Weather in New York in April

How April compares

April is the 7th warmest month of the year in New York and ranks 127th of 134 destinations we compare for April - see where else is hot in April. Within United States it is 6th of 6 (United States in April). Against London's average high of 13.5°C in April, New York is 1.6°C warmer by day and 0.3°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in April

The typical April day in New York peaks at 15.1°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 21.9°C or more. Roughly 1 in 29 days top 25°C and 1 in 333 pass 30°C. Nights average 5.4°C; one night in ten drops to 0.8°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings - it is genuinely cool after dark. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest April day here reached 31.9°C (2002-04-17) and the coldest night -3.6°C (2016-04-05).

Rain in April

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 11 days with 1 mm or more, 92 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest April was 2007 with 207 mm, the driest 2013 with 31 mm. Humidity averages 68%.

Sea temperature in April

The sea averages 7.8°C - too cold for most (under 18°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 6.6°C to 9.1°C. For the warmest sea here, come in August (23.1°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 5.2 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 13.1 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 06:17 and sets about 19:35 local time in mid-April. Average cloud cover is 60%.

Is April a good time to visit New York?

April is not the strongest month here: mild days and frequent rain. The best months for New York on our scoring are August, July, June; months averaging 25°C or more: Jun, Jul, Aug.

A little warmer than London, but keep your coat

New York's average April daytime high is just 1.6°C above London's, so the difference is modest rather than a reason to travel for heat. Mild afternoons can suit spending time outside without summer heat, but the range matters: the warmest 10% of days reach 21.9°C or more, while the coldest 10% of nights fall to 0.8°C or lower. Pack layers you can remove during a warmer afternoon, along with a coat that feels comfortable after dark. Do not count on T-shirt weather throughout your stay. Days reaching 25°C account for only 3%, so a warm spell is a bonus rather than something to build the trip around.

Plan for wet spells, not just spring sunshine

April is wet enough that rain should shape your packing and plans. Bring a waterproof outer layer and footwear you are comfortable walking in when pavements are wet. About 5.2 hours of sunshine sit within 13.1 hours of daylight, so long days do not mean uninterrupted sun. Keep outdoor plans movable and leave room for time indoors when conditions turn unpleasant. The daylight gives you flexibility to shift a walk to a brighter part of the day, rather than pressing on in the rain. This is a workable month for travellers who can adapt, but a less convincing choice if your enjoyment depends on being outdoors throughout the day.