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New York City, NY Snow: What Last November Reveals for 2026
New York City, NY – With November 2026 approaching, last year's snowfall records offer a surprising look at how little snow New York City received during the month. While some major cities experienced
By Avery Collins · 2026-10-24T09:23:00.312Z
New York City, NY – With November 2026 approaching, last year's snowfall records offer a surprising look at how little snow New York City received during the month. While some major cities experienced substantial early season winter weather, Central Park recorded almost no accumulation, with one November date nevertheless highlighted in the National Weather Service's daily snowfall records.
According to the National Weather Service's November 2025 weather summary for Central Park, just 0.1 inches of snowfall was recorded throughout the month. The report also identifies November 13 as a daily snowfall record date, with a trace of snow observed.
A November Snowfall Record With a Twist The November 13 observation stands out because it involved only a trace of snow.
A trace indicates that snow was observed but did not accumulate enough to register as a measurable amount, typically at least 0.1 inches.
Daily snowfall records are tied to individual calendar dates. Consequently, even a trace can be historically notable when previous observations for that date were lower.
However, a trace does not represent a significant snowfall event, and the record marker should not be confused with a major snowstorm.
For New York City residents, the distinction helps explain why snowfall records sometimes attract attention even when streets and sidewalks remain largely unaffected.
Chicago Experienced a Very Different November The contrast becomes especially noticeable when comparing New York City with Chicago.
At Chicago O'Hare International Airport, November 2025 produced 10.4 inches of snowfall.
Chicago's National Weather Service records highlighted two daily snowfall record dates, including November 29, when 8.4 inches fell.
That single Chicago snowfall exceeded New York City's entire November total by more than 80 times.
The comparison illustrates how dramatically November weather can differ between major metropolitan areas, even during the same month.
Geography, temperatures, storm tracks and moisture availability all contribute to whether an early season weather system produces rain, snow or a mixture of both.
What November 2025 Tells Us About 2026 New York City's relatively snow free November did not mean winter weather was impossible.
The city's 1991 2020 climate averages show that Central Park typically receives approximately 0.5 inches of snow during November.
That means November 2025 finished below the historical monthly snowfall average, although November snowfall in New York City is generally limited.
The city's November 2025 average temperature was 47.2 degrees, reinforcing how mild much of the month was compared with conditions needed for accumulating snow.
Still, monthly temperature averages can conceal brief periods of colder weather.
As November 2026 approaches, residents should remember that last year's conditions do not predict what will happen this year.
A mild November could produce little measurable snow, while a properly timed cold weather system could bring accumulation before December.
The most important factors will be upcoming temperatures, precipitation patterns and the timing of individual weather systems.
For New York City, the question heading into November 2026 is whether another relatively quiet snowfall month lies ahead or whether winter will make an earlier appearance.
After last November's unusual record, will New York City see more measurable snowfall this year?