New York Weather: Sub-Zero Wind Chills and Aurora Potential - January 19, 2026

Extreme Cold Expected

• 🥶 Sub-zero wind chills are anticipated for Tuesday morning, marking the coldest air since last January.
• 🌡️ Temperatures in New York City will struggle to reach the low 20s, with wind chills making it feel like single digits.
• 💨 Winds of 20 to 30 mph are expected, significantly impacting how cold it feels, with some areas potentially feeling like 11 degrees below zero.

Aurora Borealis Potential

• 🌌 A G4 geomagnetic storm was reported, offering a potential for auroras even in the New York area.
• 🔭 Viewers are advised to look north under the darkest possible sky for a chance to see the phenomenon.
• 💡 Seeing the aurora is described as a bucket list item for the speaker, who has not yet had the chance to witness it.

Upcoming Snow Chances

• ❄️ Minor lake-effect snow showers may affect northern suburbs tonight, but are not expected to be a major event.
• 📅 The next significant chance for measurable snow is forecasted for the weekend, though models currently disagree on its impact.
• 📈 The European model suggests a system could bring sizable snow, while the GFS model predicts it will stay south, leaving the area with nothing.

Weekend Weather Outlook

• 🥶 The cold air is expected to intensify over the weekend, making it even colder than the upcoming Tuesday.
• ⚠️ A First Alert for cold air is in effect for Tuesday, and again for Saturday and Sunday.
• 🌨️ There is a possibility of snow developing Saturday into Sunday, but this is not guaranteed.