Winter Storm — Northern Nassau, New York

2021-02-01 to 2021-02-03 · Northern Nassau, New York

Event narrative

Trained spotters and the public reported 12 to 17 inches of snow. The nearby Farmingdale Airport measured a 48 mph wind gust at 4:53 pm on February 1, 2021.

Wider weather episode

Low pressure developed over the Ohio Valley and Middle Atlantic on Sunday, January 31, 2021. The low then consolidated along the Middle Atlantic coast early on Monday, February 1, 2021 and intensified as it slowly tracked to the north-northeast. The low meandered slowly north as it moved along the northeast and New England coast later on Monday February 1, 2021 through Wednesday, February 3, 2021. The low brought a major winter storm to Southeast New York, with the most significant impacts occurring on Monday, February 1, 2021. 3 to 6 inches of snow had already accumulated across the New York City metro by the start of the morning commute. Near blizzard conditions then occurred through the rest of the morning into the early afternoon with snowfall rates of 1 to 3 inches per hour. Strong winds combined with these heavy snow rates to produce visibilities one quarter mile or less at times. The heavier bands of snow lifted north across the rest of southeast New York in the afternoon. Some warmer air moved over portions of New York City and Long Island late on Monday, February 1, 2021, which change the snow to sleet and even some light rain early Tuesday, February 2, 2021. Colder air returned however later Tuesday, February 2, 2021, changing all lingering precipitation to light snow. Light snow bands lingered across some of Southeast New York through the early morning hours on February 3, 2021. Snowfall totals ranged from 4 to 10 inches across eastern Long Island, with the rest of southeast New York receiving 12 to 18 inches of snow. Portions of the Lower Hudson Valley observed 20 inches of snow with some locations observing around two feet. Winds gusted 40 to 55 mph at times on Monday, February 1, 2021, which caused power outages. Travel was also severely impacted as many flights were cancelled and travel by train was suspended. New York City issued a Winter Weather Emergency Declaration restricting all non-emergency travel on Monday, February 1, 2021. COVID testing and vaccination sites were closed. Impacts were limited on February 2, 2021 and February 3, 2021 as the snow was largely light.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 940284. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.