What September feels like in New York
In New York, September brings early autumn. Days are warm enough for short sleeves, and time outdoors is easy. Once the sun goes down the air changes: nights stay mild. Some humidity hangs in the air, noticeable when the sun is strong.
Rain in New York in September
Expect a mix of dry and wet days, with rain about one day in 3. Rainy days are intense, averaging about 11.5 mm (0.5 in) — downpours rather than drizzle. Across the year New York averages about 10 mm per rainy day, so September is typical.
Daylight and sunshine in September
Mid-month, New York gets 12 h 32 min of daylight, from sunrise near 6:35 am to sunset near 7:07 pm. Evenings are drawing in — 1 h 19 min less daylight than mid-August. Measured sunshine covers about 73% of the daylight — there are plenty of bright spells.
How September compares to the rest of the year
Ranked by average high, September comes out as the 4th warmest month in New York. Compared with August, afternoons are 3.6°C (6.5°F) cooler, with 5 mm less rain. October is cooler again. The next month's average high: 18.3°C (64.9°F).
Who September suits
- Sightseeing: a good fit — daytime temperatures are fine for walking around.
- Parks & outdoor: a good fit — comfortable for long walks and picnics.
- Beach: less ideal — too many rainy days.
Tips for visiting New York in September
Versatile Layers
Mornings and evenings are cooler than midday, so dress in layers.
Rain Protection
Keep a small umbrella in your bag and wear shoes that cope with puddles.
Sunglasses
Bright days make sunglasses worth packing.
Quick questions
How warm is New York in September?
Expect around 24.4°C (75.9°F) in the afternoon and 16.2°C (61.2°F) at night, which most visitors would call warm.
Does it rain a lot in New York in September?
Quite a lot — 104 mm spread over about 9 days.
What should I wear in New York in September?
Based on the averages: versatile layers, rain protection and sunglasses. Bring something extra for the cooler evenings.
Is September or October better for visiting New York?
September, narrowly: it ranks #1 of 12 among New York's months, against #2 for the other. October is cooler.