Podcast Summary
Podcast: All Of It
Host: Alison Stewart (WNYC)
Episode: How About That Blizzard?
Date: January 26, 2026
Main Theme
This episode focuses on New York City’s recent major snowstorm, which dropped around 10 inches of snow in Central Park. Host Alison Stewart is joined by John Homnick, meteorologist and founder of New York Metro Weather, to analyze the storm, discuss the forecasting process, explain the science behind the snow and cold, and share how New Yorkers experienced the event. The conversation also touches on meteorology’s future, weather modeling (including AI’s influence), and listener stories from the city’s big snow day.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Storm Recap and Surprises
- The snowstorm delivered as forecasted for NYC, bringing 10 inches to Central Park, with totals fitting the 6 to 12-inch predictions shared earlier in the week.
- John Homnick emphasizes that, despite early hype forecasting up to 30 inches, the reality matched more moderate expert predictions.
“One takeaway is we don’t use weather apps for forecasts six days in advance snowfall.”
—John Homnick [02:42] - New England’s northern stretch saw less snow than expected due to colder air suppressing the storm southward.
- For NYC, this was the first 10+ inch snowfall since 2021, and only the second or third such storm since 2016.
“It’s in the middle in terms of the history of New York’s big snowstorms. It’s not an all timer, but it was… above what we’ve gotten the last couple of winters, that’s for sure.”
—John Homnick [04:28]
2. Atmospheric Science Behind the Blizzard
- The widespread cold was attributed to an “anomalous high latitude block”—a powerful high-pressure area over the Arctic/Greenland region, which pushed Arctic air into the U.S.
- Moisture from Baja California met the Arctic chill, creating a significant precipitation boundary.
“When you have a very strong high-pressure block up there, it takes all that air that typically resides there and dislodges it somewhere else. And that happens to be towards us.”
—John Homnick [05:42] - This high latitude block is persistent, indicating more chances for winter storms in the coming weeks.
“We’re not out of the woods yet at all when it comes to winter weather.”
—John Homnick [06:58] - Another potential nor’easter may be brewing for the upcoming weekend, with the models divided.
3. Experiencing the Storm: Community Stories
Alison invites listeners to share their snow day experiences:
- Christian (Brooklyn): Spent the day keeping a small shelter running during the ‘deep code blue’, praised city services for keeping infrastructure open. [07:45]
- Mars (Brooklyn): Played Monopoly, cooked coconut milk salmon, cared for her dog, and used the storm as a time to relax. [14:35]
- Zeke (Park Slope): Used the snow day for housecleaning, bush rug steaming, pepper roasting, and okra pickling instead of going outside. [19:15]
- Stella (Upper West Side): Reorganized closets with her husband, then rewarded themselves with sledding and watching the neighborhood enjoy Central Park’s hills. [20:33]
- Listeners via text: Shared stories of running in a blizzard, shopping at Trader Joe's (“like the zombie apocalypse”), finishing puzzles, and engaging in comfort cooking.
4. Weather Phenomena Explained
- Difference between sleet, freezing rain, and hail:
“Hail occurs in supercell thunderstorms… sleet is a snowflake that melts then refreezes before it reaches the ground, becoming an ice pellet; freezing rain is rain that freezes on contact with freezing surfaces.”
—John Homnick [09:02-10:58] - Sleet “compacts the snow down from this beautiful fluffy snow to the snow that had this layer of sort of caked up ice on top of it.” [12:07]
- Sleet is John’s “least favorite precipitation type.” [12:07]
5. Meteorology & Forecasting Process
- Forecasting starts with current observations (satellite, radar), then uses weather models to simulate outcomes.
- “Meteorologists really are predicting the future,” but uncertainty grows rapidly beyond a few days.
“A lot of meteorology is understanding what’s going on right now first and then looking at those observations and using models as guidance…”
—John Homnick [13:16] - Weather models are more precise in the short range (1-3 days) but become “increasingly chaotic” further out.
6. Becoming a Meteorologist and NYC’s Weather Community
- John fostered his love of weather growing up in Brooklyn during memorable storms (Blizzard of ’96, President’s Day 2003).
- Inspiration from the film Twister and early internet weather forums. [17:02]
- Started NYC Metro Weather as a high school blog; Hurricane Sandy was the catalyst for significant public interest.
- New Yorkers, he notes, “want the details,” not just headline numbers. [18:05]
7. Weather Ratings: The System & Its Meaning
- John’s daily “weather rating” is a comfort index (10/10 = perfect); based on day-to-day livability, not just meteorological conditions.
- A “1 out of 10” means high impact and discomfort, while fall days often rate higher for comfort. [22:02]
8. The Future: AI, Budgets, and the Next Storm
- AI and machine learning are improving medium-range forecasts by learning from historical errors and patterns.
“My inclination is that these models are only going to get better when paired with the physical models that we already have.”
—John Homnick [23:19] - Government funding (such as for NOAA) is essential for data, forecasting infrastructure, and model improvements. Cuts would have “a terribly negative impact.” [24:24]
- Cautions against relying on weather apps or hype social media accounts for extreme predictions; recommends following science-based sources for reliable updates—especially with another potential storm brewing for the weekend. [25:20]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On early snow forecast hype:
“One takeaway is we don’t use weather apps for forecasts six days in advance snowfall.”
—John Homnick [02:42] -
On sleet:
“I always joke around that sleet is my least favorite precipitation type. I think it has very few redeeming qualities.”
—John Homnick [13:03] -
On New Yorkers and weather:
“It was the first time that I realized that New Yorkers in particular, they want the details. They’re interested in the science. They want to know what’s going on.”
—John Homnick [18:05] -
On AI in meteorology:
“I suspect that the next decade we will see weather prediction improve, specifically in like the four or five day time frame where I think accuracy could go way up.”
—John Homnick [23:19] -
On funding cuts:
“It would be a nightmare… It would negatively impact forecasting, the ability to get information to people and the ability for us to continue to get better at this.”
—John Homnick [24:24] -
Community spirit in snow:
“New York City is a really special place when it snows… I really enjoyed watching everyone have such a good time… falling on a weekend made it a little better too.”
—John Homnick [03:59]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:29 — Introduction and show overview
- 02:00 — John Homnick joins; storm recap
- 03:21 — Impact and historical context of the storm
- 05:42 — Explaining the cold pattern and atmospheric science
- 07:40 — Listener Christian’s shelter story
- 09:02 — Sleet, freezing rain, and hail explained
- 12:07 — Sleet’s impact on snow and roads
- 13:16 — Meteorology and how forecasting works
- 17:02 — John’s personal path to meteorology
- 18:05 — Growth of NYC Metro Weather post-Hurricane Sandy
- 19:15 — Listener Zeke’s snow day productivity
- 20:33 — Listener Stella’s closet cleaning and sledding
- 21:19 — Advice for snow day clothing
- 22:02 — Weather rating system
- 23:19 — AI and the future of weather forecasting
- 24:24 — Impact of governmental budget cuts on forecasting
- 25:20 — Next week’s forecast; caution against app-based predictions
- 26:17 — Episode close and thank yous
Tone and Language
Conversation is warm, detailed, and often playful. John Homnick combines approachable scientific explanations with local pride and humor, while Alison Stewart is engaging and community-focused, bringing in listener voices and fostering a sense of shared experience.
Takeaways
- NYC’s latest snowstorm was significant but manageable; forecasts were accurate thanks to atmospheric patterns and skilled interpretation, not just weather apps.
- The joy, resourcefulness, and resilience of New Yorkers come through in weather, knitting together science, community, and daily life.
- Meteorology is evolving, with AI promising improved medium-range forecasting—provided critical public funding continues.
- Always check trusted, science-based sources for weather information—especially when the next big nor’easter may be just around the corner.
For more, follow @NYCMetroWeather or tune in to WNYC’s All Of It.