NYC Finally Gets Snow After Record-Breaking Wait

NEW YORK CITY — New York City's snowless streak is finally over.

A half inch of snow was recorded in Central Park early Wednesday — the first measurable snowfall this winter season, the National Weather Service tweeted.

The white stuff's arrival is the latest snowfall for the city in at least 154 years, records show.

"The wait is over," the National Weather Service's New York office tweeted.

"This is latest first measurable snowfall for the season since record keeping began in 1869."

The wait is over. ❄️❄️

Central Park recorded the first measurable snowfall of the season this morning, with nearly half an inch as of 5:30 AM.

This is latest first measurable snowfall for the season since record keeping began in 1869. #NYwx pic.twitter.com/ncr9KdnW8W
— NWS New York NY (@NWSNewYorkNY) February 1, 2023

At this point in 1869, the Civil War was nearly four years over, Reconstruction had barely started and Ulysses S. Grant was preparing to become the United States' 18th president.

Wednesday morning's snow was also the first measurable snowfall since March 9, 2022, records show.

And, indeed, the city before Wednesday was also nearing the record for days without measurable snow — 332 days.

The snow drought's end resets the countdowns, but doesn't necessarily mean more flakes will fall soon.

The forecast, aside from a chance of snow Wednesday morning, doesn't call for any snowfall in the coming week, according to the National Weather Service.

Instead, New Yorkers will have to contend with "dangerously cold" temperatures Friday and Saturday, which prompted a hazardous weather outlook for those days. Temperatures will fall below zero and wind chills could be 25 below, the outlook states.

Here's the complete National Weather Service forecast.

Wednesday
A 20 percent chance of snow before 10am. Partly sunny, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 39. Wind chill values between 25 and 30. Northwest wind 7 to 10 mph.

Wednesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 27. Northwest wind 5 to 9 mph.

Thursday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 40. Wind chill values between 25 and 30. Southwest wind 5 to 14 mph.

Thursday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 29. Southwest wind 15 to 17 mph.

Friday
Sunny, with a temperature falling to around 21 by 3pm. Blustery, with a northwest wind 21 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph.

Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 7. Blustery.

Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 25.

Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22.

Sunday
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 44.

Sunday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34.

Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 46.

Monday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 33.

Tuesday
Partly sunny, with a high near 52.