After a long hot summer and mostly mild autumn, winter has finally arrived in New York City.

According to the NWS, the temperature in Central Park dropped to 30°F late Friday night. That was the coldest air the city has seen since April and marks the first freeze of the season.

Compared to average, this first nip of frosty air arrived a bit late. The city usually sees its first freeze in mid-November.  The earliest 32°F reading on record came on October 19 twice, first in 1940 and then again in 1974.  Our latest first freeze was on December 22, 1998.

Produced by a deep dip in the jet stream, these current chilly conditions are expected to last through the weekend. Then, after a brief warm-up, another shot of arctic air is forecast to hit the city late next week. Keep those coats and gloves handy!

Average Dates for First Frost in New York State.  Credit: Cornell.edu