This winter season started out slow, but once we flipped the calendar to January, cold air took hold and it was tough to shake.

What You Need To Know

  • Syracuse saw eight days with subzero temperatures

  • The average number of subzero days during winter is six

  • We haven't had this many subzero days since the winter 2014-2015

  • It is unlikely we will add to our total through the rest of the winter

We're not just talking about subfreezing temperatures, but subzero temperatures and wind chills.

While the cold air was certainly memorable, was it one for the record books?

Subzero temperatures this winter

So far this season, Syracuse saw eight days with temperatures below zero.

To put it in perspective, the average number of days Syracuse falls below zero during the winter is six.

That puts this season slightly above "normal".

However, what makes this season stand out is the fact that all eight of those days were in January.

Falling short in the years prior

Perhaps the reason the bitter cold hurt a bit more this year is because we've come up short the last few seasons.

Last winter, Syracuse only observed one day with a temperature below zero. On Feb. 12, 2021 we dipped below zero by the skin of our teeth, hitting -1 degree.

Even though this is the most subzero days we’ve seen in seven years, it still doesn't compare the winter of 2014-2015.

That winter was record-breaking, with 25 days reporting below-zero temperatures.

Will temperatures dive below zero again before the season wraps up?

In short, the answer to that question is likely yes.

The extended forecast through the end of February doesn't look favorable for additional subzero days.

The Climate Prediction Center's temperature outlook for March favors warmer-than-average conditions.

Taking all of that into consideration, and the fact subzero temperatures become less likely in March, it appears Syracuse will wrap up the 2021-2022 winter season with eight below-zero days.