Snow for Christmas in New York City? and more??
Dec 17th, 2006, 01:31 AM
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Snow for Christmas in New York City? and more??
Hi All
We are from Sydney Australia and getting mArried in September 2007 but will postpone our Honeymoon until December. Main reason is I would love to see a white christmas from what I have read doesnt seem to snow until January? What can we expect from New York if we arrive on the 26th December are there usually sales? Is it too cold to do alot during the days? Thanks in adavnce for your help.
Rose
We are from Sydney Australia and getting mArried in September 2007 but will postpone our Honeymoon until December. Main reason is I would love to see a white christmas from what I have read doesnt seem to snow until January? What can we expect from New York if we arrive on the 26th December are there usually sales? Is it too cold to do alot during the days? Thanks in adavnce for your help.
Rose
Dec 17th, 2006, 02:49 AM
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The chance of there being a white Christmas in NYC is pretty low, and the chances of it being cold are very high.
I find that the temperature in NYC in winter seems about 10 degrees (F) colder than the thermometer reads.
a) you tend to be outside walking while visiting NY than you normally would on a cold day at home, so you are exposed to the cold longer than you may think.
b) with the tall buildings there is no direct sun to warm your back as you walk down the street and there can be strong winds blowing through the deep caverns between buildings
For December in NYC I recommend full length wool coat (not a waist length jacket), otherwise you likely freeze your arse off. Hat, scarf, and warm gloves are mandatory, as are comfortable walking shoes.
If you don't have a full length wool (or warmer) coat, then a ski parka or other jacket will be ok. Long underwear or tights under pants are a plus, as are multiple layers over the torso.
In other words, be prepared for staying outside for hours in seemingly bone chilling cold. The daytime high temperatures are somewhat meaningless, as you'll be spending much of your time outside mornings, evenings, or even night time (it gets dark ~4:30pm). If it a warm spell, then you can doff the scarf and hat and unbutton the jacket.
I find that the temperature in NYC in winter seems about 10 degrees (F) colder than the thermometer reads.
a) you tend to be outside walking while visiting NY than you normally would on a cold day at home, so you are exposed to the cold longer than you may think.
b) with the tall buildings there is no direct sun to warm your back as you walk down the street and there can be strong winds blowing through the deep caverns between buildings
For December in NYC I recommend full length wool coat (not a waist length jacket), otherwise you likely freeze your arse off. Hat, scarf, and warm gloves are mandatory, as are comfortable walking shoes.
If you don't have a full length wool (or warmer) coat, then a ski parka or other jacket will be ok. Long underwear or tights under pants are a plus, as are multiple layers over the torso.
In other words, be prepared for staying outside for hours in seemingly bone chilling cold. The daytime high temperatures are somewhat meaningless, as you'll be spending much of your time outside mornings, evenings, or even night time (it gets dark ~4:30pm). If it a warm spell, then you can doff the scarf and hat and unbutton the jacket.
Dec 17th, 2006, 02:52 AM
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And no, it's not too cold to do a lot if you are dressed properly.
Hours of daylight may limit what you can do and when but the city is open 24x7x365. As stated many times there's no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing.
Hours of daylight may limit what you can do and when but the city is open 24x7x365. As stated many times there's no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing.
Dec 17th, 2006, 04:03 AM
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This December 2006 is very mild. Unusual yes, but quite nice for being outside. We do not expect to see snow this Christmas.
What will December 2007 provide? Who knows, but it's rare that December gets real cold. Real cold comes in Jan & Feb, even March. Snow can come for Christmas, but often doesn't last all that long. In the city (Manhattan) the streets are cleaned soon after the white stuff hits the ground.
But everything is open, there are lots of sales. Just pack a warm coat or 3/4 jacket, and have layers on underneath as the temps can vary from day-to-day and hour to hour. Oh, and definitely comfy walking shoes... no hi-heeled boots. They may be fashionable, but not practical for navigating around town.
Save the nice clothing for special occasions while in NYC - a wonderful dinner, the theatre or opera...
What will December 2007 provide? Who knows, but it's rare that December gets real cold. Real cold comes in Jan & Feb, even March. Snow can come for Christmas, but often doesn't last all that long. In the city (Manhattan) the streets are cleaned soon after the white stuff hits the ground.
But everything is open, there are lots of sales. Just pack a warm coat or 3/4 jacket, and have layers on underneath as the temps can vary from day-to-day and hour to hour. Oh, and definitely comfy walking shoes... no hi-heeled boots. They may be fashionable, but not practical for navigating around town.
Save the nice clothing for special occasions while in NYC - a wonderful dinner, the theatre or opera...
Dec 17th, 2006, 05:11 AM
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Yes, indeed, if you walk on certain streets in NYC in the winter, it feel 10 degrees colder than what the thermometer reads. Certain streets in midtown (like 6th Avenue) are like wind tunnels because of all the high-rise buildings.
The previous posters are correct when they tell you that snow is a rare occurrnce at Christmas time here.
But, sales in stores is the norm right after Christmas. Just don't do it on the 26th, as the stores are usually a zoo on that day!
The previous posters are correct when they tell you that snow is a rare occurrnce at Christmas time here.
But, sales in stores is the norm right after Christmas. Just don't do it on the 26th, as the stores are usually a zoo on that day!
Dec 17th, 2006, 05:48 AM
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New York, Boston, and other port cities are located on the ocean and thus have milder climates than locations farther inland. Often, the city will get rain when the towns 50 miles inland get a foot of snow. Or the city will get wet, heavy snow that quickly melts, while the inland areas get a foot of fluffy stuff. If you want to improve the odds of a white Christmas, head for the mountain ski areas.
Dec 17th, 2006, 10:28 AM
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New York City is not in the snow belt -which starts about 100 miles north of here. Most years there are only flurries - if any snow at all by Christmas. And some years we never get any snow to speak of - although one year out of every 3/4 we do get either several smaller storms (6-8") or one big one (20" and up).
If you want to be sure of having snow you really need to go farther north - Buffalo/Toronto area tends to get a lot of Lake effect snow - from Oct through March.
Weather is usually cold - but not bitterly so (high in the 30's during the day - but can be windy and damp) so you will need real winter clothing (warm coat, hat, gloves, scarf and some sort of waterproof booties - in case of sleet, slush or snow flurries).
To New Yorkers this weather is certainly bearable and you can do all the usual things - except picnic in Central Park. If you're not used to winter weather - you may find it cold. But the time around Christmas is the busiest of the year - and doesn;t stop us from doing anything - including outdoor activities - unless you get a REALLY cold day.
As for sales - unlike most other coutries the US has sales all year long. There will be large sales before Christmas and even bigger ones afterward. But winter clothes will be picked over by then and in early/mid January they start bringing in the resort wear (spring comes later).
So - it depends on what you want to buy.
If you want to be sure of having snow you really need to go farther north - Buffalo/Toronto area tends to get a lot of Lake effect snow - from Oct through March.
Weather is usually cold - but not bitterly so (high in the 30's during the day - but can be windy and damp) so you will need real winter clothing (warm coat, hat, gloves, scarf and some sort of waterproof booties - in case of sleet, slush or snow flurries).
To New Yorkers this weather is certainly bearable and you can do all the usual things - except picnic in Central Park. If you're not used to winter weather - you may find it cold. But the time around Christmas is the busiest of the year - and doesn;t stop us from doing anything - including outdoor activities - unless you get a REALLY cold day.
As for sales - unlike most other coutries the US has sales all year long. There will be large sales before Christmas and even bigger ones afterward. But winter clothes will be picked over by then and in early/mid January they start bringing in the resort wear (spring comes later).
So - it depends on what you want to buy.
Dec 17th, 2006, 03:50 PM
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So all those movies I have seen of snowing in New York at christmas was all fake. Im sure I wont be dissapointed though. I guess with the weather at the moment you cant predict it! We come from Sydney so our winters arnt really that cold. So im sure layers will come in handy.
Thanks for all your advise so far!!
Thanks for all your advise so far!!
Dec 17th, 2006, 04:18 PM
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Yes, Virginia, the snow you see in the movies is fake 
. Everything else, however, is real, including all the magic of NYC around Christmas.
Please do come back to Fodors as you get closer to travel planning time.
. Everything else, however, is real, including all the magic of NYC around Christmas.Please do come back to Fodors as you get closer to travel planning time.
Dec 17th, 2006, 04:42 PM
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Author: Bunkhedena
Date: 12/17/2006, 08:24 pm
Don't despair. Remember, it's Christmas and you have more than a year to ask Santa for a white Xmas.
The last white Christmas in NYC was in 2002. Here are some photos so you can see it was real. http://www.nyc-photo-gallery.com/Winter-Xmas_2002.htm
According to a 2003 study, there is a 14% chance of New York City having a white christmas. http://www.news.cornell.edu/releases....2003.bpf.html
Date: 12/17/2006, 08:24 pm
Don't despair. Remember, it's Christmas and you have more than a year to ask Santa for a white Xmas.
The last white Christmas in NYC was in 2002. Here are some photos so you can see it was real. http://www.nyc-photo-gallery.com/Winter-Xmas_2002.htm
According to a 2003 study, there is a 14% chance of New York City having a white christmas. http://www.news.cornell.edu/releases....2003.bpf.html
Dec 17th, 2006, 09:14 PM
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So I will start praying for a white new york christmas!!! Plan was to go this year but my Fiancee proposed so we postponed it.. I dont know about the weather there but its summer here and we havent had much of a summer we have had days colder in summer then we did in Winter!! So heres hoping!!
Do you reccomend 5-6 Nights in New York?
Do you reccomend 5-6 Nights in New York?
Dec 18th, 2006, 05:37 AM
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5-6 nights is ok, but are you going anywhere else in the U.S. or just to NYC? If this is a big trip for you and you might not get back to NYC, you could certainly spend more time there. You will just scratch the surface in 5-6 days and it's a long and expensive trip from Sidney.
I love NYC in the cold, as long as I have a down filled parka, long underwear on the legs, wool socks and liners, earmuffs (your ears will freeze otherwise, even w/most hats due to the wind), and scarf to wrap up around my face. And duck into places to get hot coffee or hot chocolate. It's very romantic and vibrant that time of year, and there are lots of un things to do indoors too. Go ice skating in Central Park!
I love NYC in the cold, as long as I have a down filled parka, long underwear on the legs, wool socks and liners, earmuffs (your ears will freeze otherwise, even w/most hats due to the wind), and scarf to wrap up around my face. And duck into places to get hot coffee or hot chocolate. It's very romantic and vibrant that time of year, and there are lots of un things to do indoors too. Go ice skating in Central Park!
Dec 18th, 2006, 06:06 AM
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Yes - all that snow in those movies is fake snow. As a matter of fact I saw them filming a movie on the front steps of the Met - I think late Sept - and the steps/ground were covered with fake snow. The actors were wearing winter clothing - but the crew and all the bystanders were dressed for the 75 degree temps.
Dec 18th, 2006, 02:00 PM
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Yes true it will be a very big trip for us and are planning New York as well as a carribean cruise or mexico havent decided that bit. So not sure yet but I have wanted to go to New York for years to see the city lit up with even more light than it normally has. So maybe even 7 Nights in New York and then 7 on the Carribean/Mexico??
Dec 19th, 2006, 01:21 PM
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If you want to see snow, I'd recommend going further North - Boston maybe? Though its not a magical as NYC.
Regardless of the snow, you'll still be able to see the big Christmas tree and a number of other xmas festivities that you wouldn't be able to see anywhere else in the world.
Regardless of the snow, you'll still be able to see the big Christmas tree and a number of other xmas festivities that you wouldn't be able to see anywhere else in the world.
Dec 19th, 2006, 01:54 PM
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If you only have limited time here, I would not try to book a location in the hopes of getting snow, particularly not in the northeast, unless you want to head up towards Buffalo. The track record for December snow in New England is not great these past few years and the weather alternates between springlike conditions and frigid air one day to the next!
I wonder, though, if you can come earlier in December so that you can still see the holiday decorations, but maybe avoid some of the crowds that come later in the month. Although from reading various posts, it seems like this December has been pretty crowded all the time in the city.
Best wishes on your upcoming wedding!
I wonder, though, if you can come earlier in December so that you can still see the holiday decorations, but maybe avoid some of the crowds that come later in the month. Although from reading various posts, it seems like this December has been pretty crowded all the time in the city.
Best wishes on your upcoming wedding!
