View Full Version : New York in December
LauraR
16 Jun 08, 05:17 PM
Hi
We are probably going for 3 nights at the end of December (coming home on 30th). Has anyone been in New York at this time of the year ? How cold is it and can you still walk around comfortably wrapped up?
Thanks
Laura
Captain Nemo
16 Jun 08, 06:26 PM
We spent 14th - 17th Dec 2007 in NYC. It was freezing and uncomfortable. The kids kept complaining that their faces were sore and really didn't want to walk outside - a guess it is just hit or miss with the weather, I won't go back at that time of year again.
freckles
16 Jun 08, 06:55 PM
It will be very cold, but the shops and xmas decorations are lovely. There's plenty to do indoors, but if you prefer sightseeing on foot, it would be better to go when its wamer.
kirst_al UK
16 Jun 08, 08:05 PM
we're going 24-28 december this year and i've been told to take plenty of layers....can have what you think is the warmest jacket in the world but it will still feel like the south pole...
KristyA
16 Jun 08, 08:48 PM
I went in Dec 05 and it was sooo cold, so just wrap up well. Went mid November last year which was less cold and the christmas stuff was already up.
Tom Morrow
16 Jun 08, 08:59 PM
We went in Feb '07 and I have never been so cold in all my life - make sure you take thermal underwear. Having said that, it was snowing and I feel that it added to the experience - you will love everything and will enjoy saying "I've been there" when watching tv. I wish I was coming with you.
:wavey:I went on January 1st this year and it was freezing I have honestly never been so cold in all my life.But loved NY just wished I had gone when the weather was a bit warmer.:thumbs-up
It depends on what you feel is cold. If you dont like temps below 45F then you'll be cold and uncomfortable. If you dont mind 30F then you'll be fine.
Dec 28 - 30 2007 the temp in NYC was between 35 and 51F.
In 2006 they were 34 to 48F.
In 2005 they were 33 to 51F.
The record low was -13F and record high was 70F.
jeanwales
17 Jun 08, 07:57 AM
We go in November and I already have a set of thermals ready for me and my friend.
I was on another forum where a lot of the NY locals post and they got a bit shirty with me for saying I was taking thermals as it wasn't that bad. I think I prefer to listen to people on here and go prepared. :)
Strommie
17 Jun 08, 08:12 AM
I went in mid December once, just before Christmas. It was very very cold, as others have said, but as long as you are prepared for it, then at least you know what to expect. I had a fantastic time, and would love to go back at Christmas time again :spin:
ljhleeds
17 Jun 08, 08:27 AM
We went for New Years Eve nearly 3 years ago and it was cold but not unbearable (even when we were stood outside in Times Square on new years eve for 9 hours!!) and was brilliant. You must see the tree at the Rockefella centre, its gorgeous. Chances are it will snow as well
2waterford
17 Jun 08, 08:58 AM
Have been in Dec/Jan 3 times and it is very cold.
We were there last December and had the kids with us and it was very cold. Walked the Brooklyn bridge and never experienced anything like the cold we had doing it. Lots of layers, thermals, hats scarves & gloves and good warm coat.
Lots of Coffee to warm us up through out the day. It was like a military operation to layer up each morning heading out.
However the next trip I make to NY I want it to be between May & Sept. Not just the weather but I would love to have a longer day and not have it getting dark at 4pm.
freakyjo114
17 Jun 08, 11:51 AM
We went in Dec in 05 and it was soo cold, not unbearably so but cold! We returned the following Dec and it was the mildest Dec they had had for years so we have had both extremes. I love NY when its cold and snowing, wouldn't like to go when it was hot and sticky.
We were there last December and had the kids with us and it was very cold. Walked the Brooklyn bridge and never experienced anything like the cold we had doing it. Lots of layers, thermals, hats scarves & gloves and good warm coat.
However the next trip I make to NY I want it to be between May & Sept. Not just the weather but I would love to have a longer day and not have it getting dark at 4pm.
I bet the wind chill on the bridge made it feel much colder. Worth it though.
Sept is a very nice time for NYC.
We go in November and I already have a set of thermals ready for me and my friend.
I was on another forum where a lot of the NY locals post and they got a bit shirty with me for saying I was taking thermals as it wasn't that bad. I think I prefer to listen to people on here and go prepared. :)
I remember last Nov it varied day to day. One day 40s next day 60s.
Best be prepared if you arent a cold weather person.
As you plan on using the bus often you may feel the cold more being in the open air.
jeanwales
18 Jun 08, 07:42 AM
I don't really care how cold it is - just want to get there!! As we will be on the top of the bus in the open air we will be well wrapped up! I read somewhere that they were talking of putting covers on the buses for the winter - they did that in Berlin and it wasn't the same. Hope they dont do that in NY. Us brits are hardy souls and used to the cold.
LauraR
18 Jun 08, 02:16 PM
Thanks for all the replies. It's our 10th wedding anniversary on December 30th so want to go at that time. Don't really mind the cold so can;t wait now.
Laura
birchco
18 Jun 08, 02:29 PM
We went November 30th - December 4th last year. Really cold, but bearable.
It snowed too which was great!
Pik of my husband Nick walking in the snow
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n260/birchco/DSCF1810.jpg
We also went in February this year and took the kids and it was absolutely freezing! My youngest daughter was really not coping with how cold it was so bought loads of more layers for her. Still had a fantastic time though, and will definitely be going back SOON!!
This is my eldest daughter Megan on the Liberty Ferry - I think you can see how cold it was!
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n260/birchco/DSCF2115.jpg
:wavey:They don't let anyone sit upstairs on the open bus when the temprature drops to a certain temp,sorry I can't remember what that was but while I was there in January they closed the top deck so I would go on a bus with a glass top so you don't miss anything.:thumbs-up
We did the 30th November - 5th December last year and it was freezing.
We are just back, today, after six days and the heat and humidity were unbearable at times. Never happy:blush::d::d:
To be honest I think we preferred it in December. You can always wrap up but it is difficult to get out of the heat/humidity and it is exhausting.
princess lil
18 Jun 08, 03:40 PM
OH MY GOD i have never been soooo cold in my life, there last december and it was bitter cold but i had the time of my life you will love it, go on one of the tour buses worth every penny just make sure you take plenty of thermals, ear muffs are a must, and a long coat cause your legs get really cold, wish i was going:wavey:
scottishwee35
18 Jun 08, 06:14 PM
We did the 30th November - 5th December last year and it was freezing.
We are just back, today, after six days and the heat and humidity were unbearable at times. Never happy:blush::d::d:
To be honest I think we preferred it in December. You can always wrap up but it is difficult to get out of the heat/humidity and it is exhausting.
Oh I love that photo, Beautiful:D
Scottishwee35
scottishwee35
18 Jun 08, 06:18 PM
On my 40th Brithday, we went to New York for 4 nights on Feb.
When we arrived and we relaised how cold it was. I bring the hat and gloves:o: and my husband didnt bring his hat and gloves and he realised how cold it was and he bought new hat and gloves. It was so freezing 6- as it was snowing on my birthday. Oh lovely but very cold brrrzzzzzing. We went to see the liberty and also we went to see the twin tower. We were on the top. I never forgot it and sadly 7 months later that was happened.
I am going back next year with 5 ladies for Xmas shopping and we are thinking about end of November as we want to see xmas lighting etc.
Scottishwee35
disney dave
18 Jun 08, 06:36 PM
we went dec 2000 spent by 40th birthday morning on top of the twin towers, never been so cold in my life there no snow just cold and blue skys..... we also went in august and it was so hot with the trapped heat around the bulidngs and the steam fromm the underground it was oppressive.... after that vist i much pefered the cold weather at least you can layer up and keep warm.
Finn family
18 Jun 08, 06:53 PM
We have been twice in early December and its the best time to go. All the decorations are out and the snow is too. If you are cold just wrap up coz all the shops, restaurants etc are really warm. I wouldnt go any other time. Book it
We did the 30th November - 5th December last year and it was freezing.
We are just back, today, after six days and the heat and humidity were unbearable at times. Never happy:blush::d::d:
To be honest I think we preferred it in December. You can always wrap up but it is difficult to get out of the heat/humidity and it is exhausting.
As I knew you were here in NY I thought to myself I'm glad Lynn came after the heat wave and has nice cool temps. I was worried it was too cold for the shorts you packed. What day was hot and humid? Thurs and Fri were beautiful I thought. Sat had t-storms at night around 8:30pm. I was at the theater and thought the thunder was part of the show :d: Sunday rained most of the afternoon. Mon and Tues werent bad either but then you were pounding the pavement and I was on the beach.
As I knew you were here in NY I thought to myself I'm glad Lynn came after the heat wave and has nice cool temps. I was worried it was too cold for the shorts you packed. What day was hot and humid? Thurs and Fri were beautiful I thought. Sat had t-storms at night around 8:30pm. I was at the theater and thought the thunder was part of the show :d: Sunday rained most of the afternoon. Mon and Tues werent bad either but then you were pounding the pavement and I was on the beach.
We arrived on Thursday afternoon and it was hot. On the Friday we went to Woodbury Common and it was a beautiful sunny day. Saturday we walked Brooklyn Bridge (luckily at 9am as it was getting hot by the time we reached the other side at 10am). By 3pm there was thunder, lightening and torrential rain, which lasted most of the night. Sunday we went up the ESB first thing and the walk there was hot and humid (saying that if you stay in the North of Scotland everyday was hot there:d::d:and we have no humidity). Monday we walked round "part" of Central Park probably covering a good 10 miles and then walked to Macy's from there:( (I was exhausted:blush:)We had heavy rain in the evening, the news said there had been a mini storm in some parts of NY, luckliy just lasting 30 minutes.
Yes pounding the pavements and down in the Subway was hot and hard going. Wish we had gone to the beach;):d::d: Oh and glad we missed the heatwave:d::d:
jenn9780
19 Jun 08, 07:15 PM
:) We go at lots of different times of the year, but mostly in Feb. It is normally absolutely freezing! But if you layer up and have a scarf around you face and ears you will be fine. in saying that though, we were there in Feb this year and two of the days were 69 degrees and we had to go buy t-shirts.
As you can tell, the weather is unpredictable but the lights and sights more than make up for that. It is just the best place ever!!:thumbs-up
kirst_al UK
19 Jun 08, 08:17 PM
However cold i maybe over xmas in nyc i really hope it snows :snow_cool
Yes pounding the pavements and down in the Subway was hot and hard going. Wish we had gone to the beach;):d::d: Oh and glad we missed the heatwave:d::d:
Yes, good thing you didnt arrive a week earlier. I'm afraid you would have melted :D
You had more rain on Saturday than I did but we needed it. My grass was turning brown :(
We visited NY in early April and it was a beautiful time to go. The days were warm and sunny every day except the last when it turned wet and a bit gloomy. We were there a week.
We found ourselves sitting in Central Park on the grass enjoying ice creams and 'people watching' - everyone was out and enjoying the fine weather and the Park was beautiful with all the blossom on the trees.
Evenings weren't too bad except for the night we took an open top bus on the night time loop, it was freezing, I thought my eyelids would seal shut from the cold as we travelled across Manhattan Bridge :omg::omg: I would urge anyone taking the open top bus to wrap up very warmly!! ;)
Diane x
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