![]() ![]() ![]() In November of 2021 NWS BTV released an updated map based on the latest data from 1991-2020. The map above - produced by NWS BTV meteorologist Mike Muccilli - serves as a replacement and an upgrade for less sophisticated New York snowfall maps authored by the NOAA and ny.gov. Bare ground does occur in the lower elevations of these regions during some winters.įrom late December or early January through February, the coastal region of the state experiences alternating periods of measurable snow cover and bare ground. The Southern Plateau, Great Lakes Plain in southern portions of western New York, and the Hudson Valley experience snow cover from about mid-December to mid-March, with maximum depths usually occurring in February. Snow cover usually begins to develop in the Adirondacks and northern lowlands by late November and remains until some time in April, depending upon late winter snowfall and early spring temperatures. According to the National Weather Service, the top five all-time snowfalls in Central Park all recorded totals above 20 inches. Monthly accumulations of between 3 to 10 inches usually occur in New York City and Long Island during the winter season, but occasionally the amounts may exceed 20 inches as a result of coastal nor’easters. Much of the total annual precipitation in New York is a result of snowfall in the mountains. In the New York snow belts - the plateau regions adjacent to the lakes -monthly snowfall amounts over 24 inches are common most winters and accumulations of more than 50 inches within 2 consecutive months are not unusual. Ontario is deeper than Erie and generally retains considerable open water throughout the winter months. As the lake surface gradually freezes by midwinter, these snows diminish.Īreas near Lake Ontario, especially those to the southeast and east, are exposed to severe snow squalls well into February. Lake effect snowfall often extends into the Mohawk Valley and inland as far as the Finger Lakes and southern tier of counties.Ĭounties to the lee of Lake Erie are subject to heaviest snow in November and December. Heavy snow squalls can occur, generating from 1 to 2 feet of snow and occasionally 4 feet or more. Much of the state’s lake effect snow falls on two upstate NY plateaus the Allegheny Plateau is east of Lake Erie and Tug Hill is east of Lake Ontario. ![]() ![]() Precipitation in the form of snow is released as the air moves inland over gradually sloping higher terrain. As cold air crosses the unfrozen lakes, it’s warmed in the lower layers, picks up moisture, and reaches the land in an unstable condition. Snow produced in the lee of Lakes Erie and Ontario is a prominent and important feature of New York’s climate. Even after you account for marketing inflation, totals are higher than those reported at official weather stations in town. Whiteface, Gore, Plattekill and Holiday Valley all claim significantly higher totals then the associated villages below. Ski areas almost always have relatively high base elevations - 1500 feet or more - and generally report higher totals. Much of the snow in the Catskills is from nor’easters which are almost always snow. In the Catskill region, average seasonal snowfall is in excess of 50 inches, with higher snow totals at the mountain base areas then in the villages, and far more than falls in the Hudson Valley. Lawrence Valley and to about 60 inches in the vicinity of Lake Champlain. In northern New York, the Adirondack region has an average seasonal snowfall in excess of 90 inches, but amounts decrease to 60 to 70 inches in the lowlands of the St. In the mountains, snow measurements are taken in valley locations. The Catskills in Ulster, Delaware and Sullivan counties.Northern Otsego and southern Herkimer counties.The uplands of southwestern Onondaga county.Three other upstate areas record heavy snow accumulations, averaging from 100 to 120 inches: A secondary maximum of 150 to 180 inches prevails in the southwestern highlands, 10 to 30 miles inland from Lake Erie. Maximum seasonal snowfall in New York - averaging more than 175 inches - occurs on the western and southwestern slopes of the Adirondacks and Tug Hill. Topography, elevation, and proximity to large bodies of water result in a great variation of snowfall in the state’s interior, even within relatively short distances. The moderating influence of the Atlantic Ocean reduces annual snowfall totals below 35 inches in the New York metro area, and on Long Island. Much of the winter precipitation in upstate New York falls as snow. Over 60 percent of New York’s area, the average snowfall is greater than 70 inches. The climate of New York is marked by relatively abundant snow. ![]()
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