Windshield visor in the winter?
 

Not sure what those things are called that everybody puts in their windshield during the summer - windshield cover/visor maybe? but it's to protect the interior from the UV rays and prevents the car from getting to hot.

I just noticed my car sitting in direct sunlight earlier but it's also 40 degrees out. Is the cover still needed in the winter time? I want to protect the interior and have it maintained for as long as possible, and having the black interior doesn't help the uv absorption either.

Personally I don't use them. However, if your intent is to preserve the interior "as long as possible" athen anything you do to keep the sun rays out will help.

Is it something common in NY? I have never seen a dashboard warped or faded because of the sun up in here - compared to Florida hehehe

Yeah leave it up through winter.

Yeah leave it up through winter, it wont kill ya, the snow acts as one big mirror sometimes.