Second Warmest Winter in New York Since Records Began in 1869

Preliminary figures from the National Weather Service indicate that the winter of 2011-12, ending today, was the second warmest in climate records extending back 143 years at Central Park in New York City. The winter average temperature of 40.5° was 0.4° above the previous second warmest in 1931-32. Each of the 3 winter months was well above the long-term average. In February, only one day, the 12th, with a high of 32° and a low of 20°, was below average.

Three of the winters this century are now in the top 10 warmest list. The previous warmest winters at Central Park were:

41.5    2001-02               
40.1    1931-32                  
39.6    1997-98                        
39.2    1990-91                  
38.7    1998-99                  
38.5    1948-49 & 1889-90      
38.1    2005-06 & 1852-53      
38.0    1879-80                
37.9    1982-83 & 1936-37      
37.8    1996-97 & 1932-33