It’s no secret New York City has been absurdly humid lately–it’s evident in our sweat-soaked clothing, frizzy hair, and the instant wall of moisture that hits us the second we step out our front door.
And look, we’re not trying to rush summer away…but we’d be lying if we said the past few weeks haven’t had us secretly dreaming of falling leaves, crisp autumn mornings, and sweater weather.
According to the Weather Channel, NYC has “literally been as humid as the Amazon Rainforest” recently. And sure, New Yorkers are no strangers to sticky July and August days, but many of us have been wondering: has it always been quite this bad?
Why Does NYC Feel Like a Jungle Right Now?
While the Amazon rainforest isn’t the single most humid place on Earth, it’s consistently one of the most muggy regions on the planet, averaging at least 2.4 inches of rainfall every month.
Sounds a lot like NYC recently, if you ask us.
But the real culprit behind that “heavy air” feeling in NYC isn’t just humidity—it’s the dew point.
When dew points cross 70°F, air transitions from uncomfortable to downright offensive. Paired with summer “heat domes” pushing real-feel temperatures over 100°F, NYC air has essentially been acting like a steam room.
NYC’s Transition to a “Humid Subtropical” Zone
This tropical feeling isn’t just a random fluke, either.
Back in 2020, NYC was officially reclassified from a coastal temperate climate zone to a humid subtropical climate zone by the the U.S. National Climate Assessment.
To qualify as humid subtropical, a region must average summer temperatures above 72°F and winter averages above 27°F–a requirement NYC has comfortably met over the last decade.
- Summer Averages: NYC consistently logs summer averages well above 73°F–79°F
- Winter Averages: Recent winters have remained mild, with December, January, and February staying around 31°F–35°F
How to Survive the NYC “Rainforest”
Until the fall breeze officially hits, here’s how we’re staying cool:
- Duck into one of NYC’s cooling centers for an afternoon
- Grab an extra-large iced beverage at your favorite neighborhood coffee shop
- Hide out at one of these waterfront spots where you might actually catch a breeze
With all that being said, one thing’s for sure: we’re happy to know we can survive the Amazon Rainforest–just as long as there’s an iced coffee and ac unit nearby!