According to forecasters at NWS, a weak disturbance moving across northern Minnesota could bring a few light rain or snow showers late Saturday night, though little to no accumulation is expected.
I have been living and working in NYC for decades and have never felt climate change or a colder Winter.
New York City might remember the winter of 2025–26 as extremely snowy, but the data shows it wasn’t among the most historic winters.
Key points explained clearly:
- Snowfall measurements come from Central Park, the official long-term weather observation site for the city.
- According to Tyler Roys, a meteorologist at AccuWeather, this winter ranks as the 28th snowiest in the city’s recorded history.
- As of Saturday, Central Park recorded 43.4 inches of snow for the season.
- That amount is about 20–30 inches above the historical average, meaning it has been snowier than usual, but not record-breaking compared with the snowiest winters on record.
In simple terms:
- It felt like a very snowy winter to residents.
- Statistically, it was well above average, but not among the top snowiest winters ever.
If you want, I can also show:
- The top 10 snowiest winters in NYC history, or
- How does this winter compare with famous ones like The Blizzard of 1996 or The North American blizzard of 2016?
What about the oldest
If you mean the oldest winter snowfall record for New York City, the official snowfall records go back to 1869. Those measurements have been taken at Central Park, which has been the city’s main weather observation site since the 1800s.
Oldest recorded winter season
- Winter of 1869–1870
- Total snowfall: about 27 inches
So the winter mentioned in your passage (2025–26 with 43.4 inches) is much snowier than that of the earliest recorded season, but still far from the biggest snow years in the record.
For context
Some of the snowiest winters in NYC history include:
- 1995–1996: about 75.6 inches (the snowiest on record)
- 2010–2011: about 61.9 inches
- 2002–2003: about 49.3 inches
Those records are all based on observations at Central Park, which meteorologists (including those at AccuWeather) use as the standard reference point for the city.
Bottom line:
- Snow records for NYC start in 1869.
- The 2025–26 winter (43.4") is snowy but not close to the historic record.
If you want, I can also show you the least snowy winter ever in NYC or why Central Park is used for official records.
How about cold temperatures
If you’re asking about the coldest temperatures ever recorded in New York City, the official records—taken at Central Park—go back to 1869.
Coldest temperature ever recorded
- −15°F (−26°C)
- Date: February 9, 1934
- Location: Central Park
This remains the lowest temperature ever measured in NYC.
Other extremely cold days in NYC history
Some other notable cold records include:
- −14°F — February 5, 1899
- −13°F — February 4, 1961
- −8°F — January 2016 during the cold wave before the North American blizzard of 2016
Typical winter cold in NYC
Normally in winter:
- Average January low: about 27°F (−3°C)
- Temperatures below 0°F are very rare in the city.
Why does it rarely get extremely cold
Despite big snowstorms, NYC often stays warmer than inland areas because of:
- The nearby Atlantic Ocean
- The urban heat island effect from dense buildings and pavement.
Summary:
- Record low: −15°F in 1934
- Records have been tracked since 1869 at Central Park
Temperatures below 0°F happen only a handful of times per century