Are Hornell’s big snow days behind it, at least as far as the winter of 2025-26 is concerned?
Or should Maple City area residents expect more of the white stuff, even after the calendar turns to spring in the coming days?
There is little doubt that the heaviest snow-producing periods are over, based on National Weather Service data covering the last 25 winters in and around the city.
Hornell receives an average of 54 inches of snow in the winter, according to the Weather Service data.
The most was 82 inches in the winter of 2002-2003, and the least was 20 inches in 2023-2024 according to the recorded data.
Hornell’s average monthly snowfall from 2000-2025
Measurements taken at the Hornell-Almond Dam
Not unexpectedly, the area gets its heaviest snowfall during the first two months of the year. Here is the average by month:
How much snow has fallen this winter at Hornell-Almond weather station?
Hornell appears headed to a below average year for snowfall. So far in 2025-26, about 42 inches of snow have been recorded at the Hornell-Almond Dam weather station.
March snowstorms not unheard of in Canisteo Valley
March has its moments, with major storms driving up snow totals a couple of times. And when Hornell gets significant snowfall in March, it usually comes early in the month.
In March 2001, 30 inches fell in Hornell, almost all of it during a major Northeast blizzard over March 4-6.
In 2018, 21.5 inches of snowfall was recorded in March, with the bulk of it falling during a March 1-3 nor’easter.
Last year was practically snow free during the month, with .02 inches recorded by the Weather Service station.
The snowiest April in Hornell occurred a decade ago when 9.4 inches of fell in 2016.
April has been snow free the last two years, according to the Weather Service.
What is the seasonal outlook for New York, region
The Weather Service’s seasonal forecast for March and April says that New York has equal chances to see normal spring temperatures, but much of the state will experience above average precipitation.
Above average precipitation is projected for 50% of Western New York, including the Buffalo region, and between 33% and 40% for much of central and northern New York, including the Finger Lakes region and the Adirondacks.
AccuWeather said parts of the Northeast will experience a “seasonal tug-of-war” throughout the upcoming season, with cold air winning the battle more often than springlike warmth, especially early in the season.
It is probably a good idea to keep a snow brush handy for at least a couple more days. AccuWeather forecasts a few chilly days ahead with periods of snow possible.
Spring begins at 10:46 a.m. EDT on Friday, March 20.
Email Neal Simon at nsimon@gannett.com. To get unlimited access to the latest news, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on The Evening Tribune: Are Hornell’s snow days over until next winter? What history tells us
Reporting by Neal Simon, Hornell Evening Tribune / The Evening Tribune
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