New York City experienced its first white Christmas since 2009 on December 25th, marking the first one in 15 years.
According to the National Weather Service, Central Park in Manhattan welcomed its first white Christmas in 15 years with a snow depth of 1 inch recorded on the ground as of 7 a.m. on Christmas morning.
The National Weather Service defines a white Christmas as having a snow depth of at least 1 inch on the ground on Christmas morning. The last measurable snowfall in Central Park on Christmas Day was in 2009 with a snow depth of 2 inches.
The likelihood of a white Christmas in New York City in any given year is only 13%, as stated by the National Weather Service. In 2017 and 2003, there was light snow on Christmas Day but no accumulation. In 2002, a record 5 inches of snowfall was recorded which later transitioned to rain.
The snow this year began falling on Christmas Eve and continued into Christmas Day. The highest temperature on Christmas Day was only 36 degrees Fahrenheit, causing the snow to melt slowly.
In other parts of the tri-state area, some places enjoyed an even whiter Christmas. Port Jervis in Orange County, New York received 2.5 inches of snow, while Sussex County in New Jersey saw 1.9 inches of snowfall.