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January 2022 North American blizzard

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January 2022 North American blizzard
GOES-16 imagery of the blizzard near peak intensity off the coast of New England at 16:50 UTC (11:50 a.m.) EST on January 29, 2022
TypeExtratropical cyclone
Winter storm
Nor'easter
Bomb cyclone
Blizzard
FormedJanuary 27, 2022
DissipatedCurrently active
Highest winds
Highest gust82 mph (132 km/h) in Wellfleet, Massachusetts
Lowest pressure969 mb (28.61 inHg)
Maximum snowfall
or ice accretion		30.4 in (77 cm) near Sharon, Massachusetts
Fatalities1 (indirect)
DamageUnknown
Power outages118,000
Areas affectedNortheastern United States, New England, Canada, Nova Scotia

The January 2022 North American blizzard is an intensifying nor'easter and blizzard that is currently impacting parts of the Northeastern United States and New England. Forming from the energy of a strong mid- to upper-level trough, the system developed into a low-pressure area off the Southeast United States as a result of the interaction between the systems on January 28. The storm has been labeled a "bomb cyclone" by media outlets as it is expected to rapidly intensify and drops at least 24 millibars over a 24 hour period.[1] The storm was given various unofficial names such as Blizzard of 2022 and Winter Storm Kenan.[2][3]


Meteorological history

Beginning in mid-to-late January 2022, computer models began to suggest the potential for a powerful storm to form in the western Atlantic Ocean at the end of the month – although the exact track was uncertain and thus snowfall estimates were not in agreement. By January 25, models such as the GFS and the European model (ECMWF) indicated the storm would track closer and stronger to the coast.[4] A deep upper-level trough ejected from the High Plains and Rocky Mountains on January 27 and moved eastwards towards the Atlantic. As the trough began to tilt negative, the Weather Prediction Center (WPC) reported that a surface low-pressure area had developed off the Southeast coast near Florida on January 28 as a result of the upper-level interactions.[5] The system began intensifying as it moved north as snow and wintry precipitation blossomed over the Mid-Atlantic states later that night as a result.[6]

Preparations

Winter storm warnings and blizzard warnings were issued for large swaths of the Northeast and New England, as blizzard conditions were expected to occur closer to the coastal areas of the region.[7] Approximately 1,200 flights nationwide were cancelled ahead of the storm. Amtrak cancelled or modified the routes of several trains as well.[8]

Northeastern United States

Virginia

Virginia declared a state of emergency on January 27 in preparation for the storm system.[9]

Mid-Atlantic states

Snow from the nor'easter in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania

In Maryland, Governor Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency for nine counties on the Eastern Shore and mobilized the Maryland National Guard. A blizzard warning was issued for Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties.[10]

In Delaware, Governor John Carney declared a state of emergency for Kent and Sussex counties and authorized for the Delaware National Guard to provide assistance. In addition, Level 2 Driving Restrictions were issued for Kent and Sussex counties while a Level 1 Driving Warning was issued for New Castle County effective at 10 p.m. on January 28.[11]

In Pennsylvania, a winter storm warning was issued. The city of Philadelphia declared a snow emergency effective at 7 p.m. on January 28.[12]

New Jersey and New York

Signage on Interstate 295 in New Jersey warning drivers of the impending winter storm on January 28

In New Jersey, major roadways such as Interstate 95 and Interstate 78 were being brined by the New Jersey Department of Transportation since January 26, in addition to having over 2,000 pieces of equipment ready for use.[13] The agency also stated that potential drivers should check their car settings and be prepared should the urgent need to travel arise.[13] Officials in Atlantic City announced a parking ban would go into effect at 5 p.m. on January 28, in addition to opening shelters. Governor Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency the same day as well, urging residents to stay off the roads.[14] New Jersey Transit suspended all bus services for the day of January 29 due to the storm.[15]

New York governor Kathy Hochul on January 28 urged residents, particularly those further east in the Long Island region, to prepare for high winds, power outages and near-blizzard conditions.[16] People were also urged to not travel at the height of the storm. Hochul also ordered that state emergency assets be ready in case the system tracked further west.[16] A "snow alert" was declared in New York City by the New York Department of Sanitation that day as well. On Long Island, Public Service Enterprise Group crews worked to cut tree branches in order to prevent power outages from snow weighing down on the branches and breaking.[16] The Long Island Railroad was suspended for the following day as well.[17]

New England

In Boston, Massachusetts, officials warned of up to 30 inches (76 cm) of snow through early on January 29.[18] Early on January 28, a Blizzard Warning was issued for Rhode Island and eastern Massachusetts.[19]

Canada

Impact

19 inches of snow blanketing the ground in Lexington, MA after the blizzard on the evening of January 29. Snow drifts were almost as high as 30 inches in some areas.

Northeastern United States

New York and New Jersey

Two tractor trailers tipped over on Interstate 95 near the town of New Rochelle, New York during the storm, reducing traffic to only one lane.[20][21] A man in Cutchogue drowned while shoveling snow in a pool area after falling into the pool.[22] 7.5 in (19 cm) of snow fell in Central Park near New York City, breaking a daily record for snowfall from 1904.[23][20]

New England

Blizzard conditions were confirmed at multiple locations in Massachusetts, including Providence, Boston, and Worcester.[24] Boston recorded its snowiest day in January on record, and also tied its all time daily snowfall record with the North American blizzard of 2003, with 23.5 inches (600 mm) of snow falling.[25] Providence broke its all time daily snowfall record set in 1961, with 18.8 inches (480 mm) of snow falling.[26]

Canada

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Late January 2022 nor'easter.

References

  1. ^ Rai, Sarakshi (January 28, 2022). "What is a bomb cyclone and what states is it hitting?". TheHill. Archived from the original on January 28, 2022. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  2. ^ Noyes • •, Danielle. "Timeline: Everything You Need to Know About the Blizzard of 2022". Archived from the original on January 29, 2022. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  3. ^ "Winter Storm Kenan, a Major Nor'easter Packing Blizzard Conditions, Takes Aim at the East Coast | The Weather Channel - Articles from The Weather Channel | weather.com". The Weather Channel. Archived from the original on January 29, 2022. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  4. ^ Cappucci, Matthew; Samenow, Jason (January 25, 2022). "Nor'easter could wallop New England with heavy snow and wind Saturday". Washington Post. Archived from the original on January 26, 2022. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  5. ^ "WPC's Short Range Public Discussion". Weather Prediction Center. January 28, 2022. Archived from the original on January 27, 2022. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  6. ^ Service, NOAA's National Weather. "WPC Surface Analysis Archive". www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov. Archived from the original on January 29, 2022. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  7. ^ Breslin, Maureen (January 28, 2022). "More than 70 million prep for 'bomb cyclone' winter storm". TheHill. Archived from the original on January 28, 2022. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  8. ^ "Modified Service Due to Winter Storm: https://amtrak.com/alert/modified-service-due-to-winter-storm.html" (Tweet). Retrieved January 29, 2022 – via Twitter. {{Cite tweet}}: Missing or empty |user=; Missing or empty |number= (help)
  9. ^ "Gov. Youngkin declares state of emergency as second weekend of winter weather approaches". Wavy. January 27, 2022. Archived from the original on January 27, 2022. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  10. ^ "Hogan Declares State of Emergency, Mobilizes National Guard for Winter Storm". Salisbury, MD: WBOC-TV. January 28, 2022. Archived from the original on January 28, 2022. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  11. ^ "Carney Authorizes National Guard, Issues Driving Restrictions for Winter Storm". Salisbury, MD: WBOC-TV. January 28, 2022. Archived from the original on January 28, 2022. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  12. ^ Staff (January 28, 2022). "Snow Emergency begins at 7 p.m. in Philly; Vaccine clinics, after-school activities canceled". Philadelphia, PA: WPVI-TV. Archived from the original on January 28, 2022. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  13. ^ a b "Major Preparations Underway At Jersey Shore, Philadelphia Region Ahead Of Winter Storm". January 28, 2022. Archived from the original on January 28, 2022. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  14. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on January 28, 2022. Retrieved January 28, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  15. ^ "'This is a big one': Murphy declares state of emergency ahead of NJ nor'easter". ABC7 New York. January 28, 2022. Archived from the original on January 28, 2022. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  16. ^ a b c Smith, Jeff; News, Eyewitness (January 27, 2022). "New York area urged to prepare for snow, high winds in weekend nor'easter". ABC7 New York. Archived from the original on January 28, 2022. Retrieved January 28, 2022. {{cite web}}: |last2= has generic name (help)
  17. ^ "LIRR suspended Saturday, other mass transit info ahead of winter nor'easter". ABC7 New York. January 28, 2022. Archived from the original on January 29, 2022. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  18. ^ "Coastal communities prepare for high winds and potential flooding from winter storm - The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com. Archived from the original on January 28, 2022. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  19. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on January 28, 2022. Retrieved January 28, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  20. ^ a b https://weather.com/storms/winter/news/2022-01-29-winter-storm-blizzard-noreaster-kenan-live-updates-boston-new-york
  21. ^ https://twitter.com/Bogs4NY/status/1487460771340693507
  22. ^ Elderly Cutchogue man drowns in pool he fell into while shoveling snow, The Suffolk Times, January 29, 2022
  23. ^ https://abc7ny.com/how-much-snow-nyc-totals-nj/11519720/
  24. ^ https://twitter.com/NWSBoston/status/1487569225661120518
  25. ^ "Breaking: today was the snowiest January day on record in #Boston. Absolutely staggering snow total of 23.5 inches. Wow. Blizzard of '78 had "only" 21 inches in a calendar day on January 20". Twitter. MyRadar Weather. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  26. ^ "Even during the Blizzard of '78, we didn't have as much snow in one day as we did today. 18.8" fell at TF Green, breaking the old record of 18.3". The Blizzard of '78 record for 1 day snowfall is now 3rd at 18.0". The '78 storm is still #1". Twitter. Pinpoint Weather12. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
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