Philly could be heading for its first snowless winter in 50 years, while New York City and DC are close to their snowless records
- Several cities in the Northeast have yet to document their first snowfall of the season
- Experts say snow could remain elusive into late January
- The last time Philadelphia went an entire season without snow was in 1973
- DC and New York are nearing their records for days without snow
Major cities along the I-95 corridor, including New York and Philadelphia, are on track to potentially break a 50-year-old record for snow clearance.
As the country enters the heart of the winter season, several major cities are yet to record their first measurable snow of the season, putting them on track to record the highest number of days without snow since 1973.
The record in New York is 322 days without snow. Currently, New York City has not had any measurable snow since March 9, 2022, meaning it has been 309 days since the last snow.
New York City is on track to surpass its longest streak without snow in recorded history
A family in West Lawn, Pennsylvania plays in the snow
The Big Apple is currently experiencing its fourth-longest snowless streak on record.
Philadelphia is also nearing its record for last first snow of the season. In 1995, however, Philadelphia went without seeing powder on the ground until February 3 — the day after Groundhog Day.
In Philadelphia, the city experienced its only winter without any measurable snow in 1973.
The City of Brotherly Love last documented a snowfall on March 12 of last year — the same date as Washington, DC’s last snowfall.
In 1973, the nation’s capital remained snow-free through February 23.
Even in the historically very cool Boston area, the current monthly snow total is a meager 0.2 inches, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
The current forecast shows snow will remain elusive in the Northeast through January. In fact, the government’s Climate Prediction Center is predicting temperatures could be as much as 20 degrees above normal in the Northeast.
New York City typically sees its first snowfall on December 11th. Last winter, on December 23, the city recorded its first snowfall — although it was just 0.2 inches.
Snow trails in New York and Philadelphia were recorded but were often mixed with rain and did not stick to the ground.
AccuWeather reports that New Yorkers can expect 18 to 23 inches of snow this season, down from the usual average of 29.8 inches, but the upcoming forecast remains bleak for kids and adults enjoying the winter weather.
Brooklynites flocked to Prospect Park in 2016 to celebrate the end of one of NYC’s biggest snowstorms by sledding, building snow castles and generally frolicking in the fresh crowd
New Yorkers were hit by a snowstorm on January 29, 2022, when a powerful Nor’Easter brought blinding blizzards with strong winds. A state of emergency has been declared for New York City. The photo shows the snowy streets of the Upper West Side
Children play in the snow during a massive winter storm on January 4, 2018 in New York City
The picture of what New York City kids may not be getting this season if snow continues to elude the five boroughs this winter
Children play in the snow during last winter’s first real storm on January 7, 2022
Last year, in late January, New York City was hit by a major snowstorm.
The storm brought winds of 25 to 35 miles per hour and gusts near 50 miles per hour. It started snowing the night before, putting New York in a state of emergency. Residents in the five wards were encouraged to stay home until the extreme weather passed.
Storm Orlena hit NYC on January 29 of the previous year, bringing with it a whopping 13.3 inches of snow.
The city was again placed under a state of emergency as the storm’s output was described as the fourth-heaviest snowfall since 1969.