New York City woke up Thursday morning, July 16, 2026, under a gray, smoky sky, with temperatures sitting in the mid-70s around 76°F and a light west breeze. Haze and reduced air quality are expected to shape the day, and people with asthma, heart disease or other respiratory issues are being urged to limit strenuous outdoor activity.
What To Expect Today
Smoke will knock down visibility at times and take the edge off the sunshine, but most neighborhoods are still expected to climb into the upper 80s to near 91°F by mid to late afternoon. Westerly winds of 5–16 mph should increase through the day, with gusts near 20 mph, and forecasters are only calling for a slight chance, around 20%, of an isolated shower or thunderstorm late this afternoon along the coast, according to the National Weather Service.
Air Quality And Health
The city has extended heat-emergency operations and opened cooling centers as smoke from Canadian wildfires drifts into the region, and anyone who is sensitive to poor air is advised to stay in air-conditioned, recirculated indoor spaces when possible, per NYC Emergency Management. Simple moves like shifting workouts indoors, keeping windows closed, and using a properly fitted N95 or KN95 mask on smoky walks can help cut down exposure during the worst hours.
Weekend Outlook
The pattern turns more unsettled heading into the weekend, with Saturday lined up as the wettest day. Rain showers are likely between midmorning and late afternoon, and showers and thunderstorms could become more widespread, with guidance pointing to higher chances and locally heavier downpours. Forecasters say spotty totals of a quarter to a half-inch are possible in heavier cells, and localized street flooding could pop up in poorly drained areas, according to the National Weather Service.
Practical Tips
If you have outdoor plans, it is worth shifting them earlier in the day or moving them inside and keeping rescue inhalers or heart medications close if you need them. Beachgoers should be aware of a moderate rip-current risk today that may become more dangerous late Saturday as winds and seas build. Keep an eye on local beach flags, and plan for some commute slowdowns when smoke is thickest and visibility drops.
