New York City Finally Records Plowable Snow with Latest Storm

Posted: March 1, 2023 4:15 pm

New Yorkers finally had to dig out their snow shovels this winter, despite it taking until the waning days of February. Significant snow fell in an area stretching from southern New England down into northern New Jersey, including the New York City metro area, on Monday and Tuesday. Those in the city woke up to a wet snow on Tuesday, creating a messy commute for an area that had been devoid of snow all winter.

Here is a look back at this week’s snow storm as well as a look forward at what New York City can expect to see in terms of snow for the month of March.

Late February Snow Storm Slams Into the Northeast

Manhattan was not the only part of the region that recorded measurable snow out of this storm system. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) was forced to impose a speed restriction across a portion of Interstate 90 on Tuesday because of dicey travel conditions. The storm also triggered a number of flight delays and cancellations with the bulk of the disruptions being reported at LaGuardia Airport in New York City. Other airports dealing with disruptions included Boston Logan International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport.

The southern tier of New England saw the highest amount of snow. West Greenwich, Rhode Island reported 8.3 inches of accumulation with Plainfield, Massachusetts coming in at about 8 inches.

It has been a sparse winter for snow across many of the most populated cities in the Northeast. Prior to this week’s snow event, New York City had only seen 0.4 of an inch for the entire season. This is far below the historical average of over two feet of snow through the end of February for the Big Apple.

While Boston has seen far more snow than New York City with its total of 10.7 inches so far this winter, it is still well below its historical average of 38.2 inches by the end of February.

Philadelphia only saw a trace of snow out of this week’s winter storm. By dodging the precipitation, the City of Brotherly Love is still sitting at a seasonal total of 0.3 of an inch, trending way below its average by this time of the year of 19 inches. Likewise, Washington, D.C. also avoided the snow this week, keeping its seasonal total at 0.4 an inch, compared to the historical average of 11.6 inches by now.

What to Expect in New York City Heading Into Spring

With the calendar flipping to March, the start of the meteorological spring is now officially underway. The first part of the month is forecast to be relatively mild for New York City, continuing the trend of the winter season. However, forecasters are warning that it is not time to put away those coats yet.

The long-range forecast is projecting another invasion of the polar vortex across the Northeast by the end of the month. While the mercury will not drop as low as it did during the season’s earlier Arctic air outbreaks, it will still feel unseasonably cold for the region.

This late-arriving polar vortex could be a problem for gardeners who start planting too early. Be sure to take steps to protect any outdoor plants if the forecast calls for a late-season frost or freeze. The last frost for the Northeast could happen as late as early May, later than what is typical for this part of the country.

Any Chance of More Snow for the Big Apple?

March could end up being the snowiest month of the winter season, according to the latest long-range forecast. An atmospheric traffic jam to the north near Greenland is predicted to take root in the coming weeks. This blocking pattern could send much colder air spilling to the south across the Northeast, raising the odds of nor’easters and bomb cyclones during the month of March.

Regardless of if any snow develops in the city to bring the season to a close, you can always expect a wide swing of temperatures in the spring. Even if snow does fall and accumulate across the city, the intensity of the sun will keep it from sticking around for long. Snow tends to melt at a much faster rate in March than it does during the dead of the winter.

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