Climate of New York City

Also, New York's enormous population, human activity, and vast amounts of large buildings and streets, which absorb sunlight during the day, contribute significantly to the urban heat island effect.

[5] Governors Island, Manhattan, in New York Harbor, is planned to host a US$1 billion research and education center poised to make New York City the global leader in addressing the climate crisis.

In the Holdridge life zones system, having a mean annual biotemperature above 53.6 °F (12 °C) and mean annual precipitation above 39.4 inches (1,000 mm), New York City features a warm temperate moist forest climate.

[16] The city's annual temperature profile consists of a warm to hot season from May through October, and a cool to cold period from November through April.

The Atlantic serves as a moderator of the temperature meaning the city is milder than areas inland during the winter and cooler during the summer.

Every single month in the city's recorded history has reported some rainfall, showing the variability of the climate.

As a result of New York City's latitude, 40°42′46″N 74°00′22″W / 40.712740°N 74.005974°W / 40.712740; -74.005974, it is not subject to the extremes of daylight that places much farther north see.

[26] New York City can occasionally experience strong winds, like many coastal locations.

[28] Most recently Hurricane Sandy struck the city on October 29, 2012, causing billions of dollars in damage.

[30] The city is also expected to become more susceptible to storm surges and flooding, meaning events like Hurricane Sandy's impacts will become more likely in the future.

The temperature in New York City has generally increased steadily of the last 150 years and this trend is expected to continue due to anthropogenic warming.

However, it is argued that such trends, being so recent, make it impossible to predict whether such increases will continue or become steadier.