With the snow drought continuing in New York City, it has been a whopping 653 days since Central Park last measured an inch of snow in a single day. This is almost double the previous record of 383 days, set in March 1998. Last year’s especially lackluster winter season left sledding untested and produced a mere 2.3 inches of snow in the park, the lowest amount ever recorded since 1869 when record-keeping began.
Luisana Perez, a 28-year-old who grew up in Harlem, recalls snow piling up as high as cars but is now witnessing the city getting warmer and warmer. She laments that it doesn’t feel Christmassy anymore. However, hope is not lost, and it’s likely a matter of when, not if, snow will accumulate in the park this year.
Meteorologist James Tomasini of the National Weather Service expects the streak to end this year, as the weather pattern is now being influenced by El Niño which tends to bring more coastal storms, favoring a storm track to the southeast of New York over the ocean. This means the city will be on the colder side of the storm, increasing the likelihood of snowfall.
Stephanie Ching and Beth Berns, two regulars in the Central Park dog-walking scene, are excited about the prospect of snow this winter, as their dogs both love the snow. Despite the lack of snow, both are optimistic as long as the park is still there.
It is anticipated that New York City will soon experience an end to the snow drought, with an increased likelihood of snowfall this winter due to the influence of the El Niño weather pattern. This could bring an end to the 653-day streak of no snow in Central Park, much to the excitement of New Yorkers looking forward to a more traditional winter experience.
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