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{{Infobox winter storm
{{Short description|North American winter storm in March 2015}}
{{Infobox weather event
|name=Early March 2015 United States winter storm
|image location=EarlyMarch2015WinterStorm.png
| image = EarlyMarch2015WinterStorm.png
|image name= The elongated winter storm moving over the [[East Coast of the United States|East Coast]] early on March 5.
| caption = The elongated winter storm moving over the [[East Coast of the United States|East Coast]] early on March 5.
|date formed=March 1, 2015
| formed = March 1, 2015
|date dissipated=March 7, 2015
| dissipated = March 7, 2015
}}{{Infobox weather event/Winter storm
|maximum amount=Snowfall – {{convert|54.6|in|cm|abbr=on}} in [[Schofield Pass (Colorado)|Schofield Pass]], [[Colorado]]<br />Ice – {{convert|0.25|in|mm|abbr=on}} near [[Jackson, Mississippi]]
| maximum snow = Snowfall – {{convert|54.6|in|cm|abbr=on}} in [[Schofield Pass (Colorado)|Schofield Pass]], [[Colorado]]<br />Ice – {{convert|0.25|in|mm|abbr=on}} near [[Jackson, Mississippi]]
|stormtype=[[Extratropical cyclone]]<br />[[Winter storm]]<br />[[Ice storm]]<br />[[Blizzard]]
| lowest temperature = {{convert|-16|F|C}} in [[Montpelier, Vermont]] on March 7 <ref name="RecordColdMarch"/>
|pressure = 993 [[Millibars|mb]] (29.32 [[Inches of mercury|inHg]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/archives/web_pages/sfc/sfc_archive_maps.php?arcdate=03/03/2015&selmap=2015030318&maptype=satsfcnps|title=WPC Surface Analysis Archive|publisher=|accessdate=10 April 2016}}</ref>
}}{{Infobox weather event/Extratropical
|fujitascale =
| pressure = 993
|tornadoes =
| pressure-suffix = <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/archives/web_pages/sfc/sfc_archive_maps.php?arcdate=03/03/2015&selmap=2015030318&maptype=satsfcnps|title=WPC Surface Analysis Archive|access-date=10 April 2016}}</ref>
|sustained wind =
}}{{Infobox weather event/Effects
|gust =
|total damages (USD)=
| damages =
|total fatalities=
| fatalities=None
|areas affected = [[Southwestern United States]], [[High Plains (United States)|High Plains]], [[Upper Midwest]], [[Southeastern United States]], Northern [[Mexico]], [[Northeastern United States]]
|injuries=[[Delta Air Lines Flight 1086|29 indirect]]| areas = [[Southwestern United States]], [[High Plains (United States)|High Plains]], [[Upper Midwest]], [[Southeastern United States]], Northern [[Mexico]], [[Northeastern United States]]
}}{{Infobox weather event/Footer
| notes = Part of the '''[[2014–15 North American winter]]'''
| season = [[2014–15 North American winter]]
}}
}}


In the beginning of March 2015, a significant winter storm plowed through much of the United States, bringing {{convert|1–2|ft|in}} of snow and record cold temperatures behind it.<ref name="RecordColdMarch">{{cite web|url=https://weather.com/storms/winter/news/record-cold-early-march|title=Record-Breaking Cold: All-Time March Record Lows Set|work=The Weather Channel|date=March 7, 2015|accessdate=April 3, 2016}}</ref><ref name="ThorSnow">{{cite web|url=https://weather.com/storms/winter/news/winter-storm-thor-snow-ice-reports|title=Winter Storm Thor: Record Two-Day Snowstorm in Lexington, Kentucky; Snow, Ice, Flooding Reports|work=The Weather Channel|date=March 6, 2015|accessdate=April 10, 2016}}</ref> The storm actually occurred in two phases, with the latter bringing the cold temperatures behind it in its wake. Record cold temperatures even spread down to as far as northern [[Florida]].
The '''March 2015 North American winter storm''' was a significant [[snowstorm|snow]] and [[ice storm]] that plowed through much of the United States, bringing {{convert|1–2|ft|in}} of snow and record cold temperatures behind it.<ref name="RecordColdMarch">{{cite web|url=https://weather.com/storms/winter/news/record-cold-early-march|title=Record-Breaking Cold: All-Time March Record Lows Set|work=The Weather Channel|date=March 7, 2015|access-date=April 3, 2016}}</ref><ref name="ThorSnow">{{cite web|url=https://weather.com/storms/winter/news/winter-storm-thor-snow-ice-reports|title=Winter Storm Thor: Record Two-Day Snowstorm in Lexington, Kentucky; Snow, Ice, Flooding Reports|work=The Weather Channel|date=March 6, 2015|access-date=April 10, 2016}}</ref> The storm actually occurred in two phases, with the latter bringing the cold temperatures behind it in its wake. Record cold temperatures even spread down to as far as northern [[Florida]].


== Meteorological history ==
== Meteorological history ==
The first phase of the storm came on March 2, as a vigorous area of low pressure formed along an arctic [[cold front]]. Drawing some moisture from the so-called "[[Pineapple Express]]" from the Pacific, snowfall began to develop in the [[Upper Midwest]], spreading a swath of accumulating snow ranging from {{convert|3–6|in|cm}} into March 3.<ref name="Thor">{{cite web|url=https://weather.com/storms/winter/news/winter-storm-thor-southwest-rockies-midwest-northeast|title=Winter Storm Thor: Significant Snow, Sleet, Ice Maker in the South and East (RECAP)|work=The Weather Channel|date=March 6, 2015|accessdate=April 3, 2016}}</ref> Snow began to push into the [[Northeastern United States|Northeast]] by the evening, with generally light accumulations, before tapering off and changing to [[rain]] showers later that night. As the initial area of low pressure moved into the northeastern parts of Canada, its cold front lingered, stretching from [[Maine]] to western [[Texas]]. Because of the "Pineapple Express" pumping moisture into just about the same area where this arctic front was set up, snow began to break out as a plume of precipitation began to take shape by mid-day on March 4. This was the start of the final phase of the winter storm.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/capital-weather-gang/wp/2015/03/06/polar-meets-pineapple-the-meteorology-behind-a-unique-winter-storm/|title=‘Polar’ meets ‘pineapple': The meteorology behind a unique winter storm|author=Jeff Halverson|date=6 March 2015|work=Washington Post|accessdate=10 April 2016}}</ref> An icing threat also loomed ahead as well, stretching into the southwestern part of the Mid-Atlantic. A new area of low pressure then formed near the [[Arkansas]]–[[Louisiana]] border and began to track eastward. Rain changed to moderate snowfall by 1 a.m EDT March 5, as cold air began to sank in. A long swath of snow then began to stretch from the southeastern tip of [[Massachusetts]], into [[New York City]], all the way down to the northern parts of [[Mississippi]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/weatherchannel/status/573471411001430016|title=The Weather Channel on Twitter|work=Twitter}}</ref> Snow from this system was that of the dry, fluffy kind, which was one reason power outages weren't so severe in the Northeast, however there was more in the ice portion of the storm. The storm continued to dump snow, ice and sleet across the eastern half of the United States, before moving off the coast late on March 5, leaving snow accumulations of {{convert|6–12|in|cm}} into the Northeast,<ref name="Thor"/> and record cold in its wake, with some areas experience a near {{convert|50|F|C}} drop in 24 hours as the arctic front moved through.<ref name="RecordColdMarch"/>
The first phase of the storm came on March 2, as a vigorous area of low pressure formed along an arctic [[cold front]]. Drawing some moisture from the so-called "[[Pineapple Express]]" from the Pacific, snowfall began to develop in the [[Upper Midwest]], spreading a swath of accumulating snow ranging from {{convert|3–6|in|cm}} into March 3.<ref name="Thor">{{cite web|url=https://weather.com/storms/winter/news/winter-storm-thor-southwest-rockies-midwest-northeast|title=Winter Storm Thor: Significant Snow, Sleet, Ice Maker in the South and East (RECAP)|work=The Weather Channel|date=March 6, 2015|access-date=April 3, 2016}}</ref> Snow began to push into the [[Northeastern United States|Northeast]] by the evening, with generally light accumulations, before tapering off and changing to [[rain]] showers later that night. As the initial area of low pressure moved into the northeastern parts of Canada, its cold front lingered, stretching from [[Maine]] to western [[Texas]]. Because of the "Pineapple Express" pumping moisture into just about the same area where this arctic front was set up, snow began to break out as a plume of precipitation began to take shape by mid-day on March 4. This was the start of the final phase of the winter storm.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/capital-weather-gang/wp/2015/03/06/polar-meets-pineapple-the-meteorology-behind-a-unique-winter-storm/|title='Polar' meets 'pineapple': The meteorology behind a unique winter storm|author=Jeff Halverson|date=6 March 2015|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=10 April 2016}}</ref> An icing threat also loomed ahead as well, stretching into the southwestern part of the Mid-Atlantic. A new area of low pressure then formed near the [[Arkansas]]–[[Louisiana]] border and began to track eastward. Rain changed to moderate snowfall by 1 a.m EDT March 5, as cold air began to sink in. A long swath of snow then began to stretch from the southeastern tip of [[Massachusetts]], into [[New York City]], all the way down to the northern parts of [[Mississippi]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/weatherchannel/status/573471411001430016|title=The Weather Channel on Twitter|work=Twitter}}</ref> Snow from this system was that of the dry, fluffy kind, which was one reason power outages weren't so severe in the Northeast, however there was more in the ice portion of the storm. The storm continued to dump snow, ice and sleet across the eastern half of the United States, before moving off the coast late on March 5, leaving snow accumulations of {{convert|6–12|in|cm}} into the Northeast,<ref name="Thor"/> and record cold in its wake, with some areas, like [[Jackson, Mississippi]], experiencing a near 50&nbsp;°F (28&nbsp;°C) drop in 24 hours as the arctic front moved through. Several daily, and monthly, record lows were set.<ref name="RecordColdMarch"/>


== Impact ==
== Impact ==

=== Snowfall totals ===
=== Snowfall totals ===
This is a list of the largest snowfall reports by state impacted by the storm. Source:<ref name="ThorSnow"/>
The maximum snowfall total recorded during the storm was {{convert|54.6|in|cm}} in [[Schofield Pass (Colorado)|Schofield Pass]], [[Colorado]].<ref name="ThorSnow" />
{| class="wikitable"

|+Maximum Snowfall by state
; [[Illinois]]
!State

!Place(s)
* {{convert|11|in|cm}} in Brookport and Mound City
!Snowfall total

!State
; [[Indiana]]
!Place(s)

!Snowfall total
* {{convert|11|in|cm}} in Charlestown
|-

; [[Iowa]]
|[[Illinois]]
|[[Brookport, Illinois|Brookport]] and [[Mound City, Illinois|Mound City]]

* {{convert|1.1|in|cm}} in Olin
|{{convert|11|in|cm}}
|[[Pennsylvania]]

; [[Kansas]]
|[[East Nantmeal]]
|{{convert|11.3|in|cm}}

|-
* {{convert|3.5|in|cm}} in Liberal
|[[Indiana]]

|[[Charlestown, Indiana|Charlestown]]
; [[Michigan]]
|{{convert|11|in|cm}}

|[[Rhode Island]]
* {{convert|5.3|in|cm}} in Newberry
|[[Saunderstown, Rhode Island|Saunderstown]] and [[South Kingstown, Rhode Island|South Kingstown]]

|{{convert|12|in|cm}}
; [[Minnesota]]
|-

|[[Iowa]]
* {{convert|6.5|in|cm}} in Wrenshall
|[[Olin, Iowa|Olin]]

|{{convert|1.1|in|cm}}
; [[Missouri]]
|[[Vermont]]

|near [[Cabot, Vermont|Cabot]]
* {{convert|15.5|in|cm}} in Kennett
|{{convert|3.5|in|cm}}

|-
; [[Nebraska]]
|[[Kansas]]

|[[Liberal, Kansas|Liberal]]
* {{convert|6|in|cm}} near Harrison
|{{convert|3.5|in|cm}}

; [[Ohio]]
|[[Virginia]]
|[[Washington Dulles International Airport]]

* {{convert|17|in|cm}} near Waterloo
|{{convert|9.4|in|cm}}
|-

; [[South Dakota]]
|[[Michigan]]
|[[Newberry, Michigan|Newberry]]

* {{convert|5|in|cm}} near Porcupine
|{{convert|5.3|in|cm}}
|[[West Virginia]]

|[[Buckeye, West Virginia|Buckeye]] and [[Davis, West Virginia|Davis]]
; [[Wisconsin]]
|{{convert|14|in|cm}}

|-
* {{convert|6|in|cm}} in Iron River
|[[Minnesota]]

|[[Wrenshall, Minnesota|Wrenshall]]
; [[Connecticut]]
|{{convert|6.5|in|cm}}

|[[Arkansas]]
* {{convert|9|in|cm}} at Ledyard Center
|near [[Bono, Arkansas|Bono]]

|{{convert|11|in|cm}}
; [[Maine]]
|-

|[[Missouri]]
* {{convert|7.5|in|cm}} near Fort Kent
|[[Kennett, Missouri|Kennett]]

|{{convert|15.5|in|cm}}
; [[Maryland]]
|[[Kentucky]]

|near [[Radcliff, Kentucky|Radcliff]]
* {{convert|15|in|cm}} at Highfield
|{{convert|25|in|cm}}

|-
; [[Massachusetts]]
|[[Nebraska]]

|near [[Harrison, Nebraska|Harrison]]
* {{convert|12|in|cm}} at Dennisport
|{{convert|6|in|cm}}

; [[New Hampshire]]
|[[Mississippi]]
|near [[Horn Lake, Mississippi|Horn Lake]]

* {{convert|4|in|cm}} in Pittsburg
|{{convert|4.4|in|cm}}
|-

; [[New Jersey]]
|[[Ohio]]
|near [[Waterloo, Ohio|Waterloo]]

* {{convert|8.8|in|cm}} in Scotch Plains and Roselle Park
|{{convert|17|in|cm}}
|[[Oklahoma]]

; [[New York (state)|New York]]
|[[New Cordell, Oklahoma|New Cordell]]
|{{convert|5|in|cm}}

|-
* {{convert|9.5|in|cm}} in Great Kills
|[[South Dakota]]

|near [[Porcupine, South Dakota|Porcupine]]
; [[Pennsylvania]]
|{{convert|5|in|cm}}

|[[Tennessee]]
* {{convert|11.3|in|cm}} in East Nantmeal
|[[Martin, Tennessee|Martin]]

|{{convert|13.5|in|cm}}
; [[Rhode Island]]
|-

|[[Wisconsin]]
* {{convert|12|in|cm}} at Saunderstown and South Kingstown
|[[Iron River, Wisconsin|Iron River]]

|{{convert|6|in|cm}}
; [[Vermont]]
|[[Texas]]

|[[Grapevine, Texas|Grapevine]]
* {{convert|3.5|in|cm}} near Cabot
|{{convert|7|in|cm}}

|-
; [[Virginia]]
|[[Connecticut]]

|[[Ledyard, Connecticut|Ledyard]]
* {{convert|9.4|in|cm}} at Washington Dulles International Airport,
|{{convert|9|in|cm}}

; [[West Virginia]]
|[[Arizona]]
|near [[Parks, Arizona|Parks]]

* {{convert|14|in|cm}} in Buckeye and Davis
|{{convert|12|in|cm}}
|-

; [[Arkansas]]
|[[Maine]]
|near [[Fort Kent, Maine|Fort Kent]]

* {{convert|11|in|cm}} near Bono
|{{convert|7.5|in|cm}}
|[[California]]

|[[Olympic Valley, California|Squaw Valley]]
; [[Kentucky]]
|{{convert|32|in|cm}}

|-
* {{convert|25|in|cm}} near Radcliff
|[[Maryland]]

|[[Highfield, Maryland|Highfield]]
; [[Mississippi]]
|{{convert|15|in|cm}}

|[[Colorado]]
* {{convert|4.4|in|cm}} near Horn Lake
|[[Schofield Pass (Colorado)|Schofield Pass]]

|{{convert|54.6|in|cm}}
; [[Oklahoma]]
|-

|[[Massachusetts]]
* {{convert|5|in|cm}} in Cordell
|[[Dennisport, Massachusetts|Dennisport]]

|{{convert|12|in|cm}}
; [[Tennessee]]
|[[Nevada]]

|[[Diamond Peak Ski Resort, Nevada|Diamond Peak Ski Resort]]
* {{convert|13.5|in|cm}} in Martin
|{{convert|24|in|cm}}

|-
; [[Texas]]
|[[New Hampshire]]

|[[Pittsburg, New Hampshire|Pittsburg]]
* {{convert|7|in|cm}} in Grapevine
|{{convert|4|in|cm}}

; [[Arizona]]
|[[New Mexico]]
|[[Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico|Taos Ski Area]]

* {{convert|12|in|cm}} near Parks
|{{convert|21|in|cm}}
|-

; [[California]]
|[[New Jersey]]
|[[Scotch Plains, New Jersey|Scotch Plains]] and [[Roselle Park, New Jersey|Roselle Park]]

* {{convert|32|in|cm}} at Squaw Valley
|{{convert|8.8|in|cm}}
|[[Utah]]

|[[Buckboard Flat, Utah|Buckboard Flat]]
; [[Colorado]]
|{{convert|49|in|cm}}

|-
* {{convert|54.6|in|cm}} at Schofield Pass
|[[New York (state)|New York]]

|[[Great Kills, New York|Great Kills]]
; [[Nevada]]
|{{convert|9.5|in|cm}}

|[[Wyoming]]
* {{convert|24|in|cm}} at Diamond Peak Ski Resort
|[[Casper Mountain]]

|{{convert|18|in|cm}}
; [[New Mexico]]
|-

!colspan=6|Reference:<ref name="ThorSnow"/>
* {{convert|21|in|cm}} at Taos Ski Area
|}

; [[Utah]]

* {{convert|49|in|cm}} at Buckboard Flat

; [[Wyoming]]

* {{convert|18|in|cm}} on Casper Mountain


=== Travel ===
=== Travel ===
[[File:Delta Air Lines flight 1086 from Atlanta to New York LaGuardia on 05 March 2015.jpg|thumb|[[Delta Air Lines Flight 1086]] hanging over [[Flushing Bay]] after losing control on a snowy runway]]
The winter storm snarled travel across many areas in the United States, including a massive pileup on [[Interstate 65 in Kentucky]], in which some people were stranded on the highway for hours. Several other travel-related issues included a 14-car pileup on [[Interstate 459]] in Alabama, and a jackknifed semi and flipped snow plow in [[Washington D.C.]].<ref name="ThorImpacts">{{cite web|url=https://weather.com/news/news/winter-storm-thor-impacts-latest-southwest-midwest-northeast|title=News|date=3 March 2015|work=The Weather Channel|access-date=10 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wdrb.com/story/28269352/national-guard-called-in-to-help-stranded-motorists-on-i-65-in-elizabethtown2|title=UPDATE: I-65 shut down near Elizabethtown, hundreds of motorists - WDRB 41 Louisville News|author=Antoinette Konz|date=5 March 2015|access-date=10 April 2016}}</ref> Over 4,000 flights were canceled due to the storm.<ref name="BBC" />


While landing at [[LaGuardia Airport]], [[Delta Air Lines Flight 1086]] lost control on a snowy runway attributed to the winter storm. Combined with excessive braking action, the aircraft lost control and [[runway excursion|veered off the side of the runway]].<ref name="NTSBReport">{{Cite report |url=https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/AAR1602.pdf |title=Aircraft Accident Report: Runway Excursion During Landing; Delta Air Lines Flight 1086; Boeing MD-88, N909DL; New York, New York; March 5, 2015 |date=September 13, 2016 |publisher=[[National Transportation Safety Board]] |access-date=June 5, 2023}}</ref> Between 23<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dastin |first1=Jeffrey |last2=Jaisinghani |first2=Sagarika |title=Flight crew cite brake problem in Delta NYC accident: NTSB |url=https://news.yahoo.com/delta-accident-related-brake-setting-ntsb-195536049--finance.html |access-date=June 5, 2023 |publisher=[Yahoo News |date=March 9, 2015}}</ref> and 29 minor injuries were reported<ref name="NTSBReport" /> and the aircraft was subsequently [[written off]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20150305-0 |publisher=Aviation Safety Network |access-date=June 5, 2023 |title=ASN Aircraft Accident McDonnell Douglas MD-88 N909DL New York-La Guardia Airport, NY (LGA) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230214175600/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20150305-0 |archive-date=February 14, 2023 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The winter storm produced {{convert|8.4|in|cm|abbr=on}} of snow at the airport.<ref>[https://www.weather.gov/okx/storm03052015 March 5th Winter Storm], NWS New York</ref>
The winter storm snarled travel across many areas in the United States, including a massive pileup on [[Interstate 65]] in Kentucky, in which some people were stranded on the highway for hours.<ref name="ThorImpacts">{{cite web|url=https://weather.com/news/news/winter-storm-thor-impacts-latest-southwest-midwest-northeast|title=News|date=3 March 2015|work=The Weather Channel|accessdate=10 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wdrb.com/story/28269352/national-guard-called-in-to-help-stranded-motorists-on-i-65-in-elizabethtown2|title=UPDATE: I-65 shut down near Elizabethtown, hundreds of motorists - WDRB 41 Louisville News|author=Antoinette Konz|date=5 March 2015|publisher=|accessdate=10 April 2016}}</ref> Several other travel-related issues included a 14-car pileup on [[Interstate 459]] in Alabama, a jackknifed semi and flipped snow plow in [[Washington D.C]], a Delta plane traveling from [[Atlanta]] to [[New York City]] skidding off a snowy runway at [[LaGuardia Airport]], and much more.<ref name="ThorImpacts"/>

=== Records ===


=== Closures ===
Multiple records were set during and after the storm, with primary more after the storm had past.
{{expand section|date=January 2023}}
The ice caves at [[Apostle Islands National Lakeshore]] were temporarily closed due to the winter storm.<ref>{{cite news |title=Apostle Islands ice caves to reopen Thursday morning |url=https://www.superiortelegram.com/news/apostle-islands-ice-caves-to-reopen-thursday-morning |access-date=January 19, 2023 |publisher=Superior Telegram |date=March 4, 2015}}</ref> Many schools, businesses, and local government offices in the Northeast and Southern United States were closed.<ref name="BBC">{{cite news |title=US snow: Plane skids off New York runway |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-31754912 |access-date=June 5, 2023 |publisher=BBC |date=March 5, 2015}}</ref>


=== Cold snap ===
Below is a list of records set during the winter storm. Sources:<ref name="RecordColdMarch"/><ref name="ThorSnow"/>
Multiple records for cold temperatures were set during and after the storm. [[Lexington, Kentucky]] got its heaviest two-day snowstorm. At least 26 daily record lows were set for cities across the [[lower 48 states]], with six places being at or below {{convert|0|F|C}}. Record low March temperatures were set in [[Pittsburgh]] ({{convert|-5|F|C}}), [[Harrisburg]] ({{convert|-1|F|C}}), [[Paducah, Kentucky]] ({{convert|-6|F|C}} and [[Urbana, Illinois]] ({{convert|-7|F|C}}).<ref name="RecordColdMarch"/><ref name="ThorSnow"/>


== See also ==
* Heaviest two-day snowstorm in [[Lexington, Kentucky]]
*[[Weather of 2015]]
* Multiple record lows for March 5–6 across the [[Lower 48]].


== References ==
== References ==
Line 191: Line 187:


[[Category:2015–16 North American winter]]
[[Category:2015–16 North American winter]]
[[Category:March 2015 events in the United States]]
[[Category:2015 natural disasters in the United States]]
[[Category:Natural disasters in Colorado]]
[[Category:Natural disasters in Mississippi]]

Latest revision as of 21:16, 18 January 2024

March 2015 North American winter storm
The elongated winter storm moving over the East Coast early on March 5.
Meteorological history
FormedMarch 1, 2015
DissipatedMarch 7, 2015
Winter storm
Lowest temperature−16 °F (−27 °C) in Montpelier, Vermont on March 7 [1]
Maximum snowfall or ice accretionSnowfall – 54.6 in (139 cm) in Schofield Pass, Colorado
Ice – 0.25 in (6.4 mm) near Jackson, Mississippi
Extratropical cyclone
Lowest pressure993 hPa (mbar); 29.32 inHg[2]
Overall effects
FatalitiesNone
Injuries29 indirect
Areas affectedSouthwestern United States, High Plains, Upper Midwest, Southeastern United States, Northern Mexico, Northeastern United States
Part of the 2014–15 North American winter

The March 2015 North American winter storm was a significant snow and ice storm that plowed through much of the United States, bringing 1–2 feet (12–24 in) of snow and record cold temperatures behind it.[1][3] The storm actually occurred in two phases, with the latter bringing the cold temperatures behind it in its wake. Record cold temperatures even spread down to as far as northern Florida.

Meteorological history

[edit]

The first phase of the storm came on March 2, as a vigorous area of low pressure formed along an arctic cold front. Drawing some moisture from the so-called "Pineapple Express" from the Pacific, snowfall began to develop in the Upper Midwest, spreading a swath of accumulating snow ranging from 3–6 inches (7.6–15.2 cm) into March 3.[4] Snow began to push into the Northeast by the evening, with generally light accumulations, before tapering off and changing to rain showers later that night. As the initial area of low pressure moved into the northeastern parts of Canada, its cold front lingered, stretching from Maine to western Texas. Because of the "Pineapple Express" pumping moisture into just about the same area where this arctic front was set up, snow began to break out as a plume of precipitation began to take shape by mid-day on March 4. This was the start of the final phase of the winter storm.[5] An icing threat also loomed ahead as well, stretching into the southwestern part of the Mid-Atlantic. A new area of low pressure then formed near the Arkansas–Louisiana border and began to track eastward. Rain changed to moderate snowfall by 1 a.m EDT March 5, as cold air began to sink in. A long swath of snow then began to stretch from the southeastern tip of Massachusetts, into New York City, all the way down to the northern parts of Mississippi.[6] Snow from this system was that of the dry, fluffy kind, which was one reason power outages weren't so severe in the Northeast, however there was more in the ice portion of the storm. The storm continued to dump snow, ice and sleet across the eastern half of the United States, before moving off the coast late on March 5, leaving snow accumulations of 6–12 inches (15–30 cm) into the Northeast,[4] and record cold in its wake, with some areas, like Jackson, Mississippi, experiencing a near 50 °F (28 °C) drop in 24 hours as the arctic front moved through. Several daily, and monthly, record lows were set.[1]

Impact

[edit]

Snowfall totals

[edit]

The maximum snowfall total recorded during the storm was 54.6 inches (139 cm) in Schofield Pass, Colorado.[3]

Maximum Snowfall by state
State Place(s) Snowfall total State Place(s) Snowfall total
Illinois Brookport and Mound City 11 inches (28 cm) Pennsylvania East Nantmeal 11.3 inches (29 cm)
Indiana Charlestown 11 inches (28 cm) Rhode Island Saunderstown and South Kingstown 12 inches (30 cm)
Iowa Olin 1.1 inches (2.8 cm) Vermont near Cabot 3.5 inches (8.9 cm)
Kansas Liberal 3.5 inches (8.9 cm) Virginia Washington Dulles International Airport 9.4 inches (24 cm)
Michigan Newberry 5.3 inches (13 cm) West Virginia Buckeye and Davis 14 inches (36 cm)
Minnesota Wrenshall 6.5 inches (17 cm) Arkansas near Bono 11 inches (28 cm)
Missouri Kennett 15.5 inches (39 cm) Kentucky near Radcliff 25 inches (64 cm)
Nebraska near Harrison 6 inches (15 cm) Mississippi near Horn Lake 4.4 inches (11 cm)
Ohio near Waterloo 17 inches (43 cm) Oklahoma New Cordell 5 inches (13 cm)
South Dakota near Porcupine 5 inches (13 cm) Tennessee Martin 13.5 inches (34 cm)
Wisconsin Iron River 6 inches (15 cm) Texas Grapevine 7 inches (18 cm)
Connecticut Ledyard 9 inches (23 cm) Arizona near Parks 12 inches (30 cm)
Maine near Fort Kent 7.5 inches (19 cm) California Squaw Valley 32 inches (81 cm)
Maryland Highfield 15 inches (38 cm) Colorado Schofield Pass 54.6 inches (139 cm)
Massachusetts Dennisport 12 inches (30 cm) Nevada Diamond Peak Ski Resort 24 inches (61 cm)
New Hampshire Pittsburg 4 inches (10 cm) New Mexico Taos Ski Area 21 inches (53 cm)
New Jersey Scotch Plains and Roselle Park 8.8 inches (22 cm) Utah Buckboard Flat 49 inches (120 cm)
New York Great Kills 9.5 inches (24 cm) Wyoming Casper Mountain 18 inches (46 cm)
Reference:[3]

Travel

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Delta Air Lines Flight 1086 hanging over Flushing Bay after losing control on a snowy runway

The winter storm snarled travel across many areas in the United States, including a massive pileup on Interstate 65 in Kentucky, in which some people were stranded on the highway for hours. Several other travel-related issues included a 14-car pileup on Interstate 459 in Alabama, and a jackknifed semi and flipped snow plow in Washington D.C..[7][8] Over 4,000 flights were canceled due to the storm.[9]

While landing at LaGuardia Airport, Delta Air Lines Flight 1086 lost control on a snowy runway attributed to the winter storm. Combined with excessive braking action, the aircraft lost control and veered off the side of the runway.[10] Between 23[11] and 29 minor injuries were reported[10] and the aircraft was subsequently written off.[12] The winter storm produced 8.4 in (21 cm) of snow at the airport.[13]

Closures

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The ice caves at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore were temporarily closed due to the winter storm.[14] Many schools, businesses, and local government offices in the Northeast and Southern United States were closed.[9]

Cold snap

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Multiple records for cold temperatures were set during and after the storm. Lexington, Kentucky got its heaviest two-day snowstorm. At least 26 daily record lows were set for cities across the lower 48 states, with six places being at or below 0 °F (−18 °C). Record low March temperatures were set in Pittsburgh (−5 °F (−21 °C)), Harrisburg (−1 °F (−18 °C)), Paducah, Kentucky (−6 °F (−21 °C) and Urbana, Illinois (−7 °F (−22 °C)).[1][3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Record-Breaking Cold: All-Time March Record Lows Set". The Weather Channel. March 7, 2015. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
  2. ^ "WPC Surface Analysis Archive". Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  3. ^ a b c d "Winter Storm Thor: Record Two-Day Snowstorm in Lexington, Kentucky; Snow, Ice, Flooding Reports". The Weather Channel. March 6, 2015. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
  4. ^ a b "Winter Storm Thor: Significant Snow, Sleet, Ice Maker in the South and East (RECAP)". The Weather Channel. March 6, 2015. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
  5. ^ Jeff Halverson (6 March 2015). "'Polar' meets 'pineapple': The meteorology behind a unique winter storm". Washington Post. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  6. ^ "The Weather Channel on Twitter". Twitter.
  7. ^ "News". The Weather Channel. 3 March 2015. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  8. ^ Antoinette Konz (5 March 2015). "UPDATE: I-65 shut down near Elizabethtown, hundreds of motorists - WDRB 41 Louisville News". Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  9. ^ a b "US snow: Plane skids off New York runway". BBC. March 5, 2015. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
  10. ^ a b Aircraft Accident Report: Runway Excursion During Landing; Delta Air Lines Flight 1086; Boeing MD-88, N909DL; New York, New York; March 5, 2015 (PDF) (Report). National Transportation Safety Board. September 13, 2016. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
  11. ^ Dastin, Jeffrey; Jaisinghani, Sagarika (March 9, 2015). "Flight crew cite brake problem in Delta NYC accident: NTSB". [Yahoo News. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
  12. ^ "ASN Aircraft Accident McDonnell Douglas MD-88 N909DL New York-La Guardia Airport, NY (LGA)". Aviation Safety Network. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
  13. ^ March 5th Winter Storm, NWS New York
  14. ^ "Apostle Islands ice caves to reopen Thursday morning". Superior Telegram. March 4, 2015. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
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