Westminster Weather Advisory

By Amy Fernandez

Winter has been a mere formality in NYC until last week when our first big snow reinstated the status quo. We didn’t get the 30-40 inch monster that was predicted. But it was enough to preempt Monday’s routine. We’re getting hit with another one today, and let’s hope this nonsense wraps up before Westminster.

Along with the usual challenges, that fateful NYC/February conjunction virtually ensures weather-related complications. Perhaps someday Westminster will explain why they selected this indefensible show date. Poor judgment and regrettable decisions are part of life.  Hey, skinny dipping in the neighbor’s pool probably seemed like a great idea at the time. Most often, a timely reality check encourages us to rethink those plans.

This situation is especially mystifying when you consider Westminster’s dedication to perfectionism and micromanagement.  Of course, they had 11 years of springtime shows to build that sterling reputation before mid-February became their permanent show date in 1888.

Mother Nature warned them. A week after that show, NYC endured a blizzard that ranks among its all-time top ten. They got another wakeup call in 1899 when 18 inches of snow buried Manhattan a week before the show.

Westminster’s luck ran out in 1940. An unpredicted blizzard enlivened the final day of the show and ensured no benching violations.  Impassible roads trapped legions of exhibitors and judges in the venue, along with record crowds of spectators since it was also Lincoln’s Birthday.

All that was forgotten by 1969 when, contrary to forecasts, a two-day blizzard blasted NYC the night before Westminster. It wasn’t a record snowfall but lack of preparation guaranteed days of problems and embedded that show in Westminster history.

Over the years similar surprises have complicated countless shows – and fostered the hardy optimism that sets Westminster veterans apart from average exhibitors. Snow became an ongoing subplot of the show, and an increasingly significant issue as Westminster expanded into a week of events scattered throughout the tri-state area.

One thing hasn’t changed – getting home on Wednesday. That was especially memorable on February 12, 1975 when a fast moving storm dumped an inch an hour on NYC from dawn to dusk.  It was big talk until 1978 when an endless round of storms turned NYC into a non-stop winter festival. By February, inch thick ice and towering snow mountains seemed like permanent additions to the landscape.

We stopped talking about that one in 1983 when a monster storm hit NYC February 11. It canceled Friday afternoon rush hour, finally ending a day later, one centimeter short of 1978’s blockbuster, but definitely enough for the record books.

1995-96 remains our snowiest winter. Westminster was sandwiched between major storms the week before and after the show. That fortunate timing didn’t help to console exhibitors as they navigated an obstacle course of snowbanks, icy streets, and ankle deep slush.

Whining about the ‘80s and ‘90s ended in 2002. It kicked off a decade of horrific winters that pretty much kept NYC snowbound. Some of those storms set records, but I’ll skip to the winner. In 2006, a two day blizzard dumped 26.9 inches on NYC just in time for Westminster’s opening Monday morning. Closed roads, cancelled flights, no buses, trains, or taxis guaranteed an interesting experience for all.

I could go on, but frankly, February blizzards in NYC barely qualify as news or small talk.

But Westminster is all about tradition. Therefore, regardless how crazy this seems, the dog world will continue converging on NYC every February.  So plan accordingly. And look on the bright side. Maybe NYC can’t promise decent weather in February, but the end of season bargains on winter gear are unbeatable.

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Posted by chesliepickett on Feb 2 2015. Filed under Current Articles, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.