January 22-24, 2016 Blizzard

Overview NASA MODIS image on Sunday, January 24, 2016 after the storm passed. The white seen over the region is from the snow as skies had cleared when this image was taken.

A low pressure system developed across the southeast states on Friday January 22 and rapidly deepened as it tracked along the Middle Atlantic coast on Saturday January 23. The low then moved out to sea Saturday night into Sunday morning.

Blizzard conditions were observed throughout New York City, Long Island, and portions of northeast New Jersey and southwest Connectictut.

Snowfall amounts ranged from over 2 feet from northeast New Jersey, New York City, and Long island to around a foot across parts of the Lower Hudson Valley and southern Connecticut. There was a tight gradient in amounts further inland where only around 1 to 2 inches of snow fell across northern Orange County while over a foot of snow fell in the southern portion of the county.

Central Park, NY received 27.5" of snow, which is the largest snowstorm since records began in 1869.

Snowfall Summary

Regional Observed Snowfall Click image for larger version)	Local Area Observed Snowfall Click image for larger version)

Snowfall Reports Listing

New York


LOCATION          STORM TOTAL     TIME/DATE   COMMENTS
                     SNOWFALL           OF
                     /INCHES/   MEASUREMENT
...BRONX COUNTY...
   BELMONT               27.6  1115 PM  1/23  BRONX ZOO
   PARKCHESTER           26.8  1200 AM  1/24  CO-OP OBSERVER
   RIVERDALE             17.0   900 AM  1/24  PUBLIC
   BRONX                 12.4   145 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER

...KINGS COUNTY...
   WILLIAMSBURG          29.0   930 PM  1/23  PUBLIC
   BROOKLYN              27.0  1200 AM  1/24  TRAINED SPOTTER
   FORT GREENE           24.5  1200 AM  1/24  TRAINED SPOTTER
   1 SSW BERGEN BEACH    20.0  1200 PM  1/24  COCORAHS

...NASSAU COUNTY...
   HICKSVILLE            29.6  1200 AM  1/24  PUBLIC
   BALDWIN               28.0   700 AM  1/24  PUBLIC
   NORTH MERRICK         25.8  1100 PM  1/23  PUBLIC
   MASSAPEQUA            25.2   930 PM  1/23  PUBLIC
   WANTAGH               25.1   800 AM  1/24  TRAINED SPOTTER
   NEW HYDE PARK         24.3   900 AM  1/24  AMATEUR RADIO
   CARLE PLACE           24.1   900 AM  1/24  AMATEUR RADIO
   ISLAND PARK           24.0   945 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   MERRICK               23.4  1100 PM  1/23  BROADCAST MEDIA
   BETHPAGE              23.0   940 PM  1/23  PUBLIC
   FLORAL PARK           23.0   700 AM  1/24  PUBLIC
   WEST HEMPSTEAD        22.4   600 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   PLAINVIEW             20.4   945 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   MALVERNE              19.5   715 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   SEAFORD               19.5  1100 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   WESTBURY              18.5   845 PM  1/23  NWS EMPLOYEE
   EAST MEADOW           18.0   530 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   GLEN COVE             18.0   945 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   JERICHO               16.0   430 PM  1/23  PUBLIC
   BELLMORE              16.0   945 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER

...NEW YORK COUNTY...
   CENTRAL PARK          27.5  1207 AM  1/24  PARK CONSERVANCY
   HAMILTON HOUSES       27.0   930 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   HARLEM RIVER HOUSES   17.5   500 PM  1/23  COCORAHS
   HARLEM                13.5  1200 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   EAST VILLAGE          10.0   908 AM  1/23  SOCIAL MEDIA

...ORANGE COUNTY...
   WARWICK               18.5   430 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   HIGHLAND MILLS        11.6   900 PM  1/23  PUBLIC
   KIRYAS JOEL           10.0  1050 PM  1/23  PUBLIC
   MONROE                 9.0   800 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   GREENVILLE             8.0   529 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   WESTTOWN               6.8   945 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER

...PUTNAM COUNTY...
   BREWSTER              13.7   515 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   LAKE CARMEL           12.0  1030 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   PUTNAM VALLEY         11.0  1100 PM  1/23  BROADCAST MEDIA
   MAHOPAC                8.6   420 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   CARMEL                 7.6   830 AM  1/24  CO-OP OBSERVER
   1 NE BREWSTER          6.0   945 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER

...QUEENS COUNTY...
   JACKSON HEIGHTS       34.0  1200 AM  1/24  TRAINED SPOTTER
   NYC/JFK AIRPORT       30.5   100 AM  1/24  FAA OBSERVER
   NYC/LA GUARDIA        27.9   100 AM  1/24  FAA OBSERVER
   OAKLAND GARDENS       27.4  1035 PM  1/23  PUBLIC
   FRESH MEADOWS         26.5  1000 PM  1/23  PUBLIC
   LITTLE NECK           24.0  1020 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   FLUSHING              23.5   700 PM  1/23  PUBLIC
   1 WSW WALDEN TERRACE  21.0   530 PM  1/23  COCORAHS
   WHITESTONE            21.0   615 PM  1/23  PUBLIC
   SUNNYSIDE             20.0   700 AM  1/24  AMATEUR RADIO
   HOLLIS HILLS          18.0   340 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   3 SSE QUEENS          17.6   600 PM  1/23  COCORAHS
   3 W QUEENS            17.0   400 PM  1/23  COCORAHS
   FOREST HILLS          16.0   530 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   BAYSIDE               14.8   130 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   MIDDLE VILLAGE        13.0  1100 AM  1/23  PUBLIC

...RICHMOND COUNTY...
   PORT RICHMOND         31.3  1020 PM  1/23  PUBLIC
   GRANT CITY            26.0   930 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   OAKWOOD HEIGHTS STAT  26.0   900 AM  1/24  COCORAHS
   ELTINGVILLE           22.0   930 PM  1/23  PUBLIC
   DONGAN HILLS          19.8   330 AM  1/24  TRAINED SPOTTER
   SUNNYSIDE             16.5  1245 PM  1/23  PUBLIC
   GREAT KILLS           16.0  1215 PM  1/23  PUBLIC
   STATEN ISLAND         14.4   259 PM  1/23  PUBLIC

...ROCKLAND COUNTY...
   STONY POINT           17.0   830 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   NEW CITY              16.0   900 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   SLOATSBURG            16.0   700 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   VALLEY COTTAGE        16.0   545 PM  1/23  PUBLIC

...SUFFOLK COUNTY...
   COMMACK               26.5   840 PM  1/23  PUBLIC
   ISLIP                 26.0   700 AM  1/24  TRAINED SPOTTER
   BAY SHORE             26.0   830 AM  1/24  NWS EMPLOYEE
   PATCHOGUE             24.0   745 AM  1/24  FIRE DEPT/RESCUE
   ISLIP AIRPORT         23.4   100 AM  1/24  FAA OBSERVER
   SMITHTOWN             23.0  1200 AM  1/24  PUBLIC
   CORAM                 22.5   930 PM  1/23  PUBLIC
   FARMINGVILLE          22.0   700 AM  1/24  TRAINED SPOTTER
   PORT JEFFERSON        22.0   950 PM  1/23  PUBLIC
   HOLBROOK              22.0  1100 PM  1/23  PUBLIC
   YAPHANK               22.0   700 AM  1/24  PUBLIC
   WESTHAMPTON           21.6   830 AM  1/24  CO-OP OBSERVER
   DIX HILLS             21.0   545 PM  1/23  PUBLIC
   SAYVILLE              20.5   900 AM  1/24  NWS EMPLOYEE
   CENTERPORT            20.4   830 AM  1/24  CO-OP OBSERVER
   EASTPORT              19.5   545 AM  1/24  PUBLIC
   MEDFORD               19.0   600 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   UPTON                 18.2   700 AM  1/24  NWS OFFICE
   MILLER PLACE          18.0   900 AM  1/24  PUBLIC
   MANORVILLE            18.0   920 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   HUNTINGTON STATION    17.9   900 AM  1/24  AMATEUR RADIO
   MORICHES              17.5   850 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   CALVERTON             16.0   845 PM  1/23  PUBLIC
   MATTITUCK             15.5   800 AM  1/24  TRAINED SPOTTER
   RIVERHEAD             15.0   600 PM  1/23  CO-OP OBSERVER
   SHOREHAM              15.0   818 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   STONY BROOK           15.0   555 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   SOUTHAMPTON           14.5  1120 PM  1/23  PUBLIC
   CENTEREACH            12.6  1252 PM  1/23  PUBLIC
   SOUTH HUNTINGTON      11.0   200 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   MASTIC                10.5  1109 AM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   ORIENT                10.0   100 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   EAST NORTHPORT        10.0  1215 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   FLANDERS              10.0   445 PM  1/23  AMATEUR RADIO
   DEER PARK              9.5   900 AM  1/23  PUBLIC
   NORTH BABYLON          9.0  1108 AM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   JAMESPORT              8.9   900 AM  1/24  PUBLIC
   COPIAGUE               8.5  1200 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   MOUNT SINAI            8.0  1130 AM  1/23  NWS EMPLOYEE
   SOUND BEACH            8.0  1200 PM  1/23  PUBLIC
   HUNTINGTON             7.5   215 PM  1/23  PUBLIC

...WESTCHESTER COUNTY...
   PORT CHESTER          24.5   300 AM  1/24  PUBLIC
   LARCHMONT             24.0   130 AM  1/24  PUBLIC
   NEW ROCHELLE          21.0   630 PM  1/23  PUBLIC
   DOBBS FERRY           20.6   730 AM  1/24  PUBLIC
   YONKERS               20.5  1000 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   EASTCHESTER           19.2   730 AM  1/24  PUBLIC
   SCARSDALE             18.6   730 AM  1/24  PUBLIC
   HASTINGS-ON-HUDSON    15.0   900 AM  1/24  PUBLIC
   PELHAM                14.2   900 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   ARMONK                14.2  1111 PM  1/23  PUBLIC
   MOUNT VERNON          14.0   400 PM  1/23  AMATEUR RADIO
   WHITE PLAINS          13.5   815 PM  1/23  PUBLIC
   HARRISON              13.0   700 AM  1/24  AMATEUR RADIO
   PEEKSKILL             13.0   540 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   YORKTOWN HEIGHTS      11.5   800 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   CROTON FALLS          11.0   815 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   YORKTOWN               9.0   400 PM  1/23  AMATEUR RADIO
   SOMERS                 9.0   330 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   MAMARONECK             8.0   240 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER

Connecticut

New Jersey


LOCATION          STORM TOTAL     TIME/DATE   COMMENTS
                     SNOWFALL           OF
                     /INCHES/   MEASUREMENT
...FAIRFIELD COUNTY...
   NORWALK               16.0   950 PM  1/23  PUBLIC
   GREENWICH             16.0   845 PM  1/23  PUBLIC
   DARIEN                16.0   600 AM  1/24  PUBLIC
   NEW CANAAN            15.0   700 AM  1/24  CT DOT
   WILTON                14.0   600 AM  1/24  PUBLIC
   FAIRFIELD             13.5   900 PM  1/23  PUBLIC
   WESTON                13.0   900 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   RIDGEFIELD            12.8   545 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   SHELTON               12.0   835 PM  1/23  AMATEUR RADIO
   EASTON                11.5  1005 PM  1/23  PUBLIC
   TRUMBULL              10.5   630 PM  1/23  PUBLIC
   BRIDGEPORT AIRPORT     9.5   100 AM  1/24  CO-OP OBSERVER
   DANBURY                7.5   700 AM  1/24  CT DOT
   BETHEL                 6.3   630 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER

...MIDDLESEX COUNTY...
   HADDAM                15.5  1230 AM  1/24  TRAINED SPOTTER
   CROMWELL               7.0   900 AM  1/24  AMATEUR RADIO
   PORTLAND               7.0   900 AM  1/24  AMATEUR RADIO
   OLD SAYBROOK           6.7   700 AM  1/24  CT DOT

...NEW HAVEN COUNTY...
   GUILFORD              16.0   900 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   MILFORD               15.5  1000 PM  1/23  PUBLIC
   NORTH HAVEN           14.4  1115 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   NEW HAVEN             12.5   700 AM  1/24  CT DOT
   BEACON FALLS          12.0   700 AM  1/24  CT DOT
   WEST HAVEN            11.5  1022 PM  1/23  PUBLIC
   NORTH GUILFORD        11.0   500 PM  1/23  PUBLIC
   BRANFORD              11.0   835 PM  1/23  PUBLIC
   MADISON                9.0   800 PM  1/23  AMATEUR RADIO
   MERIDEN                8.1   900 PM  1/23  AMATEUR RADIO
   2 ENE MERIDEN          8.0   930 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   WATERBURY              7.7   700 AM  1/24  CT DOT
   CHESHIRE               7.0   700 PM  1/23  AMATEUR RADIO
   SOUTHBURY              6.0   700 AM  1/24  CT DOT

...NEW LONDON COUNTY...
   HADLYME               13.5   800 PM  1/23  PUBLIC
   COLCHESTER            10.0   700 AM  1/24  CT DOT
   STONINGTON             7.5   915 PM  1/23  PUBLIC
   NORWICH                7.0   700 AM  1/24  CT DOT
   GROTON                 6.7   700 AM  1/24  CT DOT
   GALES FERRY            5.0   900 AM  1/24  AMATEUR RADIO


LOCATION          STORM TOTAL     TIME/DATE   COMMENTS
                     SNOWFALL           OF
                     /INCHES/   MEASUREMENT
...BERGEN COUNTY...
   FRANKLIN LAKES        25.3   830 PM  1/23  PUBLIC
   TENAFLY               24.0  1005 PM  1/23  PUBLIC
   LYNDHURST             22.0   955 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   BERGENFIELD           21.0   700 PM  1/23  AMATEUR RADIO
   ALLENDALE             21.0   947 PM  1/23  PUBLIC
   SADDLE BROOK          18.5   700 PM  1/23  AMATEUR RADIO
   MAHWAH                18.2   615 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   RIDGEWOOD             18.0  1000 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   GARFIELD              17.6   515 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   FAIR LAWN             16.5   700 PM  1/23  AMATEUR RADIO
   HASBROUCK HEIGHTS     15.3   400 PM  1/23  AMATEUR RADIO
   MIDLAND PARK          15.0   510 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER

...ESSEX COUNTY...
   NEWARK AIRPORT        24.5   100 AM  1/24  FAA OBSERVER
   WEST ORANGE           24.0   830 AM  1/24  TRAINED SPOTTER
   MILLBURN              23.5   915 PM  1/23  PUBLIC
   CEDAR GROVE           19.4  1100 PM  1/23  PUBLIC
   WEST CALDWELL         17.5   745 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   NORTH CALDWELL        17.0   800 AM  1/24  TRAINED SPOTTER
   NUTLEY                13.4   100 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER

...HUDSON COUNTY...
   KEARNY                26.5  1255 AM  1/24  TRAINED SPOTTER
   NORTH BERGEN          26.3  1100 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   HOBOKEN               26.0  1005 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   HARRISON              25.0   715 AM  1/24  CO-OP OBSERVER

...PASSAIC COUNTY...
   BLOOMINGDALE          22.6   945 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   POMPTON LAKES         22.0   545 PM  1/23  PUBLIC
   RINGWOOD              21.7  1115 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   WEST MILFORD          21.3   715 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   HASKELL               19.5   800 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   WAYNE                 17.0   800 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   HAWTHORNE             12.5   400 PM  1/23  AMATEUR RADIO
   HEWITT                 8.5  1200 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER

...UNION COUNTY...
   ROSELLE               28.3   500 AM  1/24  TRAINED SPOTTER
   ROSELLE PARK          28.2   700 AM  1/24  PUBLIC
   ELIZABETH             27.9   915 PM  1/23  PUBLIC
   CRANFORD              27.4   645 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   WESTFIELD             24.0  1003 PM  1/23  TRAINED SPOTTER
   RAHWAY                22.0   445 PM  1/23  PUBLIC

Peak Wind Gusts


LOCATION             MAX WIND     TIME/DATE   COMMENTS
                        GUST            OF
                         MPH    MEASUREMENT

CONNECTICUT

...FAIRFIELD COUNTY...
   BRIDGEPORT AIRPORT      42   119 PM  1/23  ASOS

...NEW HAVEN COUNTY...
   NEW HAVEN               52   639 PM  1/23  ASOS

...NEW LONDON COUNTY...
   GROTON AIRPORT          45  1017 AM  1/23  ASOS

NEW JERSEY

...ESSEX COUNTY...
   CALDWELL AIRPORT        40   906 AM  1/23  ASOS
   NEWARK AIRPORT          39   237 PM  1/23  FAA OBSERVER

NEW YORK

...NASSAU COUNTY...
   BAYVILLE                52   724 AM  1/23  MESONET

...QUEENS COUNTY...
   NYC/LA GUARDIA          48   847 AM  1/23  ASOS
   NYC/JFK AIRPORT         48   913 AM  1/23  ASOS
   BREEZY POINT            43   502 PM  1/23  MESONET

...SUFFOLK COUNTY...
   EATONS NECK             59   955 AM  1/23  MESONET
   ISLIP AIRPORT           58   104 PM  1/23  ASOS
   4 ENE PLUM ISLAND       54  1138 AM  1/23  MESONET
   WESTHAMPTON AIRPORT     53   125 PM  1/23  ASOS
   FIRE ISLAND             48  1225 PM  1/23  MESONET
   EAST FARMINGDALE        46   505 PM  1/23  ASOS
   SHIRLEY AIRPORT         43   748 PM  1/23  ASOS
   1 NNE CRYSTAL BROOK     42   646 PM  1/23  MESONET AT SINAI HARBOR
   
   $$

Radar

Regional Radar Loop

National Weather Service Doppler Radar (KOXK) Animation Hover over time below to view radar data. This loop shows a higher resolution animation with images every hour beginning at 02 UTC (7 pm) on January 23 and ending at 10 UTC (5 am) on January 24. Brighter colors (greater than 30 dBZ) are heavy snow bands rotating around the intense low pressure system south of Long Island.

Satellite Loops

Visible Satellite Loop (7 am to 5 pm Jan 23)

Water Vapor Satellite Loop (Full Event)

Surface & Upper-Air Data

Weather Prediction Center (WPC) Surface Analysis Hover over time below to view Weather Prediction Center (WPC) Surface Analysis beginning at 00 UTC (7 pm) on January 23 and every 3 hours until 12 UTC (7 am) on January 24.

00 03 06 09 12 15 18 21 00 03 06 09 12

300mb Heights(m) and Winds(kt) Hover over time below to view 300mb analysis beginning at 00 UTC (7 pm) on January 23 and every 3 hours until 12 UTC (7 am) on January 24. The color shading are wind speeds in knots and the purple contours are divergence. Areas of diverence at 300mb are indicitive of large scale upward motion as the region was situated in a favorable dual jet stream set up.

00 03 06 09 12 15 18 21 00 03 06

700mb Heights(m) and Frontogenesis Hover over time below to view 700mb analysis beginning at 06 UTC (1 am) on January 23 and every hour until 06 UTC (7 am) on January 24. Areas of frontogenesis are contoured in purple. These regions are where strong forcing occurred to develop the observed heavy snow bands as the storm moved to the southeast of Long Island.

06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 00 01 02 03 04 05 06

Blizzard Observations

NWS Blizzard Definition: A blizzard means that the following conditions are expected to prevail for a period of 3 hours or longer.

Sustained wind or frequent gusts to 35 miles an hour or greater; and

Considerable falling and/or blowing snow (i.e., reducing visibility frequently to less than 1/4 mile).

The graphs below are from select observation sites across the local area where conditions met the NWS definition of a blizzard (within the purple boxes). Wind gusts (mph) and visibility (statute miles) are plotted. It should be noted that heavy snow was observed during the highlighted time period.

Additional NWS Products

National Weather Service WFO New York, NY Watches, Warnings, and Advisories

The following links show each Blizzard Watch, Blizzard Warning, Winter Storm Watch, Winter Storm Warning, and Special Weather Statements issued during this winter storm. The first Blizzard Watch was issued at 3:42 am Thursday, January 21, 2016. The Blizzard Warning was issued at 4:18 am Friday, January 22, 2015.

Blizzard:
- Warnings
- Watches
Winter Storm:
- Warnings
- Watches
Special Weather Statements