Winter '08-'09 Weather Verifications

Location: New York
Author: Mickey Schoenhals
Date: Friday, April 3, 2009
 

Population-Weighted* U.S. Temperature Departure [NOV 08 - MAR 09]: 4.78% Cold

* Based on Heating Degree Day Weightings across the 25 largest Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA's).

~ This compares to: 1.57% Cold for Nov-Mar 2008.

~ This translates to: 2nd Coldest Winter for Great Lakes region since 1995-1996

~ Net Cold departure "Center of Gravity" (thru Mar): Bi-Nodes of Chicago - Cleveland and Washington DC - Norfolk VA

    - Critical Day "Center of Gravity": Jacksonville FL had 2nd most Days <32°F since 1984-1985 Winter

~ Net Mild departure "Center of Gravity" (thru Mar): Bi-Nodes of Phoenix - Tucson and Dallas - Houston - New Orleans

~ Snow departure "Center of Gravity" (thru Mar): Spokane WA has had its snowiest Winter Season on record with 95.2" and counting (dating back to 1893).

~ Dry departure "Center of Gravity" (late-Winter): New York City (along with other upper Mid-Atlantic locations) has now registered its driest February-March period on record

National Snow Coverage as of March 29th, in recent history:

• 2004:  9.1%
• 2005: 14.4%
• 2006: 14.7%
• 2007: 16.9%
• 2008: 27.8%
• 2009: 31.3%

Comment: The Eastern North American Snow/Ice coverage was the most observed in many years (even surpassing last year), helping to reproduce fresh pools of Polar & Arctic Air, and help invigorate those air masses when they do enter the contiguous U.S., beneath the 850 mb level.

Season-to-Date Snowfall Totals & Departures of note:

Spokane: 93.8" [109% more than normal] *New Seasonal Snowfall Record*

Salt Lake City: 46.9" [17% less than normal]

Milwaukee: 75.9" [53% more than normal]

Chicago: 50.6" [39% more than normal]

Grand Rapids: 104.9" [51% more than normal]

Detroit: 58.3" [38% more than normal]

Cleveland: 77.4" [28% more than normal]

Erie: 142.2" [59% more than normal]

Syracuse: 148.9" [39% more than normal]

Philadelphia: 22.8" [22% more than normal]

New York City: 27.6" [26% more than normal]

Boston: 65.9" [57% more than normal]

Portland [ME]: 81.1" [28% more than normal]

{thru 3/31/09}:

Montreal: 221.7 cm [9% more than normal]

Toronto: 149.3 cm [36% more than normal]

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