A State Climate Extremes Committee has verified a new record for seasonal snowfall for the state of New Jersey. The twist? It’s from the snow season of 1995–96 (July 1, 1995, to June 30, 1996), 30 years ago. How is this possible, and what information led to the record being re-evaluated? A new report just released by the State Climate Extreme Committee (SCEC) explains.
How Record-Keeping Changes
Weather records, just like science, are not static. As record-keeping and weather observation techniques improve and expand further into more areas, old information can be analyzed and evaluated in new ways. In the 30 years since the snow season of 1995–96, the internet has become an ever-present and accessible way of rapidly sharing data—more observing locations have been established and more stations have transitioned to gauge-based or automated weather observations, rather than manual.
The way weather extremes and climate records are evaluated has also changed. Thirty years ago, state climate records were only considered if they occurred at National Weather Service (NWS)-based stations (mostly airports and Cooperative Observing Program [COOP] stations). Now that better communication of weather data and standards occurs nearly constantly and technology allows for the easier verification of records, the records are open to more locations. The extreme 1997 Montague, New York snow event laid the groundwork for the National Climate Extremes Committee to evaluate statewide weather records with the help of local and regional NWS, state climatologists, and national weather data experts, and it was followed by the SCEC starting in 2006 with its extensive investigative process.
A Unique Observation
At the time of the 1995–96 season, only official NWS or COOP stations were considered eligible to be evaluated for official state records. In the case of the new record location, however, the observer for the High Point Park station was already a practiced NWS COOP observer that kept excellent records at a nearby established COOP station.
The observer demonstrated dedication to daily snowfall reporting and precise documentation of both snowfall totals and measurement techniques, further encouraging the SCEC to accept the High Point Park total of 122.0 inches as the statewide record for New Jersey seasonal snowfall.
Winter of 1995–96
Even early, the snow season of 1995–96 was quite cold with a very active storm track, lending even more support to the record. The Blizzard of 1996 was an historic event on its own, but even in its absence, numerous weather records and snowfall observations indicate the snow season of 1995–96 was exceptionally active.
Surrounding stations also corroborated high totals for most of the significant storms and for the seasonal totals. All counties in New Jersey observed at least 45 inches for the snow season, and many locations in the terrain of northwest New Jersey, northeast Pennsylvania, and southeast New York recorded seasonal totals over 100 inches. The 122.0 inches at High Point Park stands out, but is a credible total for the season when compared to other totals in the area with similar terrain and the unusually large number of winter storm systems that impacted the area.
A New (Old) Record
Finally, after much re-investigation, meteorological analysis and documentation, the 1995–96 snow season record was confirmed, just in time for the 30th anniversary of the record-breaking season. The official record verified by the SCEC is as follows:
- Location: High Point Park, New Jersey
- Site Type: National Weather Service Cooperative Weather Observing Station
- COOP Station ID: 28-3935
- Seasonal Snowfall Total Value: 122.0 inches
- Date: July 1, 1995–June 30, 1996