Jump to content

January 2015 North American blizzard: Difference between revisions

Edit links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
→Massachusetts: fix DAB link
→Meteorological history: Update MH details
Line 21: Line 21:
==Meteorological history==
==Meteorological history==
[[File:WPC LPA Forecast Jan 25 2015 1200UTC.gif|thumb|left|250px|[[Weather Prediction Center]] forecast on January 25 showing the system's projected path over the Ohio River Valley and towards New England]]
[[File:WPC LPA Forecast Jan 25 2015 1200UTC.gif|thumb|left|250px|[[Weather Prediction Center]] forecast on January 25 showing the system's projected path over the Ohio River Valley and towards New England]]
On January&nbsp;24, a [[low-pressure area]] developed over the [[Canadian Prairies]] and quickly moved southeastward into the [[Upper Midwest]] during the evening, taking a path typical of an [[Alberta clipper]].<ref name=Jan24-0335>{{cite web|last1=Rubin-Oster|first1=Brenden|title=Short Range Public Discussion Jan 24 2015 335 AM EST|url=http://www.webcitation.org/6VrGhHOzl|website=Weather Prediction Center|publisher=United States National Weather Service|accessdate=26 January 2015|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6VrGhHOzl|archivedate=January 25, 2015|location=College Park, Maryland|date=January 24, 2015}}</ref><ref name=PB-0123-0317>{{cite web|last1=Petersen|first1=Daniel|title=Probabilistic Heavy Snow And Icing Discussion Jan 23 2015 3:17AM EST|url=http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/discussions/hpcdiscussions.php?disc=qpfhsd&version=5&fmt=reg|publisher=Weather Prediction Center|accessdate=26 January 2015|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6VrIW6h8k|archivedate=January 25, 2015|location=College Park, Maryland|date=January 23, 2015}}</ref> As it progressed southward, the storm intensified, with [[frontogenesis]] occurring the next day.<ref name=PB-0124-0349>{{cite web|last1=Petersen|first1=Daniel|title=Probabilistic Heavy Snow And Icing Discussion Jan 24 2015 3:49AM EST|url=http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/discussions/hpcdiscussions.php?disc=qpfhsd&version=1&fmt=reg|publisher=Weather Prediction Center|accessdate=26 January 2015|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6VrJ19WkK|archivedate=January 25, 2015|location=College Park, Maryland|date=January 24, 2015}}</ref> By noon on January&nbsp;25, the upper-level low was centered near the border between [[Iowa]] and [[Missouri]] in correlation with a weak [[Shortwave (meteorology)|shortwave trough]]. Moisture from the [[Gulf of Mexico]] wrapped around the system from the south, resulting in widespread rainfall and snow over the [[Midwest]].<ref name=SPENES0125-1545>{{cite web|author1=Office of Satellite and Product Operation|title=Satellite Precipitation Estimates Jan 25 2015 1545Z|url=http://www.ospo.noaa.gov/data/atmosphere/precip/spe/messages/2015/201501251545.html|website=National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|accessdate=26 January 2015|date=January 25, 2015}}</ref> Throughout the day, the system traversed eastward along the [[Kentucky]]-[[Tennessee]] border. Snowfall remained concentrated along a [[cold front]] north of the [[Ohio River]].<ref name=SPENES0125-1945>{{cite web|author1=Office of Satellite and Product Operation|title=Satellite Precipitation Estimates Jan 25 2015 1945Z|url=http://www.ospo.noaa.gov/data/atmosphere/precip/spe/messages/2015/201501251945.html|website=National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|accessdate=26 January 2015|date=January 25, 2015}}{{dead link|date=January 2015}}</ref>
On January&nbsp;24, a [[low-pressure area]] developed over the [[Canadian Prairies]] and quickly moved southeastward into the [[Upper Midwest]] during the evening, taking a path typical of an [[Alberta clipper]].<ref name=Jan24-0335>{{cite web|last1=Rubin-Oster|first1=Brenden|title=Short Range Public Discussion Jan 24 2015 335 AM EST|url=http://www.webcitation.org/6VrGhHOzl|website=Weather Prediction Center|publisher=United States National Weather Service|accessdate=26 January 2015|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6VrGhHOzl|archivedate=January 25, 2015|location=College Park, Maryland|date=January 24, 2015}}</ref><ref name=PB-0123-0317>{{cite web|last1=Petersen|first1=Daniel|title=Probabilistic Heavy Snow And Icing Discussion Jan 23 2015 3:17AM EST|url=http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/discussions/hpcdiscussions.php?disc=qpfhsd&version=5&fmt=reg|publisher=Weather Prediction Center|accessdate=26 January 2015|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6VrIW6h8k|archivedate=January 25, 2015|location=College Park, Maryland|date=January 23, 2015}}</ref> As it progressed southward, the storm intensified, with [[frontogenesis]] occurring the next day.<ref name=PB-0124-0349>{{cite web|last1=Petersen|first1=Daniel|title=Probabilistic Heavy Snow And Icing Discussion Jan 24 2015 3:49AM EST|url=http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/discussions/hpcdiscussions.php?disc=qpfhsd&version=1&fmt=reg|publisher=Weather Prediction Center|accessdate=26 January 2015|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6VrJ19WkK|archivedate=January 25, 2015|location=College Park, Maryland|date=January 24, 2015}}</ref> By noon on January&nbsp;25, the upper-level low was centered near the border between [[Iowa]] and [[Missouri]] in correlation with a weak [[Shortwave (meteorology)|shortwave trough]]. Moisture from the [[Gulf of Mexico]] wrapped around the system from the south, resulting in widespread rainfall and snow over the [[Midwest]].<ref name=SPENES0125-1545>{{cite web|author1=Office of Satellite and Product Operation|title=Satellite Precipitation Estimates Jan 25 2015 1545Z|url=http://www.ospo.noaa.gov/data/atmosphere/precip/spe/messages/2015/201501251545.html|website=National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|accessdate=26 January 2015|date=January 25, 2015}}</ref> Throughout the day, the system traversed eastward along the [[Kentucky]]-[[Tennessee]] border. Snowfall remained concentrated along a [[cold front]] north of the [[Ohio River]].<ref name=SPENES0125-1945>{{cite web|author1=Office of Satellite and Product Operation|title=Satellite Precipitation Estimates Jan 25 2015 1945Z|url=http://www.ospo.noaa.gov/data/atmosphere/precip/spe/messages/2015/201501252004.html|website=National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|accessdate=26 January 2015|date=January 25, 2015}}</ref> At 09:00&nbsp;[[Universal Time Coordinate|UTC]] on January&nbsp;26, the [[Weather Prediction Center]] began issuing storm summaries on the developing disturbance while the low-pressure system was centered near [[Bluefield, West Virginia]]. At the time, [[rain and snow mixed|mixed precipitation]] was occurring over the northern [[Appalachia]].<ref name=SS1>{{cite web|last1=Fannning|first1=Amanda|title=Storm Summary Number 01 For Mid-Atlantic To Northeast Major Winter Storm|website=Weather Prediction Center|publisher=National Centers for Environmental Prediction|accessdate=26 January 2015|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6VscS6iNd|archivedate=January 26, 2015|location=College Park, Maryland|date=January 26, 2015}}</ref><ref name=SPENES0126-0915>{{cite web|author1=Office of Satellite and Product Operation|title=Satellite Precipitation Estimates Jan 26 2015 0915Z|url=http://www.ospo.noaa.gov/data/atmosphere/precip/spe/messages/2015/201501260924.html|website=National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|accessdate=26 January 2015|date=January 26, 2015}}</ref> As this system tracked eastward, it gradually weakened;<ref name=PB-0126-0407>{{cite web|last1=Petersen|first1=Daniel|title=Probabilistic Heavy Snow And Icing Discussion Jan 26 2015 4:07AM EST|url=http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/discussions/hpcdiscussions.php?disc=qpfhsd&version=1&fmt=reg|publisher=Weather Prediction Center|accessdate=26 January 2015|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6VsdZWdTQ|archivedate=January 26, 2015|location=College Park, Maryland|date=January 26, 2015}}</ref> however, at the same time a new low-pressure quickly formed off the coast of [[North Carolina]] and began to track north-northeastward.<ref name=SS2>{{cite web|last1=Kong|first1=Kwan-yin|title=Storm Summary Number 02 For Mid-Atlantic To Northeast Major Winter Storm|website=Weather Prediction Center|publisher=National Centers for Environmental Prediction|accessdate=26 January 2015|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6VsdUg5qy|archivedate=January 26, 2015|location=College Park, Maryland|date=January 26, 2015}}</ref>


==Preparations==
==Preparations==

Revision as of 23:16, 26 January 2015

January 2015 nor'easter
Visible satellite imagery of the storm on January 26
TypeExtratropical cyclone
Alberta clipper
Nor'easter
Blizzard
FormedJanuary 24, 2015 (2015-01-24)
DissipatedCurrently active
Lowest pressure996 mbar (29.4 inHg)
Maximum snowfall
or ice accretion		8 in (20 cm) in
Galion, OH
Mansfield, OH
Ontario, OH
Windber Country Club, PA
Fatalities0
DamageUnknown
Areas affectedCentral United States, Eastern United States, Atlantic Canada
Part of the 2014–15 North American winter

The January 2015 nor'easter is an active winter storm across the Central and Eastern United States.

Meteorological history

Weather Prediction Center forecast on January 25 showing the system's projected path over the Ohio River Valley and towards New England

On January 24, a low-pressure area developed over the Canadian Prairies and quickly moved southeastward into the Upper Midwest during the evening, taking a path typical of an Alberta clipper.[1][2] As it progressed southward, the storm intensified, with frontogenesis occurring the next day.[3] By noon on January 25, the upper-level low was centered near the border between Iowa and Missouri in correlation with a weak shortwave trough. Moisture from the Gulf of Mexico wrapped around the system from the south, resulting in widespread rainfall and snow over the Midwest.[4] Throughout the day, the system traversed eastward along the Kentucky-Tennessee border. Snowfall remained concentrated along a cold front north of the Ohio River.[5] At 09:00 UTC on January 26, the Weather Prediction Center began issuing storm summaries on the developing disturbance while the low-pressure system was centered near Bluefield, West Virginia. At the time, mixed precipitation was occurring over the northern Appalachia.[6][7] As this system tracked eastward, it gradually weakened;[8] however, at the same time a new low-pressure quickly formed off the coast of North Carolina and began to track north-northeastward.[9]

Preparations

On 25 January 2015, blizzard warnings were issued for areas of coastal New England, New York and New Jersey. [10] High winds and heavy snow were forecast for the evening of January 26 and all day January 27, impacting a 250 mile area from New York City to Boston.[11]

Pennsylvania

In preparation for the winter storm, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation deployed approximately 350 salting trucks to treat major roadways.[12] On January 26, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf signed a disaster emergency proclamation in an attempt to distribute state resources are quickly as possible.[13]

New Jersey

The South Brunswick police department said in a press release on January 25 that additional officers and public works staff would be on duty throughout the storm. The department urged residents to make preparations in anticipation that travel would be impossible for several days. The Monroe Township Office of Emergency Management released a guideline to ensure residents were safe and prepared throughout the storm.[14] In a morning press conference, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie declared a state of emergency and urged all nonessential personnel to remain off roadways.[15]

New York

In a statement on January 25, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo urged residents to take their necessary safety precautions and prepare for the possibility of disrupted commute on Monday and Tuesday. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority deployed extra crews, salting trucks, and chained tires. Delta Air Lines promised full refunds for flights significantly delayed.[16] The State Emergency Operations Center in Albany was expected to be staffed beginning early on January 26 to coordinate with all affected counties. At least 1,806 plows and 126,000 tons of salt were expected to be divided across the region, and the National Guard was expected to deploy more than six dozen personnel and 20 vehicles throughout the region. New York State Police were expected to bring in additional personnel, as well as supply at least 50 4x4 vehicles, 8 all-terrain vehicles, and 8 snowmobiles.

At its major transportation facilities, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey readied more than 200 piece of snow equipment at its airports, more than 60 pieces of snow equipment for its bridges and tunnels, hundreds of thousands of gallons of liquid anti-icer chemicals and thousands of tons of solid de-icers, plow-equipped trains, liquid snow-melting agent trains, and a "jet engine" plow. The New York State Thruway Authority activated its emergency operations ahead of the winter storm and is expected to supply 338 snowplows, 18 snowblowers, 55 front-end loaders, and approximately 126,000 tons of salt. The New York State Department of Transportation also activated its emergency operations, mobilizing 162 snow plows and nearly 338 operators to Long Islandand the Hudson Valley, totaling to approximately 600 plows and 1,300 operators and supervisors across downstate New York. A total of 1,444 snow plows and 3,629 operators and supervisors would be available statewide.[17]

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio warned of two to three feet of snow, and said, "Prepare for something worse than we have seen before." [18]

Connecticut

Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy announced in a press conference early on January 26 that Connecticut Transit services would be suspended and a statewide travel ban would be effective beginning at 9 p.m EST. He urged all residents to leave work early and shelter in their homes; the Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced that it would be adding additional trains to accommodate for those who travel by rail. The governor announced that more than 600 crews would be working to pre-treat major roads, while he issued a declaration of civil preparedness emergency to coordinate resources during the storm.[19] Connecticut Light and Power and United Illuminating prepared for a "Level 1" emergency and summoned outside tree and line crews.[20] Later that day, the governor declared a state of emergency.[21]

Rhode Island

Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo urged people to ensure they had food, water, and fuel to last several days for what could be a "very severe and dangerous weather event". She asked residents to keep fire hydrants uncovered and asked that generators used for electricity were located outside of homes and in well-ventilated locations.[22]

Massachusetts

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker declared a state of emergency and asked residents to remain safe and off roadways. A statewide travel ban was issued effective at midnight on January 27, and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority announced that it would be closed that day. In Boston, up to 35,000 tons of salt were prepared and snow farms were readied to store the removed snow following the passage of the storm. Electric companies brought in extra crews.[23]

Atlantic Canada

Environment Canada issued special weather statements to all of the Maritime provinces on January 23, warning of the future developing storm. On Monday January 26 Environment Canada issued Winter Storm Warnings for all of Nova Scotia, PEI and central to southern New Brunswick. These warnings were later upgraded to Blizzard Warnings. 15 cm (6in) to up to 50 cm (20in) of snow was forecast across the Maritimes.

Impact

FlightAware reported that 1,200 flights were expected to be cancelled on January 26. [11] Delta pre-emptively cancelled 600 flights and a dozen flights from London Heathrow to New York, Philadelphia and Boston were cancelled on January 26.[24]

See also

References

  1. ^ Rubin-Oster, Brenden (January 24, 2015). "Short Range Public Discussion Jan 24 2015 335 AM EST". Weather Prediction Center. College Park, Maryland: United States National Weather Service. Retrieved 26 January 2015. {{cite web}}: Check |archiveurl= value (help)
  2. ^ Petersen, Daniel (January 23, 2015). "Probabilistic Heavy Snow And Icing Discussion Jan 23 2015 3:17AM EST". College Park, Maryland: Weather Prediction Center. Archived from the original on January 25, 2015. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
  3. ^ Petersen, Daniel (January 24, 2015). "Probabilistic Heavy Snow And Icing Discussion Jan 24 2015 3:49AM EST". College Park, Maryland: Weather Prediction Center. Archived from the original on January 25, 2015. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
  4. ^ Office of Satellite and Product Operation (January 25, 2015). "Satellite Precipitation Estimates Jan 25 2015 1545Z". National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
  5. ^ Office of Satellite and Product Operation (January 25, 2015). "Satellite Precipitation Estimates Jan 25 2015 1945Z". National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
  6. ^ Fannning, Amanda (January 26, 2015). "Storm Summary Number 01 For Mid-Atlantic To Northeast Major Winter Storm". Weather Prediction Center. College Park, Maryland: National Centers for Environmental Prediction. {{cite web}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); |archive-url= requires |url= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help)
  7. ^ Office of Satellite and Product Operation (January 26, 2015). "Satellite Precipitation Estimates Jan 26 2015 0915Z". National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
  8. ^ Petersen, Daniel (January 26, 2015). "Probabilistic Heavy Snow And Icing Discussion Jan 26 2015 4:07AM EST". College Park, Maryland: Weather Prediction Center. Archived from the original on January 26, 2015. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
  9. ^ Kong, Kwan-yin (January 26, 2015). "Storm Summary Number 02 For Mid-Atlantic To Northeast Major Winter Storm". Weather Prediction Center. College Park, Maryland: National Centers for Environmental Prediction. {{cite web}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); |archive-url= requires |url= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help)
  10. ^ Linda Lam; Chris Dolce (January 26, 2015). "Winter Storm Juno: Blizzard Warnings for New York City, Boston, Parts of 7 States; Potentially Historic Northeast Snowstorm Ahead". The Weather Channel. The Weather Channel. Retrieved January 26, 2015.
  11. ^ a b Verena Dobnik (January 26, 2015). "Nor'easter threatens Northeast with up to 2 feet of snow". The Associated Press. AOL. Retrieved January 26, 2015.
  12. ^ "NWS: 18-24 inches for Burlington and Lower Bucks; 14-18 for parts of Bucks, Montco". Burlington County Times. January 25, 2015. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
  13. ^ Howard Sheppard (January 26, 2015). "Governor signs disaster emergency proclamation". Fox 43 News. Retrieved January 26, 2015.
  14. ^ Charles Kim (January 25, 2015). "Region prepares for possible blizzard". Central Jersey. Central Jersey. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
  15. ^ Susan Livio (January 26, 2015). "Christie declares state of emergency for N.J. blizzard, urges residents to stay home". NJ Advance Media. Retrieved January 26, 2015.
  16. ^ "Going Somewhere? Planes, Trains and Automobiles Prep for Blizzard". A Breaking News. January 25, 2015. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
  17. ^ "Governor Cuomo Urges New Yorkers to Prepare for Major Snowstorm Forecasted to Hit Downstate Areas on Monday and Tuesday". New York State. Albany, New York: New York State. January 25, 2015. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
  18. ^ Major Nor'easter to Disrupt Travel for Millions Bringing Heavy Snow and Blizzard Conditions ABC News, January 25, 2015
  19. ^ "Travel Ban Issued, Schools Dismiss in Advance of Blizzard". NBC Connecticut. January 26, 2015. Retrieved January 26, 2015.
  20. ^ "Governor Orders Travel Ban As of 9 p.m." CBS Connecticut. January 26, 2015. Retrieved January 26, 2015.
  21. ^ Jim Levulis (January 26, 2015). "MA And CT Declare State Of Emergency, Issues Travel Bans As Winter Blast Nears". WAMC Northeast Public Radio. Retrieved January 26, 2015.
  22. ^ "RI governor: Prepare for possible dangerous weather event". The Associated Press. January 25, 2015. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
  23. ^ "State of emergency declared; travel ban imposed in Massachusetts". WCVB 5 News. January 26, 2015. Retrieved January 26, 2015.
  24. ^ "Weather NYC: Thousands of transatlantic travellers face serious disruption caused by New York winter storm 'Juno'". www.independent.co.uk. January 26, 2015. Retrieved 2015-01-26.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=January_2015_North_American_blizzard&oldid=644322940"