It’s time to bundle up, New Yorkers! Now that everyone’s fingers have (hopefully) defrosted from that frosty morning commute, we’re hoping you’ve got enough feeling back to scroll—because we have some scoop on NYC’s icy temps for the week ahead.
While we may not be able to dogsled through Midtown (though it’s a great activity for a nearby weekend getaway) or spot a moose in Central Park, it sure does feel like we’re living in Alaska.
This week, an intense blast of Arctic air has settled in, sending temperatures plunging and teeth chattering. According to AccuWeather, Today, New York City’s daytime high is expected to reach just 25 degrees, but with the wind factored in, it will feel closer to a bone-chilling 14 degrees. Once the sun goes down, conditions will become even harsher, with nighttime temperatures dropping to 18 degrees and a RealFeel® near 9 degrees, cold enough to sting exposed skin within minutes.
To put that into perspective, Anchorage, Alaska—often the benchmark for extreme cold—will actually be experiencing similar, and in some ways milder, conditions. Today, Anchorage’s daytime high is forecast at 27 degrees, but thanks to calmer conditions, it will feel more like 32 degrees, noticeably warmer than New York’s daytime RealFeel®.
Overnight, Anchorage temperatures will dip to 16 degrees, yet the RealFeel® is expected to hover around 23 degrees, again making it feel significantly less brutal than New York City’s single-digit-feeling night. In other words, while Alaska keeps its reputation for icy weather, New Yorkers may be the ones truly braving those levels of cold.
It’s the perfect opportunity to curl up with hot cocoa here in the city, embrace cozy cafés, extra layers, and quiet winter streets, and enjoy New York at its most wintry. Dust off the heaviest coats, double up on layers, and don’t forget hats, scarves, and gloves, and prepare for the chill.