nyc: NYC is a "subtropical" climate with mild winters much like the south and not that much colder. The snow and ice is only occasional much like DC and Atlanta. Is it possible that now or sometime in the future palm trees will be able to grow outside in that area? How far up the Atlantic from Florida does palm trees grow? Can global warming turn DC, Philly and NYC from a borderline continental climate into a climate like Florida or south Georgia? Dont hurricanes hit there?|||NYC is in a temperate climate zone, and is not subtropical, at least not yet. As a life long resident of NYC, I can say that the snow and ice are more than occasional. It may not be Alaska and recent winters may have been a bit milder than usual, but sub-zero temperatures are still a reasonable possibility each winter and single digit temps are quite common. Right now, the most cold hardy Palm species grow as far north as North Carolina and southeast Virginia. Projected climate change models predict an increase in temps of about 10 degrees on average which would still not be sufficient to be able to grow Palms in NYC, although South Jersey is a possibility. Hurricanes develop in tropical waters and then move north, often along the Atlantic coast and have long been known to do damage as far north as the Maritime Provinces. Climate change models do predict an increase in intensity and frequency of storms, in general. But that has no bearing on Palms growing in Central Park. Increased ocean levels and resultant flooding are a much greater concern for New Yorkers. Most of the more fatuous places in NYC are only a few feet above sea level right now. Imagine the Statue of Liberty standing in water or taking a gondola to the Broadway theaters!|||european fan palms and cabbage palms can survive in weather down to 10 degrees fahrenheit. You get colder than that? I'm sure you do. One time for a few hours at below those temps will kill them.