It’s winter, where’s the snow? It doesn’t cover New York soil.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), since the start of winter in December, the city has not received measurable snow, meaning it has accumulated at least one-tenth of an inch on the ground.
The trail of nothing but flakes until January 30 has set a new record: The last time it took that long to see any snow on the ground in winter was 1973, when New Yorkers had to wait until January 29. January. Around this time last year, a severe blizzard dumped several inches of snow on the city.
According to NWS meteorologist James Tommasini, it has rained a lot this year, but in the form of rain because it hasn’t been cold enough for snowfall.
“The storm track and cold air persist to the north and west of the area,” he said.
“50 years and 1 day ago today a new record was broken. It was the most recent first measurable snowfall in Central Park. Today we broke that record because no snow was recorded yesterday. This record Every day until the break will see measurable snow in the park,” the weather service wrote in a social media post.
50 years 1 day ago today a new record was broken. This was the latest first measurable snowfall for Central Park. Today, we break that record as no snowfall was recorded yesterday. This record will be broken daily until the park sees measurable snow. #NYWX #ice free pic.twitter.com/lxfsS7Xqkp
— NWS New York NY (@NWSNewYorkNY) January 30, 2023
New York City is also about to break the second record for the longest period without snow. Tommasini said it currently stands at 327 days, and needs 332 days marked in December 2020 to set a new record.
He said it looks like the city will reach that point, with no signs of serious snow in the near-term forecast for the week.
Looking at snowfall totals and temperature records for the region over time, “we’re starting to see a steady warming over the last 20 years that tells us there’s a climate problem here,” said New York State Meteorologist York Mark Wysocki said.
According to Wysocki, five of the 10 snowiest years on record in Central Park are from the 2000s, as were four of the warmest winters.
But no snow in December and January is no guarantee for February, where traditionally heavy snowfall is most likely, he said.
“We can make up for the snow deficit with one or two big blizzards,” he said.
