Images have captured New York’s first snowfall of the year as winter hits early before up to 100 inches of snow are set to blanket one region in the state this year
New York has already experienced its first snowfall of the year(Image: New York State Department of Transportation/Facebook)
It may only be October, but New York has already begun experiencing winter-like conditions as one region of the state was blanketed by snow this week while forecasters warn there’s a lot more to come.
Winter doesn’t officially start until December 21, but forecasters have predicted that New York will experience snow well before then. This winter will be full of dramatic swings, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac.
While much of the country is anticipated to experience a mild season, the almanac, which has been tracking long-range weather for more than 200 years, predicts that there will be several “pockets of wild” that should “brace for a sharper chill”. New York is set to experience much more snowfall than last year, with as much as 100 inches forecast in one region.
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Snow blanketed Whiteface Veterans Memorial Highway in Essex County this week(Image: New York State Department of Transportation/Facebook)Stunning images capture New York’s first snowfall of the year
While forecasters deliberate on what type of winter is in store for New York this year, one region has already begun experiencing it.
New York State Department of Transportation shared several images on Friday showing that snow had blanketed Whiteface Veterans Memorial Highway in Essex County.
“It has begun! These photos were taken today on the Whiteface Veterans Memorial Highway in Essex County – one of the first snowfalls of the 2025-26 winter season!” the department wrote.
They added: “Whether you’re ready to wax the skis or still clinging to pumpkin spice season, there’s no denying it… Winter is knocking at New York’s door.”
The news received a mixed reaction from New Yorkers. Some were thrilled that snow has already arrived.
“Bring it on! I don’t care if they call for 4 foot of snow. I’m out in the worst of storms enjoying the silence, plus I don’t have to deal with humans,” one commented. “Hell yeah I’m gonna go sit on my sled in WNY and pray,” a second said.
Another wrote: “I love it. Life slows down and everything is beautiful. Shovel for free instead of paying for a gym. Your core will be in shape before you know it.”
But others felt it’s too early. “No no no! Please wait till After thanksgiving, then it can snow whenever it wants,” one pleaded.
“Bummed for how cold it already is,” a second said. A third raged: “I LOATHE snow!! 1″ inch of snow on Christmas Eve is plenty! I don’t need to have a heart attack while shoveling feet of snow!”
How much snow will New York get this year?
New York is set to experience more snow this winter than last year (Image: New York State Department of Transportation/Facebook)
The Weather Channel has warned in its early outlook that, influenced by a developing La Niña, New York will face unpredictable conditions. The forecaster predicts some milder stretches as well as sudden cold snaps and heavy snow in some areas.
Parts of New York could see as much as 100 inches of snow, while other regions are likely to witness a messier mix of rain and slush.
New York City is set to experience between 17 and 21 inches of snow this winter, according to AccuWeather. This is a significant increase from last winter’s total of just 12.9 inches, but still falls short of the historical average of 29.8 inches.
“Snowfall is projected to be higher than last winter in parts of the Northeast,” said Accuweather. Meanwhile, in western New York, Buffalo is bracing for much higher snow totals, with forecasters predicting 90 to 100 inches.
When will it snow in New York?
Forecasters had predicted that it would snow as early as October in New York(Image: New York State Department of Transportation/Facebook)
Experts had predicted that New York could witness winter-like conditions as early as October and their forecast has already become a reality. In their fall forecast, The Old Farmer’s Almanac places the Northeast in the “very cold and snow-filled” zone.
“By Halloween, trick-or-treaters in the North may need to bundle up, as chilly air and scattered showers are likely,” they said. “Throughout the season, the coldest conditions will settle into the North Central states and the interior Northeast, especially by late October and into November,” the almanac adds.
The almanac predicts that the Northeast and Great Lakes could “flirt with early snow” as soon as October, particularly in higher elevations. Snowfall is predicted with more certainty later in the month.
The almanac explains: “As for the first snowfall? Expect flakes to fly in the northern Rockies and Montana as early as early October, with snow reaching the Great Lakes and Northeast by mid to late October.”
While snow has now already fallen in New York, the Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts that the snowiest periods for the region will be in late December, early January and late February.