Tag Archives: nyc

Blizzard of 2013

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A massive winter storm clobbered the northeastern Unites States overnight.  Snow accumulated from New Jersey to Maine with some areas collecting more than three feet.

This storm was a classic winter nor’easter.  It formed when two weather systems – one with cold air coming in from the west and the other with warm air approaching from the south – merged and moved up the coast.  The deep moisture content of this particular event, however, helped make it an exceptional snow maker. In producing both heavy snowfall and powerful winds, this storm brought travel of all kinds to a standstill across the region and caused widespread power outages.  Some communities also experienced coastal flooding.

In New York City, we received 11.4 inches of snow in Central Park.  While this was a minor accumulation compared to nearby cities and towns, it was the most snow the Big Apple has seen in two years.

The northeastern Blizzard of 2013, as seen from Space

The northeastern Blizzard of 2013, as seen from Space

Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory

Groundhog Day 2013

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Today is Groundhog Day, the halfway point of the winter season.

According to folklore, on this particular date, the weather conditions of the second half of winter can be forecast by the shadow of a prognosticating groundhog.  Upon emerging from its burrow, if the groundhog sees its shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter.  If it does not see its shadow, then spring will arrive early.

In New York City, our local weather-groundhog is “Staten Island Chuck”. This year, he did not see his shadow and is predicting an early arrival of spring-like conditions for the city.

Staten Island Chuck, officially known as Charles G. Hogg VII

Staten Island Chuck, officially known as Charles G. Hogg VII

Image Credit: silive.com

NYC Monthly Summary: January 2013

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January, the dead of winter, is typically the coldest month of the year in New York City.  This year, despite the frigid arctic blast toward the end of the month, temperatures were mostly above average.  In the end, the city’s monthly temperature registered 35.1°F, which is 2.1°F above normal.

In terms of precipitation, NYC was mostly dry.  We collected 2.76 inches of rain, which is 0.89 inches below normal.  Snowfall was also lacking.  Only 1.5 inches was measured in Central Park.  On average, January usually brings the city 7.0 inches of snow.

NYC_JanTempsGraph Credit: The Weather Gamut

 

Arctic Blast for NYC

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After a mild start to the season, winter has finally found New York City.

A deep dip in the jet stream has ushered in bitterly cold arctic air and brought the city its coldest temperatures of the season to date. While we are in the dead of winter and cold temperatures are expected, today’s high was only 20°F.  That is 18°F below average.  In fact, today was the coldest day NYC has experienced in two years.

These frigid conditions, according to the local forecast, are likely to stay in place for a while.  Temperatures are not expected to get above the freezing mark until early next week. Bundle up!

Jan_TempDrop

Graph Credit: The Weather Gamut

NYC Monthly Summary: December 2012

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December 2012 was unusually warm and wet in New York City.  With nineteen out of thirty-one days posting warmer than normal readings, the city’s average monthly temperature reached 41.5°F, which is 3.5°F above normal.

On the precipitation side of things, the city collected 4.80 inches of rain, which is 0.8 inches above average.  This is only the third time this year that NYC received normal to above normal monthly rainfall.    In terms of snow this December, we saw 0.4 inches accumulate in Central Park – all of which fell as part of a wintry mix during the nor’easter on the day after Christmas. This meager snowfall total is 4.4 inches below the city’s long-term norm for the month.

Dec2012_NYCGraph Credit: Weather Gamut

Weather and Art: Laser Rainbow

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A public art project brought a rainbow to the night skies of New York City last week. Yvette Mattern’s, “Global Rainbow, After the Storm”, was a tribute to those affected by Super-storm Sandy.

Composed of a spectrum of high-powered lasers, this temporary installation was situated on the rooftop of the Standard Hotel in Manhattan.  Its lights beamed out thirty-five miles over Brooklyn, toward the Rockaways in Queens – areas hard hit by Sandy.

While this project was not created specifically for New York, the rainbow was a timely visual symbol of hope as the city continues to recover from a devastating storm.

“Global Rainbow, After the Storm” by Yvette Mattern

Image Credit: Art Production Fund

NYC Monthly Summary: November 2012

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November was unusually chilly in New York City this year.  In fact, we had 24 out of 30 days with below normal temperatures.  This extended stretch of cool weather helped lower the city’s average monthly temperature to 43.9°F, which is 4.2°F below normal.  

In terms of rainfall this November, NYC collected a meager 1.81 inches. That is 2.21 inches below average.  More significant precipitation, however, came in the form of snow.  A nor’easter blustered its way through the city on November 7th and brought the Big Apple its first snowfall of the season – 4.7 inches in Central Park. This accumulation not only set a new daily snowfall record, but also made November 2012 the 6th snowiest November on record.

Graph Credit: The Weather Gamut

Mapping Sandy’s Floodwaters in NYC

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Forecasters predicted Sandy would be a serious storm – and it was.  Its storm surge, however, was higher and even more catastrophic than had been anticipated.

The New York Times, earlier this week, published an interactive map of the flooding caused by the super-storm in New York City.  It is an incredibly detailed visualization of how high the floodwaters actually reached in different parts of the city.

AMS Event: Assessing Storm Surge Risk in NYC

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The New York City/Long Island chapter of the American Meteorological Society will be hosting a seminar this Thursday, November 15th, at Columbia University.  Dr Kerry Emanuel, a professor of Atmospheric Science at MIT, is scheduled to present a lecture on “Assessing Storm Surge Risk in NYC.”

In light of the catastrophic impact that Super-Storm Sandy’s record high storm surge caused in and around New York City, this timely talk promises to be very informative.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information and directions, please review this announcement –  AMS: Assessing Storm Surge Risk in NYC

Super-Storm Sandy: Recovery NYC

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Two weeks ago, Super-Storm Sandy blasted New York City with high winds and a devastating storm surge.  Since then, many parts of the Big Apple have been slowly returning to normal.  Some of the city’s hardest hit neighborhoods, however, are still in recovery mode.

In an effort to help my fellow New Yorkers, I recently delivered donations to the storm ravaged communities of Staten Island, NY.  Seeing the destruction caused by Sandy first hand was overwhelming.  So many homes were damaged or destroyed, huge amounts of debris were piled up in front yards, and some areas were still without power.

For anyone wishing to help in the ongoing storm recovery process, please visit these websites for more information:  NYC Service,  Mayor’s Fund to Advance NYC,  American Red Cross.

A boat and debris washed ashore in Lemon Creek Park on Staten Island, NY by        Super-Storm Sandy.

Image credit: The Weather Gamut