New York City, NY – December 2025 delivered a colder-than-normal start to winter across the New York City region, with temperatures averaging about five degrees below seasonal norms, according to the National Weather Service office in New York.
In a climate summary posted by the U.S. National Weather Service New York on social media, meteorologists reported that much of the area experienced below-average temperatures throughout December, ranking the month among the colder Decembers on record at several major climate sites.
Central Park recorded an average temperature of 33.8 degrees, about 5.3 degrees below normal, ranking as the 45th coldest December on record. LaGuardia Airport averaged 34.4 degrees, more than five degrees below normal, while Kennedy Airport averaged 33.5 degrees, placing it as the 31st coldest December in its recorded history. Newark and Bridgeport also reported significantly colder conditions compared to long-term averages.
Despite the colder air, December was generally on the dry side. Precipitation totals ranged from roughly 76% to 87% of normal across the region, with Central Park recording 3.38 inches of precipitation, ranking as the 78th driest December on record. Similar below-normal precipitation rankings were noted at Newark, Kennedy, and LaGuardia.
Snowfall totals, however, were closer to or slightly above normal at several locations. Islip recorded 12.5 inches of snow, while Bridgeport measured 11.8 inches, reflecting more frequent snow events despite limited overall precipitation.
The National Weather Service noted that all climate data remains preliminary until officially finalized by the National Centers for Environmental Information.
Colder conditions and periodic snow events may have contributed to early-season commuting challenges, particularly for workers and students traveling during morning hours.
