What Are The Chances Of ‘Snowtober’ In Albany?

As we enjoy these last few warm September days, we know what is right around the corner. But how soon are we likely to get our first snow?

I know what you are thinking: Matty, don't make me think about snow while we enjoy one last surge of warm weather. But, with winter right around the corner, it's always fun to speculate how soon we could get the first snow. Especially if winter is your favorite time of year.

As the Weather Channel points out, 'what they call 'Snowtober' has happened in the past. Do you remember 2011 and the big snow we got right before Halloween? The Weather Channel says those types of storms are rare,  but they can happen. In fact, they could happen as early as next week. The earliest snowfall on record in Albany is October 1st and the record for earliest measurable accumulation was 6.5 inches on October 4, 1987.

As far as any snow in October, we have pretty much a 50/50 chance of it happening. The National Weather Service has been tracking Albany snowfall since 1884, of all those Octobers, less than half had no snow. While we will typically only get a trace in October, the National Weather Service has several months on record in the last 20 years where we have gotten measurable snow.

So, why we probably won't get feet of snow next month, the chances are pretty good we will have a little 'Snowtober.'