Here are a few options, each with slightly different emphasis, all using the same words: * Option 1 (Focus on rarity): Fifteen years later, New York City awakes to its first white Christmas. * Option 2 (More active voice): A white Christmas awakens New York City for the first time in 15 years. * Option 3 (Slightly more formal): New York City experienced its first white Christmas in 15 years.

New York City experienced its first white Christmas since 2009, marking the first time in 15 years. At 7 a.m. on Wednesday, Central Park recorded a snow depth of one inch, officially qualifying the city for a white Christmas. This is a relatively rare occurrence, with only a 13% chance of a white Christmas in any given year. In comparison, the previous white Christmas in 2009 saw two inches of snow accumulation. While there was light snowfall in 2017 and 2003, no accumulation occurred. In 2002, a record five inches fell before transitioning to rain.