Key Takeaways
- Syracuse, New York, experienced a record-breaking lake effect snowstorm on Tuesday, with 24.2 inches of snow recorded at Hancock International Airport.
- The storm made Tuesday the second-snowiest day in Syracuse since official records began in 1902.
- This month is now the fourth-snowiest December ever recorded in Syracuse, with 58.5 inches of snow so far.
- The city has had 76.2 inches of snow this season, the most in 25 years.
- Another storm system is expected to bring more widespread snow to Upstate New York, with several inches expected today.
Introduction to the Storm
The city of Syracuse, New York, known for being America’s snowiest major city, was pounded by a relentless lake effect snowstorm on Tuesday. The storm brought an unprecedented amount of snow, with the National Weather Service recording 24.2 inches of snow at Hancock International Airport. This not only shattered the record for December 30 but also made Tuesday the second-snowiest day in Syracuse since official records began in 1902. The single-day snowfall record remains 34 inches, set on February 15, 1946, according to weather service records.
Record-Breaking Snowfall
This month is now the fourth-snowiest December ever recorded in Syracuse, with 58.5 inches of snow so far. This is nearly double the normal amount of 30.6 inches for December. The city has had 76.2 inches of snow this season, the most in 25 years. Typically, Syracuse sees almost 128 inches of snow, the highest of any U.S. city with at least 100,000 people. The snow came down so hard and for so long on Tuesday that a third of Syracuse streets remained unplowed, trash pickup was delayed, community groups and government offices across Central New York shut down, and the highways were clogged with crashes and disabled vehicles.
Impact on the City
The storm had a significant impact on the city, with Mayor Ben Walsh stating that it was the worst storm Syracuse has seen in years. Wind gusts exceeding 50 mph made it nearly impossible to see on roadways, causing hazardous travel conditions. The lake effect snow band is drifting north, and could pound Oswego with more than a foot of snow today. The storm also caused disruptions to daily life, with many roads remaining unplowed and trash pickup delayed. The city’s residents were advised to stay indoors and avoid travel unless necessary.
Additional Storm Systems
Another storm system, called a clipper, could drop several more inches of snow in much of Upstate New York today. Meteorologists also say the clipper system could generate dangerous snow squalls tonight as New Year’s Eve revelers are heading out. The forecast for Onondaga County is for a range of 2 to 6 inches in most places by New Year’s morning. The additional snowfall is expected to cause further disruptions to travel and daily life, and residents are advised to exercise caution when traveling.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the lake effect snowstorm that pounded Syracuse on Tuesday was a record-breaking event that brought significant disruptions to the city. The storm made Tuesday the second-snowiest day in Syracuse since official records began in 1902, and this month is now the fourth-snowiest December ever recorded in Syracuse. With another storm system expected to bring more widespread snow to Upstate New York, residents are advised to stay informed and exercise caution when traveling. The city’s snowfall totals are expected to continue to climb, and it remains to be seen how the rest of the winter season will play out.
