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When the first heavy snowfall fell in Syracuse in late November, many residents may have wondered why it took so long for the usual blanket of white to arrive. Meteorologists say the delay in snow is a signal of major weather changes across the state.

On average, the first flakes arrive in the city of Syracuse on November 6th. This year, the first snowfall in the city, which totaled just 0.5 centimeters, fell on November 22nd. The last week of the month brought little more, so November overall fell well below the month’s usual 9.8 inches.

These low yields continue last year’s trend, when Syracuse experienced its warmest winter on record with temperatures 7.3°F above normal. Since September 2020, the city has recorded 35 different record winter temperatures.

Experts attributed last winter’s unusual warmth in part to El Niño, a climate phenomenon that is causing higher temperatures in the northeastern region of the United States. This, combined with the broader impacts of climate change, resulted in lots of rain and little snow.

In New York State, many weather patterns are influenced by water levels in the Great Lakes. Much of the snowfall across the region is due to Lake Ontario’s lake effect, a phenomenon that results in heavy snowfall due to warmer lake temperatures. As warm water evaporates, cold winds from the north carry the moisture into the atmosphere, causing snow across much of the northeastern United States.

As less ice forms on the Great Lakes each winter, the amount of exposed, warmer water increases, leading to extreme weather events such as sporadic snowstorms.

According to the Journal of Great Lakes Research, scientists speculate that by the end of the century, the lake-effect storms that have historically blanketed the city in snow for half a year will become primarily rainstorms.

As December begins, snowfall has returned to more normal levels, with over a foot of snow expected to fall in the Central New York region Thursday through Friday, syracuse.com reported.

Sophia Burke | Design editor

These declining snow yields continue last year’s trend, when Syracuse experienced its warmest winter on record with temperatures 7.3℉ above normal.

Despite the recent snowflakes, the late first snow, along with other factors including rising temperatures, suggest a larger warming trend across the broader Northeast.

As a result, Syracuse — known as one of the snowiest cities in the country — received 60 inches less than average last winter. Over the past six winters, snowfall has decreased by about 40 inches or more from the average snow depth of 10 feet.

Summers in Syracuse have also become increasingly hotter, with the most recent warm season recording the fourth-highest temperatures and the most days above 80℉ in a single summer. Average temperatures were 3.6℉ higher than usual.

According to syracuse.com, six of the last 10 warmest summers have occurred within the last 20 years.

Between 1930 and 2007, total snowfall reported by weather stations in the contiguous United States decreased by 57%. This decline is due in part to higher winter temperatures, resulting in more rain instead of snow.

Nationwide, nearly 80% of stations reported a decline in the share of winter precipitation that falls as snow.

In response, many are sounding the alarm and calling for action on climate change to counteract these local impacts. Local climate activists are advocating for policy changes to curb the impacts Syracuse is already experiencing.

The climate, jobs and equity package led by NY Renews would prioritize environmentally sustainable union jobs, advance renewable energy infrastructure and hold polluters financially accountable for the transition to greener energy.

Local efforts also include addressing immediate environmental issues such as reduced emissions and renewable energy accessibility through government initiatives such as the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. Activists are calling on authorities to accelerate these measures to meet key benchmarks, including the 2030 target of 70% renewable energy.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation warns that if action is not taken quickly, extreme storms, inland flooding along the Great Lakes and extreme temperatures from heat and cold waves could occur in the coming years.

Published on December 5, 2024 at 12:54 am

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