Although we’re in the midst of what’s shaping up to be one of the snowiest winters in NYC in five years, one meteorologist noted that the number “6” actually holds a special place in Gotham blizzard history.
We’re anticipating quite significant snowfall on January 25th, and we’re already mapping out what the city will look like when the winter weather hits. (What’s open and closed, what mass transit will look like, how the airports will operate, etc.)
If numbers and superstition are anything to go by, NYC should’ve seen this storm coming a mile away.
NYC snowstorms and the number ‘6’
CBS New York’s meteorologist Lonnie Goldberg gave the city an update about what to expect this weekend, but he also took a step back in time to report a significant finding — all of NYC’s largest blizzards happen on a year that ends with “6”. Remember the blizzard of ’96? (You millennials know what I’m talking about!)
In a report on January 22nd, Goldberg proved to viewers that all of NYC’s big, bad, blizzards happen in 10 year intervals, beginning with the iconic storm of ’96. (Ah, the nostalgia!)
“New Yorkers have got to be scratching their heads, asking ‘What’s with the sixes,” Goldberg said. And for those who are not necessarily convinced, he breaks it all down for us with a look of NYC’s record snowfalls:
- January 7th, 1996: 20.2″ — the fifth biggest in NYC history
- February 11th, 2006: 26.9″ — the second-biggest snowstorm ever
- January 22nd, 2016: 27.5″ — the biggest snowstorm in NYC history
It might be too soon to tell if January 2026 will keep up with this spooky trend, though it does seem as though we’re on track. If it does coincide with Goldberg’s findings, well, at least we can predict what the city will be like in 2036!
Be sure to sign up for NYC’s free emergency alerts by texting NOTIFYNYC to 692-692. Stay safe!