Rank 'Em

[A-L-E-X]

I'll take this over the best works of art anywhere. It's just too bad it couldn't have stalled or performed a mini-left handed loop for about 6-8 hours at this point.

Yeah, it looks like NYC and Long Island were just to the left of a developing black hole lol. That stall plus having the best part occur during the day would be all that would be needed to make it perfect. There's only a few big snowstorms that I can think of which had winds like that-- Blizzard of 1888, March 1960, February 1978, March 1993 (changed to rain unfortunately or else it would have topped them all), January 1996 and now this. Can anyone think of any others that were on this level? The qualifications I have are at least a foot of snow with at least 60 mph gusts.

[uncle W]

Yeah, it looks like NYC and Long Island were just to the left of a developing black hole lol. That stall plus having the best part occur during the day would be all that would be needed to make it perfect. There's only a few big snowstorms that I can think of which had winds like that-- Blizzard of 1888, March 1960, February 1978, March 1993 (changed to rain unfortunately or else it would have topped them all), January 1996 and now this. Can anyone think of any others that were on this level? The qualifications I have are at least a foot of snow with at least 60 mph gusts.

January 1961 and 1964 had some big drifts...Not sure about wind speeds though...

[Diego]

Yeah, it looks like NYC and Long Island were just to the left of a developing black hole lol. That stall plus having the best part occur during the day would be all that would be needed to make it perfect. There's only a few big snowstorms that I can think of which had winds like that-- Blizzard of 1888, March 1960, February 1978, March 1993 (changed to rain unfortunately or else it would have topped them all), January 1996 and now this. Can anyone think of any others that were on this level? The qualifications I have are at least a foot of snow with at least 60 mph gusts.

The Blizzard of Feb., 1899, and Dec., 1960, but also uncertain about wind speeds.

[Thunderdude]

Here are my top 10 winter storms since I have around:

1. December 26-27, 2010 - Boxing Day Blizzard- I called it the "Thunder Blizzard" since there was one big clap of thunder. Raging winds with 14" of snow here

2. January 1996 Bizzard- Lived in Howard, Beach Queens at the time and at least 20" of snow and some wind as well which enough to make it a blizzard with heavy snowfall rates.

3. January 26, 2011- Insane snowfall rates with despite some mixed precipation and little bit of thundersleet thrown in there as well. 12-18" of snow

4. December 19-20, 2009- Insane snowfall rates and all snow event with 20-24" of snow fell

5. February 2003 PDII- Heavy snow with temps mainly in the teens to near 20 F with 20" of snow and was going to NYIT in Central Islip at the time.

6. March 1993 Superstorm - 9-12" of snow only but snow came down insanely hard with strong winds despite a change over to rain and sleet. Once again I was living in Queens at the time growing up.

7. February 11-12, 2006- Insane snowfall rates but my area missed out on the thundersnow but still got a foot plus of snow where the city broke the record.

8. March 8, 2005 - Most people will forget this one but despite only 2-4" fell in most of the area, an bombing storm like an bring a rain changing to real intense period insanely heavy snow and damaging winds with rapidly falling temps where the day before temps were in the 50's and 60's.

9. February 28- March 1, 2009 - 9-12" snow fell with intense gravity wave.

10. Febraury 25-26, 2010- Weird storm with where the rain/snow line was but once the rain changed to snow. Heavy snow rates and despite only 7-8" in my area the city had 20" and some spots broke the record where this storms had an eye.

[Manny]

For me it has to be ...remember I was only 3 years old in 1996. lol

1. Dec 26th-27th, 2010

2. January 26th-27th, 2011

3. February 25-27th, 2010

4. PDII (number 4 since I don't remember much from it, but it was nonetheless awesome since I walked through the city streets without trouble as the storm raged on).

5. February 12th, 2006 (Wasn't in the middle of the storm, just woke up to piles and piles of snow. It was amazing, but not #1).

[RutgersWx92]

Clearly, many in the NYC forum tend to believe having a storm like January 1996 or February 1983 with large aerial coverage and massive disruption made the winter much more historical/higher rated, despite the fact that Winter 10-11 can be argued to be much more solid/wintry than certainly 82-83 and probably 95-96. Although I think 10-11 was the best winter Dobbs Ferry has seen since 60-61, I still have to give 95-96 an A here with last year being an A-. Objectively, Winter 10-11 had much better snow cover, colder departures from normal, fewer melt-downs; statistically, it was a better winter, and I constantly felt as if I were in the midst of a harsh winter with the persistent bitter NW flow in December, the 1-2' of snow cover I had from 1/12 to 2/10, etc. However, thinking about it in a larger scale, I know 95-96 was more memorable...when I'm older and memories of general conditions start to fade in favor of anomalous events, I know 95-96 will seem the most impressive winter, simply because everyone remembers the Blizzard. January 6-8, 1996 was a national news story, a storm that closed my school for 3 days with a delay on the 4th, a meteorological phenomenon so rare with a 522dm closed low stalling for days just east of NYC. Over the course of lifetime, Winter 95-96 has to rate a bit higher. even though an "instant grade" could be lower...and I try to rate a winter based on how much it will dominate my memories, and the collective memory of our society. This includes the large-scale geographical impact of a storm. 95-96 had several events that paralyzed the Eastern Seaboard, and everyone got a crapload of snow that year, not just selective areas.

The thing with last winter was that basically all of the snow fell in a one-month period (from December 26 to January 27). There was virtually nothing in December before the Boxing Day storm, and February and March were quite disappointing (even though the snowcover did last a long time). In 95-96, the snow started in late November, and it continued pretty consistently right through April, except for one thaw in late January (which was exciting in and of itself because of the flooding it produced). Obviously for me, between last winter and 95-96 it's not even close which one was better, even though I have almost no recollection of 95-96 (sadly). But I think most people in this area should agree that last winter definitely wasn't as good as 95-96. 95-96 was basically as perfect as a winter can get in these parts (for me anyway), with the one exception being the lack of any extreme arctic outbreaks. But other than that, the incredible amount of snow we consistently had from late November through April (except for the thaw in late January), along with what is widely considered the number one blizzard for most in this area and a historic blizzard up and down the east coast, really makes that winter about as perfect as it can get. I wouldn't have even really minded that thaw in late January because it produced some really amazing flooding (which I also really enjoy following).

You also bring up a good point about last winter not having any storm where everyone up and down the I-95 corridor cashed in with high totals, and I think that can carry to the previous winter as well. Someone always seemed to get screwed over in many of the storms (unfortunately in many of them it ended up including me! ): December 2009 wasn't nearly as historic as it could've been for the immediate NYC area into central/northern NJ and eastern PA, it was only a historic storm for Long Island and from Philly south; February 5-6, 2010 produced historic totals for DC, Baltimore, and Philly, but completely screwed areas north of there; the very impressive totals from February 25-26, 2010 were mainly confined to the immediate NYC area up into NY state; the Boxing Day blizzard produced prolific snow totals but they were mainly confined to a very small area in NE NJ and NYC; and January 26-27, 2011 was mainly confined to NE NJ and NYC once again. We need to get an all-encompassing storm like February 1983 or January 1996, or PDII. Those storms were so great because everyone up and down the east coast cashed in with extremely high totals; there were no screw zones.

[NJwinter23]

I don't have access to any data before 1997 so you'll just have to go off Ray's site which has the surface obs. I must admit here though, looking at these obs from Belmar/Farmingdale argue big time to keep 96 the king of Monmouth County. Check out the wind obs! Definitely an epic blizzard in our county and certainly comparable to what was experienced on Boxing Day around here..Also there was around 30 inches of snow county wide in 96...

[Isotherm]

I don't have access to any data before 1997 so you'll just have to go off Ray's site which has the surface obs. I must admit here though, looking at these obs from Belmar/Farmingdale argue big time to keep 96 the king of Monmouth County. Check out the wind obs! Definitely an epic blizzard in our county and certainly comparable to what was experienced on Boxing Day around here..Also there was around 30+ inches of snow county wide in 96...

Agree. 96 is the king for my area and most of Monmouth County save for the immediate SE shoreline, which received greater totals on Boxing Day than the 96 blizzard.

Widespread 30-32" event across our area, central, western Monmouth in 1996. Boxing Day produced about 2 feet on average, a little more. Close but not as impressive. For me though, I can barely remember 1996 so Dec 2011 is a win.

[NJwinter23]

Agree. 96 is the king for my area and most of Monmouth County save for the immediate SE shoreline, which received greater totals on Boxing Day than the 96 blizzard.

Widespread 30-32" event across our area, central, western Monmouth in 1996. Boxing Day produced about 2 feet on average, a little more. Close but not as impressive. For me though, I can barely remember 1996 so Dec 2011 is a win.

Yeah from an intensity standpoint though I still give Boxing Day the upper hand. 961mb bombing storm with the wind and heavy snow that incredibly produced those totals in a very short period of time compared to 96.

[Thunderdude]

I am wondering March 8th, 2005 storm where the area and most of the east coast from DC to New England recieved mainly just 2-4" but it was bombing storm off the coast combine with an arctic air. Rain changed to insanely heavy snow with raging winds for several hours with temps fell from mid to upper 40's to teens to near 20 F by the end of the day. The winds were so strong that numerous tree damage and power outrage were the result. I remember coming home from work from the thick of it. I though despite early that winter there was the major storm in Janaury that brought 12-20" of snow in wide area and some blizzard condition, I thought this storm was more intense for the winter 2004-05 in my opinon. Does this ring a bell for anybody?

[NJwinter23]

I am wondering March 8th, 2005 storm where the area and most of the east coast from DC to New England recieved mainly just 2-4" but it was bombing storm off the coast combine with an arctic air. Rain changed to insanely heavy snow with raging winds for several hours with temps fell from mid to upper 40's to teens to near 20 F by the end of the day. The winds were so strong that numerous tree damage and power outrage were the result. I remember coming home from work from the thick of it. I though despite early that winter there was the major storm in Janaury that brought 12-20" of snow in wide area and some blizzard condition, I thought this storm was more intense for the winter 2004-05 in my opinon. Does this ring a bell for anybody?

Yes, temps were actually near 60 with the heavy rain early that day..Wind gusts were generally in the 40s maybe near 50 at their highest so nothing too crazy, but definitely an intense change of events with the temp drop and rain to snow. I Remember driving home from high school in that after the changeover..one of the worst flash freeze scenarios ive ever seen and was sliding everywhere on the hills.

[A-L-E-X]

Yes, temps were actually near 60 with the heavy rain early that day..Wind gusts were generally in the 40s maybe near 50 at their highest so nothing too crazy, but definitely an intense change of events with the temp drop and rain to snow. I Remember driving home from high school in that after the changeover..one of the worst flash freeze scenarios ive ever seen and was sliding everywhere on the hills.

It was the winter equivalent of severe weather.

[CooL]

Agree. 96 is the king for my area and most of Monmouth County save for the immediate SE shoreline, which received greater totals on Boxing Day than the 96 blizzard.

Widespread 30-32" event across our area, central, western Monmouth in 1996. Boxing Day produced about 2 feet on average, a little more. Close but not as impressive. For me though, I can barely remember 1996 so Dec 2011 is a win.

i sure hope so

[nzucker]

The thing with last winter was that basically all of the snow fell in a one-month period (from December 26 to January 27). There was virtually nothing in December before the Boxing Day storm, and February and March were quite disappointing (even though the snowcover did last a long time). In 95-96, the snow started in late November, and it continued pretty consistently right through April, except for one thaw in late January (which was exciting in and of itself because of the flooding it produced). Obviously for me, between last winter and 95-96 it's not even close which one was better, even though I have almost no recollection of 95-96 (sadly). But I think most people in this area should agree that last winter definitely wasn't as good as 95-96. 95-96 was basically as perfect as a winter can get in these parts (for me anyway), with the one exception being the lack of any extreme arctic outbreaks. But other than that, the incredible amount of snow we consistently had from late November through April (except for the thaw in late January), along with what is widely considered the number one blizzard for most in this area and a historic blizzard up and down the east coast, really makes that winter about as perfect as it can get. I wouldn't have even really minded that thaw in late January because it produced some really amazing flooding (which I also really enjoy following).

You also bring up a good point about last winter not having any storm where everyone up and down the I-95 corridor cashed in with high totals, and I think that can carry to the previous winter as well. Someone always seemed to get screwed over in many of the storms (unfortunately in many of them it ended up including me! ): December 2009 wasn't nearly as historic as it could've been for the immediate NYC area into central/northern NJ and eastern PA, it was only a historic storm for Long Island and from Philly south; February 5-6, 2010 produced historic totals for DC, Baltimore, and Philly, but completely screwed areas north of there; the very impressive totals from February 25-26, 2010 were mainly confined to the immediate NYC area up into NY state; the Boxing Day blizzard produced prolific snow totals but they were mainly confined to a very small area in NE NJ and NYC; and January 26-27, 2011 was mainly confined to NE NJ and NYC once again. We need to get an all-encompassing storm like February 1983 or January 1996, or PDII. Those storms were so great because everyone up and down the east coast cashed in with extremely high totals; there were no screw zones.

Sure 95-96 had the most active winter pattern with snowfall recorded at Central Park in every month from November to April. I remember that year decently well (was 8 at the time), and we did have constant threats. All of the snow cover was eliminated from the 1/7/96 blizzard by an epic torch, but then the street corners once again filled with mounds of snow too deep to navigate or remove. 95-96 and 93-94 are definitely the two winters that stand out in terms of having a continuous parade of snow/ice storms over the entire season, without much of a break. 95-96 took its break in mid-January with temperatures in the 60s, whereas in '94 the break was less dramatic and occurred after the twin February systems, returning for a very snowy/cold March.

At the same time, though, you should realize how rare it is to see the snow cover and consistent cold that Winter 10-11 featured. Central Park had its 2nd most consecutive days with snow cover, behind only 47-48, another top echelon winter. And that snow cover wasn't just a few inches; we had 1-2 feet on the ground for a good bit of the winter. The pattern was below average temperatures from Thanksgiving through mid-February, a very long stretch, and the storms came at a perfect time to make their maximum impact on the landscape and lifestyle here. Sure, 93-94 and 03-04 had a better Feb/Mar, but we don't hold snow for more than a few days usually by the time President's Day rolls around. I think it's better the way we had it, with the main snow action from 12/26-2/2 when we were best positioned to be able to appreciate it, and build. I also saw the winter differently because I got 8" on 2/21, so I felt winter made a big comeback in Westchester after the torch in mid-February. I realize, however, that this overrunning wasn't that big most other places.

[TheTrials]

I am wondering March 8th, 2005 storm where the area and most of the east coast from DC to New England recieved mainly just 2-4" but it was bombing storm off the coast combine with an arctic air. Rain changed to insanely heavy snow with raging winds for several hours with temps fell from mid to upper 40's to teens to near 20 F by the end of the day. The winds were so strong that numerous tree damage and power outrage were the result. I remember coming home from work from the thick of it. I though despite early that winter there was the major storm in Janaury that brought 12-20" of snow in wide area and some blizzard condition, I thought this storm was more intense for the winter 2004-05 in my opinon. Does this ring a bell for anybody?

I remember that. One nasty storm. It had traffic messed up everywhere. Snowed only for a few hours but basically shut down travel up and down the east coast.

[tamarack]

January 1961 and 1964 had some big drifts...Not sure about wind speeds though...

Going from (data-lacking) memory, both Jan. 1961 and Jan. 1964 had moderate winds, but both were cold powder (especially 1/61) and so blew around considerably. I think both Mar. and Dec. 1960 had stronger winds than the above Jan. storms, and given that NYC's fastest Feb. mile was 2/4/61 and that storm fell atop a relatively tall snowpack, its drifting was tops for any event in my NNJ years. The Lindsay storm of 2/69 might be 2nd for drifting, not so much during the storm but in the powerful NW gales the next day.

[A-L-E-X]

Sure 95-96 had the most active winter pattern with snowfall recorded at Central Park in every month from November to April. I remember that year decently well (was 8 at the time), and we did have constant threats. All of the snow cover was eliminated from the 1/7/96 blizzard by an epic torch, but then the street corners once again filled with mounds of snow too deep to navigate or remove. 95-96 and 93-94 are definitely the two winters that stand out in terms of having a continuous parade of snow/ice storms over the entire season, without much of a break. 95-96 took its break in mid-January with temperatures in the 60s, whereas in '94 the break was less dramatic and occurred after the twin February systems, returning for a very snowy/cold March.

At the same time, though, you should realize how rare it is to see the snow cover and consistent cold that Winter 10-11 featured. Central Park had its 2nd most consecutive days with snow cover, behind only 47-48, another top echelon winter. And that snow cover wasn't just a few inches; we had 1-2 feet on the ground for a good bit of the winter. The pattern was below average temperatures from Thanksgiving through mid-February, a very long stretch, and the storms came at a perfect time to make their maximum impact on the landscape and lifestyle here. Sure, 93-94 and 03-04 had a better Feb/Mar, but we don't hold snow for more than a few days usually by the time President's Day rolls around. I think it's better the way we had it, with the main snow action from 12/26-2/2 when we were best positioned to be able to appreciate it, and build. I also saw the winter differently because I got 8" on 2/21, so I felt winter made a big comeback in Westchester after the torch in mid-February. I realize, however, that this overrunning wasn't that big most other places.

Meh no one down here really cares about snow cover, it becomes very dirty and ugly after a few days. We'd rather see actual snow from the sky.

[ag3]

Meh no one down here really cares about snow cover, it becomes very dirty and ugly after a few days. We'd rather see actual snow from the sky.

I would rather have a 93-94 winter, which had non-stop snow cover, then 2009-2010.

So the word no one is a little overboard.

I know Sundog and a few others here prefer extended periods of snowcover as well.

[A-L-E-X]

I would rather have a 93-94 winter, which had non-stop snow cover, then 2009-2010.

So the word no one is a little overboard.

I know Sundog and a few others here prefer extended periods of snowcover as well.

2009-10 wasnt my top winter either. I was comparing 1993-94 to 1995-96, which was far superior. I love having the one big storm with a lot of other snowstorms thrown in and that winter had it all from November thru April. I would put 2002-03 up there also-- a great December thru April snow season too. My issue with 1993-94 was all the mixed events-- as a snow purist I hate sleet more than anything, although the big ice storm in early January was really cool, because those are so rare. Still, give me a 2 foot snowstorm like Jan 96 or Feb 03 over any of that And the fact that the snow season extended into April in 1995-96 and 2002-03 makes them really memorable to me. Who can ever forget Pettite's signature Opening Day game in the snow at the beginning of the magical 1996 season or the big daytime snowstorm in April 2003 that banished all talk of sun angle

[TheTrials]

snow on the ground does nothing for me. It's not going to fall again once its on the ground. Yeah, day after the storm you don't want a torch like Feb 2006, but length of snow cover does not define winter for me.

[Stormlover74]

See for me it does. I hate knowing a big warmup is coming and what I'm watching fall will be gone in 3 days (one of the reasons why PDII wasn't ranked higher on my list)

snow on the ground does nothing for me. It's not going to fall again once its on the ground. Yeah, day after the storm you don't want a torch like Feb 2006, but length of snow cover does not define winter for me.

[ag3]

See for me it does. I hate knowing a big warmup is coming and what I'm watching fall will be gone in 3 days (one of the reasons why PDII wasn't ranked higher on my list)

Exactly. Feb. 2006 would be on everyone's top 5 list (NYC area)..But it was killed by warm temps the next 3 days and insane melting.

[A-L-E-X]

See for me it does. I hate knowing a big warmup is coming and what I'm watching fall will be gone in 3 days (one of the reasons why PDII wasn't ranked higher on my list)

Exactly. Feb. 2006 would be on everyone's top 5 list (NYC area)..But it was killed by warm temps the next 3 days and insane melting.

I agree with you guys about Feb 2006 but 1995-96 and 2002-03 were different beasts entirely. Yeah the warm up in Jan 1996 sucked, but we must remember that we also had big snowstorms in Dec and Feb in 1996, a snowy March and April! 2002-03 matched it for longevity. I don't mind thaws in between as long as the pattern reloads and we keep getting socked with fresh snowfall. The pattern never reloaded in 2005-06 or 2010-11 to any significant extent.

[ag3]

I agree with you guys about Feb 2006 but 1995-96 and 2002-03 were different beasts entirely. Yeah the warm up in Jan 1996 sucked, but we must remember that we also had big snowstorms in Dec and Feb in 1996, a snowy March and April! 2002-03 matched it for longevity. I don't mind thaws in between as long as the pattern reloads and we keep getting socked with fresh snowfall. The pattern never reloaded in 2005-06 or 2010-11 to any significant extent.

95-96 is the king winter. No doubt about it.

93-94 had 21, 1"+ storms, but not enough big storms.

[TheTrials]

Feb 2006 was too quick and almost all at night. That is 100% disqualifying for me. Doesn't even rank in my top 10, maybe even 20. The snow stuck around long enough after it stopped that Sunday to enjoy it, but the best stuff was barely visible as it mostly happened at night. Also, it was like 32 degrees when it was snowing, that is the normal daily high at Mt. Zucker.

[A-L-E-X]

Feb 2006 was too quick and almost all at night. That is 100% disqualifying for me. Doesn't even rank in my top 10, maybe even 20. The snow stuck around long enough after it stopped that Sunday to enjoy it, but the best stuff was barely visible as it mostly happened at night. Also, it was like 32 degrees when it was snowing, that is the normal daily high at Mt. Zucker.

I hate night time storms too-- thats why I take Dec 2009 right off my list. We were all waiting for it to snow and I stayed up all night the previous night and when it finally started snowing the next night I was too tired and passed out and when I woke up the sun was coming up and the snow storm was over. That's my pet peeve about last winter too-- the storms ended before daybreak and the damn sun came out.

[A-L-E-X]

95-96 is the king winter. No doubt about it.

93-94 had 21, 1"+ storms, but not enough big storms.

The two February storms and the January ice storm in 94 really did make that winter great though-- one thing I really loved about that winter was that the two big snowstorms we had both occurred mostly in the daytime and had thundersnow-- with some of the highest snowfall rates I have ever seen!

[TheTrials]

I hate night time storms too-- thats why I take Dec 2009 right off my list. We were all waiting for it to snow and I stayed up all night the previous night and when it finally started snowing the next night I was too tired and passed out and when I woke up the sun was coming up and the snow storm was over. That's my pet peeve about last winter too-- the storms ended before daybreak and the damn sun came out.

That's another storm that doesnt even rank for me. Days and days of tracking and back to back to back to back to abck Bufkit output sof 20-40 inches and the storm was junk save for portions of the island. Way too much dry air , miserable WAA, a very fast mover, ugly snow growth. I would rank the norlun event last year or even the February surprise storm last year better than 12/19. It was all hype and no bite.

[ag3]

That's another storm that doesnt even rank for me. Days and days of tracking and back to back to back to back to abck Bufkit output sof 20-40 inches and the storm was junk save for portions of the island. Way too much dry air , miserable WAA, a very fast mover, ugly snow growth. I would rank the norlun event last year or even the February surprise storm last year better than 12/19. It was all hype and no bite.

Tight gradient. Was a nice storm for NYC and south. The more north, the longer it took for the dry air to get eaten up.

[TheTrials]

Tight gradient. Was a nice storm for NYC and south. The more north, the longer it took for the dry air to get eaten up.

It wasn't even that good for NYC bro. Regardless of the dry air, it was a real fast mover. In ten years, people won't even remember that the storm occured.