Freeze-thaw Islip averages about 74 freeze-thaw days a year, far more than Central Park's 45NOAA normal Islip averages about 31.8 inches of snow a seasonNew York salt American Rock Salt in Livingston County describes itself as the largest producing salt mine in the U.S.Shoreline Coastal storms often flip rain to snow to ice in a few hoursEst. treated salt Pre-treated bulk salt usually runs $20–$50 a ton over plain rock saltEst. salt brine Salt brine by the gallon: roughly $0.20–$0.40, before deliveryEst. bagged rock salt Pallet of 49 × 50 lb rock salt bags: roughly $240–$330Est. ice melt pallet Pallet of 49 × 50 lb blended ice melt: roughly $430–$600Rule of thumb Plain rock salt slows way down below about 15°F pavement temperatureFall pre-buy Lock in tons and pickup or delivery before the first storm, not during itFreeze-thaw Islip averages about 74 freeze-thaw days a year, far more than Central Park's 45NOAA normal Islip averages about 31.8 inches of snow a seasonNew York salt American Rock Salt in Livingston County describes itself as the largest producing salt mine in the U.S.Shoreline Coastal storms often flip rain to snow to ice in a few hoursEst. treated salt Pre-treated bulk salt usually runs $20–$50 a ton over plain rock saltEst. salt brine Salt brine by the gallon: roughly $0.20–$0.40, before deliveryEst. bagged rock salt Pallet of 49 × 50 lb rock salt bags: roughly $240–$330Est. ice melt pallet Pallet of 49 × 50 lb blended ice melt: roughly $430–$600Rule of thumb Plain rock salt slows way down below about 15°F pavement temperatureFall pre-buy Lock in tons and pickup or delivery before the first storm, not during it

Price figures are estimates from public bids and published price lists, not quotes. Where these numbers come from

Home › Snow & Ice Guide › How a downstate New York winter unfolds

How a downstate New York winter unfolds

Long Island and Westchester snowfall, freeze-thaw counts and the season month by month.

Get a wholesale quote

Downstate suburban winters ride the rain-snow line: modest snow, lots of mixed precipitation and frequent freeze-thaw. Here's how a typical season tends to go. Any given year can differ.

Snowfall and freeze-thaw

Place	Average seasonal snowfall	Freeze-thaw days a year
Islip	31.8 in	73.8
White Plains	28.3 in	68.9

Snowfall: NOAA NCEI 1991–2020 normals.¹ Freeze-thaw days: our count of days with a high above 32°F and a low below 32°F in NOAA GHCN-Daily records, 1991–2020 average.²

The season, month by month

November: line up supply

First freezes inland and on bridges. Pre-buy and fill your pile.

December: rain-snow flips

Many storms start as rain. Treat after the flip, not before.

January to February: the core of winter

Coastal storms and nor'easters, the coldest pavement. Treated salt and calcium on walks.

March: late storms and refreeze

Warm days, cold nights. Watch drainage and pile melt.

Next in the guideStorm-readiness checklist →

Sources

Figures are quoted from the sources above. Conditions on your sites vary; follow product labels and your own calibration.