Monday, May 11, 2020

New York City Tied Its Record Latest Spring Snowfall, In One of Its Least Snowy Seasons

Jonathan Erdman

Published: May 9,2020



Snow fell in New York City early Saturday morning, tying the city's record for the latest snowfall in spring.

Just after 1 a.m. ET, a chilly light rain transitioned to light snow at New York City's Central Park. The snow persisted only for about half an hour before ending as sleet just before 2 a.m.

While the snow didn't accumulate, it tied the record latest date in spring of snow documented in Central Park, dating back to 1869, with May 9, 1977.

(MORE: How Unusual Are May Snowstorms?)

A similar brief period of snow also tied the latest spring snow on record at Newark-Liberty Airport.

Some night owls documented the bizarre sight of New York City snow early Saturday morning.

Measurable snow - at least 0.1 inch - has never been documented in May at New York City's Central Park, dating back to 1869. The record latest measurable spring snow there was on April 29, 1874. In a typical year, measurable snow is finished for the season in the Big Apple after March 16.

This record late snow was caused by an extreme weather pattern, a deep plunge of the jet stream carving out of Canada that's ushering in record cold air for the second week of May.

Record Late Snow Ends Pathetic Snow Season

Strangely, this record late snow happened during one of New York City's least snowy seasons.

(MORE: What We Won't Forget About Winter 2019-20)

Central Park only picked up 4.8 inches of snow since October 1, 21 inches less than an average snow season, and only 2 inches more than their record least snowy season from 1972-73. Only three other seasons since 1869 were less snowy than 2019-20 in New York.

New York City's total snowfall in 2019-20 was only 2 inches more than their record least snowy season.

Their last measurable snow this season was on January 18 (2.1 inches), which was also their heaviest snowfall this season.

New York City was even outsnowed by Oklahoma City (5.1 inches) in 2019-20. Typically, Oklahoma City only receives about 30 percent of the snow New York City does in a given season.

The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.

The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.

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