Bottom line: Mostly cloudy and mild across NYC today with highs in the upper 60s to low 70s. Thunderstorms move in after 8 p.m. and continue through Thursday morning. Plan your evening commute home before 8 p.m. and keep an umbrella handy.
Today’s NYC weather at a glance (Wednesday, May 13, 2026)
- Manhattan (Central Park): Mostly cloudy, high near 73°F, falling to 69°F by afternoon. South wind 7–15 mph, gusts to 28 mph.
- Queens (JFK area): Partly sunny early, high near 69°F. South wind 14–22 mph, gusts to 37 mph — windiest borough today.
- Tonight: Rain showers begin between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m., then showers and thunderstorms develop. Low around 54–56°F. 80% chance of rain.
- Thursday outlook: Showers and thunderstorms continue, high near 65–66°F. Rainfall total a quarter to half an inch.
NYC impact decisions for today
- MTA subways and buses: No weather-related service alerts in effect for the morning and afternoon commute. Evening thunderstorms can produce localized flash flooding at low-lying stations — give yourself an extra 10 minutes after 8 p.m.
- Schools (NYC DOE): Open as normal. Outdoor recess is permitted; expect indoor recess if storms arrive before dismissal. No closures announced.
- Alternate side parking: In effect today. Not a suspension day on the NYC DOT calendar.
- DSNY trash and recycling: Normal pickup. Bring bins in before the overnight wind gusts.
- Outdoor decisions: If you bike, go before 6 p.m. — south winds and gusts to 37 mph in Queens will make bridge crossings rough. Rooftop bar plans tonight: indoors after 8 p.m.
Storm timing — hour by hour
- Now to 6 p.m.: Dry, breezy, mostly cloudy.
- 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Sky darkens. Wind shifts south-southeast.
- 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.: Scattered rain showers.
- 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. Thursday: Thunderstorms most likely. Brief downpours possible.
- Thursday morning rush: Wet commute. Allow extra time.
Why this forecast matters for your day
The setup is a classic spring frontal passage — warm south flow ahead of a cold front, with the storms riding the boundary east through the metro. The strongest gusts will hit Queens, Brooklyn, and southern Long Island first because they sit closest to the marine layer. Manhattan and the Bronx will feel slightly milder gusts and slightly later rain arrival.
If you live in a basement apartment in Queens, Brooklyn, or the Bronx, take 30 seconds tonight to clear drains around your entrance. Half-inch rainfall totals over a short window are exactly what stresses NYC’s combined sewers.
Primary sources used for this forecast
- National Weather Service — Central Park, Manhattan gridpoint forecast (updated 06:29 UTC, May 13, 2026)
- National Weather Service — JFK/Queens gridpoint forecast (updated 06:29 UTC, May 13, 2026)
- NWS active alerts — New York State (no NYC zones under alert at publish time)
