URGENT UPDATE: New York City is bracing for a bitterly cold New Year’s Eve as weather forecasts predict the coldest ball drop in nearly a decade. With around a million revelers expected in Times Square, temperatures are set to plummet from a high of 34°F to around 30°F by midnight, when the iconic ball drops.
AccuWeather Meteorologist Jesse Ferrell warns that if the forecast holds, this year’s midnight temperature could dip to a chilling 9°F, making it the coldest since New Year’s Eve 2017. The combination of dry air and westerly winds of 10-15mph will create a wind chill that makes it feel like the teens to 20s, prompting officials to advise attendees to dress warmly.
As the countdown to January 1, 2026 begins, light snow is expected to fall in the city from 9 PM until midnight, with a greater chance of flurries continuing into the early hours of Thursday morning. The National Weather Service reports that snow could mix with celebratory confetti at the stroke of midnight, marking the first significant snowfall during the ball drop since 2009.
“If there is snow during the ball drop, it will be a noteworthy event,” Ferrell stated. “While light snow was reported in 2013, it occurred during the day, making this a potential first since the storm in 2009, which brought 1.5 inches of snow to Manhattan.”
Those traveling to the city for the celebrations are advised to exercise caution. Snowy conditions are predicted to affect highways leading into the city, particularly for travelers coming from the north and west. Forecasters caution that interstates 78, 80, 81, and 90, along with the Pennsylvania Turnpike and the New York Thruway, may experience slippery conditions due to snow accumulation.
AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dave Dombek indicated that a weak storm could develop offshore, potentially bringing additional snow to parts of Long Island and southeastern New England overnight. If the storms converge, New York City could see a coating of up to 1 inch of snow, creating hazardous travel conditions.
As excitement builds for the New Year, revelers are encouraged to seek shelter from the wind by positioning themselves along 7th Avenue or Broadway, avoiding intersections that expose them to the harsh winds sweeping through the city. With a chilly evening on the horizon, the urgency for warm attire and careful planning is clear for anyone heading to Times Square.
Stay tuned for the latest updates as the clock counts down to midnight and New York City welcomes 2026 under snowy skies.
