Syracuse, N.Y. (NCC News) – It looks like spring has sprung much earlier than expected in Central New York. After mild snow in December, January and February, it was confirmed that Central New York had its warmest winter in more than a century.
As for the month of March it’s been relatively mild, with the highest temperatures hitting 60 degrees, according to CNY Central. The normal highs should typically be in the 30’s for the beginning of March, but not this year. CNY Central expects it to get even warmer as the week progresses.
CNY Meteorologist Peter Hall believes these warm winters could be a “new norm” for Central New York.
“The fact that it’s been so warm and so snow-free the last four or five years is eyebrow-raising,” Hall said.
Hall also suggested that climate change could be a significant factor in how quiet the winter has been. He mentioned how Central New York has been well below their expected snowfall average in recent memory.
With the lack of snow, many winter activities have taken a hit. Syracuse University Professor Chris Velardi suggested a few of the activities that have been hurt the most.
“People who are ice fishers, people who like to play pond hockey, all of those things have not been able to happen,” Velardi said.
Central New York has not seen a winter this warm since 1903, and with the way temperatures have been on the rise during the cold months, residents in the area could potentially expect more warm winters in the future.
