Tag Archives: cold

NYC Sub-Freezing Cold Streak: Third Longest on Record

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The extended cold wave that has been gripping New York City earned a place in the record books as it came to an end on Tuesday when the temperature climbed above freezing for the first time since Christmas.

Brutally cold temperatures dominated the end of 2017 and beginning of 2018 in NYC. Credit: Melissa Fleming

In all, the city experienced fourteen consecutive days with temperatures below 32°F. That, according to the NWS, is the third longest sub-freezing cold streak ever recorded in Central Park. The coldest day came on January 6, when the mercury only made it to 13°F. The wind chill made it feel even colder.

These unusually frigid conditions were the result of a deep dip in the jet stream and a lobe of the polar vortex reaching southward over much of the eastern US. While a brief warm-up is expected over the next few days, it is still January so keep those hats and gloves handy.

Credit: NWS

NYC Monthly Summary: December 2017

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December 2017 felt like another temperature roller coaster in New York City. Highs ranged from an unseasonably warm 61°F to a frigid 18°F. But with eighteen out of thirty-one days posting below average readings, including the second coldest New Year’s Eve on record, the chill won out in the end. The city’s mean temperature for the month was 35°F, which is 2.5°F below average.

On the precipitation side of things, the city received 2.21 inches of rain. That is 1.79 inches below normal. December is now the sixth month in a row to deliver below average rainfall in NYC. As a result, the latest report from the US Drought Monitor (12/28) now lists the city as “abnormally dry.” Snowfall, on the other hand, was abundant. The month produced four separate snow events, including the city’s first snowfall of the season. In all, 7.7 inches of snow was measured in Central Park. On average, the city gets 4.8 inches of snow in December.

Credit: The Weather Gamut

New Year’s Eve 2017: Second Coldest on Record for NYC

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New Year’s Eve 2017 was one for the record books in New York City.

The midnight temperature in Central Park was a mere 9°F, marking the city’s second coldest New Year’s Eve on record. The coldest was in 1917 when the temperature was only 1°F. The normal low for this time of year is 28°F.

These unusually frigid conditions are the result of a deep dip in the jet stream and a lobe of the polar vortex reaching southward over much of the eastern US. They are expected to remain in place for the near future.

Source: NWS

Dressing for Cold Weather

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When winter rolls around, I am often reminded of the old Scandinavian saying: “There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing choices.”

Since the weather is going to do whatever it is going to do, it is important to be prepared for anything that Mother Nature throws your way. In winter, that means cold temperatures.

Extreme cold causes the body to lose heat faster than it can be generated. Prolonged exposure, according to the CDC, can cause serious health problems such as hypothermia and frostbite.

To stay safe this winter, remember to bundle up in layers and wear hats and gloves to minimize the loss of body heat.

Credit: NOAA

NYC Monthly Summary: November 2017

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November 2017 felt like a temperature roller coaster in New York City. Highs ranged from an unseasonably balmy 74°F to a chilly 38°F. But with fourteen out of thirty days posting below average readings, including two record lows, the cold won out in the end. The city’s mean temperature for the month was 46.6°F, which 1.1°F below average.

In terms of precipitation, the month was mostly dry. Only 1.58 inches of rain was measured in Central Park, marking the fifth month in a row to deliver below average rainfall. The city usually gets 4.02 inches of rain in November.

Credit: The Weather Gamut

Record Low Temperatures and First Freeze of the Season for NYC

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After a record warm October, a blast of frigid arctic air plunged into New York City this weekend.

The temperature in Central Park dropped to 25°F late Friday night and hit 24°F early Saturday morning, setting new record lows for both dates. According to the NWS, the previous records of 27°F for November 10 and 28°F for November 11 were set in 1914 and 1933, respectively.

The high temperature on Saturday only reached 38°F, which is 5°F colder than the normal low for this time of year. Overall, it felt more like January than November for the BIg Apple.

This cold plunge also marked the city’s first freeze of the season. While more extreme than normal, the timing of these frosty conditions is about average as the city typically sees its first freeze in mid-November. The earliest first freeze on record occurred on October 19 in both 1940 and 1974. The latest was on December 22, 1998.

Produced by a deep dip in the jet stream, these chilly conditions are not expected to last long. Temperatures are forecast to rebound to more seasonable levels in the next few days.

An Arctic blast sent temperatures plunging in NYC. Credit: The Weather Gamut

When to Expect the Final Freeze of the Season

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Most people associate spring with flowers and mild weather. But as a transitional season, it can also produce a rollercoaster of temperatures, including serious cold spells. Wearing a short sleeved shirt one day and a parka the next, you may start to wonder when the cold will finally fade away.

The answer to that question largely depends on location. Below is a map from NOAA that shows the typical final freeze dates across the continental US. While actual weather conditions vary from year to year, the dates shown are based on climatology – a thirty-year average of temperature data.

Here in New York City, our last freeze of the season usually comes in mid-April.

Credit: NOAA

March 2017 was More of a Lion Than a Lamb in NYC

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There is an old saying that March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. It refers to the transition from winter to spring that takes place during the month and the change in weather that usually follows. However, in New York City this year that tradition went out the window as March turned out to be colder than February.

This type of temperature flip-flop, according to NWS records, has only happened five other times in NYC history. The last time was 1984.

This March, twenty-one out of thirty-one days posted below average temperatures. Five of those days had highs that did not get above freezing. In the end, the city’s mean temperature for the month was 39.2°F, which is 3.3°F below normal.

In terms of precipitation, the city was unusually wet in March. In all, we received 5.25 inches of rain, which is 0.89 inches above average. Snowfall was also abundant, with 9.7 inches measured in Central Park. Of that total, 7.6 inches fell during a nor’easter in the middle of the month. March, on average, usually only brings the city 3.9 inches of snow.

This plentiful precipitation, according to the latest report from the US Drought Monitor (3/30), has erased the abnormally dry and moderate drought conditions that have plagued the city for months.

March was colder than February in NYC this year. Credit: The Weather Gamut

Dressing for Cold Weather

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When winter rolls around, I am often reminded of the old Scandinavian saying: “There is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing.”

Since the weather is going to do whatever it is going to do, we all need to be aware of our environment and prepare for what Mother Nature throws our way. In winter, that means cold temperatures.

Extreme cold causes the body to lose heat faster than it can be generated. Prolonged exposure, according to the CDC, can cause serious health problems such as hypothermia and frostbite.

To stay safe this winter, remember to bundle up in layers and wear hats and gloves to minimize the loss of body heat.

Credit: NOAA

Credit: NOAA

First Freeze of the Season for NYC

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After a long hot summer and mostly mild autumn, winter has finally arrived in New York City.

According to the NWS, the temperature in Central Park dropped to 30°F late Friday night. That was the coldest air the city has seen since April and marks the first freeze of the season.

Compared to average, this first nip of frosty air arrived a bit late. The city usually sees its first freeze in mid-November.  The earliest 32°F reading on record came on October 19 twice, first in 1940 and then again in 1974.  Our latest first freeze was on December 22, 1998.

Produced by a deep dip in the jet stream, these current chilly conditions are expected to last through the weekend. Then, after a brief warm-up, another shot of arctic air is forecast to hit the city late next week. Keep those coats and gloves handy!

Average Dates for First Frost

Average Dates for First Frost in New York State.  Credit: Cornell.edu