For the first time since 1977, a snowfall was recorded in Central Park on May.

This snow tied the previous record for the latest snowfall to be recorded. For about an hour between 1am and 2am, there was a short but clear dusting.

Because it didn’t accumulate over 0.1 inches, the snowfall isn’t counted as what experts call measurable snow. No measurable snow has ever been recorded in Central Park on May since scientific recording began in 1869.

A polar vortex is what is simultaneously brining a late snowfall in the Northeast while heating up the west. At one point, the difference in temperature between the two coasts were over 100 degrees. The polar vortex has been pushed down from Canada and had already lowered temperatures starting on Friday.

While the snow accumulated was insufficient in New York City to be measurable, other areas in the Northeast had much more snow. The picture above was taken today in northwestern Boston at a height of 1070 feet above sea level. Even at those heights, snowfall is not common in May.

It was the same in other states such as Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. Fox News reported that in some regions of Vermont, more than 8 inches of snow accumulated.

Freeze warnings have been issued for most of the midwestern states, ranging from Iowa in the west to Pennsylvania in the east. Regardless to say, it is extremely rare for these warnings to be issued well into Spring.

Meanwhile, temperatures in Death Valley reached 109 degrees and 104 degrees in Phoenix over the weekend. Both of these warnings are noteworthy for how late and early they have been issued.

CNN explains that a polar vortex is essentially a very strong wind that comes from the Arctic regions. These currents typically surround and stay near the pole and thus ensconce the cold atmosphere. However, they sometimes get disrupted and move away from the poles, which is what is happening this year.

One of the reasons why there were minimal snowfall in many American cities this winter was because the polar vortex stayed near the North Pole. The weakening of the vortex is what has caused one of the latest snowfalls in the New England area.

We hope that everyone stay safe and healthy during these times. Share this story with your friends, and be sure to follow us on Facebook for more news like this one.

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