Even with a significant storm that brought heavy snow to portions of the Northeast, seasonal snowfall is still missing from large parts of the region. Some places have seen less than 4 feet than normal snowfall this winter thus far, according to the National Weather Service’s Eastern Region Headquarters.
The potent nor’easter unfolded Monday night into Tuesday morning across portions of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, changing rain to a wind-whipped heavy snow event. While initial ground temperatures didn’t support significant accumulations in Philadelphia and New York City and places south, that wasn’t the case to the north and west where more than a foot of heavy, wet snow fell.
Connecticut reported the highest snowfall with 15.5″ measured in Farmington. 15″ was also measured in Sussex, New Jersey and Shohola, Pennsylvania. Chester had New York’s highest snowfall with 13″ while Foster, Rhode Island’s 10″ measurement made for that state’s highest amount. In Massachussetts, Dudley got 8.8″ while 8″ also fell in Mount Storm, West Virginia and Sabillasville, Maryland. Hightown, Virginia got 4.5″ while Winterthur, Delaware saw 2.2″.
While these snowfall amounts did help with seasonable amounts, much of the region is still far behind what a normal winter would produce. This is especially true over the Great Lakes, where Lake Effect Snowstorms have been minimal this season. The Great Lakes are also experiencing a record lack of ice cover for this time of year.
According to the National Weather Service, Syracuse, New York is 61″ below average snowfall through February 13th while Erie, Pennsylvania is 56″ below average. Other cities are also seeing deficits, although not on the same extreme scale. Harrisburg, PA usually sees 19.2″ by now, but is only up to 17.4″. Trenton, New Jersey should be at 17.9″ but is only at 11.2″. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania would usually be up to 15.1″ now but has only had 8.6″ for the season. New York City’s Central Park would normally be at 19.3″, but has only had 5.5″, with most of that falling yesterday.
While there’s a chance for some snow in the northeast this coming weekend, nothing significant is on the horizon. According to long range global forecast guidance, it is unlikely that there will be a blockbuster snowstorm in the northeast through the end of the month which could help bring seasonal totals closer to normal.
