New york city snowfall

[jconsor]

Another measure of the severity of a winter is Snow Depth Days (SDD). Snow Depth Days is the sum of the snow depth at observation time for each day in a winter. For Central Park, since daily snow depths since 1950 have been rounded to the nearest inch, seasonal SDD is also rounded to the nearest inch.

Here are SDD through the end of January, and for the entire season, for all winters since 1910 that had at least 50 SDD. Winters with a * indicate that snow depth from LGA airport was used because there was missing data from Central Park. There is a lot of missing snow depth data before 1910, so it was not possible to calculate SDD before then.

Note that the current winter has the 3rd highest SDD through the end of January (and we still have 7 days left). Only 1995-96 and 1960-61 are higher. 1960-61 is likely to be eclipsed by the end of January, while 1995-96 will be a tough target to beat.

1913-14 - 0/196

1915-16 - 17/161

1916-17 - 46/90

1917-18 - 177/221

1919-20 - 72/270

1922-23 - 85/169

1925-26 - 9/194

1933-34 - 66/248

1947-48 - 150/167

*1948-49 - 101/131

1953-54 - 73/74

1955-56 - 8/71

1957-58 - 57/125

1959-60 - 43/106

1960-61 - 224/431

1963-64 - 119/155

1964-65 - 52/56

1965-66 - 24/75

1966-67 - 28/156

1968-69 - 18/177

1969-70 - 81/109

1973-74 - 50/79

1976-77 - 78/105

1977-78 - 88/300

1978-79 - 3/90

1981-82 - 59/82

1982-83 - 11/125

1986-87 - 75/108

1993-94 - 111/335

*1995-96 - 288/370

*2000-01 - 103/123

*2002-03 - 24/182

2003-04 - 107/146

2004-05 - 114/219

2005-06 - 31/88

2008-09 - 36/71

2009-10 - 35/188

2010-11 - 200

[uncle W]

Another measure of the severity of a winter is Snow Depth Days (SDD). Snow Depth Days is the sum of the snow depth at observation time for each day in a winter. For Central Park, since daily snow depths since 1950 have been rounded to the nearest inch, seasonal SDD is also rounded to the nearest inch.

Here are SDD through the end of January, and for the entire season, for all winters since 1910 that had at least 50 SDD. Winters with a * indicate that snow depth from LGA airport was used because there was missing data from Central Park. There is a lot of missing snow depth data before 1910, so it was not possible to calculate SDD before then.

Note that the current winter has the 3rd highest SDD through the end of January (and we still have 7 days left). Only 1995-96 and 1960-61 are higher. 1960-61 is likely to be eclipsed by the end of January, while 1995-96 will be a tough target to beat.

1913-14 - 0/196

1915-16 - 17/161

1916-17 - 46/90

1917-18 - 177/221

1919-20 - 72/270

1922-23 - 85/169

1925-26 - 9/194

1933-34 - 66/248

1947-48 - 150/167

*1948-49 - 101/131

1953-54 - 73/74

1955-56 - 8/71

1957-58 - 57/125

1959-60 - 43/106

1960-61 - 224/431

1963-64 - 119/155

1964-65 - 52/56

1965-66 - 24/75

1966-67 - 28/156

1968-69 - 18/177

1969-70 - 81/109

1973-74 - 50/79

1976-77 - 78/105

1977-78 - 88/300

1978-79 - 3/90

1981-82 - 59/82

1982-83 - 11/125

1986-87 - 75/108

1993-94 - 111/335

*1995-96 - 288/370

*2000-01 - 103/123

*2002-03 - 24/182

2003-04 - 107/146

2004-05 - 114/219

2005-06 - 31/88

2008-09 - 36/71

2009-10 - 35/188

2010-11 - 200

nice stats...have you noticed the snow depth the last few days didn't go down since the last snowfall?...It was 1" but rose to 6" after a 4.2" snowfall...The only way that is possible is if they were using fractions of an inch...example the snow cover on 1/20 was 1" and 1/21 6"...It could have been 1.4" + 4.2" = 5.6" rounded to 6"...But buy now with evaporation and Sun light it should be down to 4-5"...Something doesn't add up...

[uncle W]

Another measure of the severity of a winter is Snow Depth Days (SDD). Snow Depth Days is the sum of the snow depth at observation time for each day in a winter. For Central Park, since daily snow depths since 1950 have been rounded to the nearest inch, seasonal SDD is also rounded to the nearest inch.

Here are SDD through the end of January, and for the entire season, for all winters since 1910 that had at least 50 SDD. Winters with a * indicate that snow depth from LGA airport was used because there was missing data from Central Park. There is a lot of missing snow depth data before 1910, so it was not possible to calculate SDD before then.

Note that the current winter has the 3rd highest SDD through the end of January (and we still have 7 days left). Only 1995-96 and 1960-61 are higher. 1960-61 is likely to be eclipsed by the end of January, while 1995-96 will be a tough target to beat.

1913-14 - 0/196

1915-16 - 17/161

1916-17 - 46/90

1917-18 - 177/221

1919-20 - 72/270

1922-23 - 85/169

1925-26 - 9/194

1933-34 - 66/248

1947-48 - 150/167

*1948-49 - 101/131

1953-54 - 73/74

1955-56 - 8/71

1957-58 - 57/125

1959-60 - 43/106

1960-61 - 224/431

1963-64 - 119/155

1964-65 - 52/56

1965-66 - 24/75

1966-67 - 28/156

1968-69 - 18/177

1969-70 - 81/109

1973-74 - 50/79

1976-77 - 78/105

1977-78 - 88/300

1978-79 - 3/90

1981-82 - 59/82

1982-83 - 11/125

1986-87 - 75/108

1993-94 - 111/335

*1995-96 - 288/370

*2000-01 - 103/123

*2002-03 - 24/182

2003-04 - 107/146

2004-05 - 114/219

2005-06 - 31/88

2008-09 - 36/71

2009-10 - 35/188

2010-11 - 200

I think 1947-48 is wrong...January averaged near a foot each day...It also looks like they were using tenths of an inch until th end of December...Also the obs time might have been midnight?...

[uncle W]

19.0" fell in Central Park since Yesterday bringing the season's total to 56.1"...This is the first time NYC had more snow than the previous year that had 35" or more...NYC has 93" since 2/1/2010...A record for a twelve month period...The snowiest January on record with a little more to come...The 56.1" of snow before Feb. 1st is also a new record...

[jconsor]

Yes, thanks for pointing that out. The revised Snow Depth Days for Central Park for 1947-48 is:

Thru the end of January: 455

Entire season: 627

**Note that snow depth was missing for Dec 26-29 (during and following the big late Dec 1947 storm), so I estimated snow depth based on how much snow fell and how much depth was left on Dec 30.

It would be very hard to beat 1947-48 in terms of Snow Depth Days, given how persistent the deep snow pack was.

Through today, Central Park is running at 227 Snow Depth Days for the winter. Unless there is an unexpected big meltdown in the next few days, Central Park will finish Jan in 2nd place for SDD, behind 1947-48, and just ahead of 1995-96 (which had 288 SDD at the end of Jan).

I think 1947-48 is wrong...January averaged near a foot each day...It also looks like they were using tenths of an inch until th end of December...Also the obs time might have been midnight?...

[tamarack]

15 day period.............AT..max/min...Precip"..Snow"BS"....SC"

Jan21-Feb 4.....1961..17.5..34...-2..2.97"..22.5"..17.4"...25"

or...

Jan20-Feb3...1961...16.3...29...-2...1.19...16.3...13"

Loses 6" snow and the massive depth, but becomes the coldest 15-day period on the list (and perhaps only beaten by 12/26/17-1/10/18, with 14.6F avg but only 2" snow.)

[uncle W]

or...

Jan20-Feb3...1961...16.3...29...-2...1.19...16.3...13"

Loses 6" snow and the massive depth, but becomes the coldest 15-day period on the list (and perhaps only beaten by 12/26/17-1/10/18, with 14.6F avg but only 2" snow.)

it was a great period but I think we have beaten that winter now...I thought I would never say that...I have to revise the latest 15 day period...these periods reflect the most snow in the 15 days while averaging 32 or lower...

[tamarack]

it was a great period but I think we have beaten that winter now...I thought I would never say that...I have to revise the latest 15 day period...these periods reflect the most snow in the 15 days while averaging 32 or lower...

I think you're right. My "edit" was merely looking for cold temps.

This latest storm was a complete miss for MBY, but since I'm about at normal snowfall to date, it's lots easier enjoying the NYC-area fun from afar, at least compared to last winter (which was already cooked here, though we didn't yet know it.) Treasure the memories.

[KEITH L.I]

it was a great period but I think we have beaten that winter now...I thought I would never say that...I have to revise the latest 15 day period...these periods reflect the most snow in the 15 days while averaging 32 or lower...

wow if Unc thinks this winter is better than 60-61..than you know it's historic

[A-L-E-X]

19.0" fell in Central Park since Yesterday bringing the season's total to 56.1"...This is the first time NYC had more snow than the previous year that had 35" or more...NYC has 93" since 2/1/2010...A record for a twelve month period...The snowiest January on record with a little more to come...The 56.1" of snow before Feb. 1st is also a new record...

Lol so we're closer to that 100 inch annual mark than some people think. I wonder if we can make it if we get a couple inches this weekend and then another storm next week? I remember we didnt get our first big snowstorm in Feb til the 10th so I guess its possible! And it didnt even snow last March!

We need just 0.9 inches this weekend to tie the all time monthly record set last Feb!

[mulen]

Unbelievable amount of snow so far i have to pinch myself to make sure its real see ya.

[uncle W]

Yes, thanks for pointing that out. The revised Snow Depth Days for Central Park for 1947-48 is:

Thru the end of January: 455

Entire season: 627

**Note that snow depth was missing for Dec 26-29 (during and following the big late Dec 1947 storm), so I estimated snow depth based on how much snow fell and how much depth was left on Dec 30.

It would be very hard to beat 1947-48 in terms of Snow Depth Days, given how persistent the deep snow pack was.

Through today, Central Park is running at 227 Snow Depth Days for the winter. Unless there is an unexpected big meltdown in the next few days, Central Park will finish Jan in 2nd place for SDD, behind 1947-48, and just ahead of 1995-96 (which had 288 SDD at the end of Jan).

I like your way of adding each day's snow depth...As of today we have 250...If we get any snow next week a conservative estimate by 2/14 would bee around 500 with some snow pack left...If we get another major storm we have a great chance of beating 1947-48 for the king of winter snow depth...twice we had at least 20" of snow depth...12/27 and now the last two days...1947-48 had five I think...

[jconsor]

Update as of 1/30:

Central Park now has 36 consecutive days with at least 1" of snow cover. Barring any unexpected torch on Wed, Central Park will almost certainly enter into 3rd place for longest streak of consecutive 1" snow cover in the past 100 years. The current top streaks are:

1) 1947-48 - 58 days

2) 1919-20 - 55 days

3) 1993-94 - 40 days

4) 1977-78 - 37 days

Central Park also now has 5 consecutive days with at least 10" snow cover (since Jan 26). Depending on the amount of melt down on Tue-Wed, we are decent position to at least tie for 2nd place for the longest 10" snow cover streak in the past 100 years. The current top streaks are:

1) 1947-48 - 16 days

2) 1995-96 - 10 days

1960-61 - 10 days

3) 1993-94 - 8 days

4) 1968-69 - 7 days

[yhbrooklyn]

I found a mistake on Upton's snow pages and let the webmaster know.

On the top 10 list (http://www.erh.noaa.gov/okx/climate/records/snowiestwintersmonths.html), they have 1874-75 in 4th place with 58.8" and 1872-73 in 5th with 58.5".

However, if you look at the annual snowfall list (http://www.erh.noaa.gov/okx/climate/records/monthseasonsnowfall.html), 1872-73 had 60.3" and 1874-75 had 57.8.

It doesn't change this season's status as #6 all-time, but will make a difference if we only get another 4".

[uncle W]

I found a mistake on Upton's snow pages and let the webmaster know.

On the top 10 list (http://www.erh.noaa....tersmonths.html), they have 1874-75 in 4th place with 58.8" and 1872-73 in 5th with 58.5".

However, if you look at the annual snowfall list (http://www.erh.noaa....onsnowfall.html), 1872-73 had 60.3" and 1874-75 had 57.8.

It doesn't change this season's status as #6 all-time, but will make a difference if we only get another 4".

ever since I can remember 1874-75's winter had 47.9" with 0.1" for December 1874...Now it's 10.0" for December 1874 and 57.8" for the season...The record snowfall for Dec. 20th was 2.7" set in 1964...The record precipitation for the date was 1.92" set in 1874...Now the record snowfall is 10.0" set in 1874...Why the error for so many years?...How do you miss a 10" snowfall in the official records for over 100 years?...NOAA does not have the 10" snowfall in their official 6" snowfalls table...

[yhbrooklyn]

ever since I can remember 1874-75's winter had 47.9" with 0.1" for December 1874...Now it's 10.0" for December 1874 and 57.8" for the season...The record snowfall for Dec. 20th was 2.7" set in 1964...The record precipitation for the date was 1.92" set in 1874...Now the record snowfall is 10.0" set in 1874...Why the error for so many years?...How do you miss a 10" snowfall in the official records for over 100 years?...NOAA does not have the 10" snowfall in their official 6" snowfalls table...

It's funny you mention that. I had a 0.1 on my spreadsheet, but thought I had made a mistake. I didn't realize that they had updated it recently.

Something is weird.

[coastalplainsnowman]

Great post. While there's debate here regarding how long we'll be able to keep the trends of the 00s going, and exactly where it ranks in comparison to some of the other snowier decades of the last century, one thing is for certain: The timeframe since 2000 blows away the timeframe of the 1980 through 1993, and really 1972 through 2000.

I did some rough analysis back around 2000 and found that on Long Island, even if you go back to 1970, which brings the snowy 1977 and 1978 into the picture, we had 10+" of snow here on LI about six times in the 1972 through 1999 timeframe. More anecdotally, growing up in the 1980s, and into the early 90s, 3-6 inches was a big deal. Being 'in the pink or purple' on the TWC maps -- i.e. 6-12 inches was a highly unusual occurrence. 12+ was practically unheard of, almost on a hurricane-level rarity. Compare to the last 10 years, where a 1 foot threat (granted 'threat' is a subjective term) happens on average at least once a year. I look at these 8-14" maps each year and think what I'd have given to see one during my childhood (other than 1983.)

The other thing that's interesting -- for all the talk of our parents and grandparents about 'how bad it was back then', with big snow piles and drifts,etc., what's gone on since 2000 is right in the ballpark with any previous decade on record. Apparently they were all just being dramatic On the same note, those who have grown up in the 2000s will be truly down if the 2010s turn out anything like the 80s...

[JBG]

The other thing that's interesting -- for all the talk of our parents and grandparents about 'how bad it was back then', with big snow piles and drifts,etc., what's gone on since 2000 is right in the ballpark with any previous decade on record. Apparently they were all just being dramatic On the same note, those who have grown up in the 2000s will be truly down if the 2010s turn out anything like the 80s...

This and last winter are definitely "grandparents" type winters, no doubt about it.

[uncle W]

so far today is the tenth straight day with at least 4" of snow depth for the winter in NYC...We managed seven days with 10"...The years since 1947-48 with the most days...

days with 1" snow depth...

74 in 1993-94

65 in 1947-48

56 in 1977-78

55 in 1995-96

52 in 1960-61

49 in 2010-11

47 in 1969-70

47 in 1976-77

42 in 1963-64

42 in 2002-03

41 in 2004-05

4" snow depth...

54 in 1947-48

42 in 2010-11

41 in 1960-61

35 in 1995-96 LGA obs...

31 in 1993-94

30 in 1977-78

23 in 2002-03 LGA

23 in 2009-10

21 in 1963-64

20 in 2003-04 LGA

20 in 2004-05

10" snow depth...

33 in 1947-48

23 in 2010-11 as of 2/12

20 in 1960-61

14 in 1995-96 LGA

12 in 1977-78

8.. in 1993-94

8.. in 2009-10

8.. in 1968-69

6.. in 1959-60

6.. in 1982-83

20" snow depth...

6 in 1995-96 LGA obs...

5 in 1947-48

4 in 2010-11 as of 2/3

3 in 1960-61

3 in 1993-94

1 in 2002-03 LGA

1 in 2005-06 LGA

1 in 2009-10

1 in 2010-11

Feb. 3rd update...

today is the 40th consecutive day with at least 1" snow depth...The 14th with at least 4"...The ninth with at least 10"...

the record...

Consecutive days 1" or more...

58 in 1947-48

55 in 1919-20

49 in 2010-11

40 in 1993-94

37 in 1976-77

35 in 1969-70

35 in 1977-78

32 in 1960-61

30 in 1913-14

30 in 1917-18

Consecutive days 4" or more...

53 in 1947-48

30 in 1960-61

28 in 1919-20

23 in 2010-11

20 in 1977-78

17 in 1968-69

16 in 1917-18

15 in 1925-26

14 in 1913-14

13 in 1993-94

13 in 2004-05

Consecutive days 10" or more...

16 in 1947-48

16 in 2010-11

10 in 1960-61

10 in 1995-96 LGA obs...

08 in 1993-94

07 in 1968-69

06 in 1977-78

[Diego]

As a result of the 1.1" rec'd earlier today, placing it presently at 57.2", Central Park now only needs 6.1'' of additional snowfall for this season to reach the #2 spot (which is currently 63.2" in 47/48) for the amount of greatest seasonal snowfall received there since 1868/69. Maybe this Saturday?

[uncle W]

The record for two consecutive years is 109.8" set in 1947-48 and 48-49...kiss that record goodbye as well...

seasons...snowfall...

2009-10/2010-11...112.3"

1947-48/1948-49...109.8"

1915-16/1916-17...101.4"

1872-73/1873-74.....97.2"

1959-60/1960-61.....93.9"

2002-03/2003-04.....91.9"

1895-96/1896-97.....89.9"

1921-22/1922-23.....88.2"

1994-95/1995-96.....87.4"

1882-83/1883-84.....87.1"

[JBG]

NYC has 108.5" the last two winters as of today...The record for two consecutive years is 109.8" set in 1947-48 and 48-49...kiss that record goodbye as well...

seasons...snowfall...

1947-48/1948-49...109.8"

2009-10/2010-11...108.5"

1915-16/1916-17...101.4"

1872-73/1873-74.....97.2"

1959-60/1960-61.....93.9"

2002-03/2003-04.....91.9"

1895-96/1896-97.....89.9"

1921-22/1922-23.....88.2"

1994-95/1995-96.....87.4"

1882-83/1883-84.....87.1"

So there was global warming in the 1880's too?

[yhbrooklyn]

2001-02 through 2010-11 is currently the 9th snowiest 10 year period on record for NYC.

In order to move into #1, we need another 26.2", which would put the season total at 83.9". I think that's out of reach.

If we get another 10" we can move up to #5.

The current top 10 (season listed is the last of the 10).

1922-23 36.34"

1898-99 35.82"

1924-25 35.12"

1923-24 35.04"

1899-00 34.73"

1881-82 34.71"

1887-88 34.59"

1896-97 34.33"

2010-11 33.74"

1883-84 33.70"

FWIW, since 2001-02 was so awful, if NYC doesn't get another inch this winter and next year gets 30", 2002-03 through 2011-12 will become #1.

(Obviously, for every inch more we get this year, you can deduct another inch needed next year).

[stemwinder]

2001-02 through 2010-11 is currently the 9th snowiest 10 year period on record for NYC.

In order to move into #1, we need another 26.2", which would put the season total at 83.9". I think that's out of reach.

If we get another 10" we can move up to #5.

The current top 10 (season listed is the last of the 10).

1922-23 36.34"

1898-99 35.82"

1924-25 35.12"

1923-24 35.04"

1899-00 34.73"

1881-82 34.71"

1887-88 34.59"

1896-97 34.33"

2010-11 33.74"

1883-84 33.70"

FWIW, since 2001-02 was so awful, if NYC doesn't get another inch this winter and next year gets 30", 2002-03 through 2011-12 will become #1.

(Obviously, for every inch more we get this year, you can deduct another inch needed next year).

Wow - interesting that the last such period in the top ten was the one ending in 1925.

Great how cutting the data in new ways shows this.

Possible that both seasons will end 10 yr periods in the top ten.

[Kaner587]

What is most unfortunate about these statistics is that because of the tiny sample size we will have no way of knowing if this recent increase in snowy winters is anything more than climatic variation. KU events seem to be increasing but storms analyzed by NESIS stop in the 1940's and I would assume if we were able to look back 100 yrs we may have similar amounts of "KU's" to the current day. At the least it is very interesting and thought provoking. It is also awesome that we're living through this period of snowy winters! (that is unless you're a snow hater)

[chazman]

Great stuff.

Still waiting for our 30+ inch KNYC storm.

[yhbrooklyn]

What is most unfortunate about these statistics is that because of the tiny sample size we will have no way of knowing if this recent increase in snowy winters is anything more than climatic variation. KU events seem to be increasing but storms analyzed by NESIS stop in the 1940's and I would assume if we were able to look back 100 yrs we may have similar amounts of "KU's" to the current day. At the least it is very interesting and thought provoking. It is also awesome that we're living through this period of snowy winters! (that is unless you're a snow hater)

While you can't specifically see "KU" events, NYC's records go back to 1869, so you can still see the list of all storms over a foot.

[uncle W]

the number of 12" events are on the rise...Does it continue is up for debate...

Number of 12" or greater events by decade...

1870's 3

1880's 1

1890's 2

1900's 0

1910's 2

1920's 3

1930's 1

1940's 3

1950's 1

1960's 6

1970's 3

1980's 1

1990's 2

2000's 5

2010's 3

From 12/22/59-2/10/69 NYC saw seven storms a foot or more....seven in five winters...

Since 12/30/00 NYC has eight storms a foot or more...eight in seven winters...

[JBG]

Great stuff.

Still waiting for our 30+ inch KNYC storm.

I suspect you'll be waiting for quite some time. I think that any storm that is both very strong and close to the benchmark, if not progressive, implicates at least some mixing of P-types. Think the snowicane of February 25-26, 2010. I suspect that the 25-30" range may be a cap on snow amounts. Keep in mind that even Ithaca, New York has never gone over 27" of snow.

The combination of quantitative precipitation amounts and ratios just won't, in my opinion, produce bigger storms for KNYC. Mountain areas helped by orographic lifting are a different story, which is how Silver Lake, Colorado got 76" in a day.

[Nikolai]

I suspect you'll be waiting for quite some time. I think that any storm that is both very strong and close to the benchmark, if not progressive, implicates at least some mixing of P-types. Think the snowicane of February 25-26, 2010. I suspect that the 25-30" range may be a cap on snow amounts. Keep in mind that even Ithaca, New York has never gone over 27" of snow.

The combination of quantitative precipitation amounts and ratios just won't, in my opinion, produce bigger storms for KNYC. Mountain areas helped by orographic lifting are a different story, which is how Silver Lake, Colorado got 76" in a day.

Dulles saw 32.4" with the 2/5-6 event last winter, which is the highest snowstorm total of any I-95 reporting location. 30"+ can be done, you just need the most perfect conditions imaginable (and I'd imagine the "limit" for DC-BOS is somewhere around 36", although within four days you had some in northern MD see 50" last winter).