New York's climate ranges from the stickily hot and humid in mid-summer
to well below freezing in January and February: deep midwinter and high summer
(many people find the city unbearable in July and August) are much the worst
time you could come. Spring is gentle, if unpredictable, and usually wet, while
fall is perhaps the best season: come at either time and you'll find it easier
to get things done and the people more welcoming. Whatever time of year you
come, dress in layers: buildings tend to be overheated during winter months and
air-conditioned to the point of iciness in summer. Also bring comfortable and
sturdy shoes - you're going to be doing a lot of walking.
F?
C?
RAINFALL
AVERAGE
AVERAGE
AVERAGE
MONTHLY
MAX
MIN
MAX
MIN
IN
MM
Jan
38
26
3
-3
3.5
89
Feb
40
27
4
3
3.1
79
March
50
35
10
2
4.0
102
April
61
44
16
7
3.8
97
May
72
54
22
12
4.4
112
June
80
63
27
17
3.6
91
July
85
69
29
21
4.4
112
Aug
84
67
29
19
4.1
104
Sept
76
60
24
16
4.0
102
Oct
65
50
18
10
3.4
86
Nov
54
41
12
5
4.4
112
Dec
43
31
6
-1
3.8
97
Events
Hardly a week goes by without a special event taking place in New York. In
fact, there are some 50 officially recognised parades each year, along with more
than 400 street fairs. Most of these fairs offer a rather unremarkable selection
of fast-food stands, house plants, athletic socks and cheap belts, however, so
don't go out of your way. Times Square's New Year's Eve festivities are
probably the most famous in the world; less popular is the 5 mile (8km) midnight
run in Central Park. On 5 January, thousands of children wander up 5th Ave, in a
cavalcade of sheep, camels and donkeys, for the Three Kings Parade. The
St Patrick's Day Parade down 5th Ave on 17 March has been held every year
for 200 years.
