August Weather in New York: Hottest on Record, Average Temperatures, & Humidity

With August coming to a close, we can add another boiling-hot year to the books! Summer is a hot time of year, and August can be the most brutal of them all. Going outside in this kind of weather can be demotivating and makes many people want to stay indoors. New York is no exception to this awful weather. New York is located in the northern region of the United States, so it is often thought that it’s a bit cooler compared to other locations. While it may be true in the winter, the summers in New York can be just as bad as anywhere else. Keep reading to learn about the hottest August in New York to date and other weather occurrences!

Hottest August in New York

New York has been documenting its weather patterns and statistics for over 150 years! With records dating back to 1870, stats like temperature and rainfall are often recorded inside Central Park. The hottest August in New York to date is back in 1988 when one weekend, the temperatures were unusually hot in New York. Between the days of the 13th and 14th, the temperature in New York City would reach up to 99 degrees. Weather like this can be difficult to work and live in. This one weekend was one of the worst couple of days in New York.

The worst month all together is from the August of 1980. This month was especially difficult to survive in if you do not like hot weather. This month was bad because of how consistently hot it was. 1980 in New York has less rainfall than average. While it may seem like a good thing as it would be less humid and muggy, the lack of cloud cover made the heat unbearable. The daily average temperature was around 90 degrees. This temperature alone is enough to make many cringe at the thought of walking through the heat, but it gets even worse! The average daily high would peak at around 97 degrees. Imagine walking through New York City with the sun beaming directly on you at 97 degrees. It’s not good though, and makes it hard to imagine walking around in that heat.

Tips to Beat the Heat

To beat the heat, here are some tips that can keep you cool! First, find and stay in the shade if you can. With the summers only getting hotter and hotter, it can be difficult to stay cool when you have to be outside. Finding a nice shaded spot to relax can make your day that much better! The second is to invest in something to keep you cool. Cold towels that you soak in water can keep you cool throughout the day and help wick away any sweat. Keeping one with you is worth it if you’re outside a lot in the summer. And finally, invest in a handheld fan. There are both battery-powered and chargeable fans that are small enough to fit into any bag. These fans can help keep you cool and keep any sweat out of your face. Remember these tips for the summers to come, and hopefully, the weather of August in New York is a bit more bearable!

Average Temperature in August

Luckily enough, the previously mentioned hottest summers are not common, and average temperatures in New York are a bit cooler! As the month progresses, the temperature tends to get lower and lower, reflecting the onset of fall! The start of the month is the worst heat-wise, typically being in the high 80s, with the highs being in the 90s at peak daylight. The lows in the morning and night are amazing to be outside in as it gets to be around the low 70s. If you enjoy walking or running outside for exercise, definitely go in this time!

The temperature slowly goes down from there, and in the middle of the month, the average will be around the mid-80s. The highs and lows are pretty much the same, so be sure to stay hydrated! The end of the month is when the weather becomes a bit more bearable. The average around this time will get into the low 80s and sometimes even the high 70s. Soon enough, you’ll have to start pulling out the fall-weather clothes! Summer in August is the welcoming of the change of seasons. With fall right around the corner, August is your final farewell for the year’s summer!

Humidity in New York

New York can get pretty humid in August. Humidity is the measure of water vapor in the air, and it’s no surprise that New York gets humid, especially in the city. Manhattan as an island is surrounded by the Hudson River, the East River, and the Harlem River, all adding to the humidity. The air only gets more humid in hotter temperatures as well. Heat and sunlight cause evaporation, so the hotter it gets, the more vapor is in the air. This is why going outside in the summer can feel so muggy and sticky, as well as hotter than what weather channels might say. New York in August is typically around 70% relative humidity, making it a rough time to be in New York.

If you live in New York, you also should be careful about any damage humidity can cause to wooden buildings! August weather in New York can be quite humid! Relative humidity refers to the amount of water vapor the air can hold given the temperature the air is at. Hotter air in summer can hold more water vapor compared to winter. Relative humidity above 70% can be risky for buildings, so you want to be careful and invest in a dehumidifier for you’re home.

Rainfall and Natural Disasters

Rainfall in New York during August is very average, nothing much to expect. The average August in New York will typically get around 3 inches of rain throughout the entire month, and this comes typically during a light rain shower. Around 44% of rain will be light rain, with 24% being moderate rain, and the last 32% coming from heavier storms such as thunderstorms or hurricanes. On average, there are roughly 12 rainy days throughout the entire month. There is nothing too crazy to expect that the weather news can tell you, just make sure to bring an umbrella with you in case it rains unexpectedly!

New York is prone to a few different natural disasters in August to keep an eye out for. The most common, and most general as well, is severe storms. What this means is an average thunderstorm that grows to be too strong to handle. Things like lightning strikes that can cause power outages, high winds, and heavy rain can be very dangerous to be around. On days like this, it’s best to stay indoors with the news on to know any cautionary steps to take! Another disaster to be careful of is flooding. Because heat causes more evaporation, heavy rainfall is more common in the summer months in New York. Heavy rains can cause flood waters to surge, pulling buildings down and cars away in especially bad floods. New York City is very prone because of the rivers that surround it. If you live in or are traveling to New York, take caution against these natural disasters!

Summary

August in New York can be brutal. With lots of heat, high humidity, and higher risks of natural disasters from rain, August is quite the scary month to be in New York. Whether you live there, are planning on traveling to, or are just curious about New York, take caution on your visit there. Remember to stay hydrated and wear sunscreen so you can beat the heat, and not vice versa.