See also
- March 2019 North American blizzard – another powerful winter storm/blizzard that affected the United States and Eastern Canada less than 2 months after
- January 2019 North American cold wave – the cold wave that followed this winter storm
| Type | Extratropical Winter storm Ice storm Tornado outbreak |
|---|---|
| Formed | January 16, 2019 |
| Dissipated | January 21, 2019 |
| Highest winds |
|
| Highest gust | 164 mph (264 km/h) at Mammoth Mountain, California |
| Tornadoes confirmed | 10 |
| Max. rating1 | EF2 tornado |
| Maximum snowfall or ice accretion | 52 inches (130 cm) at Squaw Valley, California |
| Fatalities | 10 |
| Power outages | 100,000+ |
| Areas affected | Southwestern United States, Rocky Mountains, Midwest, Northeastern United States, Eastern Canada |
Part of the 2018–19 North American winter 1Most severe tornado damage; see Enhanced Fujita scale | |
The January 2019 North American winter storm was a long-lived winter storm, forming as a large area of low pressure off the Pacific Northwest shoreline January 16, making its way to the Northeast by January 21. Its effects included heavy rain/high elevation snow and gusty winds in California, severe weather in the south, near-blizzard conditions in Upstate New York, an ice storm in New England and minor coastal flooding in the Mid-Atlantic. [1]
A large area of low pressure formed just off the coast of the Pacific Northwest on January 16, before making landfall in California on January 17. Very heavy, high-elevation snow fell in the Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountain ranges. The storm tracked across the Great Plains and through the Midwest before delivering heavy snow to the mountains of Upstate New York and Northern New England, eventually moving through Atlantic Canada and drifting out to sea. The winter storm was unofficially named Winter Storm Harper by The Weather Channel. [2]
The storm entered North America, moving inland over California, on January 16 and 17. Moisture from the storm caused heavy, high elevation snow in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, peaking at 52 inches (130 cm) in Squaw Valley. The high winds and heavy snow amounts caused several car accidents, resulting in the closure of Interstate 80 through the Sierra Nevada. [3] Winds gusted up to 164 miles per hour (264 km/h) at the top of Mammoth Mountain. [2] Due to the high winds, there were nearly 100,000 power outages. [3]
The Rocky Mountains in Colorado also experienced heavy snow, although lighter than in California. [4] Spicer received 11.7 inches (30 cm) of snow, while Glendevey and Rabbit Ears Pass totaled 7.8 inches (20 cm). [5]
Light to moderate snow and gusty winds affected travel across the states, especially across Interstate 90. [6] Southeastern portions of the state received localized amounts of over one foot of snow. [3]
A Southwest Airlines plane slid off a runway in Eppley Airfield in Omaha, causing the airport to temporarily close, and all flights there diverted or cancelled. [7] Ponca received 12.5 inches (32 cm) of snow. [8]
Sioux City set a daily snowfall and liquid record for January 18, with 6.2 inches (16 cm) of snow and 0.54 inches (1.4 cm), beating previous records set in 1975. [9] Bluffton received 14 inches (36 cm) of snow, while Cresco had 13 inches (33 cm) and Decorah totaled 11.8 inches (30 cm). [10]
A 15-car accident occurred on Interstate 55 during snowy conditions and reduced visibility in the south-central part of the state. [11] Multiple accidents occurred on Interstate 44. [12]
A United Airlines plane slid off a runway while landing at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago. There were no injuries, though more than 100 passengers were assisted off the plane after it skidded into a grassy area. [13]
Ice accumulation followed a period of freezing rain, including 0.33 inches (8.4 mm) of ice that accumulated near River Forest. Snow accumulated 9 inches southeast of Bedford. [14] Winds gusted as high as 40 miles per hour (64 km/h), creating whiteout conditions. [14]
In Minnesota, there were five reported collisions with snow plows by cars in 24 hours. [15] Mapleton received 12.5 inches (32 cm) of snow, while Winnebago recorded 12 inches (30 cm) and Manchester totaled 11 inches (28 cm). [16] Snowfall rates of 1–2 inches per hour were recorded, and northeast winds gusting over 30 miles per hour (48 km/h) caused blowing and drifting snow. [9]
A band of heavy snow resulted in the accumulation of 1 to 2 feet (30 to 61 cm) of snow in Upstate New York, primarily in the mountains. [17] Isolated amounts over 21 inches (53 cm) were recorded along eastern portions of the Adirondack Mountains in Essex County. [17] The highest total came near Rochester, where 29.2 inches (74 cm) of snow fell. [13]
Heavy snow fell in much of both states on January 20 and 21, with the Burlington International Airport receiving 18.6 inches (47 cm), with 15.6 inches (40 cm) falling on January 20 alone. [17]
Ice and snow accumulations were reported. Ice accumulations peaked at 1/6 of an inch, while snow accumulations were as high as 6.2 inches (16 cm) in Bakersville and near New Hartford. [18] Ice damage was reported in Middletown and Newtown, and 30,000 power outages were attributed to the ice, including 100 percent of power out in Bethany. [19] 1 death occurred in Middletown when a person was pinned under his vehicle, which slid down his driveway due to the ice. [20] In Bethel, a road was closed to school buses because of water freezing into ice, into which the road was steep, and included several curves, fearing a crash. [20] The Connecticut State Police reported windshields shattered due to the ice. [20]
Accumulations of ice and snow were experienced around Massachusetts. Springfield reported a quarter inch of ice accretion, and Savoy received 20.3 inches (52 cm). [18] Additional accumulations of 10 inches (25 cm) were reported in Leyden and Cummington. [21] While snow plows were clearing snow-covered roads, one caught fire in Stow, with no injuries or deaths reported during the incident. [22] In Cape Cod, mostly rain occurred. [23]
The heaviest snow in the Northeast from the storm fell in Maine, which fell on January 20 and 21, with some localities reporting more than 2 feet (60 cm+) of snow. [24] Caribou recorded 18.2 inches (46 cm), with 16.9 inches (43 cm) on January 20 alone, the highest accumulation of snow in that area since 2005. [25] After the storm's passing, blowing and drifting snow still persisted, leading to high snow drifts several feet deep along portions of U.S. Route 1. [25] Sugarloaf received 20 inches (51 cm) of snow in 24 hours. [26] Farmington and Rockland totaled 14 inches (36 cm) inches of snow. [26]
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm, expecting snowfall rates up to 2 inches (5 cm) per hour. [27] A 24-hour commercial vehicle ban was put in place for all interstates besides I-95, although speed limits were reduced. [28] Shelters were opened in Harrisburg. [29] 14 inches (36 cm) of snow fell south of Deposit, with 12 inches (30 cm) falling in 24 hours near Mount Pleasant. [30] Coudersport received 13 inches (33 cm). [29] Despite the high amounts of snow, this was well below the expected amount of snow that would have fallen in Pennsylvania. [29]
A state of emergency was declared days before the storm hit. [31] Winter storm watches were issued primarily for northern portions of the state. [32] Snow accumulations, like Pennsylvania, were below the expected amount of snow in New Jersey, with the highest total coming from Ramsey, which received 2.2 inches (5.6 cm) of snow. [33] Westwood totaled 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) of snow, though this was enough to create a slushy mess. [33] There were at least 340 power outages in Morris County, with 263 of them occurring in North Arlington. [33] There were at least 163 accidents and 311 motorist aids. [33]
At the southern end of the cold front, multiple states in the southeast and on the Gulf Coast were impacted by a small, early-season tornado outbreak. 10 tornadoes touched down across the affected states. [34]
A hailstorm struck Foreman 30 minutes past midnight CST. The hailstorm, which was not severe weather-warned, produced golf ball-sized hail that severely impacted residential areas and commercial buildings in the area. [35]
An EF1 tornado, with 105 mph winds, uprooted trees and damaged homes in Washington Parish. [36] A hailstorm struck Denham Springs. While a severe thunderstorm warning was issued in the area, the hail, in addition to 60 miles per hour (97 km/h) wind gusts, which were 2.75 inches (7.0 cm) wide, was enough to damage residential areas, commercial buildings, roofs, and vehicles. [35]
Rankin County was hit with an EF0 tornado earlier in the day before being struck again, this time by an EF1 tornado, a few hours later. [34]
The town of Wetumpka was impacted by an EF2 tornado. The town's mayor, Jerry Willis said at a news conference that the town "suffered a tremendous amount of damage." [37] Four injuries were reported. The historic First Presbyterian Church in Wetumpka was destroyed. The state was hit with two other tornadoes, both rated EF1, touching down in Autauga and Coosa counties. [34]
Tyndall AFB, which had already been devastated by Hurricane Michael three months prior, was struck by an EF1 tornado, flipping dumpsters, ripping roofs off barracks, and moving a car. [34]
A winter storm is an event in which wind coincides with varieties of precipitation that only occur at freezing temperatures, such as snow, mixed snow and rain, or freezing rain. In temperate continental and subarctic climates, these storms are not necessarily restricted to the winter season, but may occur in the late autumn and early spring as well. A snowstorm with strong winds and low visibility is called a blizzard.
A winter storm warning is a hazardous weather statement issued by Weather Forecast Offices (WFO) of the National Weather Service (NWS) in the United States to alert the public that a winter storm is occurring or is about to occur in the area, usually within 36 hours of the storm's onset.
The Mid-December 2007 North American winter storms were a series of two winter storms that affected much of central and eastern North America, from December 8 to December 18, 2007. The systems affected areas from Oklahoma to Newfoundland and Labrador with freezing rain, thunderstorms, sleet, snow, damaging winds, and blizzard-like conditions in various areas. The first two storms produced copious amounts of ice across the Midwestern United States and Great Plains from December 8 to December 11, knocking out power to approximately 1.5 million customers from Oklahoma north to Iowa. The second storm moved northeast, producing heavy snow across New York and New England. A third storm was responsible for a major winter storm from Kansas to the Canadian Maritimes, bringing locally record-breaking snowfalls to Ontario, an icestorm across the Appalachians, and thunderstorms and 9 tornadoes to the Southeastern United States.
Global weather activity of 2007 profiles the major worldwide weather events, including blizzards, ice storms, tornadoes, tropical cyclones, and other weather events, from January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2007. Winter storms are events in which the dominant varieties of precipitation are formed during cold temperatures; they include snow or sleet, or a rainstorm where ground temperatures are cold enough to allow ice, including freezing rain, to form. Thehy may be marked by strong wind, thunder, lightning thunderstorms, heavy precipitation, including ice storm, wind transporting some substance through the atmosphere, including dust storms, snowstorms, and hail storms. Other major non winter events such as large dust storms, hurricanes, cyclones, tornados, gales, flooding, and rainstorms are also caused by such phenomena.
The March 2014 North American winter storm, also unofficially referred to as Winter Storm Titan, was an extremely powerful winter storm that affected much of the United States and portions of Canada. It was one of the most severe winter storms of the 2013–14 North American winter storm season, storm affecting most of the Western Seaboard, and various parts of the Eastern United States, bringing damaging winds, flash floods, and blizzard and icy conditions.
The 2013–14 North American winter was one of the most significant for the United States, due in part to the breakdown of the polar vortex in November 2013, which allowed very cold air to travel down into the United States, leading to an extended period of very cold temperatures. The pattern continued mostly uninterrupted throughout the winter and numerous significant winter storms affected the Eastern United States, with the most notable one being a powerful winter storm that dumped ice and snow in the Southeastern United States and the Northeastern United States in mid-February. Most of the cold weather abated by the end of March, though a few winter storms did affect the Western United States towards the end of the winter.
The 2014–15 North American winter was frigid and prolifically wintry, especially across the eastern half of North America in the months of January–March. The season began early, with many places in North America experiencing their first wintry weather during mid-November. A period of below-average temperatures affected much of the contiguous United States, and several records were broken. An early trace of snowfall was recorded in Arkansas. There were greater accumulations of snow across parts of Oklahoma as well. A quasi-permanent phenomenon referred to as the polar vortex may have been partly responsible for the cold weather. Temperatures in much of the United States dropped 15 to 35 °F below average by November 19, following a southward "dip" of the polar vortex into the eastern two-thirds of the country. The effects of this dip were widespread, bringing about temperatures as low as 28 °F (−2 °C) in Pensacola, Florida. Following a significant snowstorm there, Buffalo, New York received several feet of snow from November 17–21. In addition, significant winter weather occurred throughout the season, including a major blizzard that struck the Northeastern United States at the end of January, another blizzard that affected much of the Northern United States days later in early February, and several significant snow events paired with very frigid temperatures for much of February.
The 2015–16 North American winter was not as frigid across North America and the United States as compared to the 2013–14 and 2014–15 winters. This was mainly due to a strong El Niño, which caused generally warmer-than-average conditions. However, despite the warmth, significant weather systems still occurred, including a snowstorm and flash flooding in Texas at the end of December and a large tornado outbreak at the end of February. The main event of the winter season, by far and large, was when a crippling and historic blizzard struck the Northeastern United States in late January, dumping up to 3 feet of snow in and around the metropolitan areas. Several other smaller snow events affected the Northeast as well, but for the most part the heaviest snowstorms and ice stayed out further west, such as a severe blizzard in western Texas in late December, and a major late-season snowstorm in Colorado in mid-April.
The December 2015 North American storm complex, also known as Winter Storm Goliath, was a major storm complex that produced a tornado outbreak, a winter storm, a blizzard and an ice storm in areas ranging from the Southwestern United States to New England. Tornadoes struck the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex in Texas while several other states, especially Missouri, were affected by heavy rain and snow causing severe floods. As the system moved through the Great Lakes, heavy rain, ice pellets and heavy snow fell in the entire region. Wintry mix moved through southern Ontario and Quebec had significant snowfall on December 29. Almost 60 people were killed during the storm system's progression and aftermath, making it one of the deadliest such systems of 2015 in the United States.
The 2012–13 North American winter started out somewhat early, as the remnants of Hurricane Sandy brought heavy snow to the mountains of West Virginia in late October. Later, a strong nor'easter affected the weary Northeastern United States, hampering storm recovery efforts and dropping several inches of snow. The rest of the winter featured several other notable events, such as a Christmas winter storm that affected most of the Eastern United States, and the most notable event occurring in early February, when a powerful blizzard struck the Northeast and brought record snow to some areas. During the winter, a weak El Nino was expected to influence weather conditions across the continent.
The 2010–11 North American winter was influenced by an ongoing La Niña, seeing winter storms and very cold temperatures affect a large portion of the Continental United States, even as far south as the Texas Panhandle. Notable events included a major blizzard that struck the Northeastern United States in late December with up to 2 feet (24 in) of snowfall and a significant tornado outbreak on New Year's Eve in the Southern United States. By far the most notable event was a historic blizzard that impacted areas from Oklahoma to Michigan in early February. The blizzard broke numerous snowfall records, and was one of the few winter storms to rank as a Category 5 on the Regional Snowfall Index. In addition, Oklahoma set a statewide low temperature record in February.
The 2019–20 North American winter was unusually warm for many parts of the United States; in many areas, neutral ENSO conditions controlled the weather patterns, resulting in strong El Niño like conditions and the sixth-warmest winter on record, and many areas in the Northeastern United States saw one of the least snowy winters in years. In fact, Baltimore and Islip saw no snow in February for the first time. Some notable events still occurred, such as a powerful blizzard that impacted the Western United States in late November, a series of cold shots in January and February, a snowstorm within the Texas Panhandle and a late-season blizzard in the High Plains.
The November 26 – December 3, 2019 North American blizzard was a major winter storm from the Rocky Mountains to the Northeast as well as a record-breaking windstorm along the West Coast. It occurred the week of American Thanksgiving, hampering travel for millions across the United States.
The 2020–21 North American winter was the most significant winter season to affect North America in several years, and the costliest on record, with a damage total of at least $33.35 billion. The season featured six storms ranking on the Regional Snowfall Index scale (RSI), with four storms ranking as at least a Category 3. Most of the winter's damage and fatalities occurred due to a historic and major cold wave in mid-February. Several other significant events occurred, including a crippling early-season ice storm in the Southern Plains, a powerful nor'easter in mid-December, another major nor'easter in early February, two major and widespread winter storms in mid-February, and a major blizzard in the Rocky Mountains in mid-March. The winter-related events were responsible for at least 358 fatalities, making it the deadliest season since 1992–93. A La Niña pattern influenced much of the winter in North America.
The November 2020 North American storm complex was a major early-season snowstorm that impacted most of the Ohio Valley from November 30–December 2 with heavy snow, gusty winds, and near-whiteout conditions. The system originated from a weak gulf low off the coast of Texas on November 29, which began to move northeastward onto land the next day. It then began to strengthen, as well as slowing its movement down, resulting in heavy, wind-driven snow for prolonged periods of time in the Ohio Valley. It also triggered a major lake-effect snow event from December 1–2 as the system stalled over Lake Ontario, resulting in additional heavy snowfall. The storm system was also responsible for a severe thunderstorm outbreak in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, causing 22 severe thunderstorms and 5 tornadoes. In total, the system is estimated to have caused at least $100 million in damages. It was unofficially named Winter Storm Dane by The Weather Channel.
The December 15–17, 2020 nor'easter was a powerful nor'easter that hammered the Northeastern United States and produced widespread swaths of over 1 foot (12 in) of snow in much of the region from December 15–17, 2020, ending a 1,000+ day high-impact snowstorm drought in much of the Mid-Atlantic and coastal New England regions. The system developed out of a weak area of low-pressure that first developed over the Central United States producing some snowfall before moving eastward, and by December 16, a new, dominant area of low pressure began to develop along the Southeast coast. This low steadily deepened as it moved along and impacted the Mid-Atlantic coastline, prompting several winter-related advisories and warnings for much of the Northeast.
The January 14–17, 2022 North American winter storm brought widespread impacts and wintry precipitation across large sections of eastern North America and parts of Canada. Forming out of a shortwave trough on January 13, it first produced a swath of snowfall extending from the High Plains to the Midwestern United States. The storm eventually pivoted east and impacted much of the Southern United States from January 15–16 before shifting north into Central Canada, the Mid-Atlantic states, and the Northeastern United States. The system, named Winter Storm Izzy by The Weather Channel, was described as a "Saskatchewan Screamer".
The 2022–23 North American winter was an unusually warm winter for the east and an unusually cold winter for the west in North America, as it occurred across the continent from late 2022 to early 2023. The winter season in North America began at the winter solstice, which occurred on December 21, 2022, and it ended at the March equinox, which occurred on March 20, 2023. The first day of meteorological winter began on December 1 and unofficially ended on February 28; winter storms may still occur outside of these limits.
A large and dynamic storm system bought widespread impacts across much of the United States at the end of February 2023. In the Western United States, heavy snow, hail, and gusty winds affected many areas. This led to the partial closure of several major highways, including I-205 in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area, as well as numerous fatal accidents on other highways. Hundreds of flights were cancelled, thousands of people lost power, and multiple sporting events were postponed. In the Great Plains and Mississippi Valley, significant impacts from severe weather occurred. A severe squall line produced destructive straight-line winds in the St. Louis metropolitan area on February 23. The most impactful day in terms of severe weather was on February 26, when a powerful line of severe thunderstorms containing damaging straight-line winds and numerous embedded tornadoes impacted the Texas Panhandle, southern Kansas, and most of the state of Oklahoma. Dozens of instances of large hail, damaging wind gusts, and multiple tornadoes were confirmed with this event, including an EF2 tornado that killed a person in Cheyenne, Oklahoma. A 114 mph (183 km/h) wind gust from straight-line winds was reported in Memphis, Texas, which was the highest wind gust since the August 2020 Midwest derecho. Five of these tornadoes formed in the Oklahoma City metro area, including a high-end EF2 tornado that caused severe damage in the southeastern part of the city of Norman. The event set the record for the most tornadoes ever recorded in Oklahoma in the month of February since modern records began in 1950. More tornadoes touched down in Illinois the next day, including some in the Chicago metropolitan area. In addition to the severe weather impacts, parts of the Midwestern United States also received periods of heavy snowfall and gusty winds along with ice, causing dozens of accidents, knocking out power, and canceling hundreds of flights. The Northeastern United States was also affected by heavy snowfall.
The 2023–24 North American winter was the warmest winter on record across the contiguous United States, with below-average snowfall primarily in the Upper Midwest and parts of the Northeastern United States. However, some areas, especially in the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York saw considerably more snow than the previous winter. Notable winter events were also more prevalent across the eastern half of the country this winter, including a series of winter storms in mid-January that brought snow from the South to Northeast states, a period of very cold temperatures across much of the country in mid-to-late January, and a disruptive nor'easter that affected much of the Mid-Atlantic in mid-February. 2 storms have been rated so far on the Regional Snowfall Index (RSI), although none have attained a "Major" rating. A strong El Niño was expected to influence the winter weather patterns across the continent.
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