Philly could be headed for first snowless winter in 50 years, while New York City and DC are close to their snowless records
- Several Northeast cities have yet to document their first snowfall of the season
- Experts say snow may continue to be elusive heading into late January
- The last time Philadelphia went an entire season with no snow was 1973
- DC and New York are closing in on their records for days gone without snow
Major cities along the I-95 corridor, including New York and Philadelphia, are on track to potentially break a 50-year-old snowless record.
As the country enters the heart of the winter season, several big cities have yet to record their first measurable snow of the season, putting them on track to go the highest number of days without snow since 1973.
The record in New York is 322 days without snow. At present, New York City has not had measurable snow since March 9 of 2022, meaning it has been 309 days since the last snow.
New York City is on track to surpass its longest streak in recorded history without snow
A family in West Lawn, Pennsylvania plays in the snow
The Big Apple is currently experiencing its fourth longest snowless streak on record.
Philadelphia is also edging closer to its record for latest first snow of the season. Though, in 1995, Philadelphia went until February 3 – one day after Groundhog Day – without seeing powder on the ground.
In Philadelphia, it was in 1973 that the city experienced its only winter on record without measurable snow.
The City of Brotherly Love last documented a snowfall on March 12 of last year – the same date as Washington, DC’s last snow.
In 1973, the nation’s capital went until February 23 without seeing any snow.
Even in the historically very chilly Boston-area, the current monthly snow total stands at a measly 0.2 inched, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
The current forecast indicates that snow in the Northeast will continue to be elusive through January. In fact, the government’s Climate Prediction Center, predicts temperatures in the Northeast could push 20 degrees above normal.
New York City typically sees its first snowfall by December 11. Last winter, on December 23 the city marked its first snowfall – though it was only 0.2 inches.
Traces of snow in New York and Philadelphia have been recorded but have often been mixed with rain and have not stuck to the ground.
AccuWeather is reporting that New Yorkers can expect 18 to 23 inches of snow this season, which is below the usual average of 29.8 inches, but the upcoming forecast remains bleak for kids and adults who enjoy the winter weather staple.
Brooklynites gathered in droves at Prospect Park to celebrate the close of one of NYC’s largest blizzards by sledding, making snow castles and generally horsing around in the fresh accumulation in 2016
New Yorkers were hit with a snow storm on January 29, 2022 when a powerful Nor’Easter brought blinding blizzard conditions with high winds. There was a state of emergency declared for New York City. The photo is a picture of the snowy streets on the Upper West Side
Children play in snow during a massive winter storm on January 4, 2018 in New York City
The picture of what New York City children may not get this season if snow continues to elude the five boroughs this winter
Children play in the snow during the first real storm of last winter on January 7, 2022
Last year, New York City was hit with a major blizzard in late January.
The storm brought winds of 25 to 35 mph and gusts near 50 mph. It began snowing the night before and thrust New York in a state of emergency. Those living in the five boroughs were encouraged to stay home until the extreme weather passed.
On January 29 of the previous year, Storm Orlena hit NYC and brought with it a whopping 13.3 inches of snow.
The city was again placed under a state-of-emergency as the storm’s output was described as the fourth heaviest snowfall since 1969.
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