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December Snowfall Suggests Boston & NYC Will Have a Snowy Winter


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During moderate or strong La Niñas (having a December and January ENSO Region 3.4 anomaly of -1 or below), a near absence of December snowfall provided a strong signal of below to much below normal seasonal snowfall:

Boston:

December snowfall < 10": 6/7 (86%) cases had < 40" seasonal snowfall; < 10" December snowfall and no measurable November snowfall: 5/5 (100%) cases had < 40" seasonal snowfall

New York City:

December snowfall < 2.5": 9/10 (90%) cases had < 20" seasonal snowfall

During moderate or strong La Niña events, higher December snowfall suggested average to above average seasonal snowfall:

Boston: Moderate/Strong La Niña cases (1871-2009): 9" or more December snowfall:

- 4/5 (80%) cases had 50" or more seasonal snowfall

New York City: Moderate/Strong La Niña cases (1871-2009): 3" or more December snowfall:

- 8/9 (89%) cases had 20" or more seasonal snowfall

- 5/9 (56%) cases had 30" or more seasonal snowfall

-2/2 (100%) cases with 10" or more December snowfall had 30" or more seasonal snowfall

Finally, in the historic experience, winters with excessive snowfall have typically produced substantial December snowfall. The recent blizzard has lifted Boston's monthly snowfall to 22.0" and NYC's to 20.1". That much above normal December snowfall provides a strong indication that Winter 2010-11 will be snowy in both cities.

Boston: December snowfall of 18" or more:

- 10/11 (91%) cases had 40" or more seasonal snowfall (Winter 2003-04 was the single exception)

- 8/11 (73%) cases had 50" or more seasonal snowfall

- Mean seasonal snowfall: 61.3"

- Median seasonal snowfall: 57.3"

- 9/11 (82%) cases with January-April snowfall of 20" or more

- 6/11 (55%) cases with January-April snowfall of 30" or more

- 4/11 (36%) cases with January-April snowfall of 40" or more

- Mean January-April snowfall: 37.6"

- Median January-April snowfall: 35.9"

- January: 7/11 (64%) cases with 10" or more snowfall

- February: 6/11 (55%) cases with 10" or more snowfall

- March: 5/11 (45%) cases with 10" or more snowfall

- January and February: 4/11 (36%) cases with 10" or more snowfall in each month

- January and March: 4/11 (36%) cases with 10" or more snowfall in each month

- February and March: 2/11 (18%) cases with 10" or more snowfall in each month

- January, February and March: 2/11 (18%) cases with 10" or more snowfall in each month

For Decembers with 15" or more snowfall in Boston, the figures are similar:

-17/19 (89%) cases with 40" or more seasonal snowfall (two exceptions: 2003-04 and 2009-10)

-15/19 (79%) cases with 50" or more seasonal snowfall

- Mean seasonal snowfall: 59.9"

- Median seasonal snowfall: 60.3"

- 17/19 (89%) cases with January-April snowfall of 20" or more

- 13/19 (68%) cases with January-April snowfall of 30" or more

- 9/19 (47%) cases with January-April snowfall of 40" or more

- Mean January-April snowfall: 38.9"

- Median January-April snowfall: 39.8"

- January: 14/19 (74%) cases with 10" or more snowfall

- February: 10/19 (53%) cases with 10" or more snowfall

- March: 8/19 (42%) cases with 10" or more snowfall

- January and February: 7/19 (37%) cases with 10" or more snowfall in each month

- January and March: 6/19 (32%) cases with 10" or more snowfall in each month

- February and March: 3/19 (16%) cases with 10" or more snowfall in each month

- January, February and March: 3/16 (18%) cases with 10" or more snowfall in each month

New York City: December snowfall of 18" or more:

- 7/7 (100%) cases had 40" or more seasonal snowfall

- Mean seasonal snowfall: 51.2"

- Median seasonal snowfall: 48.1"

- 7/7 (100%) cases with January-April snowfall of 20" or more

- 2/7 (29%) cases with January-April snowfall of 30" or more

- Mean January-April snowfall: 27.2"

- Median January-April snowfall: 26.0"

- January: 6/7 (86%) cases with 10" or more snowfall

- February: 4/7 (57%) cases with 10" or more snowfall

- January and February: 3/7 (43%) cases with 10" or more snowfall in each month

Unfortunately, the Washington, DC area missed out on the KU storm, as its track brought the heaviest snows to the east of Washington in becoming the first storm since the February 1899 blizzard to bring a foot or more of snow both to Norfolk and New York City.

Conclusion:

Both Boston and New York City will likely see above normal snowfall this winter. NYC has a good chance at finishing with 40" or more seasonal snowfall and Boston has a good chance at finishing with 50" or more. Philadelphia, too, has a good chance at finishing with normal or above normal snowfall. Given the January snowfall statistics, there is an implied hint that even as January will very likely be warmer than December, the month as a whole will not amount to being a "blowtorch." Instead, readings might be relatively close to normal (perhaps a degree above or below) in both NYC and Boston.

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years with at least an 8" snowstorm in December for NYC...

this was the 17th snowfall 8" or more for December in NYC...The odds favor more snow after December...

year......8"+ snowfall...season snowfall/after December...later heavy snowfalls...

1872........18.0".....................60.3"................39.8"......................6.0"

1886..........8.1".....................32.9"................22.6"......................none 6" or more

1909..........8.0".....................27.2"................17.4"......................10.0"

1912........11.4".....................15.3"..................3.9"......................none

1916........12.7".....................50.7"................36.2"......................6.7" 6.5"

1917..........9.1".....................34.5"................20.1"......................5.9"

1933........11.2".....................52.0"................36.6"......................9.8" 9.3" 7.6"

1945..........8.3".....................31.4"................12.1"......................7.5"

1947........26.4".....................63.2"................33.6"......................5.7"

1948........16.0".....................46.6"................21.3"......................9.4"

1957..........8.0".....................44.7"................36.0"......................7.9" 11.8"

1959........13.7".....................39.2"................22.9"......................14.7"

1960........15.2".....................54.7"................36.1"......................9.9" 17.4"

2000........12.0".....................35.0"................21.6"......................6.0"

2003........14.0".....................42.0"................22.2"......................10.3"

2009........10.9".....................51.4"................39.0"......................10.0" 20.9"

2010........20.0".....................56.1"................36.0"......................9.1" 19.0"

14 of 16 were above seasonal average...1909-10 was almost average but had a 10" storm in January...1912-13 was the only year that was benign after December...

12 of 16 years had a 6" storm after December...

8 of 16 years had a storm 9" or more after December...

13 of 16 years had 20 or more inches of snow after December...

6 of 16 years had over 50" of seasonal snowfall...

9 of 16 years had over 40"..."

1926 had a 7.9" storm and that year ended up with 22.3"...

1995 had a 7.7" storm and that year ended up with 75.6"...

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What a difference a week makes! Last week it looked like NYC would close out Dec with a below normal snowfall total. Now not only has NYC surpassed it's norml Dec snowfall average, but this storm has vaulted NYC past your previously predicted seasonal

snowfall of 14 inches for 2010-2011. :snowman: Now, DC was very close to getting snow. Doesn't that count for something? :gun_bandana:

If not, can you throw us a bone down here in terms of something to look forward to snow-wise?

Always enjoy your informative and well written posts, Don.

MDstorm

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So how much did KNYC receive last storm? This seems to suggest 19.8, but I've also heard 20.0 and 20.6.

years with at least an 8" snowstorm in December for NYC...

this was the 17th snowfall 8" or more for December in NYC...The odds favor more snow after December...

year......8"+ snowfall...season snowfall/after December...later heavy snowfalls...

1872........18.0".....................60.3"................39.8"......................6.0"

1886..........8.1".....................32.9"................22.6"......................none 6" or more

1909..........8.0".....................27.2"................17.4"......................10.0"

1912........11.4".....................15.3"..................3.9"......................none

1916........12.7".....................50.7"................36.2"......................6.7" 6.5"

1917..........9.1".....................34.5"................20.1"......................5.9"

1933........11.2".....................52.0"................36.6"......................9.8" 9.3" 7.6"

1945..........8.3".....................31.4"................12.1"......................7.5"

1947........26.4".....................63.2"................33.6"......................5.7"

1948........16.0".....................46.6"................21.3"......................9.4"

1957..........8.0".....................44.7"................36.0"......................7.9" 11.8"

1959........13.7".....................39.2"................22.9"......................14.7"

1960........15.2".....................54.7"................36.1"......................9.9" 17.4"

2000........12.0".....................35.0"................21.6"......................6.0"

2003........14.0".....................42.0"................22.2"......................10.3"

2009........10.9".....................51.4"................39.0"......................10.0" 20.9"

2010........19.8"

14 of 16 were above seasonal average...1909-10 was almost average but had a 10" storm in January...1912-13 was the only year that was benign after December...

12 of 16 years had a 6" storm after December...

8 of 16 years had a storm 9" or more after December...

13 of 16 years had 20 or more inches of snow after December...

6 of 16 years had over 50" of seasonal snowfall...

9 of 16 years had over 40"..."

1926 had a 7.9" storm and that year ended up with 22.3"...

1995 had a 7.7" storm and that year ended up with 75.6"...

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What a difference a week makes! Last week it looked like NYC would close out Dec with a below normal snowfall total. Now not only has NYC surpassed it's norml Dec snowfall average, but this storm has vaulted NYC past your previously predicted seasonal

snowfall of 14 inches for 2010-2011. :snowman: Now, DC was very close to getting snow. Doesn't that count for something? :gun_bandana:

If not, can you throw us a bone down here in terms of something to look forward to snow-wise?

Always enjoy your informative and well written posts, Don.

MDstorm

no, because DCA/BWI are very often close to getting snow in NINA winters and end up with nothing

of course, we're close in many winters and still miss the big one

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years with at least an 8" snowstorm in December for NYC...

this was the 17th snowfall 8" or more for December in NYC...The odds favor more snow after December...

year......8"+ snowfall...season snowfall/after December...later heavy snowfalls...

1872........18.0".....................60.3"................39.8"......................6.0"

1886..........8.1".....................32.9"................22.6"......................none 6" or more

1909..........8.0".....................27.2"................17.4"......................10.0"

1912........11.4".....................15.3"..................3.9"......................none

1916........12.7".....................50.7"................36.2"......................6.7" 6.5"

1917..........9.1".....................34.5"................20.1"......................5.9"

1933........11.2".....................52.0"................36.6"......................9.8" 9.3" 7.6"

1945..........8.3".....................31.4"................12.1"......................7.5"

1947........26.4".....................63.2"................33.6"......................5.7"

1948........16.0".....................46.6"................21.3"......................9.4"

1957..........8.0".....................44.7"................36.0"......................7.9" 11.8"

1959........13.7".....................39.2"................22.9"......................14.7"

1960........15.2".....................54.7"................36.1"......................9.9" 17.4"

2000........12.0".....................35.0"................21.6"......................6.0"

2003........14.0".....................42.0"................22.2"......................10.3"

2009........10.9".....................51.4"................39.0"......................10.0" 20.9"

2010........20.0"

14 of 16 were above seasonal average...1909-10 was almost average but had a 10" storm in January...1912-13 was the only year that was benign after December...

12 of 16 years had a 6" storm after December...

8 of 16 years had a storm 9" or more after December...

13 of 16 years had 20 or more inches of snow after December...

6 of 16 years had over 50" of seasonal snowfall...

9 of 16 years had over 40"..."

1926 had a 7.9" storm and that year ended up with 22.3"...

1995 had a 7.7" storm and that year ended up with 75.6"...

Here are the DCA snow totals for those same seasons:

1872- No Data

1886- No Data

1909- 36.0

1912- 21.8

1916- 18.8

1917- 36.4

1933- 23.8

1945- 21.6

1947- 23.4

1948- 15.8

1957- 40.4

1959- 24.3

1960- 40.3

2000- 7.4

2003- 12.4

2009- 56.1

All but 2 of those seasons saw above average snow for DCA. Maybe a good sign for us as well? Also notice in some of those years DCA ended with more snow than NYC. By the way, great post Don.

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Here are the DCA snow totals for those same seasons:

1872- No Data

1886- No Data

1909- 36.0

1912- 21.8

1916- 18.8

1917- 36.4

1933- 23.8

1945- 21.6

1947- 23.4

1948- 15.8

1957- 40.4

1959- 24.3

1960- 40.3

2000- 7.4

2003- 12.4

2009- 56.1

All but 2 of those seasons saw above average snow for DCA. Maybe a good sign for us as well? Also notice in some of those years DCA ended with more snow than NYC.

Probably a very good sign. Truth is DC didn't miss by much with this past storm. From here on out i think DC location of being farther inland will help them.

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years with at least an 8" snowstorm in December for NYC...

this was the 17th snowfall 8" or more for December in NYC...The odds favor more snow after December...

year......8"+ snowfall...season snowfall/after December...later heavy snowfalls...

1872........18.0".....................60.3"................39.8"......................6.0"

1886..........8.1".....................32.9"................22.6"......................none 6" or more

1909..........8.0".....................27.2"................17.4"......................10.0"

1912........11.4".....................15.3"..................3.9"......................none

1916........12.7".....................50.7"................36.2"......................6.7" 6.5"

1917..........9.1".....................34.5"................20.1"......................5.9"

1933........11.2".....................52.0"................36.6"......................9.8" 9.3" 7.6"

1945..........8.3".....................31.4"................12.1"......................7.5"

1947........26.4".....................63.2"................33.6"......................5.7"

1948........16.0".....................46.6"................21.3"......................9.4"

1957..........8.0".....................44.7"................36.0"......................7.9" 11.8"

1959........13.7".....................39.2"................22.9"......................14.7"

1960........15.2".....................54.7"................36.1"......................9.9" 17.4"

2000........12.0".....................35.0"................21.6"......................6.0"

2003........14.0".....................42.0"................22.2"......................10.3"

2009........10.9".....................51.4"................39.0"......................10.0" 20.9"

2010........20.0"

14 of 16 were above seasonal average...1909-10 was almost average but had a 10" storm in January...1912-13 was the only year that was benign after December...

12 of 16 years had a 6" storm after December...

8 of 16 years had a storm 9" or more after December...

13 of 16 years had 20 or more inches of snow after December...

6 of 16 years had over 50" of seasonal snowfall...

9 of 16 years had over 40"..."

1926 had a 7.9" storm and that year ended up with 22.3"...

1995 had a 7.7" storm and that year ended up with 75.6"...

It's amazing how the 60's, 70's 80's and 90's are nonexistent !

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If NYC does not finish with an above normal snowfall winter (I think they need 2.8 inches more) it will be about as shocking as last year when they were 0.7 inches shy of the Top 10 snowiest winters after the 2/25 event and did not get 0.1 more the entire winter.

Hey, SG here's a fun little exercise -- what's the largest snowfall NYC ever had and yet finished below normal for snowfall? We would have to decide whether to go by the 30 year running mean or overall snowfall record first.

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Hey, SG here's a fun little exercise -- what's the largest snowfall NYC ever had and yet finished below normal for snowfall? We would have to decide whether to go by the 30 year running mean or overall snowfall record first.

I'm thinking it was the 82-83 season, they finished with 27.2 which I'm almost certain was below normal since their average back then was 28 inches but I may be wrong.

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I'm thinking it was the 82-83 season, they finished with 27.2 which I'm almost certain was below normal since their average back then was 28 inches but I may be wrong.

I think youre quite right if we use the overall record, but if we go by the 30 year running mean that was above normal. I believe JFK featured above normal snowfall that winter; they got 22" in the big Feb 1983 snowstorm so I think their snowfall exceeded 30 inches that winter.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Hey, SG here's a fun little exercise -- what's the largest snowfall NYC ever had and yet finished below normal for snowfall? We would have to decide whether to go by the 30 year running mean or overall snowfall record first.

1968-9, with the Mayor Lindsay storm?
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Hey, SG here's a fun little exercise -- what's the largest snowfall NYC ever had and yet finished below normal for snowfall? We would have to decide whether to go by the 30 year running mean or overall snowfall record first.

NYC has only had one season in which a storm dumped a foot or more of snow and the season ended below normal: 1920-21

The biggest storm occurred on February 20, 1921 with a 12.5" snowfall. Winter 1920-21's total snowfall was 18.6".

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  • 3 weeks later...

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