Snow falls in NYC on Christmas Eve for first time in 26 years

Dreaming of a white Christmas in New York? Your wish came true this year!

New York City woke up to a light dusting of snow on Christmas Eve, a rare occurrence that hasn’t happened in over two decades. However, the snow won’t stick around for long as the sun is expected to shine on Christmas Day, bringing warmer temperatures that will melt away the snow before dinner time.

According to FOX Weather meteorologist Stephanie van Oppen, Central Park recorded one inch of snow on Tuesday morning, the most snowfall on Christmas Eve since 1998.

Despite the brief snowfall, the chances of seeing more snow in New York City for the rest of the year are slim as temperatures are expected to rise into the 40s for the remainder of the week.

While a white Christmas is a rarity in the Big Apple, New Yorkers were delighted with the festive touch of snow this year. Meagan Finn expressed her joy, saying, “It’s more than we have had for so long — which is nothing! It’s not as much as I would have liked, but I’ll take it, I’ll enjoy it.”

Susan Ginsberg echoed similar sentiments, stating, “It’s just peaceful and playful, and the fact that it is Christmas and people are with their families, it’s just hearkens back to family and childhood.”

Julian Gonsalves, feeling like his dream of a white Christmas had finally come true, emphasized the importance of snow for the holiday season, saying, “Without snow, there is no Christmas. It’s a boring Christmas because snow is what makes Christmas.”

Visitors from the UK, Jim Thornton and Emma Sherston, extended their trip to New York City in hopes of experiencing a white Christmas. Thornton shared, “We’re really excited about a white Christmas, really excited! We are from the UK and this is the first white Christmas we’ve had in about 20 years.”

Despite the fleeting nature of the snow, the couple found joy in the unexpected winter wonderland, with Sherston remarking, “To wake up and it’s white outside, so different. It’s exciting, whatever age you are. It’s that childish excitement.”