NYC's Snowless Winter: A Blizzard of Boredom?
New York City, the concrete jungle where dreams are made of (and rents are astronomical), had a slightly different story last winter. While we're accustomed to the city transforming into a winter wonderland, complete with snowmen, sledding, and endless complaints about shoveling, last year, Mother Nature decided to take a vacation to Hawaii.
The Great Snow Drought of 2023
Let's cut to the chase: NYC got a whopping 2.3 inches of snow last winter. Yes, you read that right. Two point three. That's less snow than a particularly ambitious snowman might amass in their backyard. To put things into perspective, that's about the height of a particularly tall coffee mug.
Imagine the disappointment. Kids were dreaming of snow forts, adults were fantasizing about cozying up by the fireplace with a hot chocolate, and the city's snow plow operators were probably binge-watching Netflix. Instead, we got a winter that felt more like a prolonged autumn.
When Life Gives You No Snow, Make Snow Angels Anyway
Despite the lack of snowfall, New Yorkers are a resilient bunch. We found ways to embrace the "winter" we had. There were impromptu snowball fights with fake snow (hey, it's the thought that counts), and a surge in popularity for indoor winter activities like ice skating rinks (thank you, Rockefeller Center).
But let's be honest, a part of us secretly longed for a proper blizzard. The kind that would shut down the city, force us to binge-watch TV shows, and give us a legitimate excuse to eat copious amounts of comfort food.
So, what does this all mean? Well, it means that global warming is a real thing, and we should probably start investing in indoor ski slopes. It also means that New Yorkers are tough as nails, and can find joy even in the face of a snowless winter.
How to Survive a Snowless Winter in NYC (and still have fun)
- How to build a snow fort without snow: Get creative with cardboard boxes and blankets!
- How to embrace the indoors: Discover the joys of museums, theaters, and cozy cafes.
- How to find winter activities without snow: Ice skating, indoor climbing, and spa days are your friends.
- How to stay positive during a snow drought: Remind yourself of the benefits of no shoveling and ice-free sidewalks.
- How to prepare for the next winter: Invest in a good indoor humidifier to combat dry winter air.
Let's hope next winter brings us a bit more of the white stuff. But until then, we'll keep dreaming of snow days and hot cocoa.