New York snowstorms of the past

27 January 2015

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio has warned that Tuesday's blizzard could be one of the worst snowstorms New York City has ever seen, with as much as 90cm (36ins) forecast to fall in total.

New York's record high snowfall was 26.9in, but the city has recorded - and photographed - heavy snowfall since the turn of the 20th Century.

People boarding street cars in winter, New York City, New York, circa 1900. — Image caption,
People waiting to board a street car amid heavy snow in about 1900

16th February 1926: A view from the top of the Hecksher Building on Fifth Avenue of Central Park covered in snow after a blizzard which swept New York City — Image caption,
A view from the top of Central Park after a blizzard which swept New York City in 1926

A car covered in 1950 — Image caption,
A vehicle covered in snow from a drift in 1950

A group of boys rolling what may be New York's biggest snowball in Central Park circa 1960 — Image caption,
Making a giant snowball in Central Park, circa 1960

New Yorker makes her way down Seventh Avenue in Manhattan in 1996 during a blizzard that shut down airports and caused the mayor to declare a state of emergency. — Image caption,
A New Yorker makes her way down the usually busy Seventh Avenue in Manhattan during the 1996 blizzard

izza delivery man shields himself from the blizzard conditions pounding New York City and most of the east coast of the U.S. as he waits to cross second Avenue 13 March 1993P — Image caption,
A pizza delivery man shields himself from the snow during blizzard conditions in March 2003

Two passengers stare out the window at the snow-clogged tarmac as they await their delayed flight February 18, 2003 at LaGuardia Airport in the Queens borough of New York City — Image caption,
Two stranded passengers stare out the window at the tarmac of LaGuardia Airport in February 2003

A bus makes its way through the snow in Times Square February 12, 2006 in New York City — Image caption,
Amid record snowfall during the blizzard of 2006, a city bus attempts to drive through Times Square