PRINT AS PDF

On February 8, the fog lifted and a warm breeze swept the barren landscape. Under brilliant sunshine, it felt like April, even as the calendar read “February.” The temperature in New York City rose to a daily record of 62°. The old record was 61°, which was set in 1965. But the weather proved fickle.

A day later, a snowstorm descended on the City and surrounding region. The height of the storm produced near whiteout conditions. Parts of Long Island experienced thundersnow. By the time the last snowflakes had fallen, Central Park had received 9.4” snow. That accumulation was New York City’s largest snowfall following a 60° or warmer day. The previous record was 5.5”, which was set on January 28, 1952 and tied on March 16, 2007. This snowfall was also New York City’s second measurable snowfall of the winter that followed a 60° or warmer day, making winter 2016-17 only the third winter on record to have two such days. The other winters were 1918-19 and 1999-00.

New York City’s 1” or greater snowfalls a day after 60° or warmer temperatures (1890-2017) are as follows:

Some scenes from the snowstorm are below: