The Northeast region of the United States is known for harsh winters, with snow and ice often causing dangerous road conditions and school closings. However, this year has been different for many cities in the East. The New York Times recently tweeted that several major cities went over 300 days without measurable snowfall.
The tweet stated, “In the East, snow has been elusive for many cities that regularly expect it. New York City, Baltimore, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., went more than 300 days without measurable snow – defined as at least a tenth of an inch.” This statistic may come as a surprise to those who are used to hearing about winter storms and blizzards hitting these areas.
New York City is one of the most notable cities on this list. While the city does experience snowy winters, this season has been particularly mild. According to data from the National Weather Service (NWS), Central Park – which is where official weather records are kept for NYC – had only received 0.4 inches of snow as of December 2020 compared to its seasonal average of around 8 inches by that point in time.
Baltimore also experienced an unusually mild winter last year. According to NWS data reported by The Baltimore Sun, between December 2019 and March 2020 there was only one day where measurable snow occurred in Baltimore – on January 7th when less than half an inch fell.
Philadelphia’s lack of snowfall isn’t exactly new either; during the winter season before last year’s mild temperatures were recorded Philadelphia experienced “the least-snowiest” winter ever recorded according to CBS Philly.
Washington D.C.’s situation was similar to NYC’s in terms of lower-than-average annual accumulations but like other regions along I-95 corridor they’ve suffered through several recent significant storms—including Snowmageddon in February ‘10—that dumped multiple feet worth or precipitation throughout their area.
While some may be enjoying the mild winter weather, others are concerned about the potential consequences. Snow and ice can help replenish water supplies and provide moisture for crops during the spring thaw, so a lack of precipitation may have long-term effects on these areas.
Additionally, businesses that rely on snow for their revenue – such as ski resorts and snow removal companies – are feeling the impact. Some ski resorts in New England have had to close early or limit their operations due to a lack of natural snowfall this season. In an industry heavily reliant upon consistent weather patterns, unpredictable winters can be detrimental.
The unusual weather patterns could also be linked to climate change. According to NASA’s Earth Observatory website, warmer temperatures caused by climate change can lead to less snowfall overall, particularly at lower elevations and latitudes. It’s worth noting too that while some locations experienced below average amounts of snow other places received above average levels reinforcing how localized conditions can vary greatly even over small areas.
While it remains unclear if this winter’s lack of snow is simply a fluke or part of a larger trend towards milder winters in these cities, it is clear that many residents and industries are feeling its effects.