You’ve probably seen the national news headlines whenever a lake-effect band parks itself over the Thruway. They make it look like we're living in a scene from The Day After Tomorrow. But for anyone actually living here, checking snow totals for cny is less about panic and more about basic logistics. Do I need to get the snowblower out at 5:00 AM, or is this just a "dusting" of four inches?
Honestly, the numbers this 2025-2026 season are already looking a bit wild. We aren't even through the "dog days" of winter yet, and Syracuse is once again doing what it does best: burying the competition.
As of mid-January 2026, the official tallies from the National Weather Service and the Golden Snowball trackers have Syracuse sitting at a staggering 93.2 inches. For context, the "normal" amount for this point in the season is usually closer to 53 inches. We’ve nearly doubled our expected workload.
Why the 2025-2026 Season is Standing Out
This year is proving to be a textbook example of why Central New York is the snow capital of the country. A weak La Niña has been the primary driver, which basically means we get these frequent "arctic shots." These cold blasts of air scream across the relatively warm waters of Lake Ontario, pick up moisture, and dump it right on our doorsteps.
It’s a specific kind of science.
The temperature of Lake Ontario hasn't dropped enough to freeze over—and it rarely does—meaning the "snow engine" is always idling. When a north-northwest wind kicks in, the Tug Hill Plateau and the Syracuse metro area become the primary targets.
✨ Don't miss: Who Is More Likely to Win the Election 2024: What Most People Get Wrong
Tracking Snow Totals for CNY Across the Region
If you look at the Golden Snowball standings—the legendary (and mostly friendly) competition between Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo, Binghamton, and Albany—the gap is widening. Syracuse is leading with that 93.2-inch total, but Rochester isn't exactly seeing grass either, sitting at roughly 56.8 inches.
Buffalo is currently in third place for the state competition with 42.8 inches. It's funny, because nationally people always think Buffalo is the snow king, but locals know the truth. Syracuse has taken the national crown 39 times since the early 50s. Buffalo has only seven.
Binghamton is hovering around 36 inches, which is remarkably close to their historical average for this date. They don't get as much lake effect as we do up north, but they get hit harder by the Nor'easters that crawl up the coast.
- Syracuse: 93.2 inches (Season total through Jan 16)
- Rochester: 56.8 inches
- Buffalo: 42.8 inches
- Binghamton: 36.0 inches
- Albany: 28.6 inches
The Tug Hill Factor
We can't talk about snow totals for cny without mentioning the Tug Hill Plateau. Places like Redfield, Osceola, and Montague are in a league of their own. While Syracuse might get a foot, the Tug Hill can easily see three feet in the same 24-hour window. This is due to orographic lift—the air is forced upward by the rising terrain, cooling it down and squeezing out every last drop of moisture as snow.
Earlier this January, trained spotters in northern Oneida and Oswego counties reported localized bursts where the snow was falling at a rate of 3 to 4 inches per hour. You can't even keep up with a shovel at that pace. It’s basically a whiteout until the wind shifts.
🔗 Read more: Air Pollution Index Delhi: What Most People Get Wrong
The Impact of "Thaw-and-Freeze" Cycles
One thing that the raw numbers don't show is the density. This year has seen more "warm surges" than usual. We get a massive dump of snow, then 40-degree rain, followed by a flash freeze.
This creates a nightmare for roof loads. That 93 inches of snow doesn't just stay light and fluffy. It compacts into a heavy, icy layer that can weigh thousands of pounds. Local experts, including meteorologists like Jim Teske, have been warning residents to keep an eye on their roof rakes this season. If the snow turns to ice, those totals become a structural risk, not just a driveway nuisance.
What Most People Get Wrong About CNY Snow
People from outside the region always ask, "How do you guys even get to work?"
The reality is that we’re built for this. Our Department of Transportation (DOT) and local DPW crews are some of the most efficient in the world. They don't wait for the storm to end; they’re out there pre-treating the roads with brine and keeping the primary routes clear while the flakes are still falling.
Another misconception is that the snow is "everywhere." Because of how narrow lake-effect bands are, you could be in Cicero getting hammered with 10 inches while someone in Onondaga Hill sees the sun. It's that localized nature that makes tracking snow totals for cny so tricky for the average weather app.
💡 You might also like: Why Trump's West Point Speech Still Matters Years Later
Looking Ahead to February and March
Historical data suggests we aren't even at the peak yet. Typically, January is our snowiest month, averaging about 28 inches in Syracuse, but February often brings those massive, slow-moving synoptic storms.
The current outlook for the rest of the 2025-2026 season suggests we might land somewhere between 120 and 140 inches total. If the lake stays open and the arctic air continues to cycle through, we could even challenge the 150-inch mark, which we haven't seen in a few years.
Practical Steps for Dealing with the Totals
If you’re living in the thick of it, there are a few things you should be doing right now, especially with the ground already saturated and the snow piles reaching the top of your mailbox.
Check your basement sump pump. With these intermittent thaws, the runoff has nowhere to go because the ground is frozen solid. This leads to localized basement flooding even when it's technically "winter."
Secondly, clear your vents. High snow totals for cny often lead to snow drifting against the side of houses. If your furnace or dryer vents get blocked, you’re looking at a carbon monoxide risk. It only takes a minute to walk around the perimeter of your house with a shovel, but it’s the one thing people always forget.
Finally, keep your gas tank at least half full. You never know when a lake-effect band will turn a 20-minute commute into a three-hour crawl. Having that extra fuel isn't just about getting home; it’s about staying warm if you get stuck.
Stay safe out there, keep the salt handy, and remember—spring is only... well, actually, don't look at the calendar just yet. We’ve still got plenty of winter left to go.