NYC/NNJ/CNJ/LI "MARCH" & "SPRING" Snowfall Data (1869-2018)

[ncforecaster89]

As I've begun to do for various "official" observational sites throughout New England, decided to create this thread in order to share my ongoing research into the climatilogical data for various sites throughout the region encompassing NYC, Long Island, Northern New Jersey, and Central New Jersey.   

Will begin by posting the top 10 snow-producing storms/events for the month of March, and expand the research to daily records, list of verified blizzards, and much more.   

This will be an ongoing project, and the thread will be updated, as time permits.  Please feel free to share any additional data you may have obtained, for the month of March, if you like?   

[ncforecaster89]

TOP 10 MARCH SNOW STORMS FOR ISLIP, NY (1964-2018):

1) 3/21-22/2018 = 18.4" (14.9" on 21st)

2) 3/21-22/1967 = 17.0" (15.0" on 22nd)

3) 3/01-02/2009 = 13.5" (9.7" on 2nd)

T4) 3/23-23/1969 = 8.0"

T4) 3/29-29/1974 = 8.0" 

T4) 3/13-13/1993 = 8.0"

7) 3/14-15/1999 = 7.9" (5.9" on 15th)

8) 3/05-05/1981 = 7.0"

9) 3/07-08/2018 = 6.9" (6.5" on 7th)

10) 3/13-14/2018 = 6.6" (6.4" on 13th)

Note: Two other major storms would've made this list if it were defined as March or later events.   Consequently, they are listed below numbered by their position corresponding to the secondary categorization. 

3) 4/06-06/1982 = 16.0"

4) 4/09-10/1996 = 8.5" (4.5" on 9th)

[ncforecaster89]

TOP 10 MARCH SNOW STORMS FOR NEWARK, NJ (1931-2018):

1) 3/18-19/1956 = 18.2" (12.7" on 19th)

2) 3/20-21/1958 = 14.8" (9.5" on 20th)

3) 3/03-04/1960 = 13.9" (12.5" on 3rd)

4) 3/13-14/1993 = 12.7" (11.9" on 13th) 

5) 3/08-09/1941 = 12.1" (12.0" on 8th)

6) 3/21-22/1967 = 8.6" (7.7" on 22nd)

7) 3/05-05/1981 = 8.5" 

8) 3/21-22/2018 = 8.3" (7.9" on 21st)

9) 3/03-03/1978 = 7.4"

10) 3/18-19/1992 = 7.3" (6.5" on 19th)

Note: One other major storm would've made this list if it were defined as March or later events.   Consequently, it is listed below numbered by its position corresponding to the secondary categorization. 

4) 4/06-06/1982 = 12.8"

[weatherpruf]

46 minutes ago, ncforecaster89 said:

TOP 10 MARCH SNOW STORMS FOR NEWARK, NJ (1931-2018):

1) 3/18-19/1956 = 18.2" (12.7" on 19th)

2) 3/20-21/1958 = 14.8" (9.5" on 20th)

3) 3/03-04/1960 = 13.9" (12.5" on 3rd)

4) 3/13-14/1993 = 12.7" (11.9" on 13th) 

5) 3/08-09/1941 = 12.1" (12.0" on 8th)

6) 3/21-22/1967 = 8.6" (7.7" on 22nd)

7) 3/05-05/1981 = 8.5" 

8) 3/21-22/2018 = 8.3" (7.9" on 21st)

9) 3/03-03/1978 = 7.4"

10) 3/18-19/1992 = 7.3" (6.5" on 19th)

Note: One other major storm would've made this list if it were defined as March or later events.   Consequently, it is listed below numbered by its position corresponding to the secondary categorization. 

4) 4/06-06/1982 = 12.8"

That 8.3 seems low for 3/22/18 for Newark. Nice work though.

[ncforecaster89]

2 hours ago, weatherpruf said:

That 8.3 seems low for 3/22/18 for Newark. Nice work though.

Thanks for the kind words.  The 8.3" is the combined storm total at KEWR.  Admittedly, it seems a little low, but it still constitutes the "official" measurement for Newark.  

http://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=okx

[ncforecaster89]

TOP 10 MARCH SNOW STORMS FOR NYC, NY (1869-2018):

1) 3/13-14/1888 = 20.9" (16.5" on 13th)

2) 3/07-09/1941 = 18.1" (15.7" on 8th)

3) 3/01-02/1914 = 14.5" (13.5" on 1st)

4) 3/03-04/1960 = 14.5" (12.5" on 3rd)

5) 3/16-16/1896 = 12.0" 

6) 3/20-21/1958 = 11.8" (7.1" on 21st)

7) 3/18-19/1956 = 11.6" (7.8" on 19th)

8) 3/13-14/1993 = 10.6" (10.2" on 13th)

9) 3/02-02/1896 = 10.0"

10) 3/21-22/1967 = 9.8" (9.0" on 22nd)

Note: One other major storm would've made this list if it were defined as March or later events.   Consequently, it is listed below numbered by its position corresponding to the secondary categorization. 

9) 4/03-04/1915 = 10.2" (10.0" on 3rd)

http://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=okx

Additionally, the most recent Noreaster (3/21-22/2018) places at #12 on the list of all March events (dating back to 1869) with 8.4".   The 4/6/1982 storm delivered 9.8" to NYC and would place at #12 for March or later events, and drop our most recent storm to #14, by this secondary categorization.  If one is wondering about the #11 March storm, it took place on 3/4-5/1981...having brought 8.6", itself, to the city.  

[ncforecaster89]

TOP 10 "SPRING" SNOW STORMS FOR NYC, NY (1869-2018):

1) 4/03-04/1915 = 10.2" (10.0" on 3rd)

2) 4/13-14/1875 = 10.0" (8.7" on 13th)

3) 3/21-22/1967 = 9.8" (9.0" on 22nd)

4) 4/06-06/1982 = 9.6" 

5) 4/01-01/1924 = 8.5"

6) 3/21-22/2018 = 8.4" (8.2" on 21st)

7) 3/21-21/1958 = 7.1"

8) 4/08-09/1917 = 6.5" (6.4" on 9th)

9) 4/05-05/1944 = 6.5"

10) 4/06-07/1938 = 6.4"

Note: The start times of the Spring Equinox varies year to year, but generally occurs either late on 3/20 or early on 3/21.  For this list, simply used data beginning on 3/21.       

Additionally, there were a total of 20 separate storms delivering >/= 4".  13 of which brought 5" or greater to Central Park.    

April: Only 10 individual storms produced accumulations of 4" or more, in the month of April.  Edited to include an additional storm I overlooked.

[Paragon]

Interesting that both 1938 and 1944 had almost identical snowfalls on almost the same dates and both had major hurricane hits in the NE later the same year lol.

 

[CPcantmeasuresnow]

5 hours ago, ncforecaster89 said:

TOP 10 "SPRING" SNOW STORMS FOR NYC, NY (1869-2018):

1) 4/03-04/1915 = 10.2" (10.0" on 3rd)

2) 4/13-14/1875 = 10.0" (8.7" on 13th)

3) 3/21-22/1967 = 9.8" (9.0" on 22nd)

4) 4/06-06/1982 = 9.6" 

5) 4/01-01/1924 = 8.5"

6) 3/21-22/2018 = 8.4" (8.2" on 21st)

7) 3/21-21/1958 = 7.1"

8) 4/08-09/1917 = 6.5" (6.4" on 9th)

9) 4/05-05/1944 = 6.5"

10) 4/06-07/1938 = 6.4"

Note: The start times of the Spring Equinox varies year to year, but generally occurs either late on 3/20 or early on 3/21.  For this list, simply used data beginning on 3/21.       

Additionally, there were a total of 19 separate storms delivering >/= 4".  12 of which brought 5" or greater to Central Park.    

April: Only 9 individual storms produced accumulations of 4" or more, in the month of April.                      

Most outlets include the March 19-20 1958 storm of 11.8 inches as the top springtime snow in NYC. The equinox occurred on March 20th that year so it's debatable whether or not to use it. I see you used 7.1 from the 21st in 1958?

I thought it's actually 10 storms in April of 4 inches or more. Today would make the 11th.

[ncforecaster89]

3 hours ago, CPcantmeasuresnow said:

Most outlets include the March 19-20 1958 storm of 11.8 inches as the top springtime snow in NYC. The equinox occurred on March 20th that year so it's debatable whether or not to use it. I see you used 7.1 from the 21st in 1958?

I thought it's actually 10 storms in April of 4 inches or more. Today would make the 11th.

Hi CP!  Struggled with whether to include the 20th for the 1958 storm.   However, the equinox didn't begin until 10:05 pm EDT on 3/20...so I decided to use just the totals on 3/21...as I'm not sure how much snow accumulated in the 2 hours on 3/20.  Obviously, more than just the 7.1" on the 21st.

As for April events of >/= 4"...I counted 1875, 1915, 1917, 1924, 1938, 1944, 1956, 1982, and 2003.  

[CPcantmeasuresnow]

11 minutes ago, ncforecaster89 said:

Hi CP!  Struggled with whether to include the 20th for the 1958 storm.   However, the equinox didn't begin until 10:05 pm EDT on 3/20...so I decided to use just the totals on 3/21...as I'm not sure how much snow accumulated in the 2 hours on 3/20.  Obviously, more than just the 7.1" on the 21st.

As for April events of >/= 4"...I counted 1875, 1915, 1917, 1924, 1938, 1944, 1956, 1982, and 2003.  

April 9, 1907 5.0 inches.

That was as per Dons list he put out this morning.

[ncforecaster89]

12 minutes ago, CPcantmeasuresnow said:

April 9, 1907 5.0 inches.

That was as per Dons list he put out this morning.

You're right!  Thanks for the info/catch.  Overlooked it when transferring written notes to the thread.   

[donsutherland1]

2 hours ago, ncforecaster89 said:

Hi CP!  Struggled with whether to include the 20th for the 1958 storm.   However, the equinox didn't begin until 10:05 pm EDT on 3/20...so I decided to use just the totals on 3/21...as I'm not sure how much snow accumulated in the 2 hours on 3/20.  Obviously, more than just the 7.1" on the 21st.

As for April events of >/= 4"...I counted 1875, 1915, 1917, 1924, 1938, 1944, 1956, 1982, and 2003.  

According to the Central Park records, 4.7" fell on 3/20/1958.

[CPcantmeasuresnow]

14 minutes ago, donsutherland1 said:

According to the Central Park records, 4.7" fell on 3/20/1958.

So was the storm in 1958 on 3/19 & 3/20 or 3/20 & 3/21?

I always had it as 3/19 & 3/20 which I think may be incorrect.

[donsutherland1]

9 minutes ago, CPcantmeasuresnow said:

So was the storm in 1958 on 3/19 & 3/20 or 3/20 & 3/21?

I always had it as 3/19 & 3/20 which I think may be incorrect.

3/19-21 in NYC. Snowfall amounts: 3/19 Trace; 3/20 4.7"; 3/21 7.1"

[donsutherland1]

@CPcantmeasuresnow

March 1958 daily data for NYC:

 

Daily Data Between Two Dates

New York-Central Park Area (NY)

NYCthr

Date	Precipitation (in)	Snowfall (in)	Max Temp (°F)	Min Temp (°F)
1958-03-01	0.00	0.0	46	39
1958-03-02	0.00	0.0	52	39
1958-03-03	0.29	0.0	45	39
1958-03-04	0.15	T	44	34
1958-03-05	0.00	0.0	46	35
1958-03-06	0.00	0.0	47	35
1958-03-07	0.00	0.0	48	33
1958-03-08	0.00	0.0	41	30
1958-03-09	0.00	0.0	41	27
1958-03-10	0.00	0.0	51	33
1958-03-11	0.00	0.0	57	34
1958-03-12	0.00	0.0	44	34
1958-03-13	T	T	46	34
1958-03-14	0.48	4.1	36	33
1958-03-15	T	T	41	35
1958-03-16	0.00	0.0	43	35
1958-03-17	0.00	0.0	45	34
1958-03-18	T	0.0	42	35
1958-03-19	0.02	T	39	34
1958-03-20	0.90	4.7	35	33
1958-03-21	0.71	7.1	35	31
1958-03-22	T	T	45	34
1958-03-23	0.00	0.0	49	36
1958-03-24	0.00	0.0	51	38
1958-03-25	0.06	0.0	47	40
1958-03-26	0.13	0.0	42	39
1958-03-27	0.04	0.0	45	37
1958-03-28	0.00	0.0	52	35
1958-03-29	0.00	0.0	55	34
1958-03-30	0.00	0.0	54	39
1958-03-31	0.41	0.0	42	40

[ncforecaster89]

2 hours ago, donsutherland1 said:

According to the Central Park records, 4.7" fell on 3/20/1958.

Hi Don!  I didn't include the 4.7" that was recorded on the 20th...since the equinox didn't begin until after 10 pm (less than 2 hours accumulation of the entire days total would count toward Spring).  

Unless we can determine how much fell between 10 pm and midnight, It's arguably more accurate to exclude the totals on the 20th...rather than include them...as it's unlikely more than 2" (of the 4.7") fell in those 2 hours.   That's why I put the disclaimer as to all events have a 3/21 start date to be considered a "Spring" event.  Unfortunately, it's not completely accurate, either way.  

Edit: link for Spring Equinox start times in NYC. 

https://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/seasons.html?year=1950

[donsutherland1]

1 hour ago, ncforecaster89 said:

Hi Don!  I didn't include the 4.7" that was recorded on the 20th...since the equinox didn't begin until after 10 pm (less than 2 hours accumulation of the entire days total would count toward Spring).  

Unless we can determine how much fell between 10 pm and midnight, It's arguably more accurate to exclude the totals on the 20th...rather than include them...as it's unlikely more than 2" (of the 4.7") fell in those 2 hours.   That's why I put the disclaimer as to all events have a 3/21 start date to be considered a "Spring" event.  Unfortunately, it's not completely accurate, either way.  

Edit: link for Spring Equinox start times in NYC. 

https://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/seasons.html?year=1950

I agree with your decision, Ncforecaster89. I was addressing the question as to whether the accumulating snow fell on March 19-20 or March 20-21.

[uncle W]

this is what I have for April snowfalls...

Biggest snowstorms...

10.2" 3-4th 1915

10.0" 13th 1875

9.6" 6th 1982

8.5" 1st 1924

6.5" 8-9th 1917

6.5" 5th 1944

6.4" 6-7th 1938

5.5" 2nd 2018

5.0" 9th 1907

4.2" 8th 1956

4.0" 7th 2003

3.3" 8-9th 1916

3.3" 5-6th 1896

3.0" 18th 1887

3.0" 25th 1875

2.6" 11-13th 1918

2.5" 4th 1957

2.5" 4th 1870

2.5" 5th 1898

2.2" 9-10th 1942

2.0" 2nd 1871

1.9" 14th 1950

1.7" 12-13th 1940

1.2" 9th 2000

1.2" 2nd 1965

1.0" 12th 1894

1.0" 15th 1892

1.0" 4th 1886

[CPcantmeasuresnow]

3 hours ago, ncforecaster89 said:

Hi Don!  I didn't include the 4.7" that was recorded on the 20th...since the equinox didn't begin until after 10 pm (less than 2 hours accumulation of the entire days total would count toward Spring).  

Unless we can determine how much fell between 10 pm and midnight, It's arguably more accurate to exclude the totals on the 20th...rather than include them...as it's unlikely more than 2" (of the 4.7") fell in those 2 hours.   That's why I put the disclaimer as to all events have a 3/21 start date to be considered a "Spring" event.  Unfortunately, it's not completely accurate, either way.  

Edit: link for Spring Equinox start times in NYC. 

https://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/seasons.html?year=1950

I do see your point and I've gone back and forth on this one but since the 20th was technically the first day of spring even though only 2 hours of it was after the equinox I would go with the 11.8 as the largest spring storm since the far majority of the 11.8 fell after the equinox, probably 8-9 inches of the 11.8, and all of it fell on days that were considered on the calendar as spring days. There's really no right or wrong just opinion.

[ncforecaster89]

1 hour ago, uncle W said:

this is what I have for April snowfalls...

Biggest snowstorms...

10.2" 3-4th 1915

10.0" 13th 1875

9.6" 6th 1982

8.5" 1st 1924

6.5" 8-9th 1917

6.5" 5th 1944

6.4" 6-7th 1938

5.5" 2nd 2018

5.0" 9th 1907

4.2" 8th 1956

4.0" 7th 2003

3.3" 8-9th 1916

3.3" 5-6th 1896

3.0" 18th 1887

3.0" 25th 1875

2.6" 11-13th 1918

2.5" 4th 1957

2.5" 4th 1870

2.5" 5th 1898

2.2" 9-10th 1942

2.0" 2nd 1871

1.9" 14th 1950

1.7" 12-13th 1940

1.2" 9th 2000

1.2" 2nd 1965

1.0" 12th 1894

1.0" 15th 1892

1.0" 4th 1886

Thanks for posting those, Uncle.  That's the same ones I had compiled, last night, but didn't post the full list of April exclusive events.   Moreover, I stopped at  events of >/= 3". 

 Greatly appreciate the work you, Don, and CP each put into such research.  It's very time-consuming, as we all know. Thanks again!

Edit: just noticed a minor omission.  The 1875 storm accumulated the 10" total over 2 days (13-14).

[ncforecaster89]

9 minutes ago, CPcantmeasuresnow said:

I do see your point and I've gone back and forth on this one but since the 20th was technically the first day of spring even though only 2 hours of it was after the equinox I would go with the 11.8 as the largest spring storm since the far majority of the 11.8 fell after the equinox, probably 8-9 inches of the 11.8, and all of it fell on days that were considered on the calendar as spring days. There's really no right or wrong just opinion.

Likewise, I can most certainly understand that legitimate perspective,  as well.  Upon further reflection, may revise list inclusive of the totals on 3/20/58.  

So happy for you, and the others in this subforum, who got to experience a top 10 April event, this morning.  My wife was in NYC and took a couple pics and video for me; although she hated it (says it was very wet and slushy at Chealsea Market)!    

[ncforecaster89]

Don, Uncle, CP, or any others:

Was/am planning on gathering a list of top 10 "Spring" events and "April" storms for both Newark and Islip.  Before I do so, wanted to ask if anyone has already done this research?  If so, please consider posting it here, in the thread.  TIA

[uncle W]

7 hours ago, ncforecaster89 said:

Don, Uncle, CP, or any others:

Was/am planning on gathering a list of top 10 "Spring" events and "April" storms for both Newark and Islip.  Before I do so, wanted to ask if anyone has already done this research?  If so, please consider posting it here, in the thread.  TIA

I did some research for Newark since 1950...

biggest April snowfalls in Newark N.J. since 1950...

12.8" 4/6/1982

4.4"...4/7/2003

4.1"...4/19/1983

4.1"...4/4/1957

3.4"...4/8/1956

2.2"... 4/6/1971

1.4"...4/1/1997

1.3"...4/5/2006

1.1"...4/12/1959

1.0"...4/9/1982

0.9"...4/9/2000

0.7"...4/9-10/1996

0.7"...4/2/1965

0.7"...4/14/1950

0.6"...4/7/1990

[weatherpruf]

3 hours ago, uncle W said:

I did some research for Newark since 1950...

biggest April snowfalls in Newark N.J. since 1950...

12.8" 4/6/1982

4.4"...4/7/2003

4.1"...4/19/1983

4.1"...4/4/1957

3.4"...4/8/1956

2.2"... 4/6/1971

1.4"...4/1/1997

1.3"...4/5/2006

1.1"...4/12/1959

1.0"...4/9/1982

0.9"...4/9/2000

0.7"...4/9-10/1996

0.7"...4/2/1965

0.7"...4/14/1950

0.6"...4/7/1990

Must've been a tight gradient in that 83 storm, which I have no recollection of; I'm a bit south of Newark but should have seen something. Notice how the 96 storm was almost nothing here compared to further east.

[Paragon]

Wow, that 4/19-20/1983 storm was over 4" in EWR?  Why was nothing recorded at NYC?  Even JFK had like 2 inches with that one.

 

[bluewave]

5 hours ago, Paragon said:

Wow, that 4/19-20/1983 storm was over 4" in EWR?  Why was nothing recorded at NYC?  Even JFK had like 2 inches with that one.

 

I believe that was the latest 15" max snowfall event around the region.

https://www.nytimes.com/1983/04/20/nyregion/spring-snowstorm-disrupts-schools-and-traffic.html

Apr 20, 1983 ... WAYNE, N.J., April 19 - Drifts of snow, chilling sleet and heavy rain hit northern New Jersey today, dumping 15 inches of snow at Budd Lake in Morris County and 10 inches in Hackettstown in Warren County. Six inches of snow fell at Gladstone in Somerset County and four inches in Newton in Sussex ...

[CPcantmeasuresnow]

With one or maybe two more threats still viable this month I'd like to at least get in the top 4 for April.

Top 10 Snowiest Aprils NYC
1....1875....13.5
2....1915....10.2
3....1982......9.6
4....1924......8.5
5.....1917.....6.5
6.....1944.....6.5
7.....1938.....6.4
8.....1907.....5.8
9....2018....5.5
10....1887....5.0

[uncle W]

5 hours ago, Paragon said:

Wow, that 4/19-20/1983 storm was over 4" in EWR?  Why was nothing recorded at NYC?  Even JFK had like 2 inches with that one.

 

NYC recorded 0.8" before it changed to rain...I went to work that morning in snow...when I got there it already changed to rain...I lost the video of 1t...

[gravitylover]

My wife and I were talking about a big storm in April 1979 on the south shore of LI that we both remember having time off from school for. Does anyone have the details on that one?