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According to the Köppen climate classification, the climate of New York City is humid subtropical (Cfa), with parts of the city transitioning into a humid continental climate. (Dfa).[1] The city experiences moderately cold, somewhat wet and snowy winters; and hot, humid summers with plentiful rainfall all year round. Also, New York's enormous population, human activity, and vast amounts of large buildings and streets, which absorb sunlight during the day, contribute significantly to the urban heat island effect. Were it not for this phenomenon, its climate would probably be within the humid continental temperature range.
Meteorological records have been kept at Central Park since 1821, although the station was relocated to a different part of the park on January 1, 1920.[2] There are also other weather stations in the area including one at LaGuardia Airport, beginning in 1940, and at JFK Airport, beginning in 1948. However, due to Central Park's long records and central location, it is often considered the main station for the city. Hence, all records unless otherwise stated will be for this station.
The highest temperature ever observed in Central Park is 106 °F (41 °C) on July 9, 1936 - although LaGuardia reported 107 °F (42 °C) on July 3, 1966, and the lowest is −15 °F (−26 °C) on February 9, 1934. The lowest daily maximum is 2 °F (−17 °C) on December 30, 1917. The highest daily minimum at Central Park is 87 °F (31 °C) on July 2, 1903.[3]
The city can be prone to extremes. Snowfall averages 29.8 in (75.7 cm) per year but is highly variable between winter seasons.[4] The city can also be prone to strong winds, being a coastal location it is exposed to the Atlantic. This can be especially pronounced during the autumn and winter months, with a gust of 78 miles per hour (126 km/h) being reported on December 2, 1974.[5] Governors Island, Manhattan, in New York Harbor, is planned to host a US$1 billion research and education center poised to make New York City the global leader in addressing the climate crisis.[6]
- ^ Peel, M.C.; Finlayson, B.L. "World Map of Köppen-Geiger climate classification". The University of Melbourne. Archived from the original on January 13, 2015. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
- ^ "Station Data Inventory, Access & History". NOAA. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
- ^ "Warmest and Coldest Days at Central Park (1869 to Present)" (PDF). NOAA. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
- ^ "Record Wet and Dry Years and Months at CPK". NWS Upton, New York. Retrieved 2020-07-05.
- ^ "All-Time Extremes Central Park, NY (1869 to Present)" (PDF). NOAA. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
- ^ "Mayor Adams, Trust For Governors Island Unveil Finalist Proposals For Climate Solutions Center". City of New York. October 26, 2022. Retrieved October 29, 2022.