Forecasts expect the storm moving across the country to become the first major snowstorm in many areas of the northeastern United States and the central eastern region in over a year, potentially ending the record snow drought affecting cities from Washington, D.C. to New York City.
Main Facts
Temperatures in New England, New York, and the central eastern region are expected to drop into the mid-thirties and low forties by the end of this weekend, making snow possible in some areas as a significant storm approaches the East Coast.
AccuWeather meteorologists expect potential snowfall as far west as Missouri and as far east as southern New England, with a chance of snow and ice in the Appalachian Mountains.
The storm comes as New York City approaches a historic snow drought of nearly two years, as the city has failed to receive at least one inch of snow in a single day since February 16, 2022, according to AccuWeather.
Snow could also fall this weekend in Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., all of which have gone more than 700 days since receiving their last inch of snow, with Washington, D.C. hitting a snow drought of 715 days by New Year’s Day.
AccuWeather meteorologists acknowledge that the storm’s track remains uncertain as it moves over the southwestern and southern Great Plains, although the National Weather Service warned that the storm is likely to bring strong winds and “very rough seas” over the weekend off the coasts of Delaware, New York, and New Jersey.
The Big Number
684. That is the number of days New York City has gone without experiencing more than one inch of snow in a single day, marking the longest snow drought in the city’s history by a wide margin. The second-longest drought occurred in 1998, when the city went 383 days without receiving an inch or more of snow.
Stunning Fact
The green and gray winter period in New York has also set several other records last year, including the latest winter day before the city saw measurable snowfall (defined as at least 0.1 inches), when 0.4 inches of snow fell on February 1. Last year was also the least snowy year in New York’s history, according to the National Climate Institute, with a total snowfall of 2.3 inches between January 1 and December 31, surpassing the previous record of 3.4 inches set in 1913.
Sidebar
Snow in New York between October 1 and December 31 has fallen at less than the city’s historical average of 5.5 inches for that time period, according to AccuWeather. Many other cities in the northeastern United States are experiencing similar snow droughts so far this winter, including Boston, which received 0.2 inches of snow since October 1 (less than the average of 10.5 inches), as well as Portland, Maine, which has seen 0.7 inches (far below the average of 17.1 inches).
Reverse
Without a layer of snow on the ground during winter, areas that typically receive snow are left unusually dry in spring when that snow is supposed to melt. This snow layer, known as snowpack, serves as a source of freshwater for rivers, streams, and soil during the dry summer months, providing what the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration refers to as a “natural reservoir.” This year may benefit from snow in areas of the eastern U.S. coast, including western North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, and parts of upstate New York, which are experiencing an unusually dry spell, and in some areas, moderate drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Reading
Future
The central eastern region is facing a historic “snow drought” as New York and Philadelphia still await their first measurable snowfall (Forbes)
Will there be a white Christmas? Dark forecasts: here are the areas expected to see snowfall (Forbes)
Send me a safe tip. Brian Bushard
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Edit the story Forbes business storm that could finally end the snow drought in New York by Brian Bushard, Forbes staff I cover breaking news for Forbes after clicking here to save this article. You will be asked to log in to your Forbes account. Understood January 1, 2024, 04:17 PM Eastern Time share on Facebook share on Twitter share on LinkedIn key points forecasts indicate that a storm moving across the country could become the first major snowstorm in many areas in the northeastern United States and the central eastern region in over a year, potentially ending the record snow drought that has plagued cities from Washington, D.C. to New York City. Boston has not received more than one inch of snow in 312 days. Getty Images key facts temperatures in New England, New York, and the central eastern region are expected to drop into the mid-30s and early 40s by the end of this weekend, making snow possible in some areas as a significant storm approaches the East Coast. AccuWeather forecasters expect potential snowfall as far west as Missouri and as far east as southern New England, with a chance for sleet and snow in the Appalachian Mountains. The storm comes as New York City’s historic snow drought approaches two full years, with the city failing to receive at least one inch of snow in a single day since February 16, 2022, according to AccuWeather. Snow may also fall this weekend in Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., all of which have gone more than 700 days since they last received an inch of snow, with Washington, D.C.’s snow drought reaching 715 days by New Year’s Day. AccuWeather forecasters acknowledge that the storm’s path remains uncertain as it crosses over the Southwest and the Southern Great Plains, although the National Weather Service has warned that the storm is likely to bring strong winds and “very rough seas” during the weekend off the coasts of Delaware, New York, and New Jersey. the big number 684. This is the number of days that have passed in New York City without seeing snow accumulation greater than one inch in a single day, making it the longest snow drought in the city’s history by a significant margin. The second-longest drought occurred in 1998 when the city went 383 days without an inch or more of snow. remarkable fact the green and gray winter in New York has also set several other records in the past year, including the latest day in winter before the city saw measurable snowfall (defined as at least 0.1 inch), when 0.4 inches of snow fell on February 1. Last year was also the least snowy year in New York City on record, according to the National Weather Institute, with total snowfall of 2.3 inches between January 1 and December 31, surpassing the previous record of 3.4 inches set in 1913. side note snowfall in New York between October 1 and December 31 was less than the city’s historical average of 5.5 inches during that period, according to AccuWeather. Many other cities in the northeastern United States are experiencing similar snow droughts so far this winter, including Boston, which has received 0.2 inches of snow since October 1 (less than its average of 10.5 inches), along with Portland, Maine, which has seen 0.7 inches (well below its average of 17.1 inches). without a blanket of snow on the ground during winter, areas that typically receive snow are left unusually dry in the spring when that snow is supposed to melt. This layer of snow, known as snowpack, is a source of freshwater for rivers, streams, and soil during the dry summer months, providing what the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration refers to as a “natural reservoir.” This year, snow in areas of the eastern U.S. coastal region, including the western parts of North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, and parts of upstate New York, which are experiencing an unusually dry period, and in some areas, moderate drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Read the future the central eastern region is facing a historic “snow drought” as New York and Philadelphia still await their first measurable snowfall (Forbes) Will there be a white Christmas? Dark forecasts: here are the areas expected to see snowfall (Forbes) Send me a safe tip. Brian Bushard Edit standards Print Reprints and permissions
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