New York, 2023

Extreme Cold and Strong Wind in New York, February 2 to 4, 2023

February 2 to 4, 2023 · NWS ALY · 46 events in 27 counties and zones

A brief but powerful Arctic airmass moved across the region on February 3-4, 2023 which brought dangerously low wind chill values to much of the region along with strong wind gusts. An Arctic cold front passed across the region during the evening hours on February 2 accompanied by snow showers and snow squalls.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 46 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
$1,000
Crop damage
$5,000
Events
46

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS ALY wrote it up.

A brief but powerful Arctic airmass moved across the region on February 3-4, 2023 which brought dangerously low wind chill values to much of the region along with strong wind gusts. An Arctic cold front passed across the region during the evening hours on February 2 accompanied by snow showers and snow squalls. Snow squalls were confined only to the Adirondacks. Thereafter, very cold air gradually advected into the region on February 3 into the morning hours on February 4.

Air temperatures gradually fell throughout the day on February 3 with readings down to the single digits above zero to 10 to 20 below zero by the late-afternoon hours. Many locations dropped to between 10 and 25 degrees below zero with a few pockets in the Adirondacks nearing 40 below zero by the early morning hours on February 4. Portions of the mid-Hudson Valley only fell to between 5 and 10 degrees below zero. On February 4, a record low temperature of -13F was tied at Albany while a record low temperature of -24F was set at Glens Falls. Poughkeepsie was short of their daily record low of -10F by only falling to -7F.

In addition to the cold, this Arctic air mass brought strong winds across the region during the daytime hours on February 3 into the overnight hours before easing on February 4. Peak gusts between 35 and 50 mph were common across most areas. A few localized areas had a peak wind gust greater than 50 mph. A few downed trees and power lines occurred which resulted in a few power outages. The area with the highest amount of power outages was in Ulster County.

The combination of very cold air and strong winds resulted in wind chill values much lower than the actual air temperature. The lowest wind chills ranged from 20 below zero across portions of the mid-Hudson Valley to near 50 below zero across portions of the Adirondacks. For many, the last time it was this cold was back in February 2016.

Warming centers opened areawide to offer assistance for those that needed shelter from the cold. Some area schools closed or were delayed as a result of the cold.

Key impacts: damage to trees and power lines, power outages, school delays and closings.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Albany, NY wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Feb 2, 6:44 PM EST, 2 hours 46 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Feb 2, 6:44 PM EST, 2 hours 46 minutes before
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Hazardous weather outlook, Feb 2, 4:09 PM EST, 5 hours 21 minutes before
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The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

25 extreme cold/wind chill, 18 strong wind, 2 cold/wind chill, 1 winter weather. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Weather, Northern Herkimer

When
February 2, 9:30 PM EST to 11:00 PM EST
Where
Northern Herkimer forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
43.420, -74.962 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow squall. Mesonet webcams showed near-zero visibilities with observed wind gusts between 25 and 40 mph.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Northern Herkimer

When
February 3, 1:00 AM EST to February 4, 1:00 PM EST
Where
Northern Herkimer forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
43.420, -74.962 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Hamilton

When
February 3, 1:00 AM EST to February 4, 1:00 PM EST
Where
Hamilton forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
43.661, -74.497 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Northern Saratoga

When
February 3, 1:00 AM EST to February 4, 1:00 PM EST
Where
Northern Saratoga forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
43.107, -73.864 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Northern Warren

When
February 3, 1:00 AM EST to February 4, 1:00 PM EST
Where
Northern Warren forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
43.561, -73.846 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Northern Washington

When
February 3, 1:00 AM EST to February 4, 1:00 PM EST
Where
Northern Washington forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
43.314, -73.431 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Northern Fulton

When
February 3, 1:00 AM EST to February 4, 1:00 PM EST
Where
Northern Fulton forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
43.114, -74.422 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Southeast Warren

When
February 3, 1:00 AM EST to February 4, 1:00 PM EST
Where
Southeast Warren forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
43.561, -73.846 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Southern Washington

When
February 3, 1:00 AM EST to February 4, 1:00 PM EST
Where
Southern Washington forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
43.314, -73.431 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Southern Herkimer

When
February 3, 6:00 AM EST to February 4, 12:00 PM EST
Where
Southern Herkimer forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
43.420, -74.962 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Southern Fulton

When
February 3, 6:00 AM EST to February 4, 12:00 PM EST
Where
Southern Fulton forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
43.114, -74.422 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Montgomery

When
February 3, 6:00 AM EST to February 4, 12:00 PM EST
Where
Montgomery forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
42.902, -74.440 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Schoharie

When
February 3, 6:00 AM EST to February 4, 12:00 PM EST
Where
Schoharie forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
42.588, -74.442 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Western Schenectady

When
February 3, 6:00 AM EST to February 4, 12:00 PM EST
Where
Western Schenectady forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
42.818, -74.059 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Western Albany

When
February 3, 6:00 AM EST to February 4, 12:00 PM EST
Where
Western Albany forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
42.600, -73.974 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Western Greene

When
February 3, 6:00 AM EST to February 4, 12:00 PM EST
Where
Western Greene forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
42.277, -74.123 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Western Ulster

When
February 3, 6:00 AM EST to February 4, 12:00 PM EST
Where
Western Ulster forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
41.888, -74.259 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Eastern Columbia

When
February 3, 6:00 AM EST to February 4, 1:00 PM EST
Where
Eastern Columbia forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
42.250, -73.632 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Eastern Schenectady

When
February 3, 8:00 AM EST to February 4, 12:00 PM EST
Where
Eastern Schenectady forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
42.818, -74.059 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Southern Saratoga

When
February 3, 8:00 AM EST to February 4, 12:00 PM EST
Where
Southern Saratoga forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
43.107, -73.864 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Eastern Albany

When
February 3, 8:00 AM EST to February 4, 12:00 PM EST
Where
Eastern Albany forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
42.600, -73.974 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Western Rensselaer

When
February 3, 8:00 AM EST to February 4, 12:00 PM EST
Where
Western Rensselaer forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
42.711, -73.510 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Eastern Rensselaer

When
February 3, 8:00 AM EST to February 4, 12:00 PM EST
Where
Eastern Rensselaer forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
42.711, -73.510 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Eastern Albany

When
February 3, 8:00 AM EST to February 4, 6:00 AM EST
Where
Eastern Albany forecast zone
Measured
46 kt (53 mph) measured gust
Property damage
$1,000
Crop damage
$3,000
Reported by
ASOS
Coordinates
42.600, -73.974 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A few trees were downed across the area. One tree fell onto a fence.

Strong Wind, Western Albany

When
February 3, 8:00 AM EST to February 4, 6:00 AM EST
Where
Western Albany forecast zone
Measured
40 kt (46 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
42.600, -73.974 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Eastern Columbia

When
February 3, 8:00 AM EST to February 4, 6:00 AM EST
Where
Eastern Columbia forecast zone
Measured
38 kt (44 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
42.250, -73.632 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Western Columbia

When
February 3, 8:00 AM EST to February 4, 6:00 AM EST
Where
Western Columbia forecast zone
Measured
37 kt (43 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
42.250, -73.632 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Eastern Dutchess

When
February 3, 8:00 AM EST to February 4, 6:00 AM EST
Where
Eastern Dutchess forecast zone
Measured
35 kt (40 mph) estimated gust
Crop damage
$1,000
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
41.765, -73.743 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A tree was downed blocking the westbound lane of Route 44 east of Little Rest Road near Millbrook.

Strong Wind, Western Dutchess

When
February 3, 8:00 AM EST to February 4, 6:00 AM EST
Where
Western Dutchess forecast zone
Measured
40 kt (46 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
41.765, -73.743 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Southern Fulton

When
February 3, 8:00 AM EST to February 4, 6:00 AM EST
Where
Southern Fulton forecast zone
Measured
36 kt (41 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
43.114, -74.422 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Western Greene

When
February 3, 8:00 AM EST to February 4, 6:00 AM EST
Where
Western Greene forecast zone
Measured
35 kt (40 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
42.277, -74.123 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Southern Herkimer

When
February 3, 8:00 AM EST to February 4, 6:00 AM EST
Where
Southern Herkimer forecast zone
Measured
36 kt (41 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
43.420, -74.962 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Montgomery

When
February 3, 8:00 AM EST to February 4, 6:00 AM EST
Where
Montgomery forecast zone
Measured
42 kt (48 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
42.902, -74.440 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Eastern Rensselaer

When
February 3, 8:00 AM EST to February 4, 6:00 AM EST
Where
Eastern Rensselaer forecast zone
Measured
38 kt (44 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
42.711, -73.510 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Western Rensselaer

When
February 3, 8:00 AM EST to February 4, 6:00 AM EST
Where
Western Rensselaer forecast zone
Measured
37 kt (43 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
42.711, -73.510 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Eastern Schenectady

When
February 3, 8:00 AM EST to February 4, 6:00 AM EST
Where
Eastern Schenectady forecast zone
Measured
45 kt (52 mph) estimated gust
Crop damage
$1,000
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
42.818, -74.059 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A tree was downed across the road at Hawthorn Road and Rosehill Boulevard.

Strong Wind, Western Schenectady

When
February 3, 8:00 AM EST to February 4, 6:00 AM EST
Where
Western Schenectady forecast zone
Measured
42 kt (48 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
42.818, -74.059 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Eastern Ulster

When
February 3, 8:00 AM EST to February 4, 6:00 AM EST
Where
Eastern Ulster forecast zone
Measured
41 kt (47 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
41.888, -74.259 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Western Ulster

When
February 3, 8:00 AM EST to February 4, 6:00 AM EST
Where
Western Ulster forecast zone
Measured
36 kt (41 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
41.888, -74.259 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Northern Warren

When
February 3, 8:00 AM EST to February 4, 6:00 AM EST
Where
Northern Warren forecast zone
Measured
45 kt (52 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
43.561, -73.846 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Wires were downed along Route 9N/Lakeshore Drive between Lake Shore Terrace and Island Harbor Drive.

Strong Wind, Southeast Warren

When
February 3, 8:00 AM EST to February 4, 6:00 AM EST
Where
Southeast Warren forecast zone
Measured
39 kt (45 mph) measured gust
Reported by
ASOS
Coordinates
43.561, -73.846 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Eastern Greene

When
February 3, 10:00 AM EST to February 4, 10:00 AM EST
Where
Eastern Greene forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
42.277, -74.123 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Western Columbia

When
February 3, 10:00 AM EST to February 4, 10:00 AM EST
Where
Western Columbia forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
42.250, -73.632 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Eastern Dutchess

When
February 3, 10:00 AM EST to February 4, 10:00 AM EST
Where
Eastern Dutchess forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
41.765, -73.743 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Eastern Ulster

When
February 3, 10:00 AM EST to February 4, 10:00 AM EST
Where
Eastern Ulster forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
41.888, -74.259 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Western Dutchess

When
February 3, 10:00 AM EST to February 4, 10:00 AM EST
Where
Western Dutchess forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
41.765, -73.743 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

Winter Weather
Snow, sleet or freezing rain below warning levels that still caused disruption, damage or casualties.
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill
Temperatures or wind chills at or below the local warning criteria, or cold that caused deaths.
Strong Wind
Non-thunderstorm winds below high wind criteria that nonetheless caused damage or casualties.
Cold/Wind Chill
Cold or wind chill below warning criteria that caused deaths, injuries or damage.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in New York in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyWarnings in New York, February 2023

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1081194, 1081195, 1081196, 1081197, 1081198, 1081199, 1081200, 1081201, 1081202, 1081206, 1081207, 1081208, 1081209, 1081210, 1081211, 1081212, 1081213, 1081214, 1081222, 1081223, 1081225, 1081226, 1081227, 1081230, 1081231, 1081232, 1081233, 1081238, 1081239, 1081240, 1081242, 1081243, 1081244, 1081246, 1081247, 1081248, 1081250, 1081251, 1081252, 1081253, and more.