
- · Medium layers
- · Sweater
- · Waterproof jacket
Winter
December – February
Coldest months with shorter days. Holiday markets and winter activities in many cities.
Packing tips
- · Warm coat
- · Scarf and gloves
- · Thermal layers
- · Waterproof boots
Keep reading
Sources
- GeoNames city database — CC BY 4.0, fetched September 14, 2026
- Open-Meteo climate archive — CC BY 4.0, fetched September 21, 2026
AI-written interpretation reviewed against the data above — claude-sonnet-5, generated September 21, 2026. Every number on this page comes from a dataset named here; the formulas are public.