donsutherland1

Thanks for the kind words. I hope you get the chance to photograph the methane bubbles at some point in the future.

After a morning low temperature of 20°, the temperature remained mainly in the 20s this afternoon before topping out at 31°. Some photos of ice are below:

This morning, the temperature sank to 20° in Central Park. January has yet to see a temperature in the teens. Tonight could be another opportunity for the temperature to push toward the teens in Central Park. Meanwhile, if one looked at the latest teleconnections forecast, the AO is forecast to remain positive to strongly positive through the next two weeks. Nothing has changed there. To date, the AO has averaged +1.464 during meteorological winter. Just to average 0.000, it would have to average -1.867 every day starting tomorrow through February 29. At the same time, the PNA is forecast to "flatline" (perhaps a fitting symbol of Social Media's thinking that Winter 2019-2020 has flatlined, the boredom that has swept online weather communities waiting for winter to reassert itself, or depression from Europe's non-winter to date). Such highly stable PNA regimes have occurred before. One such regime occurred during January 8 through January 24, 1985. During that 17-day period, the PNA averaged +0.930. The standard deviation was 0.057. The lowest PNA figure was +0.852 on January 14. The highest was +1.011 on January 16.

The following are the statistics for NYC's 6" or greater snowstorms (1950-2019): 1/1-31: 20% PNA- 2/1-14: 39% PNA- 2/15-29: 45% PNA- 3/1-15: 57% PNA-

In the wake of yesterday's snowfall, another shot of cold air has moved into the region. However, its stay will likely be short-lived. Warmer conditions will likely develop during the middle of the week. Somewhat colder air could return during the closing days of January, but the risk that January could end on a mild note has increased. A mild finish would represent a big change from the previous scenario where Pacific-driven changes would lead to the development of a colder pattern to continue into the start of February. The ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly was +0.2°C and the Region 3.4 anomaly was +0.5°C for the week centered around January 8. For the past six weeks, the ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly has averaged +0.27°C and the ENSO Region 3.4 anomaly has averaged +0.50°C. The remainder of winter 2019-2020 will likely feature neutral-warm to weak El Niño conditions. The SOI was +0.24 today. Today, the preliminary Arctic Oscillation (AO) figure was +1.489. No significant stratospheric warming event appears likely through January 27. Wave 2 activity will remain relatively suppressed. Overall, most of the stratosphere is forecast to remain cold on the EPS. On January 18, the MJO was in Phase 6 at an amplitude of 2.913 (RMM). The January 17-adjusted amplitude was 3.178. The MJO had spent 9 consecutive days at an amplitude of 3.000 or above. There have been only 8 cases where the MJO had an amplitude of 3.000 or above for 7 or more consecutive days. The shortest period from the start of that stretch that saw the MJO's amplitude fall below 1.000 was 20 days. The mean period was 36 days. The longest period was 55 days. Based on this historic experience, the MJO likely won't reach low amplitude until near or after the end of January. Since 1974, there were 8 prior cases where the MJO reached Phase 4 at an amplitude of 1.500 or above in the January 5-20 period. In 7 or 88% of those cases, the MJO progressed into Phases 7 and 8. Further, the MJO was in Phase 4 at an amplitude of 2.273 on January 7 with an AO of +4.048. Since 1974, there were three January cases when the MJO was in Phase 4 at an amplitude of 2.000 or above and an AO of +3.000 or above. In all three cases the Week 3-4 period was colder than the Week 1-2 period (smallest change: 2.7° in 1993; largest change 16.8° in 2007). The change in 14-day average temperatures from the above three cases would imply a January 22-February 3 mean temperature of 10°-12° below the January 8-21 mean temperature in New York City. This data implies that the latter two week period as a whole would be colder than normal overall. However, uncertainty about the extended range has increased and a warmer than normal outcome now appears more likely than not (perhaps something closer to the January 1993 outcome even as the week 3-4 outcome will be colder than the week 1-2 period). A very warm first and second half of January does not necessarily mean that February will be warmer than normal. There were five such cases following a January 1-15 mean temperature of 40.0° or above. 1932 and 1998 were warmer than normal in February. 2006 was near normal. 1937 and 1950 were colder than normal. Overall, for New York City, the coefficient of determination between the January and February temperature is just 0.07 (1869-2019). Based on sensitivity analysis applied to the latest guidance, New York City has an implied 99% probability of a warmer than normal January. The monthly mean temperature could finish near 38.0° in New York City. The probability that January 2020 will finish with among the 10 highest January average temperatures on record has increased.

To say that New York City and Philadelphia are digging out of their biggest snowstorm of the winter so far would be somewhat of an exaggeration, but not a complete exaggeration. Yesterday's snowfall of 2.1" in Central Park and 0.2" in Philadelphia are both cities' largest snowfall of winter 2019-20. It has been a bleak winter in terms of snowfall across much of the Middle Atlantic region. To add insult to injury, the pattern evolution has become less favorable for meaningful snow through the remainder of January. Even the previously bullish CFSv2 weeklies have now delayed the onset of a cold pattern beyond the first week of February. Should New York City finish January with less than 6.0" total snowfall for the season, winter 2019-20 will join 34 previous cases. The mean snowfall for the remainder of the season during those prior cases was 13.5" and the median was 10.6". The most was 43.0" during winter 1895-96 (30.5" in March). The least was 0.0" in winter 2001-02. In 11 (32%) cases, New York City received 15.0" or more snow during the remainder of winter. In 16 (47%) cases, New York City received less than 10.0" snow for the remainder of winter. In addition, the temperature has yet to fall below 20° this month in Central Park. New York City's minimum January temperature was 20° or above in seven prior years, most recently 2002. Five of those cases went on to record much below normal snowfall in February. Two (1949 and 1993) had somewhat above normal February snowfall (10.7" in both cases). Still, things could be worse. Instead of infrequent but picturesque light snowfalls, the region could be experiencing the non-winter that has gripped Europe throughout the season. Today, the thermometer is again flirting with record high temperatures in parts of Estonia, Finland, and Russia.

25 degrees in January 1937.

According to the PNS, that measurement was taken at 7 pm. More snow had fallen since that time at BDR. Unfortunately, the snow is about to come to an end there.

I'm happy to see that Long Island got into some of the accumulating snow. My sister had 1.5" in Suffolk County. Others on the the North Shore had more.

037 NOUS41 KOKX 190102 PNSOKX CTZ005>012-NJZ002-004-006-103>108-NYZ067>075-078>081-176>179-191302- Public Information Statement Spotter Reports National Weather Service New York NY 802 PM EST Sat Jan 18 2020 The following are unofficial observations taken during the past 8 hours for the storm that has been affecting our region. Appreciation is extended to highway departments, cooperative observers, Skywarn spotters and media for these reports. This summary also is available on our home page at weather.gov/nyc ********************STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL******************** LOCATION STORM TOTAL TIME/DATE COMMENTS SNOWFALL OF /INCHES/ MEASUREMENT CONNECTICUT ...Fairfield County... Greenwich 3.0 736 PM 1/18 Trained Spotter Weston 2.8 612 PM 1/18 Broadcast Media Bridgeport Airport 2.5 700 PM 1/18 Co-Op Observer ...New Haven County... Seymour 2.0 709 PM 1/18 Trained Spotter Guilford 2.0 623 PM 1/18 Co-Op Observer ...New London County... Ledyard Center 0.8 500 PM 1/18 Trained Spotter NEW JERSEY ...Bergen County... Ridgewood 2.3 700 PM 1/18 Trained Spotter East Rutherford 2.2 713 PM 1/18 Trained Spotter Westwood 0.8 315 PM 1/18 Trained Spotter ...Essex County... Cedar Grove 2.2 715 PM 1/18 Public ...Hudson County... Hoboken 1.8 700 PM 1/18 Trained Spotter Harrison 1.0 415 PM 1/18 Co-Op Observer ...Union County... Newark Airport 1.8 700 PM 1/18 FAA Observer NEW YORK ...Bronx County... 1 NE Riverdale 2.5 745 PM 1/18 CoCoRaHS Eastchester 0.8 400 PM 1/18 NYC Dept of Sanitation ...Kings County... Adelphi 2.0 700 PM 1/18 Trained Spotter Brooklyn 2.0 400 PM 1/18 NYC OEM CERT Midwood 1.6 615 PM 1/18 News Media ...Nassau County... Wantagh 2.6 730 PM 1/18 Trained Spotter Franklin Square 2.5 609 PM 1/18 Trained Spotter New Hyde Park 2.5 714 PM 1/18 Trained Spotter East Meadow 2.4 650 PM 1/18 Public East Williston 2.3 530 PM 1/18 Public Locust Valley 2.0 504 PM 1/18 Broadcast Media Merrick 2.0 700 PM 1/18 Trained Spotter Farmingdale 1.2 400 PM 1/18 NWS Employee ...New York County... Central Park 2.1 700 PM 1/18 Park/Forest Srvc Inwood 0.8 400 PM 1/18 NYC Dept of Sanitation ...Orange County... Gardnertown 4.0 756 PM 1/18 Trained Spotter West Point 2.3 615 PM 1/18 Trained Spotter Monroe 2.0 535 PM 1/18 Trained Spotter Hamptonburgh 2.0 428 PM 1/18 Trained Spotter ...Putnam County... Putnam Valley 1.9 535 PM 1/18 News Media ...Queens County... Whitestone 2.6 730 PM 1/18 Public Fresh Meadows 2.5 704 PM 1/18 Trained Spotter NYC/LaGuardia Airpor 1.9 700 PM 1/18 FAA Observer Elmhurst 1.8 720 PM 1/18 Trained Spotter NYC/JFK Airport 1.6 700 PM 1/18 FAA Observer Rego Park 1.5 625 PM 1/18 Trained Spotter ...Rockland County... New City 2.8 739 PM 1/18 Trained Spotter Stony Point 2.5 700 PM 1/18 Trained Spotter ...Suffolk County... Wheatley Heights 3.5 755 PM 1/18 Trained Spotter Commack 2.9 650 PM 1/18 Public Upton 2.0 700 PM 1/18 NWS Office Islip Airport 1.9 700 PM 1/18 FAA Observer Riverhead 1.9 700 PM 1/18 NWS Employee Patchogue 1.5 710 PM 1/18 Trained Spotter Sayville 1.5 632 PM 1/18 NWS Employee Cedar Beach 1.0 413 PM 1/18 Trained Spotter ...Westchester County... Armonk 2.7 735 PM 1/18 Public &&

Central Park's latest and probably final measurement is 2.1".

A fast-moving storm brought accumulating snow, sleet, and later rain to parts of the region. As of 4 pm, snowfall amounts included: Albany: 0.6" Bridgeport: 1.0" Islip: 1.0" New York City: 1.3" Newark: 0.8" Philadelphia: Trace A second round of snow moved into the area and continued into the early part of the evening leading to additional accumulations. Overnight and tomorrow, the system will pull away from the region, leading to clearing skies. In its wake, another shot of cold air will follow. However, the cold will likely be short-lived. Warmer conditions will likely develop during the middle of next week. Cold could return during the closing days of January, but the risk that January could end on a mild note has increased, particularly on the EPS. A mild finish would represent a big change from the previous scenario where Pacific-driven changes would lead to the development of a colder pattern to continue into the start of February. Meanwhile, in Europe where winter has largely been absent, no late-month changes are in order. The warmth appears poised to roll on through the end of the month and into the start February. More record high temperatures could be challenged or broken there during the last 10 days of January. The ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly was +0.2°C and the Region 3.4 anomaly was +0.5°C for the week centered around January 8. For the past six weeks, the ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly has averaged +0.27°C and the ENSO Region 3.4 anomaly has averaged +0.50°C. The remainder of winter 2019-2020 will likely feature neutral-warm to weak El Niño conditions. The SOI was -8.62 today. Today, the preliminary Arctic Oscillation (AO) figure was +1.380. No significant stratospheric warming event appears likely through January 26. Wave 2 activity will remain relatively suppressed. Overall, most of the stratosphere is forecast to remain cold on the EPS. On January 17, the MJO was in Phase 6 at an amplitude of 3.184 (RMM). The January 16-adjusted amplitude was 3.171. This was the 9th consecutive day during which the MJO had an amplitude of 3.000 or above. This is the longest such stretch since January 27-February 11, 2018 when the MJO had an amplitude of 3.000 or above for 16 consecutive days. There have been only 8 cases where the MJO had an amplitude of 3.000 or above for 7 or more consecutive days. The shortest period from the start of that stretch that saw the MJO's amplitude fall below 1.000 was 20 days. The mean period was 36 days. The longest period was 55 days. Based on this historic experience, the MJO likely won't reach low amplitude until near or after the end of January. Since 1974, there were 8 prior cases where the MJO reached Phase 4 at an amplitude of 1.500 or above in the January 5-20 period. In 7 or 88% of those cases, the MJO progressed into Phases 7 and 8. Further, the MJO was in Phase 4 at an amplitude of 2.273 on January 7 with an AO of +4.048. Since 1974, there were three January cases when the MJO was in Phase 4 at an amplitude of 2.000 or above and an AO of +3.000 or above. In all three cases the Week 3-4 period was colder than the Week 1-2 period (smallest change: 2.7° in 1993; largest change 16.8° in 2007). The change in 14-day average temperatures from the above three cases would imply a January 22-February 3 mean temperature of 10°-12° below the January 8-21 mean temperature in New York City. This data implies that the latter two week period as a whole would be colder than normal overall. However, uncertainty about the extended range has increased and a warmer than normal outcome now appears more likely than not (perhaps something closer to the January 1993 outcome even as the week 3-4 outcome will be colder than the week 1-2 period). A very warm first and second half of January does not necessarily mean that February will be warmer than normal. There were five such cases following a January 1-15 mean temperature of 40.0° or above. 1932 and 1998 were warmer than normal in February. 2006 was near normal. 1937 and 1950 were colder than normal. Overall, for New York City, the coefficient of determination between the January and February temperature is just 0.07 (1869-2019). Based on sensitivity analysis applied to the latest guidance, New York City has an implied 98% probability of a warmer than normal January. The monthly mean temperature could finish near 37.5° in New York City.

I have 2.3" in Larchmont, NY as of a few minutes before 7 pm. Fairly large flakes are still falling, but the changeover is likely approaching.

I hope so.

1.3" as of 4 pm.

Some photos from today’s ongoing snowfall. P.S. While some complain, others find the real joy that can be discovered in every snowfall by all who are willing to seek it.

It has just commenced snowing in Larchmont, NY.

At 8:40 am, an area of snow was pushing eastward across central Pennsylvania. Recently, Bradford was reporting heavy snow with a temperature of 18°. As the morning progresses, the snow will move into eastern Pennsylvania. During the early afternoon, snow will begin to break out in the greater New York Metro area. For now, the storm remains on track to bring a general 2"-4" snow to such locations as Newark, New York City, and Bridgeport. Scranton, Binghamton, and Albany still appear to be in line for 3"-6" snow.

Both were part of the same study.

Tomorrow, a quick-moving system could bring New York City and Newark its first measurable snowfall since January 6. Philadelphia, where just 0.1" snow has fallen this winter, could receive its first measurable snowfall since December 11. Snowfall estimates for select locations are: Albany: 3"-6" Binghamton: 3"-6" Boston: 2"-4" Bridgeport: 2"-4" Islip: 1"-3" New York City: 2"-4" Newark: 2"-4" Philadelphia: 2" or less Poughkeepsie: 3"-6" Scranton: 3"-6" The last time New York City had a snowfall of 2.0" or more was March 3-4, 2019 when 5.0" snow fell. The last time Philadelphia picked up 2.0" or more snow was March 1, 2019 when 3.0" snow accumulated. Ahead of the storm, the temperature will likely fall near 20° in New York City tomorrow morning. Outside the City, many locations will see minimum temperatures in the teens. Following this weekend, warmer conditions will likely develop. Nevertheless, at least some colder air will likely return during the closing week of the month. At that point, the cold could become sustained and it could continue into at least the first week of February. With a mean temperature of 42.7° during January 1-15, 2020 ranked as the 6th warmest such period on record in New York City. Since 1869, just 2/13 (15%) cases (2000 and 2005) that saw the temperature average 40.0° or above during January 1-15 went on to have a colder than normal January. The mean monthly temperature for those 13 cases was 37.2°. The ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly was +0.2°C and the Region 3.4 anomaly was +0.5°C for the week centered around January 8. For the past six weeks, the ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly has averaged +0.27°C and the ENSO Region 3.4 anomaly has averaged +0.50°C. The remainder of winter 2019-2020 will likely feature neutral-warm to weak El Niño conditions. The SOI was -16.62 today. Today, the preliminary Arctic Oscillation (AO) figure was +1.950. No significant stratospheric warming event appears likely through January 25. Wave 2 activity will remain relatively suppressed. Overall, most of the stratosphere is forecast to remain cold on the EPS. On January 16, the MJO was in Phase 6 at an amplitude of 3.178 (RMM). The January 15-adjusted amplitude was 3.041. This was the 8th consecutive day during which the MJO had an amplitude of 3.000 or above. This is the longest such stretch since January 27-February 11, 2018 when the MJO had an amplitude of 3.000 or above for 16 consecutive days. There have been only 8 cases where the MJO had an amplitude of 3.000 or above for 7 or more consecutive days. The shortest period from the start of that stretch that saw the MJO's amplitude fall below 1.000 was 20 days. The mean period was 36 days. The longest period was 55 days. Based on this historic experience, the MJO likely won't reach low amplitude until near or after the end of January. Since 1974, there were 8 prior cases where the MJO reached Phase 4 at an amplitude of 1.500 or above in the January 5-20 period. In 7 or 88% of those cases, the MJO progressed into Phases 7 and 8. Further, the MJO was in Phase 4 at an amplitude of 2.273 on January 7 with an AO of +4.048. Since 1974, there were three January cases when the MJO was in Phase 4 at an amplitude of 2.000 or above and an AO of +3.000 or above. In all three cases the Week 3-4 period was colder than the Week 1-2 period (smallest change: 2.7° in 1993; largest change 16.8° in 2007). The change in 14-day average temperatures from the above three cases would imply a January 22-February 3 mean temperature of 10°-12° below the January 8-21 mean temperature in New York City. This data implies that the latter two week period as a whole would be colder than normal overall. However, uncertainty about the extended range has increased. Moreover, an MJO in Phase 7 at an amplitude of 2.000 or above typically sees measurable snowfall consistent with overall January 16-31 climatology. That would imply approximately 2 measurable snow events for Philadelphia to New York City and 2-3 such events for Boston during the closing two weeks of January. The first such event should occur tomorrow. Based on sensitivity analysis applied to the latest guidance, New York City has an implied 94% probability of a warmer than normal January. The monthly mean temperature could finish near 36.5° in New York City.

The McKinsey Global Institute's report on climate change and its impacts: https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/McKinsey/Business Functions/Sustainability/Our Insights/Climate risk and response Physical hazards and socioeconomic impacts/MGI-Climate-risk-and-response-vF.ashx

Perhaps this is one reason climate change deniers have stepped up their attacks on climate scientists, as well as the volume of their disinformation on Social Media and other outlets that still disseminate their position. From the Yale University Climate Change Communication Program: Our latest survey (November 2019) finds that the Alarmed segment is at an all-time high (31%). The Alarmed segment has nearly tripled in size since October 2014. Conversely, the Dismissive (10%) and Doubtful (10%) segments have each decreased over the past five years. https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/publications/for-the-first-time-the-alarmed-are-now-the-largest-of-global-warmings-six-americas/ In short, science is gaining ground when it comes to Americans' views of climate change. As that process continues to play out, public support for effective policies aimed at making a credible start to addressing the challenge of climate change could reach critical mass. At that point, the defense of the status quo could disintegrate, as support of the status quo could hinder electoral success.

Some of the recent model runs have grown a little snowier in the NYC Metro area and surrounding region. The exception was the 12z GGEM, which had little or no measurable snow in this area. As it is an outlier, the GGEM was discounted. My final snowfall estimates are: Albany: 3"-6" Binghamton: 3"-6" Boston: 2"-4" Bridgeport: 2"-4" Islip: 1"-3" New York City: 2"-4" Newark: 2"-4" Philadelphia: 2" or less Poughkeepsie: 3"-6" Scranton: 3"-6"

The definitions are universal. If, for example, a scientist/group of scientists discovers or identifies a new natural mechanism that can credibly explain at least some of the ongoing observed warming that cannot currently be attributed to natural forcings, then of course it would need to be given due consideration. Science is an iterative process. Areas of uncertainty e.g., especially with respect to some feedbacks, remain to be resolved.

The use of "climate denial movement" was deliberate. It was intended to differentiate between honest skeptics (in general people who seek more evidence and then will allow the evidence to guide them) and deniers (for lack of a better term) who will essentially reject any or all evidence that does not confirm their preferred views. There is a difference and that difference is critical.