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February 2013 North American blizzard

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February 2013 nor'easter
TypeNor'easter
FormedFebruary 7, 2013
DissipatedStill active
Lowest pressure994 mbar (29.4 inHg)[1]
Maximum snowfall
or ice accretion		11.6 inches (0.29 m) near Muskegon, Michigan[1]
DamageUnknown
Areas affectedMidwestern United States, New England

In February 2013, a severe nor'easter was forecast to affect the Mid-Atlantic and New England regions of the United States, primarily on February 8 and 9, threatening record amounts of snow and high winds. It was nicknamed Winter Storm Nemo by The Weather Channel.[2]

Meteorological history

Late on February 7, a subtropical low pressure area was located over southern Georgia and moving northeastward, and another low was located over northwest Indiana, moving to the east.[3] By the next day, the southern low had moved over North Carolina and was rapidly intensifying. It contained a large area of precipitation that extended across the Mid-Atlantic states into New England.[1]

Preparations

By late on February 7, winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories were issued for the northeastern United States, from the Upper Midwest to New England. There is also a blizzard warning for the New York metropolitan area, and all of Connecticut, all of Rhode Island, and eastern Massachusetts, as well as coastal New Hampshire and coastal Maine.[3] On February 8, blizzard warnings were expanded to include inland portions of southeast New Hampshire, and inland portions of Maine's coastal counties.[4] By February 8, storm warnings and hurricane force wind warnings were in effect for the New England and Mid Atantic waters, as well as coastal flood warnings.

In Chicago, officials deployed 199 snow trucks, and the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority sent 182 plows for its road system.[5] In the northeast United States, the storm threatened beaches and dunes in areas affected by Hurricane Sandy from the previous October.[6] Due to the storm's threat, airlines canceled more than 2,700 flights, mostly for February 8. In New York, officials readied snow removal crews,[7] with more than 250,000 tons of salt prepared.[6] Schools were also closed in Hartford, Connecticut and Providence, Rhode Island, among other cities.[8]

Connecticut Governor Dannell Malloy declared a state of emergency and warned that highways could be closed any time after noon February 8. Connecticut Light and Power and United Illuminating planned for 30% of customers to lose power in Connecticut, and hired out-of-state line crews to assist with power restoration.[9]

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick declared a state of emergency for Massachusetts, and banned vehicles from public roads after 4PM on February 8.[10] Flights at Boston's Logan Airport were scheduled to be suspended at 4PM on February 8,[11] and the MBTA announced that subway, commuter rail, bus, and boat service would be suspended at 3:30PM.[12] Boston mayor Thomas Menino ordered schools to close and recommended that businesses shut down during the storm.[7]

Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee declared a state of emergency on February 8.[13]

Impact

The secondary low over Indiana produced light to moderate snowfall that extended to Wisconsin.[3] Totals reached 11.6 in (290 mm) in Muskegon, Michigan.[3] The storm previously dropped snow in Chicago,[7] and 8.5 in (220 mm) was reported in Beach Park, Illinois. Several traffic accidents were reported.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b c Sean Ryan (February 8, 2013). Storm Summary Number 03 for Great Lakes and Northeast Major Winter Storm (Report). Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Archived from the original on February 8, 2013. Retrieved 2013-02-08.
  2. ^ "Nemo blizzard: Whiteouts, record snow loom for northeastern U.S." Chicago Tribune. February 8, 2013. Retrieved February 8, 2013.
  3. ^ a b c d Allison Monarski (February 7, 2013). Storm Summary Number 01 for Great Lakes and Northeast Major Winter Storm (Report). Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Archived from the original on February 7, 2013. Retrieved 2013-02-07.
  4. ^ "National Weather Service Forecast Office - Portland-Gray, Maine". National Weather Service Gray, Maine. National Weather Service Gray, Maine. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
  5. ^ a b "Winter storm: Snow tapers off here, Northeast braces for blizzard". Chicago Tribune. February 7, 2013. Retrieved February 7, 2013.
  6. ^ a b "Blizzard Barrels Toward Area". The Wall Street Journal. February 7, 2013. Retrieved February 7, 2013.
  7. ^ a b c Scott Malone (February 7, 2013). "New England to bear brunt of powerful blizzard". Reuters. Retrieved February 7, 2013.
  8. ^ Bridget Murphy (February 7, 2013). "Blizzard Nemo update: 2 feet of snow possible". The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved February 7, 2013.
  9. ^ http://www.courant.com/news/weather/hc-weather-snow-connecticut-0208-20130205,0,4715023.story
  10. ^ http://www.boston.com/metrodesk/2013/02/08/national-weather-service-repeats-its-warning-blizzard-coming-blizzard-coming/lu16IdVkHUKvWpeDP5hf9K/story.html
  11. ^ http://www.boston.com/businessupdates/2013/02/08/planes-are-still-flying-and-out-logan-but-service-will-suspended-friday/3nrh8DzAPzSdVFhRNc8NLN/story.html
  12. ^ http://www.boston.com/metrodesk/2013/02/08/mbta-riders-juggle-schedules-take-last-minute-rides/7l55auPdNXP7wfPbPJoB1N/story.html
  13. ^ http://www.boston.com/news/weather/2013/02/08/gov-declares-state-emergency-for-major-storm/9aH1zik3D1pOKSZEz3nw7O/story.html
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