Two girls and Gnarls in front of Union Square Holiday Market with jackets and boots on, holding food, drinks, and a bag. Surrounding them is a pigeon, a one way street sign, and multicolored leaves falling down.

Concrete Jungle: Navigating NYC weather

Welcome to Concrete Jungle — a biweekly series where Brooklyn native Madison Black helps you navigate the ins and outs of NYC as a college student. Think of it as your personal survival guide, if you will. This week, we’ll get into navigating NYC weather.

Hi, everyone! It’s Maddie Black, New Yawk’s honorary fairy godmother, and I’m back again to give you all the tea that comes with living in one of the most exciting cities in the world as a college student. As most of you guys know, it’s the last two months of the year, and we’re all experiencing what you might call “a character arc.” The seasonal mood swings are kicking in, our favorite situationship is acting up, and midterms are starting to feel like getting caught in the middle of two pigeons on the sidewalk throwing hands — or wings, whatever you wanna call it.

But the most drastic thing that almost all of you are experiencing in NYC for the first time is the weather. 

If I were to describe the weather conditions in NYC with one word, it would be unpredictable. But even that is an understatement. Throughout the day, you can expect temperatures to replicate winter in the morning and then summer in the afternoon. And as someone who’s lived here her whole life, I can attest that to this day, I still don’t know what the hell to wear when I go outside.

So it begs us to ask the question, what are the best tips for surviving the unpredictable weather of NYC? How can we combat the 40-degree chills in the morning and the 80-degree heat in the afternoon? Well, that’s why I’m here, so let’s get right into it!

  1. Always have a pair of boots in your closet — preferably Timberlands, or buttas in New York lingo.

Boots are essential to survive the NYC weather, especially if it plans to possibly rain or snow in the middle of the day. So, just because the forecast says no rain doesn’t mean that it will always be accurate. Not to mention the unknown fluids and smells that permeate the city streets. You can’t be wearing a fresh pair of Jordans or Vans with the possibility of stepping in a cocktail of piss and Bacardi.

So what’s the solution? Boots.

One brand you can rely on for navigating the city is Timberland. Timbs are a staple shoe in New York. They’re not just a part of our style; they’re also a practical shoe to wear when the weather starts getting brisk. But we don’t just call the shoes “Timbs.” Instead, we like to call them “buttas.” And the explanation is pretty simple — the shoe is the same color as butter.

That said, make sure that you have a pair in your closet. If you don’t, then you better get a pair soon! It’s gonna bounce from 65 to 45 degrees outside by the time you finish reading this sentence, so hurry!

  1. Wear layers that aren’t too hard to interchange, especially if you take the MTA.

Now that we’re in November, it’s only fitting to start layering up. Scarves, sweaters, and jackets are your best friends during this time, so if you decide to wear one, make sure to pack another in your bag just as a precaution for any unforeseen circumstances.

The reason I say this is not just because it’s getting colder outside, but also because when it comes to public transit in NYC, conductors treat the weather like it’s fake news. In the general sense, the MTA does whatever they want, even if that means giving you the flu.

One time when I took the train in the dead of winter — snow was on the ground, and it was almost 20 degrees outside — the train car had the air conditioning on full blast. I’ve also dealt with going outside in 90 degree weather and taking a train that felt like a sauna.

So no matter the circumstances, always make sure that you pack an extra sweater. Always stay ready and be prepared to layer and un-layer.

  1. I know this is pretty much stating the obvious, but check the weather app. Frequently.

We all know the weather has a mind of its own, and we can’t always predict its behavior. That’s why we have meteorologists and weather apps to help alleviate our concerns about what it will look like when we walk out the door. But sometimes, you literally never know what to expect, even after you turn on the weather channel or watch the news. I remember that on my first day of college, I walked outside on a sunny morning to Dunkin Donuts to get an iced tea, and by the time I turned around, it was pouring rain. 

So make sure to still take precautions no matter what the forecast says. Have an umbrella permanently stationed in your bag or maybe even an extra shirt. 

As unpredictable as the weather is, I hope these tips will help you navigate it all. Although the changing weather can be an inconvenience, the general climate of unpredictability in NYC exceeds far beyond weather conditions and temperatures. But if there’s anything else I can leave with you, it is to embrace all of it. When you are ready to embrace it — whether it rains or shines — that makes you a true New Yorker. The more you embrace it, the easier it gets.

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