U.S. Northeast Entombed in Ice

Deep freeze plagues U.S. northeast

A bitterly cold airmass has invaded the eastern U.S this weekend bringing the coldest temperatures of the season. Gusty winds will combine with these cold temperatures to create dangerous wind chills well below zero in many parts of the Northeast. Meanwhile, a developing storm in the Plains will bring wintry precipitation to the Midwest and Ohio Valley on Sunday. —NWS

“Life-threatening” freeze has gripped the NE U.S., with Wind Chill Warnings, and Wind Chill Advisories issued for more than a dozen states extending from North Carolina to Maine.

Meanwhile, a blizzard contributed to a 50-plus-vehicle pileup on a Pennsylvania highway, causing multiple fatalities.

Deep freeze from the Great Lakes to New England

Forecasters say multiple record low temps could be set this weekend, with the coldest weather of this winter impacting a vast region from the Great Lakes to New England.

Arctic air will be the big story across the northeastern U.S. through Sunday night. An eddy of the polar vortex over southeastern Canada, along with strong cold air advection, is bringing the coldest weather of this winter season from the Great Lakes to New England. Wind chill warnings and advisories are in effect for these areas, along with some record low temperatures. Actual temperatures will be frigid with highs in the single digits and teens, and subzero lows across much of upstate New York and New England. It will also be quite cold from the Ohio Valley to the Mid-Atlantic region.

Deadly Storm: State of Emergency Declared in Kentucky

Up to 20 inches of snow accumulating in Kentucky

Gov.  Beshear has declared a state of emergency for the Commonwealth—Kentucky’s second such declaration in three weeks.

“Two significant winter storms nearly back-to-back are rare in Kentucky, and pose a challenge for our emergency management teams, road crews and local emergency responders. This emergency declaration will allow us to deploy any needed state assistance, including National Guard troops if necessary, without delay,” he said.

Beshear’s earlier statewide emergency was declared on February 16, 2015 due to heavy snow and bitter cold.

Meantime, snow continues to accumulate, with up to 20 inches recorded in several parts of Kentucky.

Governors of states of Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, West Virginia and New Jersey have also declared states of emergency due to the powerful winter storm.

Thousands of flights cancelled, hundreds of schools closed

The storm forced the cancellation of thousands of flight in the South and the Northeast, as hundreds of schools closed in the affected areas.

At least one person was killed in a vehicle crash in Tennessee, according to local reports.

Police in Little Elm, Texas, said one man was killed in a multivehicle crash on icy roads Wednesday night, according to a report.

Another person was killed in the chain-reaction, seven-vehicle pileup caused by icy conditions, said a report.

Related Links

• States of Emergency Declared in LA, AL, WV and NJ March 5, 2015

States of Emergency Declared in LA, AL, WV and NJ

Massive Winter Storm Causes States of Emergency from U.S. South to New England

A massive winter storm stretching all the way from southwest Texas to southern New England is forecast to dump up to 30cm (two feet) of snow on parts of the eastern United States, prompting the governors in at least four states—Louisiana, Alabama, West Virginia and New Jersey—to declare states of emergency, as of posting. States of emergency declared due to previous storms are still in effect for much of the rest of the region in the affected regions.

The storm, which is affecting more than 120 million people,  has forced hundreds of schools, businesses and local governments to close, grounding thousands of flights, including about 1,800 Wednesday night.

The National Weather Service (NWS) said in its latest forecast:

Winter Storm from the Mexican Border in Texas to southern New England through Thursday

A widespread winter weather event is underway from southwest Texas into parts of southern New England.  Sleet and freezing rain are expected from south/central Texas into the Southeast …

Areas from the southern Plains across the Mid-Atlantic into New England could see “significant snowfall.”

A rather vigorous and elongated piece of energy in the mid to upper levels, moving from the Plains to the Mid-Atlantic today and tomorrow, will interact with an arctic air mass and surface cold front plunging south and eastward into the Southeastern states this evening.

Significant snowfall of up to 12 inches is possible from the Tennessee Valley to the central Mid-Atlantic on Thursday, according to the forecast.

Moderate to heavy rain from the southern Plains to the Mid-Atlantic, combined with snow melt, could result in flood or flash flooding, especially across the lower Ohio Valley and western Mid-Atlantic regions.

Behind the front, winter hangs on tight as temperatures plummet across the eastern third of the nation. By Thursday evening, cold high pressure dominates resulting in unseasonably cold temperatures from the Plains to the eastern seaboard.

Temperatures for the remainder of the week are expected to fall by as much as 35 degrees below normal, said the forecast.

Possible New Snow Record for Beantown

The Walking City, which recorded its coldest February this year, could receive an additional 8cm (3 inches) of snow from the storm, said NWS.

Boston needs just 4.8cm more of powdery precipitation to break its all time record for total snowfall in a winter of 273.4 cm (107.6 in), set in 1995-96.

States of Emergency Declared in Georgia, Mississippi

State of emergency declared for 15 N. Georgia counties

Gov. Deal has declared a state of emergency for 15 counties in North Georgia under a winter storm warning. He has told non-emergency state employees to to telecommute.

The emergencies have been declared in Catoosa, Dade, Dawson, Fannin, Gilmer, Habersham, Lumpkin, Murray, Pickens, Rabun, Towns, Union, Walker, White and Whitfield counties.

“I am issuing this order out of an abundance of caution, so the state can make all preparations necessary to quickly and efficiently address any potential winter weather problems,” he said. “We will monitor the weather throughout the night and allocate state resources as needed should ice formation creep further south into the metro area.”

State of emergency declared for north Mississippi

Gov. Bryant has declared a state of emergency for north Mississippi, after the National Weather Service (NWS) warned northern counties near the Tennessee state line could see up to an inch of ice from freezing rain.

NWS also warned of possibility of severe thunderstorms in southern Mississippi as the strong cold front sweeps through the state.

Deadly storm brings heavy snow and high winds to New England (Again)

Another deadly storm brought blizzard conditions to New England on Sunday, causing deaths and damage as it swept through the Midwest and the Northeast.

The storm dumped more than two feet of snow on parts of Maine, causing thousands of flight cancellations throughout the region.

At least six people were killed across the northeast in storm-related incidents, said a report.

Blizzard Bombards Boston

Meantime, the sixth winter storm (second blizzard) in three weeks made February snowiest month on record for Boston, with 58.5 inches (148.6cm), shattering the previous record set in January 2005 by more than 15 inches.

NWS forecasters said temperatures would plunge below zero overnight Sunday, with wind chills as low minus 30 degrees (Fahrenheit), and warned that yet another powerful storm could hit the region beginning late Tuesday.

Boston received 16.2 inches (41.1cm) of snow over the weekend, making an accumulated total of 95.7 inches (243.1cm), third snowiest on record, so far this winter, with less than a foot away from the record-setting 1995-1996 total of 107.6 inches (273.3cm).

Snow emergencies declared in Tri-State

Snow Emergencies are being declared as a massive storm from barrels into the Tri-State. Level 1 and Level 2 Snow emergencies have been issued for multiple counties in Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio.

Boston Breaks More Snow Records

Record 72 inches of snow on Boston over 30 days, record 42.2 inches for February

A record 72 inches of snow on Boston over 30 days has paralyzed “The Walking City,” causing massive commuting delays and forcing the head of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority to resign.

Boston has also set a new record of 42.2 inches for total snowfall in February, with more than two weeks left to end of the month.

Meantime, a new storm system is forecast to dump as much as two additional feet of snow on parts of New England.

Earlier today, the National Weather Service (NWS) issued the following forecast, warning of  “highly amplified weather pattern across the United States.” And an intense nor’easter bringing heavy snow and blizzard to eastern New England by early Sunday is forecast to produce “brutal subzero wind chills,” with the effective temperature falling to as low as minus 35 degrees in places.

Dangerous wind chills will continue Friday across much of the Northeast, into central Appalachians

[…] low pressure systems dropping southward out of Canada towards the East Coast… will then undergo what meteorologists call Miller-B type cyclogenesis near the New England coast, and this occurs when a low pressure system approaching from the west transfers its energy to a coastal low that rapidly intensifies and deepens.

The storm system will be followed by a “truly arctic airmass,” producing the coldest weather of the season, for parts of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast U.S. this weekend, said NWS. 

Record Snowfall Buries New England

Boston breaks snow record

Boston sets a record for the most snow in 30 days with 61.6 inches, breaking the previous record of 58.8 inches, which fell during and after the 1978 Blizzard.

As of Monday p.m., a total of 76.5 inches of snow had fallen at Logan Airport, where snow is officially measured, so far this winter.

The latest snowstorm, which has killed at least one person in Massachusetts, forced the closure of schools, businesses and  cancellations of hundreds of flights , so far this week.

Massachusetts Governor Baker issued a statewide snow emergency Sunday evening, urging employers to close businesses and non-essential employees to stay home.

Gov. Baker Declares State of Emergency for Mass.

Governor Charlie Baker declared a state of emergency Monday evening “for the Commonwealth to pursue mutual aid initiatives with other states.”  He also announced state office closures for non-emergency personnel who live or work in Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk or Suffolk counties, according to the State’s website.

“Three storms in two weeks have dropped historic amounts of snow on the Commonwealth, complicating cleanup and snow removal efforts, despite round the clock shifts,” said Baker.

“The state of emergency shall remain in effect until notice is given in the Governor’s judgment that it is no longer necessary,” said a statement issued by the state officials.

MBTA Closure – Tuesday, February 10th, 2015: The MBTA has announced all subway, trolley and commuter rail services will be suspended to allow maintenance crews to clear snow and ice from tracks, the third rail and switches. Bus services will be available on an extremely limited basis and customers will not be able to make transfers at customary intermodal points due to suspended rail services.

 

Massachusetts Declares Statewide Snow Emergency

Powerful Snowstorm Hits New England Again

Massachusetts Governor Baker has issued a statewide snow emergency, urging employers to close businesses and non-essential employees to stay home.

Many parts of the state could receive up to 24 inches of snow.  Several towns already have up to 60 inches of snow accumulated on roadsides.

This is the third week the region is being hit by massive snowstorms. Two weeks ago the blizzard raged for two days forcing many schools to close for up to a week.

The Groundhog Day Nor’easter dumped more snow in the region last week, again forcing many schools and businesses to close down for several days.

Up to 15 inches of snow is forecast for southern Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.

 

Deadly Winter Storm Dumps Record Snow in NE U.S.

Second Massive Snowstorm in a Week Batters Northeast US

The storm has left about a dozen people dead, breaking snowfall records in multiple areas.

Boston, paralyzed by about 61cm (2 feet) of snow from the blizzard less than a week ago, set a new record for the snowiest seven-day period in its history with 87cm (34.2 inches) by 13:00 on Monday, breaking the previous record set in 1996 by 8cm. Forecasters said the city could receive another 30cm (12 inches) of snow before the storm lifts away from the Northeast coast.

The storm piled snow on locations from Nebraska to New England, barreling through Chicago, where it dumped nearly 50cm of snow, and forcing thousands of flight cancellations on Sunday and Monday across the affected areas.

Meantime, the handlers of Punxsutawney Phil, Pennsylvania’s famous groundhog, said Monday the rodent had seen his shadow, meaning 6 more weeks of winter.

Phil’s forecast is often more accurate than many expensive computer models!

Arctic airmass will plunge through the central U.S. through mid-week: NWS

The National Weather Service (NWS) has posted the following forecast for the remainder of the week:

High pressure sliding down from Canada will bring a surge of cold arctic air into the northern Plains on Tuesday… which will spread south and east across the central U.S. on Wednesday, dropping temperatures in its wake. Meanwhile, an unsettled pattern will keep precipitation in the forecast for the Northwest. Above normal temperatures will confine snowfall to the higher mountain elevations.

 

State of Emergency Declared in NE U.S.

‘Crippling snow’ and ‘life-threatening’ blizzard:  States of Emergency declared in five states

A paralyzing blizzard is buffeting northeaster US with massive, possibly record, snowfall amounts and life-threatening blizzard conditions, prompting eight states—New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania* and Maine—to declare states of emergency.

Thousands of flights into and out of the Northeast have been canceled with snowfall amounts of 1 – 3 feet or more forecast for many parts of the region, while hurricane-force winds are forecast to batter the coastal areas.

Up to 30 million people will face blizzard conditions Monday/Tuesday,  while up to 60 million people could see 6 – 12 inches or more of snow as the storm system, dubbed “Winter Storm Juno,” barrels across the region, forecasters said.

NYC Mayor said 2,300 snowploughs will be deployed to clear the city, while urging residents to stay out of their way.

Driving bans have been imposed across dozens of cities and counties in the NE, including NYC and Boston.

[*Pennsylvania Gov. issued a disaster emergency proclamation, and called up the National Guards.]

NWS said:

“A storm system off the East Coast will continue to strengthen as it develops into a major nor’easter on Monday. As the storm moves up the coast, it is expected to bring snowfall of 1-3 feet or more to many parts of the Northeast through Tuesday evening, including New York City and Boston. Strong, gusty winds will combine with the snow to create blizzard conditions along and near the coast.”

• High-impact winter storm expected to bring crippling snowfall amounts and life-threatening blizzard conditions to much of the Northeast
• Blizzard warnings are in effect for the coastal areas of New Jersey through Maine.
• Winter storm warnings are in effect from New Jersey to Maine. Winter storm warnings are also in effect for an area of the Appalachians in West Virginia.
• Coastal flood warnings and advisories are in effect from Delaware to the coast of Maine.

‘Historic’ Blizzard to Batter U.S. East Coast

Major nor’easter to impact northeastern U.S.

A massive nor’easter is forecast to impact parts of the Northeast Monday through Wednesday. The system will bring heavy snowfall and [hurricane-force] winds, with possible blizzard conditions along coastal areas from New Jersey to Massachusetts, said National Weather Service (NWS), describing the storm as “crippling and potentially historic blizzard.”

This could be the biggest snowstorm in the history of New York, said NY Mayor at a news conference, adding that the snowfall could top 3 feet (91cm).

“I want everyone to understand that we are facing—most probably—one of the largest snowstorms in the history of this city,” said de Blasio.
“My message to all New Yorkers is prepare for something worse than we have seen before. Prepare … for this extreme weather,” he said.

Blizzard Warnings are in effect along the coast from central New Jersey to the Canadian border.

Warnings issued by NWS include

Hurricane Force Wind Warning
Blizzard Warning
Winter Storm Warning
Gale Warning
High Wind Warning
Storm Warning
Coastal Flood Warning
Flood Warning

NWS forecast:

• Heavy snow for New England and the Northern Mid-Atlantic Coast
• Snow for the Upper Great Lakes and the Ohio Valley to Mid-Atlantic
• Temperatures to rise up to 30 degrees above average from the
  Northern High Plains to parts of the Central Plains…

Deadly Storms Hit US East Coast

EXTREME WEATHER & CLIMATIC EVENTS
DAEDLY STORMS
SCENARIOS 111, 066
.

Destructive storms kill at least 5 in New York, Maryland

Fierce, tornado-spawning storms have killed at least 5 people, destroying homes, uprooting trees and downing power lines across larges swathes of the country from the Ohio Valley to the mid-Atlantic region.

The storms cut power to more than 500,000 homes and businesses, mostly in New York and Pennsylvania, according to reports.

Tornado, Wind and Hail Reports for July 6-8, 2014

 

 

7th Strong Winter Storm to Hit New England

EXTREME WEATHER AND CLIMATIC EVENTS
.

Storm intensifying in eastern U.S. headed toward Northeast

Blizzard conditions are forecast to develop battering New England and eastern Canadian provinces with strong winds and heavy snow.

Blizzard conditions could pound coastal Massachusetts on Saturday,   NWS has forecast.

Deadly  Storm Exits North America

Meanwhile, the major storm that struck southern and eastern United States through Friday, killing more than 2 dozen people, has moved into the Atlantic, headed toward Ireland and the UK.

The tail end of the storm pushed into eastern Canada and was forecast to dump up to 60cm of snow from Quebec to Newfoundland

The storm, which began late Tuesday, dumped heavy snow from North Carolina to Maine, including more than 27inches on parts of New York state, and prompted States of emergency declarations in 12 states in the south, southeast and northeaster United States.

NOTE: The front is currently being described as a “non-active” system, but shows every sign of being able to reorganize as a super storm as it tracks across the Atlantic.

Infrared Mosaic Color Background – Atlantic Region GOES-East/ Meteosat-9/MTSAT. Satellite image timed at 10:45UTC on Saturday Feb. 15, 2014 . Source: SSEC-UW-CIMSS

Continued…

Related Links

• States of Emergency Declared for NY & CT February 14, 2014

Deadly Ice Storm Paralyzes Eastern Canada

EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS

“One of the worst storms in Toronto history,” kills at least 12, cuts power to 400,000 homes

A severe ice storm paralyzed eastern Canada with massive snow and freezing rain, leaving at least a dozen people dead and cutting power to at least 400,000 homes.

The system severely impacted Toronto, Canada’s largest city, as well as Ottawa and Montreal, forcing hundreds of flight cancellations and stranding thousands of people.

Toronto’s Mayor called the ice storm “one of the worst storms in Toronto history,” adding that he may declare a state of emergency.

Flooding caused by the storm killed at least four people in Kentucky earlier, while a tornado caused extensive damage in Arkansas.

At least three others have been killed in storm related incidents across the U.S.

The ice storm also battered New York state, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, forcing New York Governor to declare a winter ice storm emergency in four counties where were more than 2 inches of ice covered the roads.

The storm left about half a million homes in the region without power and forced the closure of large section of public transport system.

The complex storm system brought a minor heatwave to the northeast, raising the mercury to record highs in New York City and Philadelphia on Saturday. The temperature in New York’s Central Park rose above 65 degrees, breaking a 2011 record of 62 degrees on Saturday and 71 degrees on Sunday, smashing a 1998 record of 63 degrees, while Philadelphia reported a record 68 degrees on Sunday, said NWS.

Other States of Emergency Declaration

Dozens of other counties, cities, towns and communities have also declared states of emergency for ice and snow due to the extreme weather brought by the ice storm including

• Cities of Beloit and Sun Prairie in Wisconsin
• City of Rockford, Illinois
• City of North Liberty, Iowa

National High and Low Temperature (for the contiguous United States)

High Temperature for Sunday:  88 degrees at Punta Gorda, FL

Low Temperature for Sunday:  -24 at Williston, NC

NWS Weather Prediction Center, College Park, MD Issued 1 am EST Monday, December 23, 2013

Temperature Range for Sunday: 112 degrees

Related News

• Toronto and eastern Canada battered by winter storm
• New York City enjoys record highs amid volatile winter weather

Related Links

• Ice Storm Emergency Declared for NY December 22, 2013
• Multiple Hazard Warnings in Effect Across Much of The U.S. December 21, 2013

Latest of East Coast Snowstorms

Latest in a Series of East Coast Snowstorms – GOES East Satellite Image

Original Caption: New York City woke up to 5 more inches [12.5cm] of snow this morning, adding to already record-setting accumulations this winter. As the storm moves off the eastern seaboard it is expected to leave 7-12 inches [17.5-30cm] more in coastal New England, with Maine expecting the brunt of accumulation throughout the rest of the day. This image was taken by GOES East at 16:45UTC [January 21, 2011.]  Source: NOAA. Click image to enlarge. High Resolution Version

Click Image to enlarge. Update image. (24-Hr FE ED).
Click HERE to Animate Image. (Source: SSEC/Wisc-Uni)

National Snow Analysis [January 21, 2011]

Area Covered By Snow:	56.0%
Area Covered Last Month:	46.0%
Snow Depth
Average:	16.9 cm
Minimum:	0.0 cm
Maximum:	2413.4 cm
Std. Dev.:	31.5 cm
Snow Water Equivalent
Average:	3.7 cm
Minimum:	0.0 cm
Maximum:	1131.5 cm
Std. Dev.:	8.5 cm

Snow Cover Animations:

• Snow Water Equivalent: Season — Two weeks — One Day
• Snow Depth: Season — Two weeks — One Day
• Average Snowpack Temp: Season — Two weeks — One Day
  
• SWE Change: Season — Two weeks — One Day
• Snow Precipitation: Season — Two weeks — One Day
• Snow Melt: Season — Two weeks — One Day
• Blowing Snow Sublimation: Season — Two weeks — One Day
  
• Surface Sublimation: Season — Two weeks — One Day
• Non-Snow Precipitation: Season — Two weeks — One Day

Click Below for 31 Day Animations

• Northern Hemisphere
• United States and Canada
• Alaska
• Europe/Asia

Related Links:

• Nor’easter Pummels the U-S East Coast

• Western U-S Blasted by Fierce Storm, 2 ft of Snow
• Blizzard Dumps 2 Feet of Snow in NYC
• Winter Storms Hit the U-S
• U-S Snowstorm Headlines
• Deadly Snowstorms Hit North America

• Global Climate Extremes INTENSIFYING

Ice storm paralyzes northeast US

Massive ice storm knocks out power to 1.4 million homes and businesses across seven states

Felled branches lay on Brattle Street in Worcester yesterday after the ice storm. Governor Deval Patrick declared a state of emergency in Massachusetts. (JOHN TLUMACKI/GLOBE STAFF). Image may be subject to copyright.

A powerful ice storm has knocked out power to 1.4 million homes and businesses across  seven states in New England, forcing the state of Maine to shut government offices.

States of emergency have been declared in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and in parts of Maine and New York state.

“This is a very, very serious situation right now,” New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch said after declaring an emergency in his state, in what the authorities described as the worst outages in 30 years.

The storm has killed at least 4 people so far and caused tens of millions of dollars in damage across northeast United States.