Albany’s Snowiest Winters: Are We Due for Another Record-Setter This Year?
As winter approaches in Upstate New York, many are wondering just how much snow we might see this year.
Snowfall is always unpredictable, but there’s always a chance that this winter could be one for the history books.
Snowstorms vary greatly from year to year, and it’s all part of the seasonal gamble we know so well.
In recent years, the winters in the Capital Region have been relatively mild when it comes to snowfall.
The snow that does fall has been noticeably below average, leaving snow lovers waiting for that perfect storm.
But if we look back further, we’ve had winters that were much more generous in terms of snow accumulation.
It’s the nature of the weather—sometimes we get lucky with big snowfalls, and other times, we miss it.
The National Weather Service has been tracking snowfall totals for Albany since the winter of 1884-85, and over that time, the city has seen its share of extremes.
On average, Albany experiences about 59.2 inches of snow each winter. That’s the baseline. But how much snow would it take this winter to rank among the snowiest winters in Albany’s history?
To answer that, we’d have to look at the top 10 snowiest winters on record in Albany.
The last time we had enough snow to make the top 10 was back in the winter of 2002-2003, over 20 years ago. That winter delivered a significant amount of snow, setting it apart as one of the biggest winters Albany has ever seen. Since then, though, we haven’t come close to breaking into the top ranks.
Is it possible for this winter to be one of those rare, record-breaking winters? It’s hard to say for sure.
Weather is tricky, and snow totals are influenced by various factors, such as storm patterns, temperatures, and precipitation levels.
While it might seem unlikely, given the trend of recent winters, there’s always a chance. Weather is often full of surprises, and we may just be due for a heavy snow year.
Albany’s top 10 snowiest winters range from the most extreme totals to winters that barely cut. To join those ranks, this winter would need to deliver significantly more snow than the average.
But could this winter break the trend? Or will it follow the pattern of milder, less snowy winters we’ve seen recently? Only time will tell.
Read More:
Hudson Valley Drivers Notice Increasing Bus Stop Wait Times with New Trend!
Orange County Motorcyclist Killed in Early Morning Crash with Deer on Route 302!
As we wait for the first flakes to fall, one thing is for sure—Albany’s winter weather will continue to keep us guessing.