Big difference compared to normal and to last year
It’s officially winter, but it sure doesn’t feel like it! As of 12:30am, the winter solstice occurred signaling the official end of autumn. However, our rather long stretch of unseasonable warmth persists, alongside our lack of snowfall.
After receiving the 3rd warmest November on record with a measly 0.6” of snow, the month of December continues on a torridly mild and snowless pace. Before diving into December’s numbers, did you know that Syracuse has not had a single month below normal in Syracuse since March 2011! The numbers from the National Weather Service are right here.
If December ended today, it would be the warmest and least snowy on record (since 1902). Here are the numbers through December 21st.
December’s Warmest Monthly Average Temperature (Normal: 29.4 °F):
Rank | Value | Year |
1 | 37.7° | 2011 (so far) |
2 | 37.4° | 2006 |
3 | 36.8° | 2001 |
4 | 36.4° | 1923 |
5 | 35.4° | 1998 |
6 | 34.8° | 1996 |
December’s Lowest Snowfall (Normal: 32.7"):
Rank | Value | Year |
1 | 1.1” | 2011 (so far) |
2 | 2.7” | 1931 |
3 | 2.8” | 1947 |
4 | 3.4” | 1932 |
5 | 5.2” | 1924 |
6 | 5.9” | 1994 |
I think what makes this year even more remarkable is that this wet December follows up the snowiest December Syracuse has ever had. The December record setting snowfall last year was 72.8”.
Having said all of that, you might be wondering if there will be a “White Christmas” this year. Normally, the chances are about 2 out of 3. Luckily, there is a system heading towards our area tonight through Friday morning that should give some rain and snow. However, it appears that the higher elevations have the best chance for much in the way of real accumulation. Here is my forecast for accumulating snow through Friday morning. Notice that Syracuse does not have accumulating snow in the forecast.
After that, there is nothing worse than flurries in the forecast Friday night through sunrise Christmas Day. According to the National Weather Service, the last time we did not have a White Christmas was 2006. We also did not have one in 2004.
Do you like the lack of snow? How about a “Brown/Green Christmas?” Tell us your thoughts with Facebook comments at the bottom of this web story.
For more on your weather forecast, click on "Weather" and then the "Live Triple Doppler Radar" tab on our weather page. Make sure you refresh the Doppler radar to see the very latest information, as well.
Furthermore, we have our new Interactive Doppler Radar on our website. You can zoom down to street level with Interactive Doppler Radar. You are in total control of where the radar can zoom in. Give it a try.
You can become my facebook friend here, and "follow" along with me on Twitter here.
