Many students and teachers are hoping for an enjoyable holiday season. However, one indication of this time of the year seems to be slipping away as time passes: a “White Christmas.” In recent years, the occurrence of a snowy winter season in New Hyde Park has become increasingly rare. Many are confronting the reality that snow in late December might be a thing of the past.
In 1995, there was 15.5 inches of snow during the month of December. From 2008 to 2010, there were more than 10 inches of snow in each subsequent December. However, December of 2021 and December of 2022 have had an average accumulated snowfall of around one inch or less. This is a stark contrast to previous years.
According to The Weather Channel, New Hyde Park is most likely not going to have snow this Christmas. They conclude that Christmas Day will have an average temperature of around 44 degrees Fahrenheit.
According to the Department of Environmental Conservation, snowfall in New York is likely to decrease due to rising global temperatures. As a result of increasing temperatures, many areas experience a decrease in winter precipitation as snow in exchange for an increase in winter rain.
The combination of decreased early winter snowfall and earlier snowmelt will lead to a shorter snow season. This means fewer days with snow on the ground, decreased snow depth, and earlier snowmelt, impacting snow-dependent ecosystems and industries in New York. Furthermore, this meteorological trend leads many families without the white Christmas they wanted.
Many of NHP’s students and staff have shown interest in wanting a white Christmas, while some have expressed mixed feelings about the phenomenon.
“It’s sad seeing how snowfall has been decreasing every year,” junior Dante D’Arcangelo said. “I like seeing snow during the holiday times and how it helps create the jolly Christmas mood. I’m hoping that white Christmases start reappearing in the future.”
“Personally I always enjoy when there is snow on the ground for Christmas, I feel like that is just fitting for the season,” math teacher Mr. Brusca said. “Snow flurries on the actual day would be an added bonus. I know growing up, snow on Christmas always had us very excited, and I am sure my kids will feel the same. After the last few years of very little to no snow, it is hard to assume we will have a White Christmas. On the flip side, however, maybe we are due for one!”
“I have mixed feelings about white Christmas,” Spanish teacher Ms. Salcedo said. “While I do like the feeling snow brings on Christmas and everything else that comes with it, I also enjoy not needing to shovel these recent years as a result of global warming.”
As the NHP community works around these holiday season changes, many can see the sentiments being expressed about a fading white Christmas. The new realities are causing many to embrace these new changes while also providing a little bit of hope for the future.
