The New York City metro region was bathed in sunlight for the first time in 11 days Saturday — and “plenty” more is on the horizon along with “unseasonably warm” temperatures later in the week.
Before the gloriously bright Saturday, New Yorkers hadn’t seen the light of day since Jan. 22, Fox Weather meteorologist Cody Braud told The Post.
“There’s been lots of people talking about the sun [today],” he said in a phone interview. “It’s been a pretty dreary streak to end January.”
For nearly two weeks, city dwellers were bundled up in mittens and scarves, but on Saturday, they filled Central Park with laughter and songs as they wound through the greenspace with coffees and dogs while some even took to the racketball courts.
“First thing I did was text my sister: ‘The sun’s finally out!’” South Carolina native Michelle, who moved here a month ago, told The Post.
“I was telling my sister that this is the first time I’ve seen the sun out in the entire time that I’ve been here.”
Autumn Ivy used the welcome light for a photo shoot in the park, wearing a summery dress. When passersby asked if she was cold, she exclaimed, “No! Suns out!”
“[It feels] very, very good,” she said. “It’s been a long couple of weeks.”
New Mexico tourists Jake and David K. said they were going to “soak up the sun” and “drink some beer” while sitting outside today.
Others were enjoying the bright sun while strolling along the park’s paths with coffees and dogs, while some played volleyball and racket ball and sang happy songs.
For nearly two weeks, bitter cold, gray skies and rain hung over the Big Apple — but Buffalo had it the worst. The city experienced 31 gray days and around 80% to 100% of cloud cover. Twenty-two days were completely overcast, according to Fox Weather.
The next-longest streak was Cleveland, which had 26 cloudy days — and 100% cloud cover since Jan. 23.
Now that the endless-seeming dark days are over, “we’re going to see plenty of sun,” Braud said.
Bright sunny skies are expected through Wednesday, and Thursday might see a few clouds. Temperatures will be in the mid-40s and hit the 50s by the end of the week, which the meteorologist said was “unseasonably warm” for February.
Clouds will return on Friday, but the temperatures will stay warm, and no rain was expected as of Saturday.
Mornings this week will still require a winter coat as they will remain “chilly,” Braud said, but throughout the day, temperatures will warm up.
As for snow, the Big Apple continues its mild streak as there is no expectation the white powder will grace Central Park anytime soon, Braud said.