New York Rain: Vintage Sights and Sounds of a Soaked City

The last semi-dry moment for a pedestrian in Times Square. April 5, 1984.
"When a hard rain descends on New York, the whole city feels it. Traffic stands still, puddles get deceptively deep and even the most intrepid of us cowers in the wakes of passing cabs. Any object an unsuspecting pedestrian is carrying quickly becomes a makeshift umbrella, and actual umbrellas quickly become hazards themselves, catching the wind or flipping inside out. Until recently, whenever news was slow, The New York Times sent photographers out to take 'day shots' — slice-of-life images arresting enough to carry the front page. Weather, and people dealing with it, often made great subjects. 'When it rains, it’s a whole different scene,' said Bill Cunningham, the renowned Times staff photographer, in the 2010 documentary 'Bill Cunningham New York.' ..."
NY Times (Audio)

Sudden downpour, outside the old New York Times building on West 43rd Street. Aug. 1, 1963.

2011 November: Bill Cunningham, 2014 March: No Coupons at Chanel