National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

New York, NY

Weather Forecast Office

Early Season Snow November 15-16, 2018

Weather.gov > New York, NY > Early Season Snow November 15-16, 2018
 
 
 Early Season Snow November 15-16, 2018
 
 
 Synopsis
  • An early season snowstorm impacted the Tri-State region November 15-16, 2018 producing widespread snowfall accumulations of 1 inch to over 18.3 inches at Mt. Hope in Orange County.
  • Despite the region being prepared for a snow event, areas along the I-95 corridor were severely impacted, more-so than anticipated 24 hours earlier.
  • The storm was quick moving, but had devastating impacts as it struck at the heart of rush hour traffic.
    • Snow began shortly after 1PM increasing in intensity and quickly lowering visibility.
    • Central Park reported heavy snow and 1/4 mile visibility from 2:43pm through 3:51pm and by 7pm, had received 6.0".
    • JFK airport reported heavy snow and 1/4 mile visibilty from 3:00pm through 3:45pm before reporting moderate snow until 4:30pm. By 4pm, JFK had 3.2" on the ground and by 7pm received 4.8".
    • LaGuardia airport first began reporting moderate snow at 3:50pm before picking up in intensity briefly at 4:48pm. Moderate snow then continued until 5:45pm. By 7pm, LGA had 4.5" on the ground.
    •  
     Impacts
  • Over 1,000 flights were canceled at Kennedy, LaGuardia and Newark airports on Thursday.
  • Hundreds of trees were brought down by heavy snow across the region with over 150 down in New York City alone.
  • A 20 car accident backed up traffic on the George Washington Bridge which had a cascading effect on other roads. Numerous other accidents were reported across the Tri-State area.
  • There were system-wide delays and cancellations on the Long Island Railroad, New Jersey Transit and Metro North Railroad.
     Other Facts
  • Daily snowfall records for November 15th were set at Central Park (6.4"), Kennedy (4.8"), LaGuardia (4.7"), Newark (6.4"), and Islip (4.3").
  • Central Park set a record for the most snow observed for a storm this early in the season since records have started in 1869. It broke a previous record of 4.3" which fell on November 7, 2012.
  • Kennedy Airport set a record for the most snow observed for a storm this early in the season since records have started in 1948. It broke a previous record of 4.0" which fell on November 7, 2012.
  • LaGuardia Airport set a record for the most snow observed for a storm this early in the season since records have started in 1940. It broke a previous record of 4.0" which fell on November 6, 1953.
  • Newark Airport set a record for the most snow observed for a storm this early in the season since records have started in 1931. It broke a previous record of 5.7" which fell on November 7, 2012.
  • Islip Airport set a record for the most snow observed for a storm this early in the season since records have started in 1963. It broke a previous record of 4.0" which fell on November 27, 1978.
 
 
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