Thu Feb 26 10:40:00 UTC 2026: ### New York City Grapples with Another Blizzard Year Ending in Six: Is There a Pattern?
The Story:
New York City faced a significant snowstorm on February 23, 2026, prompting Mayor Zohran Mamdani to declare a state of emergency. This blizzard, the sixth largest in the city’s history, brought over a foot of snow, disrupting travel and daily life. Meteorologist Paul Goodloe noted a recurring pattern of major snowstorms hitting New York City in years ending in six (1996, 2006, 2016, and now 2026), leading to speculation about a potential “curse.”
Key Points:
- A major snowstorm hit New York City on February 23, 2026, leading to a state of emergency.
- The storm is the sixth largest in New York City’s history.
- Similar significant snowstorms occurred in 1996, 2006, and 2016.
- The 1996 blizzard brought about 20 inches of snow and winds of 50 miles per hour.
- The 2006 blizzard set a record with 26.9 inches of snow in Central Park.
- The 2016 blizzard broke the 2006 record with 27.5 inches of snow in Central Park.
- The 2026 blizzard dropped at least 19.7 inches of snow in Central Park.
Key Takeaways:
- New York City has experienced significant snowstorms in years ending in six (1996, 2006, 2016, 2026).
- Each subsequent storm in the pattern has, until 2026, broken the snowfall record of the previous one.
- The recurrence raises questions about cyclical weather patterns or other contributing factors.
First Piper 