SYRACUSE -- It is not the snowiest winter on record for Syracuse (at least not yet, and probably won’t be), but I think we’d all agree, it’s been a tough one! We are currently ranked #12 for the snowiest winters on record, and combine that with the lack of a January thaw, and some amount of snow nearly every day, and yes, its been a little rough.
Official records for Syracuse go back to 1902, although these oldest of records, from 1902 to 1949 were from downtown Syracuse. In 1950, official observations were moved to Hancock Airport where the old “north of the Thruway disclaimer” takes effect regarding snowfall amounts i.e. typically north of the Thruway receiving more snow than downtown.
Considering that, here is the updated list of the Top 12 snowiest winters for Syracuse.
1. 1992-93 192.1” (helped by 44” from Blizzard of 93’)
2. 2000-01 191.9”
3. 2003-04 181.3”
4. 1995-96 170.9”
5. 1991-92 166.9”
6. 1993-94 163.8”
7. 1989-90 162.0”
8. 1977-78 161.2”
9. 1970-71 157.2”
10. 2002-03 153.2”
11. 2008-09 147.6”
12. 1955-56 146.8”
Now, if you’re the competitive type and are into comparing our Syracuse snowfall with some other New York cities, here are the latest numbers.
TOTAL SNOWFALL SO FAR THIS WINTER:
Syracuse: 147.6”
Rochester: 99.0”
Buffalo: 96.3”
Utica: 92.5”
Binghamton: 70.6”
Albany: 49.8”
New York City: 19.3”
As you can see, Syracuse is again well on the way to winning the prestigious Golden Snowball Award celebrating the city with most snowfall for the winter in upstate New York.
March 1st is this Sunday. Spring arrives three weeks later on the 20th. So, the big question now is “When will the snow be over?”. My big answer is “I can’t tell you for sure!”. The pattern we’ve had most of the winter is a colder than normal one, generally unsettled and unstable, and I don’t see a change in this rollercoaster-type pattern yet. As a matter of fact, I am somewhat worried about “March coming in like a lion” (as the old saying goes) as several of our computer models have been consistent in depicting a strong coastal storm working up the Atlantic seaboard this Sunday night and Monday, potentially giving us wind and snow. Other computer models we analyze are saying we only get grazed by this storm. Stay tuned for further information on this!
If you look at Syracuse averages, we “average” another 26.3” of snow for the rest of this winter. IF, and it’s a big IF, we actually received that additional 27 inches, then our total winter snowfall would be 173.9”, and that would move us to 4th place for all time snowiest winters!
Winter can certainly hang around for a while. I’m sure many adults can remember some 10 or 15 years ago when we had six inches of heavy, wet snow on Mother’s Day. (Yuk!) Let’s hope that doesn’t happen this year!
