New York City has a long history of grappling with extreme rainfall, events that have shaped its infrastructure, challenged its resilience, and sparked debates about climate change. From a massive deluge in 1903 to modern storms in 2021 and 2023, the city’s rainfall records offer a window into both historical weather patterns and contemporary concerns. Let’s explore these events and what they reveal.
The 1903 Deluge: A Forgotten Benchmark
A New York Times article from October 10, 1903, paints a vivid picture of one of NYC’s most significant rainstorms. Beginning at 9:20 AM on Thursday, October 8, and lasting until 3:50 PM on Friday, October 9, the storm dropped a staggering 10.04 inches of rain over roughly 30 hours. The impacts were severe: railroad traffic was crippled, Manhattan streets turned into rivers requiring boats for rescue, and horses drowned in Brooklyn amid widespread peril for humans.
The article notes that the Weather Bureau at the time had “no record of a heavier rainfall,” suggesting this was an unprecedented event in 1903. However, this total spans more than a single day, which is key to understanding why it doesn’t hold the official 24-hour record.
The Official 24-Hour Record: September 1882
According to the National Weather Service, the highest 24-hour rainfall recorded at Central Park—NYC’s primary long-term weather station—is 8.28 inches, set on September 23, 1882. This record has stood for over 140 years, despite the 1903 storm’s higher total, likely because the latter’s 10.04 inches accumulated over 30 hours, not a strict 24-hour window. Central Park’s records, dating back to 1869, make this the benchmark for NYC’s historical daily maximum.
Modern Events: 2021 and 2023
Recent years have brought their own historic rainfall events, often framed as evidence of climate change. On September 1-2, 2021, the remnants of Hurricane Ida drenched NYC, with Central Park recording 7.13 inches in 24 hours. More striking was the hourly record: 3.15 inches fell between 10 and 11 PM on September 1, surpassing the previous hourly high of 1.94 inches set just weeks earlier. The flooding was catastrophic, submerging subways and claiming lives in basement apartments.
Then, on September 29, 2023, John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) measured 8.65 inches in a single day, a September record for that station. Central Park saw less (around 5-6 inches), but the citywide impact was immense, with flooded streets and disrupted transit. While this surpassed the 1882 record at JFK, it didn’t at Central Park, which remains the historical standard for NYC.
Climate Change Hype or Historical Context?
The 2021 and 2023 events were widely covered, often with a climate change angle. Warmer air holds more moisture—about 7% more per 1°C increase—leading to heavier downpours, a trend scientists link to global warming. Yet the 1903 storm, with its 10.04-inch total, shows that extreme rainfall isn’t new to NYC. The difference lies in frequency and impact: modern events strain a denser, more paved city, amplifying damage.
Media often call recent storms “unprecedented,” focusing on specific metrics like hourly rates or station records (e.g., JFK in 2023). But historical events like 1903 and 1882 remind us that NYC has long faced such deluges. While climate change may increase their frequency, the past offers perspective on what the city has endured.
Looking Ahead
NYC’s rainfall history underscores the need for better infrastructure—upgraded sewers, flood barriers, and urban planning—to handle both historical and modern extremes. Whether driven by climate change or natural variability, these events test the city’s resilience. Understanding the past, from 1882 to 1903, helps us prepare for the future.
Credits
This article was researched and written with the assistance of Grok, an AI developed by xAI. Grok helped compile historical rainfall data, analyze modern events, and provide context for the climate change debate, ensuring a balanced and informative perspective.
