New York City opens Wednesday mostly cloudy with a high near 67°F — but south winds gusting to 33 mph and thunderstorms arriving after 8 PM ET mean your dry window is limited. Get your outdoor tasks done this morning and check the New York weather forecast before you make plans for the evening.
Today’s Setup
The National Weather Service is tracking a slow-moving cold front pressing toward the metro ahead of a developing low-pressure system. Daytime rain chances are just 3%, so the day itself stays dry — but the wind is the headline. Expect south winds of 12 to 22 mph with gusts to 33 mph this afternoon. The NWS notes isolated gusts could reach 45 mph across parts of the NYC/NJ metro and western Long Island by late afternoon, thanks to a strengthening coastal jet. Temperatures peak near 67°F in the morning and ease back to around 64°F by mid-afternoon.
If you’ve got patio furniture, trash cans, or anything loose on a rooftop deck or balcony, deal with it before you leave. A pop-up canopy tent with weights will hold its ground far better than an unanchored one today.
Mets at Citi Field — Two-Day Weather Check
The New York Mets host the Detroit Tigers at Citi Field tonight (May 13) and again Thursday (May 14), and the weather picture for each game could not be more different. Tonight’s early innings may be fine, but showers become likely after 8 PM ET with thunderstorms developing — exactly when late-inning action would be heating up in Flushing. Thursday’s game carries an 80% rain chance with storms expected throughout the day and a high near 61°F. Rain gear is non-negotiable for either game. Deck yourself out in a New York Mets jersey and a New York Mets fitted cap, and Get tickets on SeatGeek if you’re still on the fence.
Also braving Thursday’s storms: Hamilton at the Richard Rodgers Theatre. If you’re heading to Midtown that evening, build in extra travel time and pack a real umbrella.
Tonight: Storms After 8 PM ET
Rain chances climb to 80% overnight. The National Weather Service expects showers to develop between 8 PM and 2 AM ET, followed by thunderstorms through the rest of the night. The Weather Prediction Center puts flash flood risk below 5%, so widespread flooding isn’t the concern — but subway platforms and street-level crossings back up fast in heavy rain. Leave some buffer in your commute home tonight.
Dinner: Grill Before the Rain Arrives
This afternoon offers a genuinely good grilling window. Fire up burgers, steaks, or grilled chicken with corn on the cob while the patio is still dry — just wrap up before 7 PM to stay ahead of the storms. An instant-read meat thermometer takes the guesswork out of doneness every time, and keep a grill brush and scraper set nearby for quick cleanup. Need ingredients? You can order groceries on Amazon and have everything for tonight’s dinner delivered to your door. For more backyard inspo this season, browse our outdoor gear deals.
Next Few Days
Thursday is the wet day of the week: 80% rain chance, high near 61°F, with quarter to half an inch of rain possible from the slower-moving frontal system. Storms should begin clearing Thursday night as winds shift northwest. Then the pattern flips — this weekend into early next week is shaping up dry and unseasonably warm, a genuine reward for getting through the rainy stretch. The Mets face the Yankees in the Subway Series at Citi Field on Friday (May 15), and the Knicks could play at Madison Square Garden on Sunday (May 17, if necessary). Both look like far better weather days than anything this week.
