Roger Smith

In 1915 a record 10.2" of snow April 3-4 was followed by two record highs later in April (25th 91F, 27th 92F). 1938 and 1942 also saw significant early April snowfalls and very warm highs later in the month. 1917 went the other way, setting a record high on 1st (83F) and 6.4" snow on 9th. 

Tracking anomalies so far ... 

 

____________________________________ DCA _ NYC _ BOS __ ORD _ ATL _ IAH ___ DEN_ PHX _ SEA

______ (17d) ___________________+9.5_+10.0 _+6.3 __+10.4_ +5.3 _+6.2 __ +0.6 _-0.9 _-1.6

______ (26d) __________________ +5.1 _ +5.7 _+3.4 ___ +6.1 _ +3.1 _+3.4 __ -0.4 _ -1.0 __0.0

______ (p31d anom) ___________+4.5 _ +5.0 _+3.0 ___ +5.0 _ +3.0 _+3.0 __ 0.0 _-0.5 _ 0.0

______ final anomalies _________+4.3 _ +5.3 _+3.7 ___ +5.0 _ +3.2 _+3.0 __-0.2 _-1.2 _+0.1

 

____________________________________ DCA _NYC _BOS __ ORD _DTW _BUF ___ DEN _SEA _BTV

Snowfall (to 03-31) ___________ 8.0 _ 7.5 _ 9.7 ____ 22.2 _ 23.5 _ 70.8 ___ 38.3 _ 0.3 _ 50.8

 

Another way to look at winter futility would be percentage of precip falling as snow. I took only Dec-Jan-Feb total precip and snowfalls, and on an assumption of 10:1 ratio, calculated percentages of precip falling as snow. In certain cases, snowfall liquid equivalent would introduce errors, and also a few winters would end up with better percentages if Nov or March were included (most would drop further). 

A lot of winters finish with percentages of 10 to 30, but most of the "futile" winters as found by total snowfalls are also below 10% conversion rates (1900-01 was not because it was quite a dry winter).

Top and bottom 20 winters are identified in full list below:  

 

<<< Percentage of Winter Precip Falling as Snow (NYC) >>>

 

_________ Precip _________________ Snowfall ________________ %

Winter ___ DEC _ JAN _ FEB ____TOTAL __ DEC _JAN _FEB __ TOTAL __ Percent

1868-69 _ 2.00*_ 2.53 _ 6.87 _ 11.40 ____ 15.0*_15.1 _ 9.6 ___ 39.7 ______ 34 _*Dec 1868 est fro available wx aps 

1869-70 _ 5.02 _ 4.41 _ 2.83 _ 12.26 _____   5.3 _ 1.1 _ 9.3 __  15.7 _______ 13

1870-71 __ 2.18 _ 2.07 _2.74 __ 6.99 ______ 3.0 _15.9 _12.1 __ 31.0 _______ 44 (t10 highest)

1871-72 __ 2.24 _ 1.88 _1.29 __ 5.41 _______ 3.9 _ 1.9 _ 3.0 ___ 8.8 _______ 16

1872-73 _ 3.18 _ 5.34 _3.80 __12.32 ______26.8 _10.6 _ 18.9__56.3 _______46 (9 highest)

1873-74 _ 2.96 _ 5.33 _2.04 __10.33 _______9.3 _ 6.6 _ 19.0__34.9 _______34 

1874-75 _ 2.82 _ 3.17 _ 2.62 __ 8.61 _______10.1 _14.5 _ 4.5 __ 29.1 _______34

1875-76 _ 2.12 _ 0.94 _ 4.81 __ 7.87 _______ 1.0 __1.5 _ 12.5 __ 15.0 _______19

1876-77 _ 2.54 _ 2.62 _1.24 __ 6.40 _______12.3_20.5_ 0.4 __ 33.2 _______52 (6 highest)

1877-78 _ 0.68 _4.46 _3.75 __ 8.89 _______ 0.0 _ 6.1 _ 2.0 ___ 8.1 ________ 9

1878-79 _ 5.14 _2.63 _2.02 __ 9.79 _______ 5.5__17.3_11.4 __ 34.2 _______ 36 (t23 highest)

1879-80 _ 4.94 _2.02 _2.12 __ 9.08 _______ 5.4 _ 2.5 _4.0 __ 11.9 _______ 13

1880-81 _ 2.27 _4.80 _4.93 __12.00 _______11.5_ 11.5_ 8.9 __ 31.9 _______ 27

1881-82 _ 4.18 _5.08 _3.43 __12.59 _______ 1.3 __17.5_ 9.3 __ 28.1 _______ 22

1882-83 _1.95 _2.68 _4.21 __ 8.84 _______ 0.0 __9.4__10.2__ 19.6 _______ 22

1883-84_ 3.20 _5.22_4.92 __13.34 _______22.6_10.3 _ 8.0 __40.9 _______ 31       

1884-85 _6.17 _3.06 _4.56 _ 13.79 _______ 10.7 _4.6 _14.6 __29.9 _______ 22

1885-86_ 2.46 _3.91 _4.89 _ 11.26 ________ Tr __13.5 _ 5.3 __18.8 _______ 17

1886-87 _2.79 _4.42 _5.96 _ 13.17 _______ 10.3 _6.6 _ 8.0 __ 24.9_______ 19 

1887-88 _4.39 _4.96 _3.49 _12.84 _______ 9.0 __11.1 _ 3.0 __ 23.1 _______ 18

1888-89 _3.42 _4.97 _2.21 _10.60 _______ Tr __ 4.0 __ 7.0 __ 11.0 _______ 10

1889-90 _1.92 _2.29 _3.41 _ 7.62 _______ 6.0 __ 0.0 __ 1.0 ___ 7.0 _______ 9

1890-91 _3.70 _6.00 _4.12 _13.82 _______11.4 __10.0 _ 5.3 __ 26.7 _______20

1891-92 _3.55 _4.69 _0.94 _ 9.18 _______ 0.0 __12.2 __ 0.1 __12.3 _______ 13

1892-93 _1.30 _2.33 _6.14 _ 9.77 _______ 3.0 __16.0 __17.5 __36.5 _______37 (t20 highest)

1893-94 _3.08 _2.01 _3.93 _ 9.02_______ 8.3 __9.4 _ 20.5 __38.2 _______42 (13 highest)

1894-95 _4.65 _5.01 _0.46 _10.12 _______ 4.0 __9.5 __9.0 __ 22.5 _______22

1895-96 _2.48 _0.96 _6.83 _10.27_______ Tr ___ 3.0 _ 9.5 __ 12.5 _______12

1896-97 _1.13 _3.00 _2.52 _ 6.65 _______13.0__11.3__11.0 __ 35.3 _______53 (t4 highest)

1897-98 _4.87 _4.26 _4.22 _13.35 ______ 4.1 __ 9.0 __ 1.3__ 14.4 _______11

1898-99 _3.07 _3.97 _3.91 _10.95_______1.5 __ 5.3 __25.3 _ 32.1 _______29

1899-1900 _1.91_4.22_5.38_11.51 _______ 0.1 __ 1.0 __ 6.6 __ 7.7 ________6.7 (16 lowest)

1900-01 _ 2.01 _1.66 _0.55 _ 4.22 _______0.1 __ 2.0 __ 7.0 __ 9.1 _______ 22

1901-02 _7.01 _2.27 _5.39 _14.67 _______2.0 __ 4.0__15.8 __21.8 _______15

1902-03 _6.77 _4.18 _4.70 _15.65 _______14.4 _ 4.5 __9.9 __28.8 _______18

1903-04 _3.09 _2.97 _2.21_ 8.27 _______ 6.4__15.6 _ 5.0 __27.0 _______33

1904-05 _1.96 _2.77 _2.01 _ 6.74 _______21.7__18.4 __5.8 __45.9 _______69 (highest)

1905-06 _3.37 _2.69 _2.47 _8.53 _______ 1.0 __ 1.5 _ 6.0 __ 8.5 _______ 10

1906-07 _3.58 _2.89 _2.25 _8.72 _______ 0.3__11.0 _21.8 __33.1 _______38 (t16 highest)

1907-08 _4.26 _3.76 _5.86 _13.88 _______5.3__10.0 _14.4__ 29.7_______22

1908-09 _3.19 _3.32 _4.53 _11.04 _______ 2.9__11.4 __0.8 __15.1 _______ 14

1909-10 _4.29 _4.64 _3.15 _12.08 _______ 9.0__11.1 __5.0 __ 25.1 _______ 21

1910-11 _ 1.88 _2.79 _ 3.26 _ 7.93 _______ 5.1 __1.3__13.3__ 19.7 _______ 24

1911-12 _3.07 _2.56 _2.73 __ 8.36 _______ 8.5 _13.0 _ 2.5__ 24.0 _______29

1912-13 _5.01 _3.43 _2.74 __11.18 _______11.4 __ 0.3 _ 2.6__ 14.3 _______13

1913-14 _3.59 _5.27 _3.33__12.19 _______ 0.3 __1.3 __17.4__ 19.0 _______16 

1914-15 _5.34 _7.94 _6.01 _ 19.29 _______2.6 __3.8 __4.5__ 10.9 _______ 5.6 (8 lowest)

1915-16 _4.28 _1.28 _4.76 _ 10.32 _______8.1 __ 0.7__13.1 __ 21.9 _______21

1916-17 _ 4.25 _2.96 _2.08 _ 9.29 ______14.5 _ 5.8 _12.2 __32.5 _______35 (t25 highest)

1917-18 _4.25 _3.53 _2.47 _10.25 _______14.1__13.2_ 3.7 __31.0 _______ 30

1918-19 _3.61 _3.51 _3.84 _ 10.96 _______ 0.3 __0.3 __0.5 __ 1.1 ________1.0 (2nd lowest)

1919-20 _2.77 _2.09 _6.41_ 11.27 _______ 8.8 __8.2_ 25.3__42.3 _______38 (t16 highest)

1920-21 _6.16 _2.94 _5.41 _ 14.51 _______ 1.7 __3.5 _13.3__ 18.5 _______ 13

1921-22 _2.34 _2.73 _3.35 _ 8.42 _______ 7.3 __9.4 _7.2 __ 23.9_______ 28

1922-23 _3.86 _6.99 _2.53 _13.38 ______ 8.0 _24.5 _18.8 __51.3 ______ 39 (t14 highest)

1923-24 _4.43 _4.90 _4.35 _13.68 ______ 1.5 _ 2.5 __11.9 __15.9 _______ 12

1924-25 _2.47 _5.42 _2.43 _10.32 ______ 0.9 _27.4 _ 1.3 __29.6 _______29

1925-26 _3.30 _2.85 _5.37 _11.52 _______ 0.9 __3.1 _26.3__30.3_______ 26

1926-27 _4.00 _2.03 _3.46 _9.49 _______ 11.7 _ 5.7 _ 4.6 _ 22.0 _______23

1927-28 _4.01 _1.87 _4.84 _10.72 _______ 2.1 ___2.7 __4.0 __ 8.8 _______ 8.2 (19 lowest)

1928-29 _0.98_3.33 _5.07_  9.38 _______ 2.0 __2.3 __9.3 __ 13.6_______ 15

1929-30 _3.34_2.37 _3.24_ 8.95 _______ 6.3 __3.5 __3.8 __ 13.6 _______15

1930-31 _2.73 _2.56 _2.71_ 8.00 _______ 5.7 __0.5 __ 3.6 ___ 9.8_______12

1931-32 _2.44 _4.45 _2.70_ 9.59 _______ 0.1 __0.8 __ 1.8 ___ 2.7 _______2.8 (t5 lowest)

1932-33 _2.51 _1.78 _3.09 _ 7.38 _______ 9.4 __ Tr __12.8__ 22.2_______ 30

1933-34 _3.45_3.42 _3.01 _9.88 _______ 14.9 __0.1__27.9__ 42.9_______43 (12 highest)

1934-35 _2.66 _3.91 _3.17 _9.74 ________ 1.0 _23.6 _ 7.2 __ 31.8 _______33

1935-36 _1.24 _7.54 _2.68_11.46 _______ 6.6 _ 12.1 _10.3 __ 29.0 _______26

1936-37 _7.53 _5.97 _2.48_15.98 _______Tr ___ 6.5 __ 3.4 __ 9.9 _______ 6.2 (11 lowest)

1937-38 _2.06 _3.99 _1.97_ 8.02 _______ 0.7 __ 6.5 __ Tr ___ 7.2 _______ 9

1938-39 _2.62 _3.80 _6.20_12.62_______ 1.7 __10.3 __ 5.5 __17.5_______ 14

1939-40 _1.39 _2.61 _2.63_ 6.63 _______ 3.1 __ 3.5 __12.0 _ 18.6_______28

1940-41 _2.79 _3.23 _3.53 _9.55 _______ 3.0 _ 9.2 __ 5.4 _ 17.6 _______ 18

1941-42 _4.05 _2.88 _2.53 _9.46 _______ 0.3 _ 6.4 __ 1.9 __ 8.6 _______ 9

1942-43 _4.57 _2.46 _1.87_ 8.90 _______ 8.5 _ 9.5 __ 4.4 __22.4 _______25

1943-44 _1.20 _3.20 _1.73 _6.13 ________ Tr __ 4.8 __ 7.7 __ 12.5 _______20

1944-45 _2.57_2.24 _2.94_ 7.75 _______ 6.7 _ 12.3 __ 8.1 __ 27.1 _______35 (t25 highest)

1945-46 _4.56 _1.86 _ 1.76 _8.18 _______15.6 _ 4.2 __ 7.9 __ 27.7 _______34

1946-47 _1.61 _2.74 _2.24 _6.59 _______ 1.3 __5.5 __ 17.7__ 24.5 _______37 (t20 highest)

1947-48 _3.92 _4.74 _2.52_ 11.18_______30.2 _15.3__13.6 _ 59.1 _______53 (t4 highest)

1948-49 _6.28 _6.04_3.58_ 15.90_______25.3 _ 1.8 __10.7_ 37.8 _______ 24

1949-50 _2.28 _2.26 _4.44_ 8.98 _______ 1.3 __ 0.4 __8.5_ 10.2 _______ 11

1950-51 _4.32 _3.31 _3.05 _10.67 _______ 3.8 __ 0.9 __ 1.9 __6.6 _______ 6.3 (14 lowest)

1951-52 _4.28 _4.55 _1.38 _10.21 _______ 3.3 __ 6.2 __ 2.8 _ 12.3_______12

1952-53 _4.12 _4.90 _2.37_ 11.39 _______ 7.5 __ 4.1 __ 0.4 __12.0 _______11

1953-54 _4.42 _1.65 _1.81 _ 7.88 _______ Tr __ 12.7 __ 0.5 __13.2 _______17

1954-55 _3.03 _0.77 _3.01_ 6.81_______  0.1 __ 2.6 __ 5.2 __ 7.9 _______ 12

1955-56 _0.25 _1.54 _4.18 _5.97 _______ 3.3 __ 1.2 __ 2.7 __ 7.2 _______ 12

1956-57 _3.29 _1.70 _2.43 _7.42 _______0.9 __ 8.9 __ 7.0 __16.8 _______ 23

1957-58 _5.26 _3.79 _2.98 _12.03_______8.7 __9.2 __10.7 _ 28.6 _______24

1958-59 _1.25 _2.34 _1.69 __5.28 _______3.8 __ 1.5 __ 0.4 __ 5.7 _______ 11

1959-60 _4.64_2.40 _4.43_ 11.47 ______ 15.8 _ 2.5 __1.9 __ 20.2 ______ 18

1960-61 _3.04 _1.88 _3.96 _ 8.88 _______18.6 _16.7__18.2__ 53.5 _______60 (2 highest)

1961-62 _3.04 _2.62 _3.74 _ 9.40 _______7.7 __ 0.6 __ 9.6 _17.9 _______ 19

1962-63 _2.26 _1.93 _2.55 _ 6.74 _______ 4.5 _ 5.3 _ 3.7 __13.5 _______ 20

1963-64 _2.31 _4.62 _2.93 _9.86 _______ 11.3 _13.3 _14.1__38.7 _______ 39 (t14 highest)

1964-65 _4.16 _3.09 _3.66_ 10.91 _______ 3.1 _ 14.8__2.5__20.4 _______ 19

1965-66 _1.72 _2.63 _4.96_ 9.31 ________ Tr __11.6 __9.8__ 21.4 _______ 23

1966-67 _3.18 _1.39 _ 2.68_ 7.25 _______ 9.1 _ 1.4 __23.6__ 34.1 _______ 47 (highest) 

1967-68 _6.08 _2.04 _1.13 _ 9.25 _______ 5.5 _ 3.6 __ 1.1 __ 10.2 _______ 11

1968-69 _4.15 _1.10 _3.05 _ 8.30 _______ 7.0 _ 1.0 __ 16.6__ 24.6 _______30

1969-70 _7.07 _0.66 _4.52_12.25_______ 6.8 _ 8.4 __ 6.4 __21.6 _______ 18

1970-71 _2.82 _2.67 _5.33 _10.82_______ 2.4 _11.4 __ Tr __ 13.8 _______ 13

1971-72 _1.76 _2.41 _5.90 _10.07 _______ Tr __ 2.8 _ 17.8 __ 20.6 _______20

1972-73 _6.09_4.53 _4.55_ 15.17 _______ Tr __ 1.8 __ 0.8 ___ 2.6 _______ 1.7 (3 lowest)

1973-74 _9.98 _3.80 _1.49_ 15.27_______ 2.8 _ 7.8 __ 9.4 __ 20.0 _______13 

1974-75 _6.33 _4.76 _3.33_ 14.42 _______ 0.1 _ 2.0__10.6 __12.7 _______ 9

1975-76 _3.63 _5.78 _3.13_ 12.54 _______ 2.3 _ 5.6 __5.0__ 12.9 _______10

1976-77 _2.29 _2.25 _2.51_ 7.05 _______ 5.1 _ 13.0 __ 5.8__ 23.9_______33

1977-78 _5.06 _8.27 _1.59_ 14.92_______ 0.4__20.3 _23.0__43.7_______29

1978-79 _5.61 _10.52_4.58_20.71_______ 0.5 _ 6.6 _ 20.1 __ 27.2_______13

1979-80 _2.69 _1.72 _1.04_ 5.45 _______ 3.5 _ 2.0 __ 2.7 __ 8.2 _______15

1980-81 _0.58 _0.58 _6.04_ 7.20 _______ 2.8 _ 8.0 __ Tr __ 10.8 _______15

1981-82 _5.18 _6.46 _2.37 _14.01_______ 2.1 _ 11.8 __ 0.4__ 14.3_______10

1982-83 _1.47 _5.01 _3.22_ 9.70 _______ 3.0 _ 1.9 __21.5__ 26.4_______27

1983-84 _9.77 _1.87 _4.86 _16.50_______1.6 _ 11.7 __ 0.2 __ 13.5_______ 8.2 (t19 lowest)

1984-85 _3.26 _1.00 _2.41_ 6.67 _______ 5.5 _ 8.4 __10.0__23.9_______36 (t23 highest)

1985-86 _0.83 _4.23 _2.86_ 7.94_______ 0.9 _ 2.2 __ 9.9__ 13.0_______16

1986-87 _6.16 _ 5.81 _ 1.01 _12.98_______0.6 _13.6 __ 7.0__ 21.2_______16

1987-88 _2.17 _3.64 _3.91 _ 9.72 _______2.6 _ 13.9 __1.5__ 18.0_______19

1988-89 _1.13 _2.29 _3.03 _ 6.45 _______ 0.3 _ 5.0 __ 0.3 __ 5.6 ______ 9

1989-90 _0.83 _5.34 _2.33 _8.50 _______ 1.4 _ 1.8 __ 1.8 __ 5.0 _______ 5.9 (9 lowest)

1990-91 _5.58 _3.38 _1.93 _10.89 _______ 7.2 _ 8.4 __ 9.1 __24.7_______ 23

1991-92 _4.26 _ 1.68 _ 1.87 _ 7.81 _______ 0.7 _ 1.5 __ 1.0 __ 3.2 _______ 4.1 (t7 lowest)

1992-93 _5.50_3.44 _2.81_ 11.75 _______ 0.4 _ 1.5 _ 10.7 __12.6_______ 11

1993-94 _4.95 _5.62 _3.44_14.01_______ 6.9 _12.0 _ 26.4__45.3_______32

1994-95 _2.90 _3.75 _3.13_ 9.78 _______ Tr __ 0.2 __11.6 __ 11.8_______ 12

1995-96 _2.12 _5.64 _2.59_10.35_______ 11.5 _ 26.1_ 21.2__58.8_______57 (3 highest)

1996-97 _6.48 _3.65 _2.54_12.67_______ Tr __ 4.4 __ 3.8 __ 8.2 _______ 6.5 (15 lowest)

1997-98 _4.27 _5.20 _5.81 _15.28_______ Tr __ 0.5 __ 0.0 __ 0.5 _______ 0.3 (lowest)

1998-99 _1.12 _7.02 _3.49 _11.63 _______ 2.0 _ 4.5 __ 1.7 __ 8.2 _______ 7.1 (17 lowest)

1999-2000_3.23_3.23_1.66_ 8.12_______ Tr __ 9.5 __ 5.2 __14.7 _______18

2000-01 _3.19 _3.16 _1.95 __ 8.30_______ 13.4 _ 8.3__9.5__31.2_______ 38 (t16 highest)

2001-02 _2.24 _1.93 _0.71 __4.88_______ Tr __ 3.5 ___Tr __ 3.5 ________7.2 (18 lowest)

2002-03 _4.06_2.30 _4.55_ 10.91_______ 11.0 _ 4.7 _26.1__41.8_______ 38 (t16 highest)

2003-04 _5.42 _2.13 _2.68_10.23_______ 19.8 _17.3 __0.7__37.8_______ 37 (t20 highest)

2004-05 _3.71 _4.67 _3.04_11.42 _______ 3.0 _ 15.3 _15.8__34.1_______30

2005-06 _4.60 _4.99 _2.88_12.47_______ 9.7 _ 2.0 _ 26.9__38.6_______31

2006-07 _2.15 _3.63 _ 1.99 _ 7.77_______ 0.0 _ 2.6 __ 3.8 __ 6.4 _______8.3 (21 lowest)

2007-08 _5.22 _2.85 _5.95_14.02_______ 2.9 _ Tr ___ 9.0 __11.9 _______8.5

2008-09 _6.62 _2.98 _0.93_10.53_______ 6.0 _ 9.0 __4.3 __19.3_______ 18

2009-10 _7.27 _2.08 _6.69 _16.04_______12.4 _ 2.1 _ 36.9__51.4_______32

2010-11 _4.24 _4.93 _3.47 _12.64_______20.1 _36.0 __4.8__60.9_______48 (8 highest)

2011-12 _4.00 _3.23 _ 1.37 __8.60_______ 0.0 _ 4.3 __ 0.2 __ 4.5 ______ 5.2 (10 lowest)

2012-13 _4.80 _2.76 _4.25__11.81_______ 0.4 _ 1.5 __12.2 __14.1 _______12

2013-14 _4.85 _2.79 _5.48 _13.12_______ 8.6 _19.7 _29.0__57.3_______44 (t10 highest)

2014-15 _6.04 _5.23 _2.04 _13.31_______ 1.0 _16.9 _ 13.6__31.5______ 24

2015-16 _4.72 _4.41 _4.40_ 13.53_______ Tr __27.9 __ 4.0__31.9______ 24

2016-17 _2.89 _4.83 _2.48_ 10.20_______3.2 _ 7.9 __ 9.4__20.5_______20

2017-18 _2.21 _2.18 _ 5.83_ 10.22_______7.7 _ 11.2 __ 4.9__23.8_______24

2018-19 _6.51 _3.58 _3.14 _ 13.23_______ Tr __ 1.1 ___ 2.6 __ 3.7_______ 2.8 (t5 lowest)

2019-20 _7.09 _1.93 _2.54 _ 11.56_______ 2.5 _ 2.3 __ Tr __ 4.8 _______ 4.1 (t7 lowest) 

2020-21 _4.61 _2.31 _5.13 _ 12.05_______ 10.5 _ 2.1__26.0__38.6_______32

2021-22 _1.39 _4.29 _3.23 _ 8.91_______ 0.2 _15.3 __ 2.0 __ 17.5_______20

2022-23 _5.83 _4.38_1.28_ 11.49_______ Tr __ Tr ____ 2.2 __ 2.2 _______1.9 (4 lowest)

2023-24 _6.71 _5.28_ 2.05_15.04_______ Tr ___2.3 ___5.2 __ 7.5 _______ 5.0 (9 lowest)

 

lowest: ________________________________________highest

0.3 (1) ... 1997-98 _____________________________69 (1) 1904-05

1.0 (2) ... 1918-19 _____________________________ 60 (2) 1960-61

1.7 (3) .... 1972-73 ____________________________ 57 (3) 1995-96

1.9 (4) ... 2022-23 ____________________________ 53 (t4) 1896-97, 1947-48

2.8 (t5)....1931-32, 2018-19 __________________ 52 (6) 1876-77

4.1 (t7) ... 1991-92, 2019-20 _________________ 49 (7) 1966-67

5.0 (9) ... 2023-24 ___________________________ 48 (8) 2010-11

5.2 (10)... 2011-12 ____________________________ 46 (9) 1872-73

5.6 (11) ... 1914-15 ____________________________44 (t10) 1870-71, 2013-14

5.9 (12)... 1989-90 ____________________________43 (12) 1933-34

6.2 (13) ... 1936-37 ___________________________42 (13) 1893-94

6.3 (14) ... 1950-51 ___________________________

6.5 (15) ... 1996-97 ___________________________

6.7 (16) ... 1899-1900 _________________________39 (t14) 1922-23, 1963-64

7.1 (17) ... 1998-99 ____________________________ 38 (t16) 1906-07, 1919-20, 2000-01, 2002-03

7.2 (18) ... 2001-02 ____________________________37 (t20) 1892-93, 2003-04, 1946-47

8.2 (t19) ... 1927-28, 1983-84 _________________36 (t23) 1878-79, 1984-85

8.3 (21) ... 2006-07 ___________________________ 35 (t25) 1916-17, 1944-45

___________________________

(% to nearest 0.1 for lowest ten, ties are not broken for top twenty by decimals)

One of the oddest climate stats is that the first week of June, 1945 was colder than the last week of March 1945. 

Those 1990 record highs on today's date are a real singularity, just at NYC the following changes occurred ...

before 03-13-1990 ... daily record 70F 1929

after 03-13-1990 .... daily record 85 F

 

before 03-13-1990 ... first 80F to 83F was 83F 03-20-1945 and first 84F was 03-21-1921

after 03-13-1990 .... daily record 85 F and also 82F 03-16-1990, both earlier than 1945 benchmark.

 

before 03-13-1990 ... 76F on 03-08-1987 was warmest temperature to 03-13 

after 03-13-1990 ... 78F 02-21-2017 and 77,79F 03-09/10-2016 also warmer than 1987 previous record to date.

before 03-08-1987 ... 75F 02-25-1930 and also 75F 02-24-1985 were warmest readings up to 03-13. 

 

before 03-13-1990 ... 86F 03-29-1945 was earliest 85+ reading

after 03-13-1990 ... 85F 03-13-1990 is so far only 85+ before 03-29 but 1998 also 86F on 03-31-1998.

--------

The 1990 warm spell extended into upstate NY and s ON, I recall an almost instant disappearance of a fairly significant snow pack at my location n.e. of Toronto, and TV weather from ROC giving details on new records in low 80s there also. 

This warm spell prompted a lot of discussion of the emerging theory of global warming. It's worth noting that it occurred only three months after a notably cold December (1989).  

 

 

Coldest now appears to be around last few days of march into first ten days of April, a bit late in season for snow but not impossible. 

The march 19-21 window seems to be closing for now, could re-open, flow appears too flat to generate coastal low but 23-24 now opens up, so far GFS is inland but looks like snow for w PA and upstate NY. 

I've actually seen two, the first one was in Virginia Beach in 1970. I don't recall any traffic issues with that one, and we had clear skies too. So with regret I will not be trying for this one. 

Are you close to center of track or edge? It won't last very long near edge of track. You could get into a spot where totality lasted only a few seconds, near the edge of the track of "totality." Best results in the center but it goes up in duration like a sine curve so halfway edge to center is going to score 3/4 of duration. All dependent on weather, I think TX is the best bet. I would expect a fairly well-organized low over the western Great Lakes and a lot of clouded over locations in the central plains at least east of OK. Upstate NY could be good also. (based on research into relationships between low pressure position and new/full moon.  

At Baker City we could see the shadow rapidly approaching us over hills to our west. 

Fall of 1976 was quite an outlier, I recall lakes in central Ontario (not Great Lakes) being frozen over before end of November, and usually that does not take place until well into January. There was very little wintry weather even up there, after mid-February. The whole season was displaced about 1.5 months early. Trees were in full leaf about a month earlier than average in April 1977 (as in 1976 also). 

5 hours ago, Volcanic Winter said:

I’m not well versed in African climatology but this seems a little extreme to me for March:

https://watchers.news/2024/03/12/thousands-of-high-temperature-records-broken-across-africa/

You can see climate stats for Niamey, Niger on wikipedia (look at city, not country), April and may are warmest months and mean daily max around 40C, on average march and April see a reading of 43 C, all-time extremes around 46 C. So this was perhaps a bit earlier than when all-time records were set before (guessing mid-April). A somewhat wetter season begins in late may. march-April see averages of 8-9 hrs of sun a day. GFS current nowcast shows 582 dm thickness over most of regions quoted in report, on both sides of equator. Sun could be running a bit hot as there have been large flares in past few days.  

I guess they are usually around 38 C at this point but it looks like a "cool" day would be 32-34 C and a normal warm day would be 41-42 C. 

As to S Africa being very warm, it's like September in central plains states or south of your region for local climate, so this would be like 1931 with extremes being set in low 100sF.  

I noticed in the linked article no records under equatorial cloud band, just either side of it. 

Based on experience with Aug 2017 (seen at Baker City, OR), plan for massive traffic congestion in immediate aftermath of eclipse to about 6-9 hrs past then, millions of people are likely to stream into viewing zone and as they can go to best viewing spots, the better your view, the worse the traffic will be. It took us all day to get from Baker City to Pendleton on I-84, and traffic was still heavy at midnight in Seattle ... we drove all the way home to BC after making the eclipse a last day of a ten-day road trip. I wasn't totally surprised by volume of traffic but it was probably even worse than I had expected. Gas up before the eclipse because every gas station you can see on return trip will be swarmed, not to mention disrupting your slow progress to get off route into gas station. 

If you have any flexibility in view location at last minute, take it, nothing worse than being under overcast sky, when 100 miles away it's clear. (that wasn't a problem in 2017, the entire western third of the country was cloud-free and we were looking at good forecasts a week in advance). 

Prepare to be surprised by how quickly it gets dark at the final stage, it goes from twilight to near darkness in about ten seconds. It's safe to look directly at the final stage (I would say within 1 or 2 minutes of full contact) as 99% of sunlight is then blocked out. You'll probably see "Bailey's beads" and diamond ring effect. As sun is near peak activity, you'll see a larger and more varied corona than we saw in 2017 near solar min. 

After ten days, March 2024 was already wetter than were 100 of 155 previous years to end of March. (.03" added so far for  March 10).

Wet starts to March (NYC 1869 to 2024) with 2024 already easily in first place for March 1-10. 

RANK _____ YEAR __ PRECIP 

__ 01 ______ 2024 __ 4.57 ___

__ 02 ______ 2018 __ 3.65 ___

__ 03 ______ 1967 __ 3.49 ___

__ 04 ______ 1914 __ 3.44 ___

__ 05 ______ 1902 __ 3.34 ___

__ 06 ______ 2011 __ 3.17 ___ 4.08" incl 11

__ 07 ______ 1994 __ 3.05 ___

__ 08 ______ 1942 __ 2.97 ___

__ 09 ______ 1991 __ 2.92 ___

__ 10 ______ 1979 __ 2.90 ___ 3.65" incl 11

__ 11 ______ 1919 __ 2.68 ___

__ 12 ______ 2007 __ 2.66 ___

__ 13 ______ 1906 __ 2.64 ___

__ 14 ______ 2008 __ 2.59 ___

(1901 3.55" to 11 but 2.94" was on 11).

Oddly none of the above (aside from 2024) got into the top ten wettest Marches, several were in 11 to 25 range. 

(several of above list count on just one day's large total as in 1914 1st, few rely on 3 separate 1"+ values)

(a similar amount, 4.65" fell March 12-21 of 1912 incl 3 events over 1"). 

and 4.89" fell March 4-13 of 1953, 4.64" fell in just four days March 12-15 2010)

1886 and 1986 were dry for first ten days. 

 

 

I wonder what we would be saying if it were 1888 ... the calendar that year was running a day behind ours, so it was Tuesday, March 6. Weather map: 

https://www.wetterzentrale.de/reanalysis.php?jaar=1888&maand=3&dag=6&uur=1800&var=1&map=2&model=noaa

NYC weather data for date: 

high 23 low 10, dry, (probably partly cloudy, NW wind 25-35)

The ground was likely bare and partly frozen, as it had snowed very little in Feb 1888 and was mild with rain at times. ... more recently, on weekend of 3rd-4th, it was in the low 40s and a small amount of rain fell, and on the previous day (5th), 0.3" snow with water content of .01" ...

Let's say there was modern technology including weather models and the internet. I can imagine a post like this:

Brr, that northwest wind is cutting today. Not as cold as late January but considering the sun angle it's very chilly. Nothing like '72 of course. But that was in the old climate. 

Well, the snow drought of late winter '88 continues after a relatively good start in January, this winter is now underperforming, but it looks to be turning even colder next week and models continue to advertise a good chance of a nor'easter around Sunday or Monday. You can see signs of that storm developing slowly over the deserts of the southwest in the Arizona territory. It's going to turn a bit milder on the weekend so the question is, would our snowstorm begin as rain and how long would that continue until the storm was deep enough to pull in very cold air that the models are showing to our west by late Saturday (10th)? 

Euro showing a very powerful low off Cape Cod by 06z 13th (Monday night) in the 28.60" (970) range. GFS is a bit further south and weaker. GEM still going with the rain to snow scenario and a coastal track, but still looks fairly good for here in second part of event. ICON is off the scale as usual, but you know those Westphalians. At this point I would say 10" and possibly a bit more, up to 20" outside the city. It should be fun, if it happens. Can't wait to see what the NAM says about it on Thursday.

------

(anyway, I could continue a daily post like this one, or if people get interested in "participating" as if in real time, we could start a Blizzard of 1888 in real time thread. Ideas? reactions? should silver be the currency?) 

(keep in mind, if you answer in kind, 1888 calendar one day off 2024, weekend is March 10-11). 

I knew I would be dropping into this regional forum to read about heavy snow. I didn't realize it would be in CA. 

They don't change clocks in SK (Saskatchewan), on CST all year round. And there's one town in BC (Creston) on  MST all year. I believe Arizona is also on MST all year. 

Jeb, if you were there, you would be going on a Jebswim cuz walking just wouldn't work. This is like being in two simultaneous Buffalo blizzards, or 1888 times three. I need a cold shower just thinking about seven feet of snow. Gotta settle for one measly foot here. 

http://weather.gov/sto/MapPNS

 

Map of reported snow totals in Sierra Nevada. 

It should be noted that today's record high was relatively easy to break, it was the lowest record high of the month and lower than quite a few February records. 

I will start a new tradition and post full NYC daily records for each month around the 1st or 2nd if I remember, This is not work I just did, it's in my Toronto/NYC climate study in the climate change forum. 

Will revise any broken records at end of day when official climate reports are final. 

 

<<<< MARCH RECORDS NYC >>>>

DATE ____ high max ___ high min _____ low max _____ low min ______ max prec ___max snow __ max 2d snow 

Mar 01 ___ 73 1972 ___ 54 2017 ______ 16 1886 _____ 4 1869 ________ 2.95 1914RS_13.5 1914 ____13.5 1914*

Mar 02 ___ 72 1972 ___ 50 1972, 91 _____ 21 1884 _____ 9 1891 ________ 2.41 2007R__10.0 1896 ____14.5 1914^

Mar 03 ___ 68 2024^___49 2020 ______26 1943,50,2009 _11 2003^______ 2.25 1906R___12.5 1960____12.5 1960*

Mar 04 ___ 70 1974 ___ 51 1880 ______ 20 1873 _____ 6 1872 _________1.65 1977R___6.0 1893,1917__ 14.5 1960

Mar 05 ___ 72 1880 ___ 50 1979 ______ 10 1872 _____ 3 1872 _________1.81 1920RS__8.6 1981 ____ 8.6 1981*

Mar 06 __ 68 1935, 2022 _50 2011 ____17 1901 _____ 5 1872 _________2.63 1979R___7.6 1916 ____ 8.6 1981**

Mar 07 __ 74 1946, 2022 _51 2009 ____20 1913 _____ 7 1890 ________ 1.87 1967R___6.0 1870 ____ 7.7 1915 (6.9+0.8)

Mar 08 ___ 76 1987 ___ 54 1987 ______ 23 1883 _____ 8 1883 _________1.78 1941S__15.7 1941 ____ 18.1 1941

Mar 09 ___ 77 2016 ___ 48 2000 ______24 1996 _____11 1996 _________1.82 1998R___5.3 1928 ____ 15.7 1941**

Mar 10 ___ 79 2016 ___ 63 2016 _______28 1987 _____12 1929 _________1.62 1994R___6.0 1907 ____6.0 1907*

 

Mar 11 ___ 73 1977 ___ 50 1967, 77 _____ 28 1885 _____14 1960 _________2.94 1901R___3.8 1896 ___ 6.0 1907**

Mar 12 ___71 1890, 2012_ 52 2021/ _______26 1900 _____ 8 1888 ________ 2.33 1962R__16.5 1888 ____16.5 1888*

Mar 13 ___ 85 1990 ___ 54 2012 _______12 1888 _____ 6 1888 _________ 3.86 2010R__10.2 1993___ 19.5 1888

Mar 14 ___ 75 1946 ___ 51 1953 _______28 1892 _____12 1888 _________ 1.97 2017RS__7.6 2017____ 10.6 1993

Mar 15 ___ 77 1990 ___ 49 1913, 2019 ___24 1900 ____ 14 1993 (33) ___ 1.81 1912R ___6.0 1906 ____ 7.6 2017**

Mar 16 ___ 82 1990 ___ 55 1990 _______20 1911 _____13 1911 _________ 2.03 2007RS^__8.4 1896____12.0 1896

Mar 17 ___ 75 1945 ___ 53 1990 _______ 25 1885,1900 __ 9 1916 _________ 1.42 1968R___3.5 1877 ____ 8.4 1896**

Mar 18 ___ 77 1989, 2011 _51 2011 _______20 1967 _____7 1916 (24) _____ 3.10 1983R___7.1 1892 ____ 8.0 1892

Mar 19 ___ 76 1918 ___ 55 2012 _______ 22 1877 _____ 8 1967 __________ 2.19 1881R___7.8 1956 ____11.6 1956

Mar 20 ___ 83 1945 ___ 57 1948 _______21 1885 _____11 1885 _________ 1.93 1913R___4.7 1958 ____ 7.8 1956**

 

Mar 21 ___ 84 1921 ___ 57 2012 _______ 21 1885 _____10 1885 _________ 2.21 1980R___8.2 2018 ____11.8 1958

Mar 22 ___ 78 2012^___57 1948 _______ 22 1885 _____12 1885 _________ 3.44 1977R___9.0 1967 ____ 9.8 1967

Mar 23 ___ 76 1923,2012_ 58 2012 _____ 20 1888 ____13 1875, 1934 _____1.60 1929R___4.3 1896 ____ 9.0 1967**

Mar 24 ___ 76 1988 ___ 52 1903 _______26 1888 _____12 1888 _________ 2.05 1989R___1.2 1956 ____ 4.5 1896

Mar 25 ___ 79 1963^___61 1913 _______ 30 1873,78 __13 1878 _________  4.25 1876R___0.5 1876,99__ 1.2 1956**^

Mar 26 ___ 82 2021/_ 52 1986, 2021 _ 35 1872,1937,47_20 1960 (35,36 25th,26th)_1.42 1913R__1.2 1924___1.2 1924*

Mar 27 ___ 83 1998 ___ 61 1949 _______ 30 1894 _____ 20 1894 _______ 1.79 1919R ___ 1.0 1886 ____ 1.2 1924**

Mar 28 ___ 84 1945^___ 63 1998 _______33 2022*_____13 1923 ________ 2.98 2005R___1.5 1984 ____ 1.5 1984* 

Mar 29 ___ 86 1945^___ 62 1998^_______29 1887 _____10 1923 (32) ___ 2.03^1984RS__4.0 1970 ____ 4.1 1996 (0.3+3.8) 

Mar 30 ___ 82 1998^___ 59 1998 _______ 31 1884 _____16 1887 (33) ___ 2.45 2010R___4.5 1883 ____ 4.5 1883*

Mar 31 ___ 86 1998 ____ 66 1998 _______34 1923 ____ 14 1923 _______ 2.20 1934R___2.8 1890 ____ 4.5 1883**

-- - - - - - - - - - - - --

Numbers in brackets beside record low minima (e.g. 24F mar 18) are daily maxima of same (or adjacent) date as record lows, that did not set a low max record, to give an indication of the severity of the cold. In a few cases these could be early ("midnight" highs). 

the 2d snow records are for (previous date + date record tabulated) ...

* following 2d snow ... indicates all snow fell on that date alone.

** following 2d snow ... indicates all snow fell on previous date only.

(other cases include two easurable amounts)

Note, precip records are followed by R, S or RS depending on whether all rain, all snow, or a mix. 

^ notes above for March (includes a few near-miss values)

 2nd _ also 2d snow (8.3" 2009 1.8+6.5)

 3rd _ previous record 65F 1991. ... 2024 min 48F fell one deg below 2020 record.

 3rd _ Low min 11 also 1925,38,43,50,62 (and 2003) ... only six-way tie in all data

12th _ 52F 2021 replaces 50F 1898

16th _ 2007 prec incl 5.5" snow

22nd _ also max 77F 1938

25th _ also max 75F 1910

25th _ cold rain 1912 could have incl sleet, 1-5" snow, missing snow data in NYC data base

26th / _ new record 82F max 2021 replaces 76F 1922.

28th _ max 79F 1946, 29th max 78F 1946, 29th min 60 1945F, 57 1946F

28th _ low max 33F 2022 replaced 34F 1893. ... also 1.4" snow 1919

29th _ 1984 prec record included 1.8" snow, 

30th _ also max 78F 1910

5 hours ago, nycwinter said:

190 mph winds recorded at palisades..

Location? 

 

Table of forecasts for March 2024

 

Forecaster __________________________ DCA _NYC _BOS __ ORD _ATL _IAH ___ DEN_PHX _SEA

 

RJay _______________________________ +6.0 _+6.0 _+6.0 __ +6.0 _+3.0 _+2.5 ___ 0.0 _-0.8 __0.0 

rainsucks ___________________________+4.7 _+5.3 _+5.5 __ +7.5 _+2.0 _+2.4 ___+2.5 _-1.0 _+0.7 

Roger Smith ________________________+3.6 _+4.5 _+6.2 __ +7.0 _+4.5 _+3.0 __ +1.5 _-1.0 _-0.4

DonSutherland1 ____________________+3.5 _+4.8 _+4.5 __ +5.5 _+1.8 _+0.9 __ -0.5 _-2.0 _+0.2

wxallannj ___________________________+3.1 _+3.6 _+3.9 __ +2.8 _+2.2 _+2.0 __ +0.4 _-1.1 _ -1.5

Tom ________________________________+2.8 _+3.1 _+3.2 __ +3.5 _+1.8 _+1.9 __ +1.6 _+0.9 _+0.8

 

___ Consensus ______________________+2.8 _+3.0 _+3.1 __ +3.2 _+1.7 _+1.8 __ +0.5 _-0.9 _+0.1

 

hudsonvalley21 _____________________+2.7 _+2.9 _+2.5 __ +2.7 _+1.3 _+1.6 __ +0.9 _+0.1 _+0.3

BKViking ____________________________+2.2 _+2.3 _+2.4 __ +2.0 _+1.1 _+1.2 __ +0.5 _+0.1 _+0.3 

so_whats_happening _______________+2.1 _+2.8 _+3.0 __ +4.4 _+0.8 _+0.1 ___ -0.8 _-2.3 _-0.6

RodneyS ___________________________ +1.6 _+2.5 _+2.5 __ +1.3 _+0.4 _+1.3 ___ -0.5 _-1.5 _-2.1 

Scotty Lightning ____________________+1.0 _+1.0 _+1.0 __ +1.0 _+1.5 _+2.0 ___ +0.5 _+1.0 __0.0

wxdude64 __________________________+0.8 _+1.4 _+1.7 __ +0.9 _-0.4 _-0.5 ___ -0.3 _-0.8 _+1.6  

Normal ______________________________ 0.0 __ 0.0 __ 0.0 ___0.0 __ 0.0 __ 0.0 ___ 0.0 __ 0.0 __0.0

 

Persistence (Feb 2024) _____________+4.4 _+4.2_ +3.4 __+10.7 _+4.6 _+4.2 __+4.9 _+1.5 _+0.3

==========================================

Normal is colder than all forecasters for DCA, NYC, BOS, ORD. 

 

Katabatic posted pictures of snow in Sierra Nevada on mid-Atlantic forum (in current discobs). Basically a two-storey building is disappearing under snow! We got 8" up here in the past 24 hours, and it forms our secondary seasonal peak of 12" after a few days near 2 feet in early January. In between we lost almost all by mid-Feb, and only recently began to gain snow pack again. It's around an 18" base in some higher locations outside town. Drove through Cascades recently and same low pack in evidence, 2 feet at a few upslope locations, less than 6" on eastern slopes, and bare ground in Okanagan valley until recent snowfalls.  

Getting leftovers of snow locally, about 8" fell since 03z ... last winter the peak snow depth was on today's date (26") but today's fall only takes us from 4" to 12" and our peak was about 20" in early January. (Locally = 150 N Spokane WA basically, just over Canadian border). Part of me would like to see the 10-15 feet in Sierras (eventually) but we'll settle for being able to get out of our house.  

Katabatic, if you read this, would you possibly consider posting a thread of your pictures on central/western forum? Or just post in existing winter thread (I saw your post there). I will mention your pictures here. A-Wx has no active members in California or PNW (besides me), but a few around CO-WY region. 

 

Four Seasons Contest __ Winter 2023-24

Points for four seasons ... 10 for first (total 3 scores), 7 for second, 6 for third, etc, 1 point for all entrants with 2/3 or 3/3 

 

FORECASTER ___________________ DEC ___ JAN-FEB ___ TOTAL ___ Points

wxallannj ________________________ 576 ______ 1160 ______ 1736 ______10

DonSutherland 1 _________________482 ______ 1042 ______ 1524 ______ 7

RodneyS _________________________426 ______ 1071 ______ 1497 ______ 6

so_whats_happening ____________444 ______ 1043 ______ 1487 ______ 5

hudsonvalley21 __________________442 ______ 1008 ______ 1450 ______ 4

___ Consensus ___________________380 ______ 1028 ______ 1408 ______3.3

RJay _____________________________464 _______ 927 ______ 1391 ______ 3 __ (974) (1438) before late pen _ Con would be 2.8

BKViking ________________________ 336 ______ 1000 ______ 1336 ______ 2

Scotty Lightning _________________328 _______ 856 ______ 1184 ______ 1

rainsucks ________________________ -- -- _____ 1111 _______ 1111 _______ 1

wxdude64 _______________________206 ______ 892 ______ 1098 ______ 1

Tom _____________________________ 310 _______ 728 ______ 1038 ______ 1

___ Normal ________________________192 ______ 810 ______ 1002 ______ 1

Roger Smith _____________________294 _______ 499 _______ 793 ______ 1

Stormchaser Chuck _____________ -- -- ______ 792 _______ 792 ______ 1

Rhino16 _________________________ -- -- ______ 747 _______ 747 _______ 1

=====================

Persistence (Nov 2023) __________338 ______ 634 ______ 972 ______ 1

Toronto (downtown location 1840-2024) also recorded its warmest February (+1.5 C) edging out 1998, and the  Central England Temperature (CET) series recorded second warmest 7.8 C just below record of 7.9 (1779). This data set runs 1659 to present. CET also recorded warmest Feb daily mean of 13.7 C. (15 Feb, broke record 12.8 set 4 Feb 2004) as well as a new record warmest daily min in Feb (11.1 C). Feb 2019 retains records for warmest daily max.

It was also tied warmest winter season at Toronto (+1.30) tied 2001-02. 

CET winter was tied 4th warmest (6.5 C) as January was close to average (Dec 2023 mild). Winters warmer are 2015-16 (6.8 C), 1868-69 (6.7 C) and 1833-34 (6.6 C). 2023-24 tied 1988-89 and 2006-07. 

http://metoffice.gov.uk/hadobs/hadcet/data/meantemp_ranked_seasonal.txt

Another new CET record was warmest 31d interval all 31 days within Jan-Feb, set 21 or 22 Jan to 20 or 21 Feb (8.3 C) ... previous record was 8.0 C set 14 Jan to 13 Feb 2002. The warmest January (calendar) for CET is 7.6 (1916). Their warmest Dec is also 2015 (9.6 C). 

 

Last call before I start up my penalizer.