Snow days
Let's hope we don't need the plows just yet.
The forecast for tonight includes the possibility of snow accumulation (and it's snowy big fluffy flakes as we post this). It's being described as "rare" and "early" snow.
OK, so when's a typical first snow around here?
We called up Brian Frugis at the National Weather Service office in Albany. He says the Capital Region usually gets its first accumulation of snow during the third week of November. So an inch or two tonight would be about a month ahead of a typical year.
Brian says the earliest local snowfall accumulation came on October 4, 1987 in a storm that dropped 6.5 inches. There are a few observations of flurries earlier than that, though. The records say there were flurries sighted on October 1st in 1946.
And what about the latest first snowfall in the Capital Region? November 27th. In 1889 the area saw its first snow of the season -- only a trace -- on that date.
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Comments
Too late!! It's snowing in downtown Albany. At least it's supposed to be in the 50's on Friday!
... said Kari on Oct 28, 2008 at 3:02 PM | link
We live in upstate NY - I don't understand why we're always surprised to see snow. Me included.
... said Lola on Oct 28, 2008 at 3:56 PM | link
Quick! Close the schools tomorrow, get out the snow tires! Permission to freak out!?
... said Lathamite on Oct 28, 2008 at 4:03 PM | link
@Lola: It is funny how that works.
I'm thinking maybe we should start an "Icy, Snowy Apocalypse Watch" feature here on AOA.
... said Greg on Oct 28, 2008 at 4:13 PM | link
Ah, the great blizzard of '87. We were without power for a week at my apartment on Western Ave. The tree exploding in the front yard as it fell over was pretty impressive about 6am.
First precipitation of the season always makes a mess no matter where you live. when I lived in San Francisco we had the same effect the first big rain every fall.
... said komradebob on Oct 28, 2008 at 4:30 PM | link
I'm always amazed by how many people, that have lived in upstate NY for years, can't drive in the snow or freak out when they have to. I mean a good portion of our year is spent in the snow...you'd think they would get used to it.
... said Emma on Oct 28, 2008 at 4:39 PM | link
My husband grew up in Syracuse and he thinks Albanians are wusses when it comes to snow - far too much complaining about far too little snow :)
... said Wendy on Oct 28, 2008 at 4:54 PM | link
@Wendy: Yeah, they use a whole different measuring stick in Central New York. I think 12 inches there is considered a dusting.
And I'll never forget seeing it snow in May there.
... said Greg on Oct 28, 2008 at 10:30 PM | link
It's all relative... they use different measuring stick downstate, too. My in-laws on Long Island think we live in the North Pole. They get 1/2 an inch and panic down there!!
... said Kathryn on Oct 29, 2008 at 8:43 AM | link
No kidding....FUNNY story.
I was in Price Chopper yesterday afternoon (in Latham) to get a loaf of bread, and the lady in front of me had 6 gallon jugs of water and around 30 bucks in batteries, to "gear up for the storm tonight".
I think even the check-out girl laughed at her.
... said Mike on Oct 29, 2008 at 9:26 AM | link
@Mike: I know the woman in Price Chopper may have seemed ridiculous to you, and I'm not disagreeing that people tend to overreact to the first snowstorm each winter, but I work for the Red Cross, and I can't tell you how many people suffer during power outages and storms because they DON'T prepare.
The fact is, yesterday's storm wasn't insignificant. People in the Mohawk Valley got 8" of snow, and more than 5,500 people lost power. Things weren't bad in Albany, but for people who rely on well water and lost power, 6 gallons of water is enough for a family of four for about a day and a half.
Just wanted to put things in perspective. I'll get off my soapbox now.
... said Siobhan on Oct 29, 2008 at 1:53 PM | link
Maybe the people who are "panicking" about the snow really want a reason to stay home and take the night off!?
... said Margie on Oct 29, 2008 at 8:57 PM | link