N.Y. weather: There’s a shift in the forecast for month of December

New York’s Staten Island. It appears that the first month of winter will be extremely cold. December is predicted to be colder than usual, in contrast to a few other months this year.

First, the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center assigned December in New York an equal probability of having temperatures that were either warmer or cooler than usual. But according to the most recent outlook, which was released on November 30, the prediction has changed significantly.

According to current forecasts, New York’s temperatures will be slightly lower than usual this month.

There is a 40% to 50% chance of below-average temperatures across the Hudson Valley and all of downstate New York, including New York City. In contrast, there is a 33% to 40% probability that those in Western, Northern, and some Central New York may see lower-than-normal temperatures this month.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Central Park data from 1991 to 2020 shows that the average temperature in the Central Park neighborhood of New York City is approximately 39.1 degrees Fahrenheit. The average high temperature is typically 44.1 degrees, and the average low temperature is a cold 33.8 degrees.

New York City has been predicted to see above-normal temperatures every month since June. For the first time since summer began, a month is thought to offer lower temperatures than were typically expected.

On the heels of an Alberta clipper storm, a cold wave is predicted to sweep the city later this week, though it is not yet clear how many days will be below average.

A drier December in the forecast

There may have been a change in the temperature forecast, but there hasn’t been a significant change in the precipitation projection.

New York City is expected to see less precipitation in December 2024, according to a December projection from the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center. (Source: Climate Prediction Center, National Weather Service)(Source: National Weather Service)

Precipitation levels in New York City are still expected to be below average; there is a 33% to 40% possibility that the five boroughs will get less precipitation than normal in December.

Given that the entire state of New York is experiencing a historic drought, this is not good news for the state. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, severe drought conditions are still present in New York City in particular.

This revised prognosis now gives Western New York and the Great Lakes regions a 33% to 40% chance of above-average precipitation quantities, despite the city’s bad outlook.