Key Takeaways
- The most significant winter storm to hit the Tri-State area in almost four years brought heavy snowfall and icy roads to the region.
- Central Park recorded 4.3 inches of snow, while other areas such as Connecticut, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley saw more substantial snowfall, with totals ranging from 6 to 9.1 inches.
- The storm has moved out of the area, but slick, icy roads remain a concern as temperatures will not rise above freezing on Saturday.
- The worst of the storm began on Friday evening, but by dawn on Saturday, lingering light snow was tapering off and most storm warnings had expired.
- An AccuWeather Alert remains in effect due to the potential for hazardous travel conditions.
Introduction to the Winter Storm
The Tri-State area experienced the most significant winter storm in almost four years, with the heaviest snowfall occurring north and east of New York City. The storm brought a significant amount of snow to the region, with Central Park recording 4.3 inches, which is within the forecast range of 4 to 8 inches for much of the region. This is the highest amount of snow recorded in the park since the storm of January 28-29, 2022, which dropped over 8 inches. The snowfall was not evenly distributed, with some areas experiencing more substantial snowfall than others.
Snowfall Totals
The snowfall totals varied across the region, with some areas experiencing more significant snowfall than others. In Connecticut, the expected heavier snow bands set in, with New Fairfield recording 9.1 inches, Fairfield recording 7 inches, Bridgeport recording 7.1 inches, and Newtown recording 6 inches. Parts of Long Island also saw significant snowfall, with Babylon and Orient both recording 7.5 inches, Mattituck recording 7 inches, North Patchogue recording 6.8 inches, Islip recording 6.6 inches, and Hampton Bays recording 6.5 inches. The Hudson Valley was also in the snow sweet spot, with Lake Carmel recording 6.5 inches, Armonk recording 6.4 inches, Peekskill recording 6.1 inches, and Port Chester recording 5.9 inches.
Impact of Sleet on Snowfall Totals
The intrusion of sleet reduced snowfall totals in some areas more than expected, holding down numbers in New York City and points south and west. New York City numbers included 4.3 inches in Fordham in the Bronx, and LaGuardia and JFK both came in at 4.1 inches. The story was the same in New Jersey, with lower amounts, including 4 inches in Harrison, 3 inches in Springfield, and 2.5 inches in Newark. The sleet had a significant impact on the snowfall totals, with some areas experiencing much lower totals than expected.
Storm Update and Travel Conditions
The worst of the storm began on Friday evening, but by dawn on Saturday, lingering light snow was tapering off and most storm warnings had expired, except in areas north and west where slick travel was a concern due to snowy and icy roads. Temperatures on Saturday will not rise above freezing, so caution is urged when traveling as crews clean up roads. An AccuWeather Alert will stay in effect as a result, and travelers are advised to check the latest forecast and advisories before heading out.
Meteorological Explanation
The storm was an Alberta Clipper that had been infused with energy from the Pacific storms delivering an atmospheric river of rain to the West Coast. As this system crashed into the cold air in the region, it squeezed out a lot of snow in a hurry for parts of the region. Meteorologist Jeff Smith described the system as an "Alberta Clipper on steroids." This type of storm is not uncommon in the region, but the addition of energy from the Pacific storms made it particularly significant.
Conclusion and Outlook
The winter storm has moved out of the Tri-State area, but the aftermath of the storm will still be felt for some time. The slick, icy roads remain a concern, and travelers are advised to exercise caution when traveling. The region will have to wait and see what the rest of the winter season brings, but for now, it’s time to clean up and recover from the storm. With the storm behind us, it’s essential to look ahead and prepare for any future winter storms that may affect the region.