United States New York Weather in October — Climate Guide
October in New York is Excellent
New York Weather in October — Quick Answer
As of 2026- Avg temp
- 19° / 10°
- Rainfall
- 95mm · 9 days
- Crowds
- Busy
As of 2026, New York in October averages a high of 19°C and low of 10°C with 95mm of rain over about 9 days. Trench coat or medium jacket, sweater layers. Iconic NYC fall outfit. Daytime 17-20°C / 63-68°F, evenings cool. Folding umbrella daily.
October is Excellent for New York.
October is NYC's most photogenic autumn month. Trees in Central Park turn red and gold mid-to-late October. The classic Manhattan-in-trench-coat-with-coffee aesthetic is at its most natural.
Village Halloween Parade (October 31) on 6th Avenue between Spring and 16th Street is the largest Halloween parade in the US — 50,000+ costumed marchers, 2 million spectators. Free to watch from the sidewalks. Begins 7 PM.
Travel score
Fall foliage peak meets Halloween — the year's other best month
October Weather at a Glance
October ties with September as NYC's best. Average 19°C / 66°F highs and 11°C / 52°F lows — cooler but still warm enough for outdoor activities. Daylight shortens to 11 hours 25 minutes (sunrise 7:00, sunset 6:25). Central Park foliage peaks the second and third weeks of October — The Mall, Bow Bridge, Conservatory Garden, and Bethesda Terrace are the photo destinations. Late October introduces 5°C / 41°F mornings — a light puffer becomes useful.
October Travel Advice
Light jacket, sweater, dress shirt layering. Comfortable walking shoes for foliage walks. A scarf solves the morning-evening cool. October 31 brings the Village Halloween Parade (6th Avenue, Greenwich Village, 7-10 PM, 2 million spectators) — the country's largest Halloween parade since 1973. Anyone in costume can join. Open House New York (third weekend of October, two days) opens 200+ usually-closed buildings (rooftops, NYPD HQ, churches) to free public tours.
Flying In from Overseas
Korea's Chuseok and US fall peak season overlap make October airfare $2,500-3,500 round-trip. October week 2 (foliage peak) is simultaneously the best weather and an air-fare spike — book 2-3 months ahead. Daylight Saving Time ends the first Sunday of November, adding back an hour to time differences.
October Pricing Trends
Hotels: 3-star Midtown $400-550/night, 4-star $600-800. Foliage peak weekends (Oct 2-3 weeks) and Halloween weekend (Oct 31) run 30-40% higher. Early October or last week of October are the value windows.
New York October Weather Stats
Avg High
19°C
Avg Low
10°C
Rainy Days
9
95mm total
Sunshine
8h
Daily avg
Humidity
65%
Comfortable
UV Index
5
Moderate
Wind
14 km/h
Gusts 27
Crowds
Busy
At attractions
October Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
19 μg/m³
PM10
28 μg/m³
Status
Moderate
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
18°C
Nighttime
9°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
14 km/h
Max gust 27 km/h
Activities Recommended for October
October Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Autumn foliage at Central Park
- Halloween Parade in Greenwich Village (Oct 31)
- Hotel prices begin softening
Cons
- Rain frequency picks up
- Daylight savings ends late October — sunsets jump to 5:30 PM
- Halloween weekend crowds
October Events & Festivals
- Halloween Parade in Greenwich Village (October 31) — largest in the US
- NYC Marathon (first Sunday of November, but training season visible)
- Autumn foliage at Central Park (late October)
- Halloween haunted houses across NYC
New York in October — Full Picture
October is NYC's most photogenic autumn month. Trees in Central Park turn red and gold mid-to-late October. The classic Manhattan-in-trench-coat-with-coffee aesthetic is at its most natural.
Village Halloween Parade (October 31) on 6th Avenue between Spring and 16th Street is the largest Halloween parade in the US — 50,000+ costumed marchers, 2 million spectators. Free to watch from the sidewalks. Begins 7 PM.
Halloween haunted houses across NYC are at peak — Blood Manor (Manhattan, $40-60), Haunted House Returns (Brooklyn, $30-50), and pop-up immersive experiences. Reserve 1-2 weeks ahead.
New York City Marathon (first Sunday of November) training season is visible in October — early-morning runners through Central Park. Marathon spectator viewing the next month requires no tickets, viewing on streets.
Weather becomes properly autumnal — rain more frequent, daylight rapidly shortening (sunset 6:00 PM by month's end after daylight savings ends). Folding umbrella is daily essential.
Hotel prices begin softening from peak — late October sees rates 20% below September. Sweet spot for shoulder-season visits.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Trench coat or medium jacket, sweater layers. Iconic NYC fall outfit. Daytime 17-20°C / 63-68°F, evenings cool. Folding umbrella daily.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
16.7°C
7°C
12/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
28.7°C
19°C
10.3/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
Current18.7°C
10.3°C
9.3/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
5.3°C
-1.7°C
10.3/mo
New York Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4° | -3° | 11d·84mm | 5h | 64% | 1 | Moderate | Low season | |
| 6° | -2° | 10d·78mm | 6h | 64% | 2 | Moderate | Low season | |
| 11° | 2° | 12d·95mm | 7h | 62% | 4 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| April (Best) | 17° | 7° | 12d·110mm | 8h | 60% | 6 | Busy | Peak |
| May (Best) | 22° | 12° | 12d·115mm | 9h | 64% | 8 | Busy | Peak |
| June (Best) | 27° | 17° | 11d·105mm | 10h | 65% | 9 | Very busy | Peak |
| 30° | 20° | 10d·105mm | 10h | 64% | 9 | Very busy | Peak | |
| 29° | 20° | 10d·105mm | 9h | 67% | 8 | Busy | Shoulder | |
| September (Best) | 25° | 16° | 9d·100mm | 8.5h | 68% | 7 | Busy | Peak |
| October (Best) | 19° | 10° | 9d·95mm | 8h | 65% | 5 | Busy | Shoulder |
| 12° | 5° | 10d·95mm | 6h | 65% | 3 | Busy | Peak | |
| 6° | 0° | 10d·90mm | 5h | 64% | 1 | Very busy | Peak |
View Other Months
New York October Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is October a good time to visit New York?
New York in October is Excellent. Tourist crowds are busy and flight/hotel prices are shoulder.
What's the average temperature in New York in October?
New York October averages a high of 19°C and a low of 10°C.
Does it rain much in New York in October?
New York October averages 95mm of rainfall over about 9 rainy days.
What should I wear in New York in October?
Trench coat or medium jacket, sweater layers. Iconic NYC fall outfit. Daytime 17-20°C / 63-68°F, evenings cool. Folding umbrella daily.
What time are sunrise and sunset in New York in October?
New York October sunrise is 07:00 and sunset is 18:15, with 11h 15m of daylight.
What's the air quality like in New York in October?
New York October air quality (AQI) averages 45, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 19μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in New York in October?
In October, New York is great for Central Park autumn foliage, Halloween Parade, Halloween haunted houses.
Is October peak season in New York?
New York October crowds are busy and prices are shoulder. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
Best Months to Visit New York
View Other Months
Planning a October trip to New York?
You've checked the weather — next come the budget and the route.
Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.