
Brace for a windy, chillier twist to the classic hustle and bustle of New York City this week, as AccuWeather reports a dip in temperatures. With Tuesday’s high hovering at a brisk 33 degrees and similar temperatures expected through Thursday, city dwellers will need to hold onto their hats—and their coats—as the winds continue to bluster, according to ABC7NY.
A slight relief is expected by the weekend, perhaps with a chance to unfurl from our wintry layers, as conditions warm up a bit and the likelihood of rain emerges for Saturday, according to the same source. However, Sunday might throw a curveball with a potential mix of rain and snow, especially in the afternoon and evening. Those wishing to catch a glimpse of the winter's first full moon Monday night—the wolf moon—are in for an astronomical treat amidst the chilly winds.
Named for the seasonal serenades of howling wolves, the wolf moon will ascend to a majestic zenith, reaching its peak fullness at 5:26 p.m., as per NBC New York. Night gazers can expect a nearly 14-and-a-half-hour display before it sets the following morning at 8:09 a.m., assuming cloud coverage doesn't obscure the view.
Noteworthy for stargazers, alongside the luminous moon, Mars will make a guest appearance, distinguishable as a bright, reddish dot just below and to the left. Enthusiasts venturing out into the night for this celestial panorama can anticipate temperatures in the upper 30s, though overnight lows will drop below freezing with "feels-like" temperatures hitting the low 20s and teens. Coupled with gusty northwest winds, viewing conditions may be brisk, but thankfully this offshore wind helps mitigate the risk of coastal flooding often exacerbated by stronger tidal cycles during full moons.
As New Yorkers witness the urban sky's natural wonders, they can also look forward to additional lunar events this year, including a total lunar eclipse in mid-March—the city's first since 2022. So as we don our winter layers against the cold snap, let's also remember to cast our eyes upward and take in the sights the cosmos generously provides.