Please, only reply if you spent more than one winter at Fort Drum, NY; list years. In your opinion, it is really cold at Fort Drum in winter?

SGM Joel Cook — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 01:30:23 -0400

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2016 1:42 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 01:42:53 -0400

SGM i spent tens years at drum, i will say this fort drum can get very cold in the winter sometimes getting down as low as -40. But normally the temp is in the teens. The weather at drum is not as bad as most make it out to be yes it snows alot however there are snowplows that run around the clock. It is just like any other place you get us to it, drum was one of the best duty stationed i have ever had.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2016 2:02 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 02:02:32 -0400

SGM I am currently stationed at Drum. Winters here: 2014-2015, 2015-2016. My first winter here was long, cold with lots of snow fall. Last winter had spots of cold, but was relatively mild, some say due to El Nino-type conditions (short winter, lighter snowfall, warm breaks). Harsh winters can mean 3-6' of snow on the ground throughout the winter (Oct-Apr), weeks at a time where the temps will hang at -35 to 0 Fahrenheit, and wind blowing 20-30 mph. A lighter day could be sunny, 28-35 degrees with no wind.

Essentially, you never know what to expect, most people drive a vehicle with clearance and at least AWD and keep an emergency kit in the car. There are 3-5 snow days a winter, and late reports called by garrison probably 10 times a winter.

Alot of the crazy weather has to do with the "lake effect". Drum is about 20 miles east of Lake Ontario, and 15 miles south of the St Lawrence River. Being around all that water can cause unpredictable and harsh weather in winter. The jet stream normally flows right over our region, and the cold air from the north, combined with the moist air picked up while traveling over the large body of water, tends to throw blizzard-like conditions over the area throughout the winter.

Like 1SG already mentioned, they take great care of all the highways and freeways around here. Simply changing how one dresses in the winter, and being prepared for the conditions can help greatly in ones attitude and ability to cope. It's really not as bad as some would say. The summers and ability to drive to some of the greatest locations in the NE US within 3-5 hrs more than makes up for putting up with the winters here!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2016 6:20 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 06:20:44 -0400

Winter of 2012-2013, 2013-2014 and 2014-2015. I am originally from NY so I am used to the winters and Lake effect snow. However, Ft. Drum is different. Winter lasts from October-April most of the time. The winter of 2013-2014 was probably the worst. We had an ice storm and everything was literally frozen to the ground. I was also the only company in the field in December when it was in the -teens. The winter from 2014-2015 was the coldest, as we broke the record for the coldest month in February that Ft. Drum/Watertown. It got to about -45 on most days that month.

Response by SGT(P) Jeremy Anderson made Jun 20 at 2016 6:52 AM

SGT(P) Jeremy Anderson — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 06:52:48 -0400

2012-2015 their post policy is to at least spend 20 minutes outside for PT during the winter. Running in -10* and -15* isn't fun.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2016 7:22 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 07:22:14 -0400

2005-2008. I'm also from Syracuse originally and went to college in Potsdam, NY. Fort Drum is cold in the winter but not unbearably so. You just need to dress and act appropriately. My understanding is that there division has changed a lot of the rules regarding PT and such that keep you out of the cold most of the time. When I was there we did PT outside all winter. Now I'm told if the wind chill is below zero that you do not.

Response by SSG Derrick L. Lewis MBA, C-HRM made Jun 20 at 2016 7:42 AM

SSG Derrick L. Lewis MBA, C-HRM — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 07:42:33 -0400

SGM Joel Cook ,
It most certainly is that cold here at Drum. Last year, Fort Drum/Watertown was the coldest state in the nation. At -37 and lower during that week. Years spent; 2012-Present. I PCS in 2017. So I have one more winter to endure.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2016 8:32 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 08:32:47 -0400

I have been here (over 2 tours) for about 8 winters.

YES ITS COLD. This last winter actually was not too bad, but it lingered. -20 is not unusual. Late work calls due to snow happen more than you would suspect. Last year the GC closed Post 3 or 4 times because of weather.

Snow has started to fall before Halloween, and stayed until mid April. 3' (thats FEET) standing snow is common.

You do get a crazy amount of cold weather gear, that works, if you use it properly. I LOVE the puffy jacket and wore that a lot. However, some senior NCOs hate it for whatever reason, and attempt to ban it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2016 9:38 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 09:38:54 -0400

Cold, wintery, icy! I love it! I love icefishing and the outdoors. This place certainly scares people off and that's okay. Leaves more fish to catch!

Response by SPC Daniel Bowen made Jun 20 at 2016 1:16 PM

SPC Daniel Bowen — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 13:16:55 -0400

Good afternoon SGM,
I was with the 10th Mountain from 04-2010. Spent enough winters there between deployments so I hope it helps. My first weapons qual up at Drum was of course in the winter. We were still wearing the BDUs and in the "winter uniforms" with the occasional mickey mouse boots. It was negative ten when were out on the range. You would have to peel yourself off the snow which had turned into ice as you lay down on in for your unsupported firing portion of the M4 qual. I saw it from a common 20-30 degrees to a freezing -20. The deep negatives didn't last all winter, but that lake effect snow and wind chill would numb your limbs fast enough that your misery became numb. lol
When it came to ruck marches and outside PT, anything below -10 or -5 I think was too cold so we did PT inside. But then again, the Army has changed a lot of its rules. I have been close to frostbite in one case but I only would have gotten it if I had been stubborn and stayed outside. We took care of each other so frostbite wouldnt happen if we could help it.

Response by SGM Joel Cook made Jun 20 at 2016 1:17 PM

SGM Joel Cook — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 13:17:02 -0400

Thanks for your response. It seems the weather up there has been running in warm and then cold trends depending on the years. I was there 93-97 and temps ran in the teens during the day for highs and -10s or -20 at night. About Jan- Mar. Others have told me while they were there the temps were commonly in the 20s or 30s during the day and only in the teens at night for the same months. That's why I asked for the years. The historic temp records are nonexistent on the internet they only give averages.

Response by SGM Joel Cook made Jun 20 at 2016 1:22 PM

SGM Joel Cook — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 13:22:36 -0400

Thanks for your response. I made comments to your entry but my screen messed up and posted it as a new entry all the way at the top of this column. Sorry for the mess up.

Response by SGM Joel Cook made Jun 20 at 2016 1:38 PM

SGM Joel Cook — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 13:38:26 -0400

Thanks for your response.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2016 3:49 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 15:49:13 -0400

SGM, I have been here since July of 2012, I spent the winters of 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 here. I think someone already may have mentioned this, but the weather here can not make up its mind. My first 2 winters here were rough, but last years winter was mild, relatively speaking. I don't think it is so much the cold, as it is the wind chill factor. I'm from Savannah, GA and I have managed to survive 4 winters here. The roads are usually taken care of fast and the response time is on point.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2016 5:13 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 17:13:12 -0400

Yes, it is cold but tolerable. Spent the winters of 06-09 and then Again 13-16.

Response by SGT James Colbert made Jun 21 at 2016 10:20 AM

SGT James Colbert — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 10:20:29 -0400

Feb 1991 to May 1993

Response by SGT James Colbert made Jun 21 at 2016 10:25 AM

SGT James Colbert — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 10:25:59 -0400

arrived in 1991 just after a major ice storm...we used to slide to the Motor Pool , that was across the street in our CIF issued white Mickey Mouse Boots or black "Chippewa" boots with the flat noses. Left in 1993 . used to climb out the barracks window and go snow sledding on our sleeping mats

Response by SPC Brian Mason made Jun 21 at 2016 10:34 AM

SPC Brian Mason — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 10:34:54 -0400

Cold was an understatement. It's farther N as being the 2nd highest/closest state to Canada. On the Right, you have the ocean, the left Lake Eerie and good ol' NY nestled between the two. I was there during 2004-2007 and the Alaskan NG and Reserves were coming from there to do CW training.
One day when I got off early; b/c of a coming snow storm. Snow accumulated from the ground to the back doorknob on our house. That's around 3ft or so in roughly 2 hours. Being 10th MTN, we did PT in all kinds of weather. As Medic we did "Medic PT" where we'd do long distance runs, obstacle course runs, and such with our Aid Bags, then give each other IV's at the end; in ALL kinds of weather.
I even got to cover the Night portion of Ranger school there. Another medic and I were in an ambulance with the snow going sideways. Still froze my butt off.

Response by SSG Dennis O'Connor made Jun 22 at 2016 5:50 PM

SSG Dennis O'Connor — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 17:50:14 -0400

Spent 6 1/2 years at Drum. Coldest I ever saw it get was -60 with windchill. Watertown PD was reporting to arrest anyone on the street for their own safety

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 26 at 2016 11:27 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jun 2016 11:27:24 -0400

Heck yeah!!!! 2005-2009. You'll see just how cold it is when you get to CIF and you got cold weather gear that you never knew existed

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2016 9:28 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 09:28:08 -0400

SGM this will be my 5th and last winter at drum before I ets. The winter is unpredictable. It can be very cold but sometimes it will feel warm even though it is in the 20's. The lake effect snow is what kills drum. Whiteout conditions can come within an hour without warning. Also newcomers who have never driven in snow often have a hard time adapting which only add to the road hazards. So the cold isn't really noticed here. It's all the other winter issues that come with the winter

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2016 2:19 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 14:19:14 -0400

Was at Drum 92 to 96. Yes it gets cold but you will have the equipment to handle it. Lots of Snow but only because you are due east of Lake Ontario and you get lots of lake effect snow. Fort drum was completely Renovated for the stationing of the 10th Mountain Division in the 80s so all facilities are fairly new. Recommend that your dependents all get snow suits for the winter rather than heavy coats. As in anywhere you go the locals are prepared to deal with the weather that normally occurs so street get plowed and remain open unless it is an unusual event. Not confident in your snow driving ability? All off post housing areas have bus service to the base. Other than serving with the 11th ACR in Germany I found Ft Drum and the 10th Mountain my most enjoyable tours during my entire 21 years in the Army.

Response by SGT Patrick Moots made Aug 13 at 2016 11:01 PM

SGT Patrick Moots — Sat, 13 Aug 2016 23:01:21 -0400

I was at Drum from 2005-2013. Loved it there. It does get freaking cold there. Coldest I'd seen was -45. Not shitting you. But it's not the cold that's bad. Its the snow. Watertown/Fort Drum gets hit hard with it. Just make sure to wake up extra early to check the local weather/news station for delays and cancellations. And to clean off your car. I would suggest getting a remote starter installed on your POV if doesn't have one already.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 23 at 2016 6:16 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 18:16:49 -0400

I've been here for several winters, and all I can really say is: believe the hype. It is as cold, nasty, snowy, and downright depressing as people say it is.

Response by SPC Rickie Carter made Nov 27 at 2017 3:55 PM

SPC Rickie Carter — Mon, 27 Nov 2017 15:55:44 -0500

I was station at Ft. Drum from 1985-1989. Yes it does get cold at Ft. Drum. One winter we went to Alaska for cold weather training. I would have to say that Ft. Drum is much colder. I remember waiting for hot chow to show up for breakfast and the 1st Sgt. reminded us that it was going to warm up to -45 degrees that day. We spent up to 3 weeks in the field at times for training. So, if any one thinks they have been in cold weather, they need to try out Ft. Drum, NY. I was assigned to 1/22 Inf. C CO. (Regulars by God). Climb to Glory. We were in the old WWII barrack down on the Banana Belt.

Response by SPC Phillip Ludlow made Dec 9 at 2017 4:14 PM

SPC Phillip Ludlow — Sat, 09 Dec 2017 16:14:37 -0500

well, I "snowed" up at drum in '08, and there was still snow on the ground in march, spent awhile in a holding unit at clarke hall. there were some good winters, and some bad ones. i ended up staying here. it just snowed for the first time a few days ago, we got about a foot or so.

Response by SPC Michael Mitchell made Aug 13 at 2019 12:38 PM

SPC Michael Mitchell — Tue, 13 Aug 2019 12:38:13 -0400

spec 4 Michael mitcheel 77to 79 loved it a lot of snow