Frigid Temperatures Envelope The Hudson Valley

It's been a cold start to the New Year. On January 21st and 22nd dangerously cold temperatures blew through the region.

At one point parts of Orange County New York were checking in at -25 degrees. Thankfully, according to Hudson Valley Weather, the cold snap will break and we'll be facing normal winter temperatures in the 30s and 40s.

Over the last few years, New Yorkers have gotten comfortable with warmer temperatures in the winter months. According to PIX 11 News, the warmest January on record in New York City was January 2023.

The jury is still out if January 2025 broke any cold weather records in New York State.

When Was The Last Time The Hudson River Was Frozen Solid?

Earlier this week the Beacon Historical Society shared photos from their archives from back in 1934. According to the post, in February 1934 the temperature in Beacon was a balmy "34 degrees below zero--a record of frigidity unbroken to this day. "

Due to the extreme cold the Hudson River ended up frozen solid "with ice in the channel 18 inches thick."

This was considered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Beacon and Hudson Valley residents as over 500 people walked across the river to Newburgh.

The Hudson River in the Hudson Valley region has frozen solid a few times in the past. According to Scenic Hudson the Hudson River was frozen solid in 1917-1918, 1934 as mentioned above, 1994, 1996 and 2004.

They also report that the Hudson River rarely freeze solid around New York City. While it's not frozen solid, parts of the Hudson River in NYC are frozen as reported by Reuters. 

Popular Upstate New York Lake Close To Freezing Solid

Heading a little further Upstate, the folks in Lake George are patiently waiting for the famous lake to freeze solid.

A popular Lake George travel account on Instagram writes "Lake George is SO close to a solid freeze for the first time in years, and the excitement is real! Will this be the year we see the lake fully frozen again?"

Take a look at the current state of the Lake George freeze below:

The last few winters have been warmer than usual and unfortunately that pattern was the reason a major winter event was canceled.

Ice Castles and several outdoor winter festivals were canceled in the area for the 2025 winter season. Lets hope next winter brings the chill and we can experience these magical castles again!

Drone Captures Images of the Breathtaking Lake George Ice Castles

Many in our area are excited for another season in the Adirondacks and the Lake George Ice Castles. Set to open for the season later this Winter, this year's exhibit
the Ice Castles will be expanded and enhanced in year two, and some of the significant additions include, an ice bar, whimsical winter characters for meet-and-greets, and new light features according to Town officials.

This magical display debuted last winter in the ADKs and is set to open later this year, and weather permitting, it will run through the entire 2023 Winter Season.
Check out these spectacular drone photos taken above the Lake George Ice Castles by the Adirondack Drone Company in Crowne Point. These images were taken last winter and showcase the sheer, sparkling beauty of these icy gems - quickly becoming one of Upstate's most-beloved attractions.

Gallery Credit: Brian Cody TSM

Check Out These Super Cool Ice Bars in the Lake George Region

If you are looking for something cool and different to do this winter, head on up to the Lake Geroge region and check out the many ice bars they have to offer. There are full frozen bars you can sit at, enjoy ice luges, fire pits surrounded by ice, and even photo-ops with ice sculptures you can get in or pose with.

Gallery Credit: Visit the Lake George Region & Facebook pages

Sold! $4M Lake George Log Cabin Mansion With Stunning Views

Look at this beautifully crafted log cabin mansion built in 1941 on the Lake George waterfront. This is a 4-bedroom, 3.5-bath log home with 2 bonus rooms on Lake George. Enjoy stunning lake and mountain views, a luxury kitchen with custom cabinets, a cozy stone fireplace, and an Adirondack-inspired dining room. Relax on the grand patio, on the upper deck of the boathouse, or in the playhouse. This home is a dream and sold for nearly $4 million.

Gallery Credit: 2024 Global MLS

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