Tag Archives: nyc

Weather and Art: Yoko Ono Brings the Beauty of the Sky Indoors

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The sky is always blue at the corner of West 72nd Street and Central Park West in New York City. That is because of “Sky”, a series of mosaic murals installed on the walls of that subway station by artist Yoko Ono.

Collectively spanning 973 square feet, the six murals create views of bright blue skies dotted with white, puffy, fair-weather clouds. Messages of hope, such as “love”, “dreams”, and “yes”, are also scattered across the subterranean skyscapes.

The murals, which are based on photographs of the sky, were designed to look slightly different from different angles. As such, they appear to mimic the movement of real clouds.

This collection of mosaics is part of the public art program, MTA Arts and Design. It was added to the station in 2018 as part of a renovation project.

Yoko Ono’s “Sky” at the W 72 subway station. Photo Credit: Melissa Fleming

Spring Storm Breaks Daily Rainfall Record in NYC

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A powerful spring storm lashed the New York City area on Monday. Strong winds and heavy rain were seen across the region.

According to the NWS, 1.92 inches of rain was measured in Central Park, setting a new record for the date. The previous record of 1.26 inches had been in place since 1920. On average, the Big Apple gets 4.5 inches of rain for the entire month of April.

Stong winds were also reported across the city. At JFK airport in Queens, wind gusts reached 53mph.

The robust storm caused a number of problems across the five boroughs, including downed trees and power outages. It also forced the closure of several tent-based coronavirus testing facilities.

Storm damage in NYC. Credit: weathercom

March 2020: Seventh Warmest on Record for 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. In New York City this year, however, that tradition was turned on its head as March came in like a lamb and more or less stayed that way until a few chilly days arrived at the end of the month.

Of its thirty-one days, the month produced twenty-one with above-average readings, including two days in the 70s. This unseasonable heat helped drive the city’s mean temperature for the month up to 48°F, which is 5.5°F above normal. That means March 2020 now ranks as the city’s seventh warmest March on record.

The city had its warmest March in 1945, when the average temperature for the month was 51.1°F.

In terms of precipitation, rainfall was slightly below normal. In total, Central Park reported 3.78 inches of rain, which is 0.58 inches below average for the month. Snowfall was also below average. In fact, it was non-existent. But given the warm conditions that dominated the month, this is not that surprising. March, on average, typically brings the city 3.9 inches of snow.

Credit: The Weather Gamut

A March Day That Felt Like May in NYC

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The month of March has only just begun, but it felt more like mid-May in New York City on Monday.

In Central Park, the temperature soared to 72°F. While unusually mild, it was not a record breaker for the date. That honor belongs to March 9, 2016 when the high reached 77°F. Nonetheless, this Monday marked the warmest day the Big Apple has seen since last November.

The city’s average high for the date is 47°F.

The primary driver of this unseasonable warmth was a large ridge in the jet stream. Sitting over the eastern part of the US, it allowed warm air from the south to flow further north than it normally would at this time of the year.

Credit: The Weather Gamut

A Record Warm Low Temperature for NYC

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After a very brief cold snap over the weekend, temperatures in New York City have returned to the above average levels that have dominated most of this winter season.

The temperature in Central Park soared to an unseasonably warm 59°F on Tuesday. While that is 14°F above normal, it was the relatively balmy overnight low that hit record territory. According to the NWS, the temperature only cooled off to 49°F, which tied the maximum minimum record for the date set in 1991.

The normal low temperature in the Big Apple at this time of year is 32°F.

Winter 2019-2020: Seventh Warmest on Record in NYC

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The spring equinox is still a few weeks away, but meteorological winter (December, January, and February) has officially ended and it tied the winter of 1990-91 as the seventh warmest on record in New York City.

The season, with daily highs ranging from 25°F to 69°F, felt like a temperature roller coaster. But in the end, the warmth came out on top. The city’s average temperature for the season, according to the NWS, was 39.2°F. That is an incredible 4.1°F above normal.

In all, sixty-three out of ninety-one days posted above average readings and every month was warmer than its long-term norm. In fact, February 2020 was the city’s fifth warmest February on record.  

In terms of snowfall, the city received a paltry 4.8 inches in Central Park, which is a staggering 16.5 inches below average. That makes the winter of 2019-2020 the fourth least snowy winter on record for the Big Apple.

This winter’s pattern of prolonged periods of warmth separated by a few short-lived cold snaps was largely driven by the North Atlantic Oscillation’s positive phase occurring more often and lasting longer than its negative phase.

The city’s warmest winter on record was the 2001-2002 season with an average temperature of 41.5°F.  Central Park weather records date back to 1869.

Credit: The Weather Gamut

Feb 2020: Above Average Temps and Below Average Snow in NYC

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February 2020 was not only a month of weather whiplash in New York City, but it was also a month for the record books in terms of above-average temperatures and below-average snowfall.

Of its twenty-nine days, twenty-two produced above-average temperatures, including one that was record warm. This unseasonable heat helped drive the city’s mean temperature for the month up to 40.1°F, which is 4.8°F above normal. That means February 2020 tied February 1954 as the fifth warmest February on record in the Big Apple. The top spot belongs to February 2018, when the average temperature for the month was 42°F.

February is usually the city’s snowiest month on the calendar, but this year only a trace of snow (less than 0.1 inches) was measured in Central Park. That makes February 2020 the second least-snowy February on record. Only 1998 produced less snow, with a definitive 0.0 inches. On average, February brings the city 9.2 inches of snow.

Rainfall was also somewhat scarce. Only 2.54 inches was reported. That is 0.55 below normal for the month.

Credit: The Weather Gamut

Cold Snaps are Getting Shorter

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Winter is the fastest warming season in the United States. In the northeast, it has warmed three times faster than summer. That said, cold snaps – periods of unusually chilly weather – are still happening, but less often.

According to a study by Climate Central, the frequency and duration of these frosty events in the contiguous US  have been declining as the overall climate warms. Looking at data from cities across the country, the non-profit news organization found that some places, such as Las Vegas, NV, have lost cold days faster than others. Here in New York City, the average reduction was 5 days since 1970.

Credit: Climate Central

Little Snow for NYC this Winter

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February is usually the snowiest month on the calendar in New York City, but to date this year we have not seen a single flake. This shortfall of snow is indicative of the weather pattern that has dominated the region for most of the 2019-2020 winter season.

To produce snow, you need moisture and cold air in place at the same time. While the city has had a few cold snaps this winter, they have not lasted very long. Consequently, the storms that have rolled through the area dropped mostly rain. In fact, the city currently has a rain surplus and snow deficit.

Here is a look at the current stats for the season (December 1 to present):

All measurements in inches. Credit: The Weather Gamut

The spring equinox is still a month away, so things could change. If you are a snow-lover, keep your finger crossed.

Record Warm February Day for NYC

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The calendar says February, but it felt more like April in New York City on Friday.

According to the NWS, the high temperature in Central Park hit 56°F, setting a new record high for the date. The previous record of 54°F had been in place since 1938.

The normal high for this time of year is 40°F.

Credit: The Weather Gamut