Winters are often cold and snowy above the New York City and Long Island areas of New York. In the majority of winter seasons, a temperature of − 13 ° F (− 25 ° C) or lower can be expected in the northern highlands (Northern Plateau) and 0 ° F (− 18 ° C) or colder in the southwestern and east - central highlands (Southern Plateau). The Adirondack region records from 35 to 45 days with below zero temperatures, in normal to severe winters. Winters are also long and cold in both Western and Central New York, though not as cold as the Adirondack region due to the warming influence of the Great Lakes. The New York City metro area, in comparison to the rest of the state, is milder in the winter (especially in the city itself, which averages several degrees above freezing). The record low for New York state is − 52 ° F (− 47 ° C), set at Stillwater Reservoir on February 9, 1934 and at Old Forge on February 18, 1979. In February 2015, Rochester experienced its coldest month ever, with an average temperature of 12.2 ° F (− 11 ° C); while later that year had a near - record warm November and a record - breaking December. The latter month was about 12 degrees F warmer than average, and several degrees over the previous record.
what's the lowest temperature in new york
− 52 ° F (− 47 ° C)