Tag Archives: nyc

Warmest Christmas on Record for NYC

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It was not a White Christmas in New York City this year, but it was still one to remember as temperatures soared into the record books!

On Christmas Eve, the temperature in Central Park reached a spring-like 72°F. That is a staggering 32°F above average and shattered the old record of 63°F set in 1996. On Christmas Day, the mercury climbed to 66°F surpassing the previous record of 64°F from 1982. The city’s normal high for this time of year is 40°F and the normal low is 29°F.

The primary driver of this unseasonable warmth is El Niño. It has produced a fairly persistent ridge in the jet stream over the eastern part of the country lately that is allowing warm air from the south to flow further north than it normally would in winter.

Talking with both locals and visitors, reactions to this record warmth has been mixed. While some enjoyed being able to walk around without a coat, others said they missed the traditional chill that is associated with the Holiday Season in New York.

Record Warm Christmas Eve 2015, NYC. Photo Credit: Melissa Fleming

Holiday decorations felt out of season this Christmas Eve as temperatures soared to record highs in NYC. Photo Credit: Melissa Fleming

The Chances for a White Christmas 2015

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The Holiday Season is here and many people are dreaming of a white Christmas. The likelihood of seeing those dreams come true, however, are largely dependent on where you live.

According to NOAA, a white Christmas is defined as having at least one inch of snow on the ground on December 25th.  In the US, the climatological probability of having snow for Christmas is greatest across the northern tier of the country. Moving south, average temperatures increase and the chance of snow steadily decreases.

Here in New York City, the historical chance of having a white Christmas is about 12%. This low probability is largely due to the city’s proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and its moderating influence on temperature. This year, with record breaking warm temperatures in the forecast, the city’s already minimal chance for snow has largely melted away.

Snow or no snow, The Weather Gamut wishes you and your family a very Happy Holiday!

Source: NOAA

The historical chances for a white Christmas across the contiguous US. Source: NOAA

Record-Breaking December Warmth for NYC

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The official start of winter is a week away, but you would never know it in the eastern United States. Temperatures have been so warm that is feels like spring and heat records across the region are being shattered.

Here in New York City, daily high temperature records have been tied or broken for three consecutive days. On Sunday, the temperature reached 67°F in Central Park, breaking the old record of 64°F from 1923. Monday’s high of 67°F tied the record from 1881 and today, in the early morning hours, the mercury climbed to 68°F surpassing the previous record of 67°F from 2008. Evening temperatures have also been exceptionally warm. In fact, the overnight lows have been warmer than the average highs for the past few days. Sunday even posted a new record maximum low of 55°F. The city’s normal high for this time of year is 43°F and the normal low is 32°F.

The primary driver of this unseasonable warmth is El Niño. It has produced a large ridge in the jet stream over the eastern part of the country that is allowing warm air from the south to flow further north than it normally would at this time of year.

To date, according to the NWS, the city is running 12.1°F above average for the month. While this warm weather can be easy to get used to, it makes all the holiday decorations around town feel out of season. So, I guess we can say that El Niño is the Grinch that stole Christmas this year.

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NYC is experiencing above average high and low temperatures this December. Credit: The Weather Gamut

Weather Gamut Writer Makes Second Appearance on WUTV

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Today, as a personal weather station owner in New York City, I was invited to make a second appearance on the Weather Channel’s new show Weather Underground TV (WUTV).  A huge fan of the program, I was thrilled to be asked back!

We discussed the unusually warm temperatures in the Northeast, the rainy conditions for the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony, and the low probability of seeing a white Christmas in the city. We even touched on how NYC’s public transportation system helps commuters avoid the problems that rain and fog can cause in other places.

The show, which airs on weeknights, is co-hosted by Mike Bettes and Sarah Dillingham. It covers breaking weather news and taps a bevy of experts to dive into the science behind  different weather events.  It is always worth watching.

"Weather Gamut" writer, Melissa Fleming, makes 2nd appearacne on WUTV, Dec 1, 2015

“Weather Gamut” writer, Melissa Fleming, talks with Mike Bettes on WUTV.

Record Warm Autumn for NYC

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The autumn of 2015 brought exceptionally warm conditions to New York City. According to the NWS Central Park climatological station, it tied 1931 for the all time warmest meteorological Fall (September, October, November) on record.

Overall, the city’s average temperature for the past three months was 61.8°F. That is 4.2°F above average. Looking back, every month of the season was above its long-term norm. In fact, September and November each broke their monthly temperature records.

While winter is coming and overall temperatures are dropping, they are warmer than average for this time of year. The main reasons for this are likely a combination of global warming and a strong El Niño, which tends to push the jet stream further north than normal.  Weather records for Central Park date back to 1869.

Autumn2015

Source: NWS

NYC Monthly Summary: November 2015

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November felt down right balmy in New York City this year. With an average temperature of 52.8°F in Central Park, which is a staggering 5.1°F above average, it was the city’s warmest November on record! The previous record was set in 2001.

Overall, we had twenty-two out of thirty days with high temperatures above average. Five of those days posted readings in the 70s, including November 6th when the mercury soared to 74°F in Central Park, tying the record high for the date that was set in 1948. Nine days saw temperatures in the 60s. Overnight lows were also mostly above normal. Historically, our average temperature for the month is 47.7°F.

November’s unseasonable warmth was produced by a fairly persistent ridge in the jet stream over the eastern US. It allowed warm air from the south to flow further north than it normally would at this time of year.

In terms of precipitation, November was unusually dry and marked the fifth consecutive month that NYC received below average rainfall.  In all, we received 2.01 inches of rain, which is 2.01 inches below normal. More than half of this modest total fell on a single day. The city, according to the latest report (11/24) from the US Drought Monitor, remains in a moderate drought.

Nov_Temps

Nov_Rain

A Warm Thanksgiving Holiday for NYC

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With a high temperature of 60°F in Central Park, the Thanksgiving holiday was unusually warm here in New York City this year.  However, it was not a record breaker.  That honor belongs to Thanksgiving Day 1925 when the temperature reached 72°F. That said, it was a far cry from the chilly high of 38°F that we experienced last year on Turkey Day. Our normal high for this time of year is 50°F.

Below is a chart based on NWS data listing the top ten warmest and coldest Thanksgiving Days in NYC history.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Source: NWS

Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, so the exact date varies from year to year. Source: NWS

Speaking Event: The Art and Science of Climate Change

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Climate change is a complex scientific subject with a plethora of data-rich reports that detail its diverse impacts. Not everyone, however, responds to facts and figures or charts and graphs. That is why art can help broaden the public conversation and help create new pathways to understanding this critical issue.

On Monday, November 16th, I will be giving a presentation that I developed called The Art and Science of Climate Change at The Cooper Union Institute for Sustainable Design. Blending my two worlds, it introduces the basic science of climate change and explores how artists from around the globe are reacting to its various impacts and possible solutions.

After the talk, there will be a reception for the group art exhibition, Visualizing Climate Change in which I will be showing images from my ongoing project on American Glaciers. The show runs through November 23rd.

The lecture begins at 6PM and the gallery reception runs from 7PM to 8:30PM. But please note, to attend the talk you must RSVP via email to: isd@cooper.edu. Seats are limited. No RSVP is required for the exhibition reception following the talk. If you are in the area, please stop in and say hello. This event is co-sponsored by the SciArt Center.

The Cooper Union Institute for Sustainable Design
​7 East 7th Street, Room 715
(Between Third and Fourth Avenues)
New York, NY 10003

Please contact me to arrange a presentation for your organization.

Art Exhibition: Visualizing Climate Change

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The Cooper Union Institute for Sustainable Design is bringing art and science together this month in an effort to expand public understanding of climate change. In a group exhibition called Visualizing Climate Change, artworks of various mediums explore the challenges of this pressing issue.

“Each exhibited work,” according to the curators, “seeks to conflate the bounds of science, art, architecture and engineering in order to provide fresh insight, expression and understanding around specific issues of climate change.”  The show is the culmination of a year long student fellowship program in which each participant pursued both scientific and visual research on particular aspects of our changing climate.

Displaying the work of the student fellows as well as contributing artist Melissa Fleming, the exhibit runs from November 16 to 23. The opening reception is scheduled for Monday, November 16th from 7 to 8:30 PM in the 7th floor lobby of the Cooper Union Foundation Building at 7 East 7th Street, NYC. This event is free and open to the public.

Credit: CUISD

Credit: CUISD

NYC Monthly Summary: October 2015

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October was a weather roller-coaster in New York City this year. We had highs that ranged from a relatively balmy 78°F to a chilly 50°F.  In the end though, the warmth won out. The city’s mean temperature for the month was 58°F, which is 1.1°F above average.

On the precipitation side of things, October was mostly dry and marked the city’s fourth consecutive month with below average rainfall. In all, we received 3.91 inches of rain in Central Park, which is 0.49 inches below normal. Of this total, 1.44 inches fell in a single heavy rain event during the last week of the month. Despite this soaker, the city remains in a moderate drought according to the latest report (released on 10/29) from the US Drought Monitor.

October was a temperature roller-coaster in NYC. Credit: The Weather Gamut

October was a temperature roller-coaster in NYC.  Credit: The Weather Gamut