What August feels like in New York
In New York, August brings late summer. Expect proper heat in the afternoon — slow down between noon and four. Once the sun goes down the air changes: nights stay warm. Some humidity hangs in the air, noticeable when the sun is strong.
Rain in New York in August
Expect a mix of dry and wet days, with rain about one day in 3. Rainy days are intense, averaging about 9.9 mm (0.4 in) — downpours rather than drizzle. Across the year New York averages about 10 mm per rainy day, so August is typical.
Daylight and sunshine in August
Mid-month, New York gets 13 h 51 min of daylight, from sunrise near 6:06 am to sunset near 7:56 pm. Evenings are drawing in — 59 min less daylight than mid-July. The sun is out for roughly 78% of those daylight hours, so there are plenty of bright spells.
How August compares to the rest of the year
August is the 2nd warmest month of the year in New York. Against July, the average high is 1.5°C (2.7°F) lower, with 9 mm less rain. September is cooler again. By September, typical highs are 24.4°C (75.9°F).
Who August suits
- Sightseeing: a good fit — the weather rarely gets in the way of a city walk.
- Parks & outdoor: less ideal — afternoons are too warm to linger outside.
- Beach: less ideal — too many rainy days.
Tips for visiting New York in August
Versatile Layers
Days are noticeably warmer than nights — layers you can add or remove.
Rain Protection
Keep a small umbrella in your bag and wear shoes that cope with puddles.
Sunglasses
Frequent sunshine — sunglasses and a light hat.
Quick questions
How warm is New York in August?
It feels hot: typical highs are 28°C (82.4°F), with lows near 19.6°C (67.3°F).
Does it rain a lot in New York in August?
Yes, fairly — rain falls about one day in 3 and totals about 109 mm, so an umbrella is worth carrying.
What should I wear in New York in August?
Pack versatile layers, rain protection and sunglasses. Evenings feel similar to the day, so the same clothes work from morning to night.
Is August or September better for visiting New York?
September scores better on our climate ranking (#1 of 12 vs #5), rated Great against Good. September is cooler and has fewer rainy days.