The 2023-2024 Winter Season Named The Warmest One Since 1893
Though meteorologists predicted a “frosty, flakey, slushy” winter for NYC we didn’t quite see that. In fact, we saw almost the opposite, despite the odd snowstorm or two, and these numbers prove that.
According to data collected by AccuWeather meteorologists, the 2023-2024 winter season is going down as the warmest meteorological winter on record, highlighted by unseasonably mild temperatures, a lack of snow, and low ice cover across the Great Lakes.
This past winter season, every state in the continental US saw temperatures warmer than the historical average. And three states–Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan–reported their warmest meteorological winter ever on record. Snow also seemed to become an old folklore, with many cities struggling to see substantial snowfall–NYC maintained a +700-day snowless streak!
AccuWeather Chief Broadcast Meteorologist Bernie Rayno stated:
It’s the year without a winter in the upper Midwest. It continues today with temperatures well above the historical averages by 15 to 20 degrees.
The data is based on average temperatures between December 1, 2023 and February 29, 2024, which were compared to all winters dating as far back as 1893.
As for where the warm weather came from, AccuWeather meteorologists say El Niño was a key driver, at least for much of the northeast, Midwest, and northern Plains. Meteorologists explain that when water near the equator of the eastern Pacific Ocean is above long-term historical averages to create an El Niño, the northern tier of the U.S. typically sees drier and milder conditions during the winter season.
And, of course, the earth’s warming climate also contributed to the mild winter.
AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jon Porter stated:
This existing trend, resulting from a warming atmosphere driven by climate change, and other factors, was likely amplified this winter as a result of the additional warmth imparted in the atmosphere by the El Niño. The largest increases in average temperature, as compared to long-term historical averages, have been across the northern part of the United States, especially during the winter months.
Between this data and NYC seeing highs in the 60s last week and this past weekend, it seems like an early spring is actually on its way.
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