A few days ago, we concluded, with the help of science, that yes, it is indeed the worst allergy season ever in the history of time. Today, the Times reminds us that allergies are still happening, but hidden away at the very end of their article is a tiny glimmer of hope for us snot-nosed sufferers! more ›

We cannot even begin to tell you how many boxes of Kleenex, blister packs of Claritin, and bottles of eye droplets we go through every spring to combat the evil allergies Mother Nature throws our way. It sucks. But this year, we've been swearing it sucks harder than usual, and it turns out we were right! It IS the worst allergy season ever, and now we have SCIENCE backing it up, so excuse us while we shoot pollen-induced snot into every open space within a 30-mile radius. more ›

As we noted Monday, these disgusting soot-covered snow banks are on the wrong side of history, but they're still clinging to power in isolated strongholds throughout our besieged city. Tomorrow's already the 10th, and despite 60 degree weather and driving rain over the weekend, these last remnants of our bitter winter are still here to remind us what we went through. We expect to see "the hipsters" ironically "snowboarding" down them in June. As a coping mechanism perhaps, photographer/designer Tommy Noonan has embraced them (in the spirit of Hoth Williamsburg). more ›

The first day of May brought New Yorkers a little of summer early. NY1 reports that it measured 85 degrees in Central Park (the record for May 1 is 87 degrees in 2001) and found many people at the beach. One person said, "You don't get too many hot days like this, this early in the year. This is the first time I've been to the beach this early in the season." But even though it was hot and humid yesterday, "the shore temperatures hovered in the 70s and the water temperatures were in the low 50s." One person said, "I wanted to get wet, but the water is so cold you come out numb; it's crazy. I couldn't feel my legs." However, the city's beaches and pools are not officially open until Memorial Day, which is when lifeguards go on duty. more ›

Yesterday's record-setting heat of 92 degrees in Central Park was the "earliest-recorded day in the year to have ever hit 90 degrees," according to NY1. People flooded to the parks for some rays, while stripping down to sun dresses, shorts, and flip-flops. more ›

Gosh, that was a nice weekend. Saturday, the vernal equinox, was twenty degrees warmer than normal. The abnormally warm weather is expected to continue for much of the week. Along with that warmth will be another springtime favorite: rain. The morning fog indicates that a warm front is nigh. Where the fog leads, rain will surely follow. Look for rain to become heavy later today and into tomorrow morning. A flood watch is in effect for Northern New Jersey and the western half of the lower Hudson Valley. more ›

Reader haj sent us this photograph of a groundhog greeting the gorgeous weather yesterday in Fort Tryon Park. Could this little fella be a relative of Staten Island Chuck? We don't really care—we'll just enjoy the sunshine while we can. more ›

It has been interesting to watch the temperature forecasts this week. The National Weather Service has been forecasting highs a couple degrees too cool for several days now. The Weather Channel has been almost spot on. Today, the NWS finally gets it. Look for a high in the low 70s this afternoon. Central Park's record high for today is 76 set in 1918. That record is safe but other locations around the region will see record highs. Tonight's low of 53 will be warmer than the normal high for the day! more ›

Let the tall tales begin! What will you tell your grandchildren when they ask you about Umbrellageddon? JFK had a wind gust of 75 mph on Saturday night and Central Park led the city's precipitation parade with 4.62 inches of rain through 11:00 this morning. We suspect more rain than that fell on Staten Island because Elizabeth, NJ recorded 7.63 inches, but the Weather Service has yet to receive any reports from Richmond County. Perhaps their power is still out. With slightly less than perfect timing, Flood Safety Awareness Week begins today. more ›

Signs of spring are showing up in our forecast, but check out what's showing up at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. They took the above photo of their Crocus Field today and Twittered: "Wow. Amazing what some sunshine can do to a once snow covered field near the Rock Garden." While crocuses typically thrive in late winter and early spring, it's still nice to see some flowers on the ground in place of snow. The Garden just suffered through a tough winter, even losing their century-old Cedar of Lebanon tree. more ›

At 7:30 a.m. Staten Island Chuck very reluctantly came out of his winter home and did not see his shadow, therefore predicting that Spring is just around the corner. However, over in Pennsylvania, Puxsutawney Phil predicted more winter! Maybe a robot would be more accurate. The two have differed before, but for the record, Chuck has had correct predictions 80% of the time since the 1980s. more ›

Mother Nature sure has a funny sense of humor, sending a snow shower our way almost to the minute of the vernal equinox. The shortwave pulse of energy responsible for the shower will quickly move through the region and the sun is likely to return late this afternoon. The clouds and northerly winds will keep today's high in the mid 40s. more ›

Winter is ending with barely a whimper this week. The best the dissipated season can throw at us is a weak front later today and another minor cold front on Thursday. more ›

Instead of another disappointing coastal storm that have been so common this winter, today brings us a storm that's much more spring-like in nature. The storm, which brought a killer tornado to Oklahoma overnight is bringing a variety of spring weather to the East coast today and tomorrow. For starters, it's warm air from the Gulf coast. Look for a high this afternoon in the upper 50s to lower 60s. Heck, JFK already set a record high of 61 this morning. more ›

Staten Island Chuck proclaimed that spring is coming this morning at the Staten Island Zoo's Groundhog Day festivities. The Staten Island Advance reports that the interaction between Chuck and the mayor was pretty amusing, "Though Mayor Michael Bloomberg tried luring Chuck out of his house with an ear of corn, Chuck snapped at the mayor's hand, grabbed the tasty treat and ran back in. As Bloomberg reached for him, the groundhog tried hiding in the corner before eventually being lifted out." Heh! And phorget Phil: The Pennsylvania groundhog thinks there's six more weeks of winter—he's such a Debbie Downer! more ›

After twelve years, 5,124 performances and a haul of $280 million, Rent's Broadway run has come to an end. The musical closed yesterday after a final sold-out performance packed with diehard fans (the "Rentheads") and a smattering of celebrities (a couple Gossip Girl cast members). Just before the curtain came down for the final time, members of the show's original company joined the current cast on stage to "Seasons of Love," one of the show's most famous songs, the Associated Press reports. more ›

US surface weather map from Weather.com more ›

The effect of a well-trafficked park under renovation really doesn't come into full relief until the spring, when the absence of greenery and flowers seems less like a normal part of urban living and more of a desecration of greenspace. The renovation of Washington Square Park continues at full tilt, however, as the fountain is reoriented centrally and the rest of the park is reordered to be greener and less anarchical. The Square used to be a potter's graveyard before it became a fashionable address. New York City's inexorable desire for change marches on. more ›

Today's weather word is rain. The chance of rain will start increasing in the mid-afternoon. The city should see a steady rain beginning this evening and lasting until tomorrow morning. Up to an inch of rain is possible. more ›

A pleasant day is in store for today and tomorrow, with a brief interruption in between. A gentle southerly breeze and a day of sun should warm the city up to near 60 degrees this afternoon. A decaying cold front arrives tonight and brings with it a slight chance of rain. The rain, if it even happens, shouldn't occur until after tonight's game at Shea. more ›

Finally, a beautiful, warm spring day! It will be on the breezy side today, but the sun will shine and the high will be around 60. Although the city has been cooler than normal for the past few days, March is on track to be slightly warmer than average. more ›

The last full day of winter is going to be wet. A low pressure system is moving up through Pennsylvania today as it heads toward the Canadian Maritimes. Steady rain and fog are expected to continue over the city through noon. The warm front that projects off the low should arrive early this afternoon. Once it does the steady rain will turn showery. Showers will last until a cold front sweeps through tomorrow morning. Late tonight some of those showers could be in the form of a thunderstorm. An excellent way to herald the vernal equinox at 1:48 a.m. EDT! more ›

Of the four seasons, it is winter that departs most grudgingly. And that was an intense wind late Saturday night! Western New York and Ohio beared the brunt of the weekend storm, with Columbus receiving a record 20 inches. Across the Atlantic our weekend storm is now striking the UK, which was reeling from a weekend storm of their own. more ›

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