Albany, New York – January 2026 finished colder than normal across eastern New York and western New England, continuing a prolonged stretch of winter conditions.
According to the National Weather Service Albany, climate sites across the region ended January 2 to 4 degrees below normal, making it the coldest January since 2022 for several locations. The month also marked the 10th consecutive day of temperatures failing to rise above freezing at some sites, reinforcing persistent winter impacts.
In Albany, the average January temperature was 21.9 degrees, about 2.5 degrees below normal. Glens Falls averaged 18.2 degrees, while Poughkeepsie finished at 23.6 degrees, both below seasonal averages. Across the region, temperatures remained locked in a colder pattern, with limited thawing periods.
Precipitation totals were mixed. Albany recorded 2.27 inches, slightly below normal, while Poughkeepsie measured 1.47 inches, also below average. Snowfall and precipitation patterns varied by location, with no widespread extreme precipitation events noted in the summary.
Travel corridors including Interstate 90, Interstate 87, and U.S. Route 9 were repeatedly affected by cold pavement temperatures throughout the month, allowing icy conditions to linger longer after snow events. While January did not feature constant storms, the sustained cold increased risks on untreated roads, bridges, and sidewalks.
The National Weather Service noted that the colder-than-normal finish contrasts with recent January trends, as several recent winters featured more frequent thaws. This year’s colder pattern placed additional strain on heating systems and infrastructure, especially during extended freezing stretches.
For commuters, students, and young workers traveling daily across the Capital Region and Hudson Valley, January 2026 stood out more for persistence of cold than for individual storms.
The National Weather Service emphasized that February outlooks will continue to be monitored as winter conditions remain firmly in place across the region.
