Winter

First Day of Snow at the Albany Airport, Past 30 Years

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First Day of Snow at the Albany Airport, Past 30 Years

The 30-year average for the first measurable snow is November 15th at Albany Airport. This year is pretty much average on that front. The earliest measurable snow in the past 30 years was October 24 in 2002 and 2005, and the latest measurable snow was December 29, 2015. Obviously, Albany had a big snow storm on October 4, 1987 but that's more then 30 years ago.

 

Coldest Day of the Year in NY State

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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

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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

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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.