As a whole, the weather in 2020 was relatively quiet. But while looking back on the year, three events stuck out: 

Coming in at number 3 is the late spring cold and snow. The weather pattern shifted in the middle of April and we saw colder than usual weather for about 4 weeks. Here are the records that have fallen in that time period:

4/23 Record daily low set 21°. Previous record 21° in 1978.
5/6 Record daily low tied at 29°. Previous record in 1970.
5/9 Record lowest high of 39°. Previous record 40° in 1966.

We saw snow during this time period, too. A total of 8 days saw snowfall in this stretch, with a total of 2.1" in Utica. The higher elevations saw much more snowfall during this time period, with over a foot back on the last Sunday of April in Otsego County.

The number 2 weather event was the summer heat. This summer was filled with sunshine and plenty of warm weather, even record heat! This summer we've set the record for the warmest month of all time for our area, with 15 days of temperatures in the 90s, which hasn't happened since 1999. Let's take you through month by month.

Starting with June. It set the record for the 10th driest June. Only 1.35 inches of rain was recorded for the entire month. It was also very warm. There was 1 heatwave with a total of 4 days with temperatures in the 90s. It was only 1.8 degrees away from making the top 10 warmest Junes on record.

Now to July. This month was much warmer than normal. It broke the record for the 3rd warmest July on record. Also, it made 4th place for the warmest month of all time. There was one heatwave, but 7 days of temperatures in the 90s. This sizzling month had high temperatures in the 80s to 90s everyday except for one day at 77 degrees.

This warm weather has extended into the past month too. August was only 1.6 degrees away from the top 10 warmest Augusts on record. We also had 2 days of temperatures in the 90s. This is unusual because it's about 12 degrees warmer than normal August temperatures.

The biggest weather event of the year was the Severe Drought, especially across the North Country.

While most of Central NY saw an abnormally dry June, the North Country missed out on the bulk of rainfall in July, August and September, bringing that location to a severe drought by September. This is due to the impacts of Tropical storm Isiais that brought heavy rain to the region in August. Also, severe weather, in general, was stronger and more widespread south and east of Utica this summer, meaning heavier rainfall from thunderstorms. This drought is a long term signficant drop in the water table. The water level on Delta Lake was about 13 feet below the dam. It is typically lower in the fall, but this is much, much lower than usual.