Winter

Coldest Day of the Year in NY State

Coldest Day of the Year in NY State

Generally, higher elevations have an earlier coldest day of the year, while areas farther west and lower elevations have a later coldest day of the year. I think the north-west later has to do with the sun angle, along with the way the Great Lakes impact the local climate.

Days Below Zero, Past 20 Years

Days Below Zero, Past 20 Years

This past weekend's negative 13 degree weather is quite rare in recent years. We've only had two days colder then that over the past two decades, and that was 15 years ago. Some of it's the urban heat island effect, while other is the climate is warming everywhere, New York included.

Ground Hog Facts

Between 1951 and 1969, the Punxsutawney Phil always saw his shadow. In comparison, between 2005 and 2024, the Punxsutawney Phil didn’t see his shadow 7 times. 🐻

The facts are simple — the Ground Hog is seeing his shadow less today then in years past. Long winters are becoming rarer.

Albany Airport – Days Above 32 Degrees in January

Albany Airport - Days Above 32 Degrees in January

January 2023 had 29 days when the temperature reached at least 33 degrees at the Albany International Airport. That is a new record, previously in 1990 there were 28 days above freezing, and 26 days in 1989.