New York City swings from 80-degree warmth to first snow threat
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The gist
New York City hit 80 degrees Wednesday before a cold front dropped weekend highs into the 50s.
Parts of upstate New York could see their first snow of the season.
Background
The National Weather Service is the U.S. government agency that issues the forecasts and advisories cited here. This week brought a record-breaking warm-up across the central and eastern United States, followed by a sharp cooldown that forecasters describe as a "weather whiplash" effect. New York City reached 80 degrees on Wednesday, then a cold front brought the coolest air of the season, with weekend highs falling roughly 20 degrees into the 50s. Higher elevations in upstate New York and New England could see the season's first light, lake-effect snow.
How it unfolded
- Oct 9, 2026A weak surface trough passes through the region Friday morning into early afternoon, with high pressure building in afterward; dry and seasonable conditions with mostly clear skies, and overnight temperatures Friday into Saturday could dip into the upper 30s to lower 40s in typically cool spots, though no frost or freeze is expected.
- Oct 11, 2026Rain moves into the region early Sunday morning and continues throughout the day, accompanied by breezy conditions; heavy at times with embedded thunderstorms possible, flash flooding possible, 1 to 3 inches of rain expected with isolated higher amounts before the system moves out Monday morning.
- Oct 12, 2026The Climate Prediction Center's latest seasonal outlook indicates an increased chance of above-normal temperatures across New York through March 2027, with chances ranging from 50% to 60%.
- Oct 14, 2026Wednesday is unusually warm and humid, with highs forecast to reach 80 degrees on Staten Island and in other parts of New York City; the warmth peaks across the Northeast with temperatures expected to reach 88 degrees in Washington, D.C., 84 in Philadelphia and 80 in New York City.
- Oct 15, 2026Parts of New York could see their first snowfall of the season this weekend, according to AccuWeather and the National Weather Service.
- Oct 16, 2026Thursday sees a high temperature of 64 degrees and mostly sunny skies before a weather system arrives Thursday night into Friday morning, bringing showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms through Friday evening.
- Oct 17, 2026Strong winds with gusts up to 45 mph hit Staten Island Friday night into Saturday morning as a cold front brings the coolest air of the season, the National Weather Service said; temperatures see a large swing, with a daytime high of 75 and overnight lows in the 40s.
- Oct 18, 2026Temperatures warm up slightly later in the day Sunday, with daytime highs near 60 degrees and lighter winds; higher terrain in upstate New York and New England could see the season's first light, lake-effect snow on Saturday.
- Oct 19, 2026Remnant moisture from a tropical system interacts with mid-latitude energy, bringing moderate to locally heavy rainfall starting Sunday into Monday; a widespread one inch of rain is forecast, though 1 to 2 inches with locally higher amounts cannot be ruled out.
- Oct 20, 2026Improving conditions are expected by Tuesday as the rain-producing system moves out of the region.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- The National Weather Service said strong winds with gusts up to 45 mph will hit Staten Island Friday night into Saturday morning as a cold front brings the coolest air of the season.
- Expert
- AccuWeather expert meteorologist Peyton Simmers said any snow that falls won't amount to much and will only fall at the highest elevations this weekend, with mountain cabins and lakes in New York and northern Vermont possibly getting snowflakes that can coat the grass.
- Caution
- The National Weather Service said residents should monitor later forecast updates as the exact track and intensity of the Sunday-Monday rainfall could shift projected totals.
Still unverified
A widespread one inch of rain is forecast, though 1 to 2 inches with locally higher amounts cannot be ruled out given elevated moisture in the atmosphere; the National Weather Service said the exact track and intensity of the Sunday-Monday rainfall could shift projected totals.