Blizzard Sparks Climate Debate as Governor Compares Storm to 1977

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Meteorologist Joe Bastardi has strongly criticized New York Governor Kathy Hochul's comments comparing the recent blizzard to the Buffalo Blizzard of 1977, calling her "clueless" and accusing her and other "climate geniuses" of using the storm to push a "phony climate war agenda" despite lacking understanding of weather patterns and historical precedents.

Why it matters

Bastardi's comments highlight the ongoing debate around the role of climate change in extreme weather events, with some politicians and activists quick to attribute such storms to global warming while meteorologists argue that natural weather patterns and historical precedents are being overlooked.

The details

In a lengthy article, Bastardi takes issue with Hochul's comparison of the recent blizzard to the 1977 Buffalo event, noting that much of the snow accumulation in 1977 came from high winds blowing powdery snow off the frozen surface of Lake Erie rather than falling directly from the sky. Bastardi also argues that the recent storm was not even a top 5 event in places like New York City and Boston, and that he and his company were able to accurately forecast the storm a week in advance by analyzing historical weather patterns.

• The Blizzard of 1966 struck Oswego, New York from January 29 to February 1, resulting in over 100 inches of snow.
• The Buffalo Blizzard of 1977 occurred from January 28 to February 1.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Bastardi suggests that if a different political administration takes over, the "climate geniuses" pushing the "phony climate war agenda" will "screw up the rest of the country as they have done with their states."