On December 27, 2025, New York City awoke to a blanket of snow—the most significant accumulation in nearly four years. The winter storm, which began late on December 26 and continued into the early morning hours of December 27, delivered a mix of snow, sleet, and ice across the Tri-State area. While initial forecasts warned of potentially heavier totals, the intrusion of warmer air and sleet limited snowfall in the five boroughs. Official measurements confirmed that Central Park recorded 4.3 inches of snow, marking the city’s heaviest single-storm snowfall since January 2022.
This event ended a prolonged snow drought for NYC, where recent winters have been notably mild. The storm disrupted post-holiday travel, grounded flights, and prompted citywide preparations, but ultimately fell short of the more dire predictions. Below, we explore the snowfall totals, the storm’s impacts, historical context, and what made this weather event noteworthy.
Official Snowfall Totals in New York City
The National Weather Service (NWS) uses Central Park as the official measuring site for New York City snowfall. As of 7 a.m. on December 27, 2025:
- Central Park: 4.3 inches
This was the first time since January 2022 that Central Park exceeded 4 inches in a single storm.
Other borough and airport measurements included:
- Fordham (Bronx): Approximately 4.3 inches
- LaGuardia Airport: 4.1 inches
- JFK Airport: 4.1 inches
- Parts of Queens: 3.5–3.9 inches
- Nassau County (nearby): 4.0–4.1 inches
Snowfall varied slightly across the city due to the transition to sleet in southern and western areas, which reduced pure snow accumulations. Northern suburbs and areas east of the city saw higher totals, with some spots in Westchester County reaching 6–7 inches and parts of Connecticut exceeding 9 inches.
The Storm’s Timeline and Meteorology
The storm originated as an Alberta Clipper system—a fast-moving low-pressure area dipping from Canada—that intensified as it moved across the Northeast. Snow began falling in NYC late Friday afternoon (December 26), with rates picking up to 1–2 inches per hour overnight.
Key factors influencing the snowfall:
- Cold air initially dominated, allowing for fluffy, accumulative snow.
- Warmer air aloft intruded, causing a mix of sleet and freezing rain in parts of NYC and New Jersey, which compacted the snow and lowered totals.
- Peak intensity overnight: The heaviest bands hit between midnight and dawn on December 27.
- Tapering off: By mid-morning Saturday, snow diminished to flurries, with black ice becoming a lingering hazard as temperatures dropped.
Forecasters had initially predicted 5–9 inches for NYC, with some models suggesting up to 11 inches. Updated forecasts lowered expectations to 2–5 inches as the sleet line shifted. The final 4.3 inches fell within the revised range but still qualified as the city’s most substantial storm in years.
Impacts on the City and Region
Despite the moderate totals, the timing—during peak post-Christmas travel—amplified disruptions:
- Travel Chaos: Hundreds of flights were canceled or delayed at JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark airports. Roads became slick, with the NYC Department of Sanitation deploying plows and salt spreaders once accumulations hit 2 inches.
- Public Response: Mayor Eric Adams and NYC Emergency Management issued travel advisories. Alternate Side Parking was suspended on December 27 to aid snow removal. Schools remained closed for the holiday break, avoiding major issues.
- Power and Safety: Outages were minimal compared to ice-heavy storms, but icy sidewalks posed risks. Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for parts of New York State.
- Joy Amid Disruption: Many residents embraced the rarity—children sledded in Central Park, and social media filled with photos of snow-covered landmarks like Times Square and the Brooklyn Bridge.
The storm also affected broader holiday travel along the I-95 corridor, with higher totals causing more severe issues in Connecticut, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley.
Historical Context: NYC’s Snow Drought
New York City’s recent winters have been unusually snow-free, largely attributed to climate patterns and warming trends:
- 2024–2025 Season (so far): The December 26–27 storm provided the bulk of the season’s snow to date.
- Previous Winters:
- 2023–2024: About 12 inches total (above the paltry 2022–2023).
- 2022–2023: Only 7.5–8 inches.
- 2021–2022: Just 2.3 inches—one of the least snowy on record.
- Last Major Storm: January 2022, with over 8 inches in Central Park.
- All-Time Records: The city’s record single-storm snowfall is 27.5 inches (January 2016), while the infamous 1947 Boxing Day blizzard dumped 26.4 inches.
The average annual snowfall in Central Park is around 28–30 inches, but the past three winters combined barely reached that. This 2025 event, while not record-breaking, felt monumental to snow-starved New Yorkers.
Why This Storm Mattered
In an era of increasingly erratic weather, this storm highlighted several trends:
- Rarity of Significant Snow: Mild winters have become the norm, making even 4 inches feel like a blizzard.
- Forecast Challenges: Rapid shifts in temperature profiles led to busts in higher predictions, underscoring the difficulty of predicting mix lines.
- Climate Implications: Reduced snowfall aligns with broader warming patterns, though occasional clippers can still deliver.
Residents shoveled sidewalks, built snowmen, and enjoyed a brief winter wonderland. For a city that thrives on extremes, this post-holiday snowfall provided a picturesque—if slippery—reminder of classic New York winters.
Looking Ahead
As of December 27, lingering flurries and refreezing posed black ice risks into the evening. No major storms were immediately forecast, but the Northeast remains primed for cold snaps. For the latest updates, consult the National Weather Service or local authorities.
In summary, New York City received 4.3 inches of snow in Central Park from the December 26–27, 2025 storm—the most in nearly four years. It was enough to disrupt but not paralyze, delight but not devastate. For a snow-hungry metropolis, it was just right.
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