Post-Christmas Blizzard 13 Years Ago Christened Unforgettable Winter of 2010-11

A powerful blizzard, which delivered about a foot-and-a-half of snow, 60 mile-per-hour wind gusts, and power outages throughout southwestern Connecticut, struck the region 13 years ago today, triggering an unforgettable stretch of snowstorms which brought 60 inches of snow during the Winter of 2010-2011. The timing of the blizzard, which affected thousands of holiday travelers, and the magnitude of the storm made it one for the ages.

I worked the early-morning shift at News 12 Connecticut since June of 1995, and there were only a handful of truly memorable storms. However, this was the first time I wasn't able to drive to work on my own. One of my neighbors agreed to drive me to the studio in his snowplow during the height of the blizzard early Monday morning. I'm glad he did. To be sure, my Chevy Cavalier wouldn't have made the journey from Fairfield to Norwalk.

Officially, 12 inches of snow fell at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford from Sunday morning through early Monday morning. The eight inches of snow which fell December 26 marked the third snowiest December day on record in southwestern Connecticut. Only December 19, 1948 (16 inches), and December 30, 2000 (10 inches), brought more snow in one day. Here are some impressive snow totals from the 2010 post-Christmas storm: 

• Wilton: 18"
• New Canaan: 17.5"
• Greenwich: 17"
• Stratford: 16"
• Norwalk: 16"
• Westport: 14.8"
• Darien: 14.5"
• Milford: 14"
• Bridgeport: 12"

The biting wind was brutal if you were outside for any length of time. Sustained winds of 25 to 35 miles an hour were recorded late Sunday night and Monday, December 27, and wind gusts reached 60 miles at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford (9:21 p.m.) and Greenwich (10:00 p.m.) late Sunday evening. I was surprised that there weren't more widespread power outages.

There's no question the blizzard of December 26, 2010, will not soon be forgotten.

Paul

Winter Officially Begins Today in the Northern Hemisphere

Winter officially arrives in the Northern Hemisphere today at 10:27 p.m. EST. My fifth-grade students often ask me why the start of a new season doesn't begin at midnight on a certain date, much like the beginning of a new year. The answer has to do with the Earth, the tilt on its axis, and its revolution around the Sun.

I've always maintained that the start of a new season is more of an "event" than watching the ball drop in Times Square on New Year's Eve. That's because New Year's Day is a "man-made" holiday which can arbitrarily occur at any time during a calendar year. An equinox or a solstice, however, marks a precise time when the Sun's rays strike a particular point on the face of the Earth. I try to observe the arrival of a new season, and today will be no exception.

As the Earth travels around the Sun in its orbit, the North-South position of the Sun changes over the course of the year due to the changing orientation of the Earth's tilt with respect to the Sun. The dates of maximum tilt of the Earth's equator correspond to the Summer Solstice and Winter Solstice, and the dates of zero tilt correspond to the Vernal Equinox and Autumnal Equinox.

In the Northern Hemisphere, the Winter Solstice is day of the year when the Sun is farthest South. However, in the Southern Hemisphere, the Winter and Summer Solstices are the opposite, so that the Winter Solstice occurs on the first day of Summer in the Northern Hemisphere. The Sun's direct rays will be over the Tropic of Capricorn next Thursday morning.

The Winter Solstice also marks the "shortest day" of the year in terms of daylight. The length of time elapsed between Sunrise and Sunset at the Winter Solstice is at a minimum for the year. Of course, Daylight Saving Time means that the last Sunday in March has 23 hours and the first Sunday in November has 25 hours, but it does not correspond to the actual number of daylight hours.

Finally, the shadows cast by the Sun will be at their longest by the end of this week, since the Sun is at its lowest point in the sky. The actual times of Sunrise and Sunset in southwestern Connecticut for the Solstice are 7:16 a.m. and 4:27 p.m., respectively. Consider that on the first day of Summer in late June, the Sun rises at 5:19 a.m. and sets at 8:30 p.m. So, today's "length of day" is only nine hours and 11 minutes as opposed to 15 hours and 11 minutes exactly a half-year later.

So, as we prepare to welcome Winter, also realize that its arrival marks a turning point. The days will gradually begin to get longer from this point forward until the end of June. Things can only get brighter from here on out.

Paul

First Snowstorm of 2009-2010 Winter Season Arrived 14 Years Ago Today

The first major snowstorm of 2009-2010 blasted southwestern Connecticut 14 years ago today, with some local communities receiving close to a foot of snow. Fortunately, the storm arrived late Saturday evening, December 19, 2009, giving most people ample time to prepare well in advance. The highest snow totals were recorded across southeastern Connecticut, while parts of Litchfield County saw nothing more than a trace of snow.

Here is a look at snowfall totals from across the region from December 19 and 20, 2009:

• Darien: 10.5"
• New Canaan: 10.3"
• Milford: 10"
• Bridgeport: 9"
• Fairfield: 9"
• Norwalk: 8"
• Woodbridge: 7.5"

Officially, at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford, six inches of snow fell late Saturday, December 19, and 3.2 inches accumulated Sunday, December 20, 2009, for a total of 9.2 inches. The snow happened one day before the Winter Solstice. Over a foot of snow (13.4") was recorded at the airport in December 2009, including two inches on December 9, and just over two inches on New Year's Eve day.

The normal average snowfall for December is 3.6 inches, based on 40 years of averages, or climatology. The snowiest December day on record in southwestern Connecticut happened December 19, 1948, when 16 inches blanketed the region. You may recall that 12 years ago, a foot of snow fell from December 26 through December 27, triggering one of the snowiest periods in recent memory. You may also recall the Winter storm of December 30, 2000, when ten inches fell.

Paul

Snowiest December Day on Record at Bridgeport Happened on This Date in 1948

The snowiest December day on record at Bridgeport happened 75 years ago today. Sixteen inches of snow fell on Sunday, December 19, 1948. It is one of only two days in December with double-digit snowfall. The other was December 30, 2000, when 10 inches fell.

Take a look at the front page of the Naugatuck Daily News from the following morning, Monday, December 20, 1948. Please click the image to enlarge and read the story.

Paul

Dreaming of a White Christmas

The Winter Solstice is just about one week away, and Christmas is just 12 days from now. Not surprisingly, many people have asked me about the odds of seeing a "White Christmas." Light snow is expected by mid-morning through mid-afternoon tomorrow, and one-to-two inches are possible by tomorrow evening. Another storm is possible by Saturday.

So, what are the chances of snow by Christmas? Here in southwestern Connecticut, weather records have been kept for a long time. Our climatology is based on record-keeping over a 40-year period. Based on history, shoreline communities such as Stamford, Darien, Stratford, and Milford have a 30% chance of seeing at least one inch of snow on the ground by December 25. There's a 10% chance of at least five inches of snow on the ground by then. However, we have a zero percent probability of having ten inches of snow or more on our front lawns by Christmas morning.

Inland, the odds are more favorable. People living north of the Merritt or Wilbur Cross parkways have a 57% chance of at least one inch of snow for Christmas. The odds are slightly lower than one-in-four (23%) for five inches of snow, and quite slim (3%) for at least ten inches of snow. However, residents in Wilton, Redding, Easton, and Woodbridge have a much better opportunity of seeing snow on the ground than their shoreline counterparts.

As far as the rest of New England is concerned, the chance of a white Christmas gets even better. Northern Connecticut and southern Massachusetts have about a 40 to 60% chance of at least one inch of snow; central New England's chances improve to 60 to 80 percent; and northern New England (80 to 100%) is virtually assured of having a White Christmas.

One of the more memorable snowstorms which occurred in late December was the Christmas Eve storm of 1966. We received over a half-foot of snow (6.9"), making roads quite slippery and travel very difficult. I distinctly remember my family on our way to visit my grandmother in the snow, but my parents deciding the drive wasn't worth the risk. We turned around and headed for home, but the car slid several times on the snowy roadways.

You may recall the snowstorm which delivered more than nine inches of snow to southwestern Connecticut the weekend of December 19 and 20, 2009. The snow began late Saturday evening, and six inches had accumulated by midnight. The snow tapered off early Sunday morning, but not before another 3.2 inches caused headaches for holiday shoppers the last weekend before Christmas.

Another recent snow occurred on Christmas Day, 2002. Some light snow happened early that morning, but a steadier and heavier snow developed by later in the afternoon and evening. The snow totals were quite impressive locally. Darien received 10 inches of snow by the time the storm exited the following day. Redding (9.5"), New Canaan (9.2"), Norwalk (7.0"), Greenwich (7.0"), and Westport (6.5") each saw at least a half-foot of snow!

On the flip side, I'm sure you recall December of  2006. The afternoon high temperatures from December 23 to 26 reached 58, 52, 44, and 50 degrees respectively, well above the 38-degree normal high. Over an inch of rain fell December 23 (1.15") and over a quarter-inch (0.28") was recorded on Christmas Day. We were left dreaming of snow for quite some time.

Paul

November Featured Cooler- and Slightly Drier-Than-Normal Weather Across Southwestern Connecticut

November is officially in the rear-view mirror, and the month, not surprisingly, was cooler- and drier-than-normal across southwestern Connecticut.

The average monthly temperature for the 30-day period was 43.6 degrees F, which is 2.4 degrees below normal. Twenty of the 30 days last month featured cooler-than-normal average temperatures. In fact, nine of the last 12 days of the month were colder-than-normal.

The high temperature for November at the Bridgeport climate station was 63 degrees, which occurred November 5th and 17th. The coldest temperature was 24 degrees on November 25th. Fourteen days featured a morning low of 32 degrees or colder.

More than three inches of precipitation (3.07") fell at Bridgeport, which was just 0.04" below normal for the month. Seven days featured at least one-hundredth of an inch of rain; there were four days with at least one-tenth of an inch of rain; there was one day with at least one-half inch of rain; and there was one day with at least one inch of rain.

The greatest 24-hour rainfall happened November 21st and 22nd when 2.61" fell. The first half of the month featured only one day (November 7) with more than one-hundredth of an inch of rain (0.20"). 

Paul

October Warmer And Drier Than Normal Across Southwestern Connecticut

The month of October is officially in the weather record books, and it was warmer and drier than normal across southwestern Connecticut.

The average temperature for October at the Bridgeport climate station was 58.4 degrees F, which is exactly two degrees above normal. The warmest temperature was 79 degrees (October 4), and the coolest was 41 degrees (October 24).

The warmest stretch of weather happened from October 25th through the 28th with consecutive daily highs of 70, 74, 70, and 77, respectively. In fact, there were 11 days with a daily high temperature of at least 70 degrees, including the first five days of the month.

The monthly precipitation total for October was 2.84 inches, which is exactly one inch below normal. There were eight days with measured rain, including six with at least one-tenth of an inch and three with at least a half-inch. Nearly an inch of rain (0.95") fell from October 29th through the 30th.

Interestingly, all four full weekends in the month featured measured rain, extending the weekend streak of wet weather to eight heading into November.

Paul

Weekend Rain Pushes Yearly Precipitation Total to More Than 40 Inches at Bridgeport

The Bridgeport climate station has recorded 40.37" of precipitation this year through today. That's nearly four-and-a-half inches above normal (35.97") and nearly one foot more than last year (29.07") through the same period. pic.twitter.com/xRoCAKLjvD

— Paul Piorek (@PaulPiorek) October 22, 2023

Paul

Fifth Consecutive Wet Weekend Across Southwestern Connecticut

It's Saturday.

That must mean more rain for southwestern Connecticut.

This is the fifth consecutive weekend with measured rain at the Bridgeport climate station, dating to the weekend of September 9 and 10. The last weekend without any measured rain happened during Labor Day weekend, which was five weeks ago. However, there was still a trace of rain Saturday, September 2.

More than one-and-a-half inches of rain (1.67") fell Sunday, September 10; one-hundredth of an inch was recorded Sunday, September 17; more than one-third of an inch (0.37") cumulatively dampened both days during the weekend of September 23 and 24; and a little more than one-third of an inch (0.37") fell Saturday, September 30.

Three out of the five July weekends were also wet.

Today's rain keeps the wet weather weekend streak alive. Unfortunately, computer models are hinting at more rain next weekend.

The odds should be in our favor by now, though.

Paul

A September Soaker Featured a Roller Coaster Ride of Temperatures

September will be remembered for one of the warmest stretches and one of the coolest stretches of weather which virtually divided the month into two distinctly different "climates" across southwestern Connecticut. Through it all, however, it was a soaker of a month.

The average temperature at the Bridgeport climate station for September was 67.8 degrees, which is just about normal (+0.2) for the month. However, the average is quite misleading. Every day from September 3rd through the 14th was warmer-than-normal, including a sweltering stretch of nine consecutive days from September 3rd through the 11th which featured daytime high temperatures of 80 degrees or warmer.

In fact, the high temperatures of 89, 93, and 86 degrees September 6th through the 8th, respectively, were at least 10 degrees warmer-than-normal. Heat indices climbed into the upper 90s, leading many school systems to dismiss early for least three days in a row.

However, the script changed dramatically by the middle of the month. The average daily temperature was cooler-than-normal for 16 consecutive days from September 15th through the 30th. The last time the mercury topped the 70-degree mark was September 22nd.

The hottest temperature at Bridgeport last month was 93 degrees (September 7), and the coolest temperature was 47 degrees (September 27).

As far as precipitation is concerned, more than eight inches (8.28") fell at the Bridgeport climate station. That was 4.32" above normal for the month. Some towns across southwestern Connecticut received much more rain, punctuated by the heavy rain of Friday, September 28.

Thirteen of the 30 days featured measured rainfall, including 3.35" on September 28. There were three days with at least one inch of rain, three days with at least one-half inch, nine days with at least one-tenth of an inch, and 13 days with at least one-hundredth of an inch.

The new month of October will begin on a much warmer note. Let's hope that the excessive rain and much cooler-than-normal temperatures of the last two weeks aren't replicated this month.

Paul

"Marginal" Risk for Severe Thunderstorms North and West of the Region Through This Evening

There is a "marginal" risk of severe thunderstorms to the north and west of southwestern Connecticut through this evening. Here is the latest update from the Storm Prediction Center. pic.twitter.com/hjyitQGhx1

— Paul Piorek (@PaulPiorek) September 9, 2023

Paul

Record High Temperature of 92 Degrees Established at Bridgeport Today

A record high temperature of 92 degrees (2:59 p.m. EDT) was established at Bridgeport today, breaking the previous mark of 91 degrees set 40 years ago (1983). It was the first 90-degree day since July 28 and just the fourth 90-degree day this Summer. pic.twitter.com/iqeziBNZKe

— Paul Piorek (@PaulPiorek) September 7, 2023

Paul

Cooler-Than-Normal August Offered Average Rainfall Across Southwestern Connecticut

August was cooler-than-normal across southwestern Connecticut, while the nearly-four-inch precipitation was just about average for the eighth month of the year.

The average temperature at the Bridgeport climate station for August was 73.1 degrees, which is 1.4 degrees below normal. Believe it or not, the mercury did not reach 90 degrees at all. The warmest temperature of 89 degrees happened August 13, while the coolest reading of 59 degrees occurred August 2.

Nine of the first 12 days of the month featured an average temperature at or below normal, while 12 of the last 17 days of the month were cooler-than-normal. The average daytime high temperature was 79.9 degrees, while the average nighttime low was 66.3 degrees.

The monthly rainfall total of 3.92" was just 0.06" below normal. Twelve of the 31 days featured measured rain. The greatest 24-hour precipitation of 1.13" happened August 14 and 15. The greatest one-day total of 1.13" happened August 15. Three days later, August 18, nearly one-inch (0.85") fell, producing two-plus inches of rain in a four-day stretch.

Nine days produced more than one-tenth of an inch of rain, three days delivered at least a half-inch, and one day offered at least one inch.

Paul 

Radio Broadcast from WAVZ-AM in New Haven of The Great Flood of 1955 in Connecticut (Part I)

Radio Broadcast from WAVZ-AM in New Haven of The Great Flood of 1955 in Connecticut (Part II)

Declination of the Sun Changes Dramatically During August

I'm sure you've noticed that the length of daylight is decreasing across southwestern Connecticut. The mornings are getting lighter later, while the evenings are getting darker earlier. That's to be expected this time of the year. However, have you noticed the subtle change in the length of the shadows? That's due to the lower angle of the Sun in the sky.

It has been nearly eight weeks since the Summer Solstice, and the Autumnal Equinox is just a little more than five short weeks away. The Sun is not nearly as high in the sky today as it was on the first day of Summer. The Sun was 23.26 degrees North of the celestial equator on June 21, which is as high as it ever gets in southwestern Connecticut. The days were at their longest and the shadows were at their shortest.

Today, though, the Sun is just 14.52 degrees North of the celestial equator, meaning that it's nearly four degrees lower in the sky than it was August 1 (+18.10 degrees) and nearly ten degrees lower than it was at the end of June (+23.13). The Sun's lower angle in the sky continues to accelerate through the end of the month. By August 31, for example, it will be just 8.52 degrees North of the celestial equator.

The Sun's rays remain North of the celestial equator through September 23, when the Sun is just 0.10 degrees above it. From that point on, the Sun's rays continue to sink below the celestial equator until December 21, the first day of Winter, when they reach -23.26 degrees. That, understandably, is the shortest day of the year in terms of sunlight.

So, what does this all mean? In short, the Sun's angle is continuing to sink lower in the sky, the shadows outside are getting a little longer each day, and the length of daylight is decreasing each day. The midpoint of Summer was a little less than two weeks ago, and now Autumn is staring right at us. I'm not ready for Summer to leave just yet.

Paul

July Was Much Wetter and Warmer Than Normal Across Southwestern Connecticut

Wet, warm, and humid.

That's the best way to sum up the month of July across southwestern Connecticut.

The total monthly precipitation of 7.68" was almost four-and-a-half inches above the normal average for the month (3.32"). Thirteen days (42%) featured at least one-hundredth of an inch of rain; 12 days had at least one-tenth of an inch; six days delivered at least a half-inch; and four days featured at least an inch. 

The greatest 24-hour precipitation total happened over a two-day period from July 3 through July 4 when 2.49" fell at the Bridgeport climate station.

The average monthly temperature was 76.9 degrees, which is 1.2 degrees warmer-than-normal. The temperature never dropped below 60 degrees the entire month. The hottest temperature of 92 degrees happened July 12, and the coolest temperature of 60 degrees occurred on the last day of the month.

Only three days featured a high temperature of at least 90 degrees, including July 27 (90 degrees) and July 28 (91 degrees). The following day, July 29, had a high temperature of 89 degrees, which was one degree shy of an official three-day heat wave at Bridgeport.

Just six days had an average temperature below normal, four of which averaged just one degree below normal.

Paul

Strong to Severe Thunderstorms Possible Across Southwestern Connecticut Late Today Into Tonight

The atmopshere will be most certainly "juiced" today due to the heating of the Sun, high dew points and humidity levels, and hottest temperatures of the year thus far across southwestern Connecticut.

Strong thunderstorms are expected to develop early this evening into tonight. Some thunderstorms may contain heavy rain, gusty winds, and small hail. In fact, there is even a two percent chance of a tornado across the region.

Here is the Storm Prediction Center's regional severe weather outlook for today, including the potential for severe weather, tornadoes, wind, and hail.

Paul

Hottest Weather of the Summer Expected Across Southwestern Connecticut

The hottest stretch of weather this Summer across southwestern Connecticut will happen this Thursday through Saturday, with heat indices expected to eclipse 100 degrees Thursday and Friday. Heat indices will approach 105 degrees across much of the Northeast Thursday.

Please exercise caution if you must be outside Thursday afternoon. Here are a few tips, courtesy of the National Weather Service.

A Heat Advisory has been issued for southwestern Connecticut from Thursday at 11 a.m. through Friday at 9 p.m. EDT, and an Air Quality Alert will be in effect Thursday from 11 a.m. through 11 p.m. EDT.

A cold front is expected to cross the region late Saturday, bringing a threat for strong thunderstorms. A more pleasant air mass will arrive by the end of the weekend with daytime temperatures in the low 80s and lower humidity levels. 

Paul

Tuesday Rain Pushes Monthly Total Close to Seven Inches

A strong thunderstorm moved across southwestern Connecticut late Tuesday afternoon, bringing pockets of heavy rain, gusty winds, and vivid lightning.

Slightly more than one-third of an inch of rain was recorded at the Bridgeport climate station at Sikorksy Memorial Airport.

That brought the monthly total to 6.73 inches, which is 4.16 inches above normal through July 25. In fact, eleven days this month have featured at least one-hundredth of an inch of rain; 10 days have featured at least one-tenth of an inch of rain; five days brought at least a half-inch of rain; and four days produced at least one inch of rain.

More rain is expected from thunderstorms late Thursday and late Saturday, potentially pushing the monthly total to more than seven inches.

Paul

First Completely Dry Weekend Across Southwestern Connecticut in Six Weeks

This is the first completely dry weekend across southwestern Connecticut since June 10 and 11, which was six weeks ago. The weather is absolutely beautiful along Samp Mortar Lake in the Lake Hills section of Fairfield.

Each of the last five weekends featured measured rain at the Bridgeport climate station. Measured rain was recorded Saturday, June 17 (0.01"), Saturday, June 24 (0.13"), Sunday, July 2 (0.21"), Sunday, July 9 (0.13"), Saturday, July 15 (0.01"), and Sunday, July 16 (1.47").

Another beautiful Summer day is ahead under a mostly sunny sky and a high temperature in the mid 80s.

Paul

Ninety-Nine Percent of Earth's Population Will Receive Some Degree of Sunlight at the Exact Same Time Saturday

Ninety-nine percent of the Earth's population will receive some degree of sunlight Saturday, July 8, at 7:15 a.m. EDT. At that exact moment, the most populated areas are on the day side of Earth or in one of the twilight zones. https://t.co/YiHryaRKlP

— Paul Piorek (@PaulPiorek) July 7, 2023

Paul

June Featured Cooler and Drier Than Normal Weather Across Southwestern Connecticut

The month of June will most certainly be remembered for the smoke from the Canadian wildfires which affected southwestern Connecticut. The smoke was thick and reached "very unhealthy" levels during the first week of June. Indications are that the smoke will return intermittently through the foreseeable future.

June was much cooler and drier than normal across southwestern Connecticut. In fact, there were only three days with a high temperature of at least 80 degrees, and the warmest temperature of 81 degrees happened twice, June 2 and June 28.

Twenty days featured cooler-than-normal temperatures at Bridgeport, including a nine-day stretch from June 3 through June 11 and a six-day stretch from June 18 through June 23. 

Six days delivered a high temperature only in the 60s, including a high temperature of 69 degrees on June 21, which was the first day of Summer in the Northern Hemisphere.

The coolest temperature was 46 degrees, which occurred the morning of June 4.

The average monthly temperature at the Bridgeport climate station was 66.9 degrees, which is 2.7 degrees below normal. It marked the second consecutive cooler-than-normal month at Bridgeport.

The monthly precipitation total of 1.53" was more than two inches below normal (3.77"). There were six days with at least one-tenth of an inch of rain and 11 days with at least one-hundredth of an inch of rain. Believe it or not, there were no days which featured at least a half-inch of rain. Nineteen of the 30 days did not have any measured rain.

As far as sky conditions are concerned, 10 days (33%) were clear, 16 were partly cloudy, and four were mostly cloudy. 

Paul

Much-Needed Rain Will Arrive Early Next Week

Less than a quarter-inch of precipitation has been recorded at Bridgeport since May 20. Only two of the last 19 days (May 24 and June 6) have featured any measured rain.

 Some rain, however, is on the way early next week.

NOAA's Weather Prediction Center is forecasting a "marginal" risk for excessive rainfall across southwestern Connecticut Monday. pic.twitter.com/4MsuLqpn09

— Paul Piorek (@PaulPiorek) June 9, 2023

Weather Forecasts Now Seven Days a Week on WICC 600 AM and 107.3 FM

Back to where it all began for @PaulPiorek of @News12CT and now @WICC600. https://t.co/4UegEXkq1i

— The Laurel (@TheLaurelCT) June 5, 2023

Today Marks 27th Anniversary of Warmest May Day on Record

Today marks the 27th anniversary of the warmest May day on record. The mercury soared to 97 degrees at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford on Monday, May 20, 1996, nearly 30 degrees higher than the average high temperature for the date. In fact, only one other Spring day has been as warm, and that happened on June 9 of 2008. What made the record high of 1996 so memorable was that it happened just 40 days after nearly a foot of snow capped the snowiest Winter on record, and just days after much colder-than-normal temperatures.

“Just over a week ago, the climate got rewound to Winter,” wrote N. R. Kleinfield of The New York Times in an article dated May 21, 1996. “Six inches of snow coated parts of upstate New York (as if the year required more snow). In the city last week, the high temperature dipped to the 50s. Spring, you might have noticed, either got lost or just forgot to come. Then came yesterday (May 20, 1996). It all got fast-forwarded to August. Bathing suits instead of ski parkas,” he continued.

“Turn off the heater and turn up the air-conditioner. What’s going on? Is this Earth or is this Mars? People could be excused for being mystified, discombobulated, distraught, furious, dazed, crazed, tentative, dizzy and, of course, just plain really, really hot.” The temperature reached a record high of 96 degrees in Central Park, eclipsing the previous record of 91 set in 1959, and a new record was established in Newark, where it was 99 degrees. Incredibly, just over a week earlier, on the weekend of May 11 and 12, 1996, it snowed in upstate New York.

Remember, the first two-and-a-half weeks of May in 1996 were unseasonably chilly. The record heat and outages at two power plants, one in Westchester and one in upstate New York, reduced the electricity reserves of New York state’s power pool, leading Consolidated Edison to ask customers to curtail electricity consumption. With air-conditioners thrumming away, demand in New York City reached around 9,000 megawatts, well above the normal 7,000 to 8,000 megawatts for this time of year.

Twelve years later, a late Spring scorcher, which included another 97-degree Spring day, forced area schools to dismiss early and close in early June of 2008. Temperatures soared to 90 degrees or hotter on Sunday, June 8 (90 degrees), Monday, June 9 (97), and Tuesday, June 10 (96). The normal high temperature for the first week of June is 74 degrees. It’s the first time in recent memory that school systems shut down due to the oppressive heat.

Paul