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February 2007 North American blizzard

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February 2007 North America winter storm
Snow cover in Ithaca, NY
TypeWinter storm
FormedFebruary 12 2007
DissipatedStill active
Lowest pressureUnknown
Maximum snowfall
or ice accretion		122 cm/48 in [Stowe, Vermont]
FatalitiesAt least 30
DamageAs yet unknown
Areas affectedMidwestern and Eastern North America, Gulf States

The February 2007 North America winter storm (otherwise referred to as the Valentine's Day Blizzard) was a massive winter storm that affected most of the eastern half of North America and started on February 12 2007 with the peak of the storm on Valentine's Day, February 14. The storm produced heavy snowfalls across the Midwestern United States from Nebraska to Ohio and produced similar conditions across parts of the Northeastern United States, Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick. Significant ice fell across the southern Ohio Valley and affected portions of the East Coast of the United States, including the cities of Boston and New York City. The southern portion of the storm produced severe thunderstorms with numerous tornadoes reported. One tornado hit a subdivision of New Orleans that was still recovering from the effects of Hurricane Katrina, which hit the region in August 2005. In total, this storm system was responsible for 30 deaths across 12 U.S. states and the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec.

Prior to the storm

In sharp contrast to the mostly mild weather in the first few weeks of winter, the eastern half of the continent was under the influence of cold temperatures. Numerous areas had substantial snowfall deficits before this storm. After several weak Alberta Clippers crossed the eastern half of the continent and brought occasional light snowfalls, a large dip in the Northern branch of the jet stream favored a more active pattern, which, as it connected with the southern branch, led to the development of the storm.

Previously, Portions of the Great Lakes were hit by a significant lake effect snow event which dumped incredible amounts of snow over portions of central New York. Several areas received over 100 inches (over 250 cm) of snow in a ten-day period just before the large winter storm as northwesterly winds and unfrozen lake surfaces due to the early winter warm weather favored the heavy snowfall. Several areas across Michigan and Ontario also received significant amounts of snow with locally 1 meter of snow (3.3 feet) east of Georgian Bay in Ontario. [1]

Storm track

Snow coverage in Shaler Township, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh.

From February 10 to 11, a low pressure system developed near the Rockies and moved towards the Great Plains of the United States. It later tracked across the Ohio Valley and merged with a new coastal low. It then moved over eastern Quebec on Valentine's Day. It dumped over six inches (15 cm) of snow across numerous areas from Iowa to New Brunswick, including major cities such as Akron, Detroit, Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Springfield, Peoria, Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Dayton, Toledo, Detroit, London, Hamilton, the Niagara Region, Toronto, Sherbrooke, Saguenay, Trois-Rivieres, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Rochester, Windsor, Syracuse, and Albany. This also includes areas such as Northern Oswego County, New York, which received historic lake effect snowfall amounts in the week prior to the storm.

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In addition to the general snowfall, snow squalls coming from Lake Ontario gave local amounts of over 2 feet (60 cm) of snow near the Hamilton and Niagara regions, where 1 foot of snow had already fallen on February 13.[2]

Heavy ice amounts fell for locations along Interstate 95 from Maine to Virginia and west towards southern Ohio and Indiana. Ice was expected for parts of the Canadian Maritimes.

Impact

States of emergency and mobilizations

A NASA satellite image of the Great Lake states after the snowfall
A NASA satellite image of the New England coated in snow after the storm

Maine Governor John Baldacci declared a state of emergency in order to assure heating oil for residents of the state, which was one of the hardest hit areas by the snowstorm.

Due to the additional heavy snowfall, New York Governor Eliot Spitzer called in the National Guard to assist in the snow removal efforts in the areas hit by the lake effect snow storm.[3]

Essex, Warren and Clinton counties in New York state, which were affected by extensive snowfall from the storm, had declared a state of emergency.[4]

Virginia Gov. Timothy Kaine declared a statewide emergency in advance of the storm, directing state agencies to help in the response to and recovery from the storm.

Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell has declared a statewide disaster emergency in response to the poor road conditions and ensuing highway closings[5]

Precipitation received

The storm left a mark on states like Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio, which received heavy snow for over 24 hours, accumulating upwards of 18 inches (45.72 cm) in some areas. In Chicago, O'Hare International Airport received 10.2 inches (25.9 cm) of snow, while Midway Airport received 9.7 inches (24.6 cm). The Midway total was the largest amount of snow received in the month of February for one midnight-to-midnight day since records began to be kept in 1928.[6]

Removing ice from the steps in front of the Harrisburg Transportation Center

Areas of the Appalachian Mountains in northern New England and Quebec received accumulations of over 16 inches (40 cm) with local amount exceeding 3 feet (90 cm) in parts of Vermont and 42 inches (105 cm) in the Adirondacks in New York State. [7] The City of Hamilton and the Niagara region, at their highest elevations, received just over 27.6 inches (70 cm) due to snowsqualls off of Lake Ontario.

On the other hand, places like Boston and Hartford saw very little precipitation from the storm. In fact, Boston is close to setting a record for the least snow in any season. [8]

A notable feature of the system was its array of precipitation type. While the interior sections of the Northeast received mostly snow from the system, the Mid-Atlantic received snow, sleet, freezing rain and non-freezing rain. Due to the three-dimensional nature of the atmosphere, warm air was poised to overtake the cold air closer to the ground, causing precipitation to melt, then refreeze as either sleet or freezing rain. As temperatures hovered around freezing on the southern edge of the storm track, light snow accompanied freezing rain and sleet. The freezing rain coated all surfaces with thick layers of ice, including power lines and tree limbs which break under the additional weight.

An ice-covered mailbox near Fredericksburg, Virginia demonstrates how freezing rain along the storm's southern track left surfaces coated with ice.

Ice accumulations in Virginia and Maryland reached locally three-quarters of an inch (20 mm)[9] while it reached 1 inch in central Ohio near Columbus and Xenia [10]

Damage and travel disruptions

Blizzard conditions were reported across most of the Midwest from Illinois to Ohio. Numerous flights were canceled due to the snow and ice across various airports including in Toronto, Ottawa, Quebec City, Montreal, Kansas City, Indianapolis, St. Louis, Cleveland, Boston and Cincinnati. 900 were canceled at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport. Lackawanna County in northeastern Pennsylvania received so much snow that every highway was closed.

At New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport, several empty JetBlue airplanes were actually frozen to the tarmac at the gates and incoming flights could not access the gates as a result, while outgoing flights already taxiing were ordered held on the runway due to weather conditions. Many passengers in planes, either landing or taking off, were held in the planes, eating peanuts and other snacks for as much as 10 hours before the decision was made to cancel the outgoing flights or a gate had opened for the inbound ones.[11][12] Several airports including Bradley International Airport in Connecticut, Washington's Ronald Reagan National Airport and John C. Munro International Airport in Hamilton were completely shut down for several hours.[13] [14] GO Train in Toronto and Amtrak train service from Boston was also disrupted.

Strong winds also accompanied the storm but damage was minimal, though a radio tower pole was toppled by 40 mph winds in Ohio.[15]

Cars unable to ascend a slope in Northern Virginia due to icy conditions

Road traveling was extensively slowed down and numerous accidents and pile-ups were reported across several states and in Ontario. One of the accidents on the Ohio Turnpike involved two tractor-trailers which fell several hundred feet.[16] and another one on Highway 403 in Hamilton involved three tractor-trailers and five cars which forced the closure of the road.[17] Numerous other major roads were also temporarily shutdown, including Highway 401 in Ontario due to a fatal accident in Napanee and Highways 20 and 132 in eastern Quebec between Quebec City and Rimouski.[18]

In Sherbrooke, Quebec, where nearly 2 feet of snow fell, several hundred students were forced to sleep at schools as buses were unable to travel in the near blizzard conditions. The school board was criticized for opening schools on that day. [19]

Severe ice has caused a 50-mile stretch of Interstate 78 in Pennsylvania between Lebanon County and Allentown to be shut down, stranding motorists for upwards of 24 hours and requiring the National Guard to be called in. [20]. Other stretches of highway throughout Pennsylvania have been shut down, including Interstate 80 and 81. The only major highway that is open to traffic in eastern Pennsylvania is the Pennsylvania Turnpike. With the exception of Interstates 84 and 380.

Deaths

Thirty people were killed during the storm and its aftermath. Most of them were killed in accidents including one in Ontario,[21] three in Nebraska, two in New York, two in Illinois, two in New Jersey, two in Indiana, two in Delaware, five in Quebec, one in Louisiana, one in New Hampshire, one in Missouri, one in Pennsylvania, one in Virginia and six in Ohio. In addition to traffic accidents, fatalities were reported due to tornadoes, heart attacks while shoveling, roof collapses due to heavy snow, falling tree branches and carbon monoxide poisoning. [16][22] [23] [24] [25][26] [7] [27] In Quebec City, a 16-year old boy disappeared during the snowstorm and was found dead three days later in a snow bank. [28]

Schools

The inclement weather caused many educational institutions, such as universities and secondary schools, to close. Among these were Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio, Kent State University, Ohio Northern University in Ada, Ohio, the University at Albany, George Mason University in Virginia,Sherbrooke Univerity, in Quebec, Georgetown University in Washington, DC, Cornell University,[29] and Purdue University.[30] Tornado damage, rather than snow fall, caused Tulane University to cancel classes.

Several schools' classes were canceled after years without a snow day. Dartmouth College shut down campus operations on February 14. Essential employees remained staffed, and classes were held at professors' discretions. It was the first snow day for the college since the 70s, and its second in its 238-year history.

The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio closed its campus for two days, beginning February 13, for the third time in 25 years.[31] Syracuse University canceled all classes on Wednesday, only the second time in its 130 year history; for SUNY Geneseo, the previous snow day had occurred 14 years ago;[32] for Ithaca College, the first time in 13 years;[33] for the University of Toledo, the first time in 22 years due to winter-related conditions.[34]

The University of Illinois canceled their classes for two consecutive days for the first time in at least 27 years.[35]

Other

Legislative meetings in Ohio and Pennsylvania were also affected due to the bad weather. In Pittsburgh, tourist sites such as the Zoo and Aquarium were closed.[36] In New Hampshire, presidential candidate Mitt Romney (R) was forced to cancel a campaign appearance.[37] A global warming hearing in the U.S. House of Representatives' Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality scheduled for 14 February and a showing of the film An Inconvenient Truth at Maryville University were also cancelled. [38]

File:HamiltonStormEdit1.jpg
Snow drifts in Hamilton, Ontario where approximately 70cm (27.6 inches) of snow was received

Power outages

Localized but extensive power outages were reported across areas that were hit by significant amounts of ice. At the peak of the storm over 300,000 customers lost power across the United States. In the Cincinnati area, 122,000 were without power at one point with 52,000 still blacked out as of Wednesday Morning.[39][40] About 7,500 customers in Indiana near the Indianapolis region were still without power on February 15, down from a peak of about 50,000 especially in the Bloomington area.[41] Other states that reported outages included Kentucky (14,000), Maryland (at least 135,000 customers, including 69,000 in Anne Arundel County and 25,000 in Prince George's County, Maryland),[42] New Jersey (36,000), Pennsylvania (10,000 in the Pittsburgh region)[43] Virginia (7,800)[44] and New York (18,000) on Long Island. By 10 am Thursday, February 15, about 73,000 homes were without electricity in the Washington DC metropolitan area.[45] Most of those outages were from an ice storm that hit areas from the southern Ohio Valley towards the Atlantic Coast.

Other disruptions

As the storm hit on the week of Valentine's Day, numerous deliveries were delayed significantly.[46] The mayor of Covington, Kentucky, Butch Callery, postponed Valentine's Day until Saturday.[47]

Precipitation by region

A plot of official snowfall totals in southern New England from the storm.
Storm Snow Totals
Totals are for the main system only.
Stowe, Vermont 48 in (122 cm) [48]
Stratford, NY 42 in (106.7 cm) [49]
Kingfield, ME 31 in (78.7 cm) [50]
Bennington, VT 28.0 in (71.1 cm)
Rochester, NY 28.0 in (71.1 cm)[51]
Hamilton, ON 15.7-27.6 in (40.0-70.0 cm) [52]
Burlington, VT 25.7 in (65.3 cm) [7]
Sherbrooke, QC 21.7 in (55.0cm) [25]
Binghamton, NY 18.5 in (47 cm) [53]
Niagara Region, ON 10.0-17.8 in (25.0-45.0 cm) [54]
Quebec City, QC 17.7 in (45 cm) [55]
Lafayette, IN 17.0 in (43.2 cm)[56]
Albany, NY 16.8 in (42.7 cm) [49]
Ithaca, NY 16.8 in (42.7 cm) [53]
Paxton, IL 16.0 in (40.6 cm)
Springfield, IL 15.8 (40.13 cm)[57]
Granby, QC 15.7 in (40.0 cm) [58]
Cleveland, OH 15.0 in (38.1 cm)[59]
Normal, IL 13.0 in (35.05 cm)[57]
Dover, NH 12.0 in (30.5 cm)
Rochester, NH 12.0 in (30.5 cm)
Scranton, PA 12.0 in (30.5 cm)
Chicago - O'Hare Airport 10.2 in (25.9 cm)
Montreal, QC 5.9-9.8 in (15.0cm-25.0cm) [60] [61]
Detroit, Michigan 8.5 in (21.6 cm)[62]
Indianapolis, IN 8.5 in (21.6 cm)[56]
Auburn, NE 6.7 in (17.0 cm)
Ottawa, ON 5.9 in (15.0 cm) [63]
Columbus, OH 5.9 in (15.0 cm) [64]

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Gulf States severe weather outbreak

South of the wintry precipitation zone, severe weather erupted across the Gulf States, where a tornado was reported on February 12 in the New Orleans area killing one person and injuring a dozen in the Gentilly neighborhood, one of the hardest hit areas by Hurricane Katrina due to the flood waters. The woman was inside a FEMA trailer when it was hit by the EF2 twister. In addition to significant structural damages to numerous buildings including a dozen destroyed, 20,000 residents lost power across the metropolitan area[65].

Severe weather was also reported south of Birmingham, Alabama, near Jackson, Mississippi as well as in Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina. 21 tornadoes in total were reported on February 12 and February 13 across Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama and 10 have been confirmed with no tornadoes stronger than EF2 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. [66] [67]

Confirmed tornadoes

Template:Tornado Chart EF

EF# Location County/Parish Time (UTC) Path length Damage
Louisiana
EF1 Youngsville Lafayette 0610 2 miles
(3.2 km) 		Roof damage reported to two homes, and a garage was destroyed.
EF2 SE of Breaux Bridge St. Martin 0636 5 miles
(8 km) 		At least 26 homes were damaged, with structural damage reported to several homes. Three people suffered minor injuries.
EF0 New Iberia area Iberia 0703 0.5 mile
(800 m) 		Brief tornado pushed a mobile home off its foundation.
EF2 West New Orleans Jefferson, Orleans 0855 2 miles
(3.2 km) 		Tornado first touched down in Westwego before crossing the Mississippi River into New Orleans. Significant damage reported in the Avenue D and U.S. Route 90 Business area in Jefferson Parish, where structural damage was reported to several two-story buildings. Minor damage reported in the Uptown and Carrollton areas, primarily to trees. Nine people were injured.
EF2 East New Orleans Orleans 0910 1.5 miles
(2.4 km) 		1 death - Tornado touched down in the Gentilly area of New Orleans. Several homes sustained significant damage with partially collapsed upper levels. Extensive damage to trees and power lines were reported before it lifted near the Industrial Canal. Damage was also reported to many FEMA trailers in this area devastated by Hurricane Katrina. 25 others were injured.
Mississippi
EF1 NE of Burns Smith 0857 3.5 miles
(5.5 km) 		One home lost its roof. Many trees and power lines were knocked down.
EF0 E of Oak Vale Jefferson Davis 0913 2.75 miles
(4.5 km) 		No buildings were affected, but extensive tree damage was reported.
Alabama
EF0 N of Newbern Hale, Perry 2253 6 miles
(9.6 km) 		Several old barns damaged, as well as tree damage.
EF1 SW of Brierfield Bibb 2347 unknown Massive half-mile (800 m) wide tornado destroyed a metal barn structure. Many trees damaged. Path length was uncertain.
EF1 W of Autaugaville Autauga 0041 1.2 miles
(2 km) 		Minor structural damage reported to a carport and shed.
Sources: SPC Storm Reports for 02/12, SPC Storm Reports for 02/13, Lake Charles office, New Orleans office, Jackson office, Birmingham office

See also

References

  1. ^ CNN.com (February 11, 2007). "Snow about to give hard-hit towns a break". {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  2. ^ Snowstorm rumbling through Ontario, moving east, CBC, February 13, 2007
  3. ^ Winter storm that battered Midwest slams into Northeast, hindering travel and closing schools WHDH, February 14, 2007
  4. ^ State Of Emergency Declared WPTZ, February 14, 2007
  5. ^ Governor Rendell Declares Disaster Emergency Statewide, Urges Motorists to Avoid I-78 as Efforts Continue to Help Stranded Motorists PEMA, February 14, 2007
  6. ^ NWS Chicago (2007-02-14). "Total Snowfall from the Feb 13-14 2007 Snowstorm". Retrieved 2007-02-14.
  7. ^ a b c CNN. com (February 15, 2007). "Storm leaves behind snow, ice, frustration". {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  8. ^ [1]
  9. ^ NWS Sterling, Virginia. "Preliminary February 13-14, 2007 Snowfall/Ice". Retrieved 2007-02-15.
  10. ^ NWS Wilmington, Ohio. "February 13-14 Winter Storm". Retrieved 2007-02-15.
  11. ^ Associated Press, Airline apologizes to passengers stranded on planes for hours in NYC, , February 15, 2007
  12. ^ Airport passengers weathering the storm WABC, February 14, 2007
  13. ^ Snowstorm sends semis spinning, heads east CNN.com, February 13, 2007
  14. ^ New winter storm through Midwest creates havoc for travellers CBC, February 13, 2007
  15. ^ Snow, ice storms freeze Ohio Newark Advocate, February 14 2007
  16. ^ a b Several More Crashes Complicate Evening Rush WEWS, February 13, 2007
  17. ^ Airport shuts down in Ontario snowstorm CTV News, February 14, 2007
  18. ^ LCN (February 15, 2007). "Les conditions routières sont toujours difficiles".
  19. ^ Radio-Canada Estrie (February 15, 2007). "Mea culpa de la commission scolaire".
  20. ^ STUCK ON I-78: Many Motorists Stranded on Closed Highway WFMZ-TV News, February 15, 2007
  21. ^ Southern Ontario shoveling out from storm CTV, February 14, 2007
  22. ^ Storm across Midwest, East kills 5; travel treacherous Carlsbad Current-Argus, February 13 2007
  23. ^ Snow, ice storms freeze Ohio Newark Advocate. February 14 2007
  24. ^ LCN/TVA. "Une pause-cigarette fatale". Retrieved February 16, 2007.
  25. ^ a b Radio-Canada Estrie. "Lentement, mais sûrement". Retrieved February 16, 2007. Cite error: The named reference "sherbrooke" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  26. ^ Storm cancels classes, flights in Northeast CNN.com, February 14, 2007
  27. ^ CNN.com (February 16, 2007). "Motorists free, highways closed as death toll rises". {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  28. ^ LCN/TVA. "Le corps d'Alexandre Morin est retrouvé". Retrieved February 17, 2007.
  29. ^ "STORM FORCES C.U. SHUTDOWN", The Cornell Daily Sun (2007-02-15). Retrieved on February 15, 2007.
  30. ^ WINTER STORM: Purdue takes 24-hour snow recess beginning at noon
  31. ^ Snow Daze At OSU
  32. ^ Snow Day for SUNY Geneseo
  33. ^ "Snow Day", The Ithacan (2007-02-15). Retrieved on February 15, 2007.
  34. ^ "Snow shuts down UT campus", Independent Collegian (2007-02-15).
  35. ^ University of Illinois stays closed WJBC, February 13 2007
  36. ^ Northeast: Break out those snow shovels CNN.com, February 14, 2007
  37. ^ "Blizzard sweeps across N America", BBC News (2007-02-15). Retrieved on February 15, 2007.
  38. ^ "House Hearing on 'Warming of the Planet' Canceled after Ice Storm." 13 February 2007. Accessed 16 February 2007.
  39. ^ Ice-Laden Limbs, Power Lines Lead To Power Outages WCPO, February 13, 2007
  40. ^ Duke Energy Interactive Map
  41. ^ Thousands Remain without Power after Storm WISH, February 14, 2007
  42. ^ Power Out for Thousands, February 14, 2007
  43. ^ Scattered Power Outages Reported Around Region WTAE, February 14, 2007
  44. ^ Ice Storm Causes Massive Power Outages WRC, February 14, 2007
  45. ^ Thousands still without electricity WTOP, February 15, 2007
  46. ^ A blizzard for some, an icy mess for others Union Leader, February 14, 2007
  47. ^ Callery reschedules Valentine's Day, Cincinnati Enquirer, February 14, 2007
  48. ^ "Snow Report". Retrieved 2007-02-16.
  49. ^ a b WNYT, Albany, New York (February 15, 2007). "Digging out continues in capital region". {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  50. ^ Bill on the Hill, Kingfield, Maine (February 15, 2007). "31 inches of fresh". {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  51. ^ NWS Buffalo (2007-02-14). "Spotter Reports". Retrieved 2007-02-14.
  52. ^ The Hamilton Spectator (2007-02-15). "SNOW DAZE".
  53. ^ a b "Updated snowfall amounts released". February 15, 2007. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  54. ^ The Niagara Falls Review (2007-05-15). "Winter storms into Niagara".
  55. ^ Radio-Canada Quebec. "La région ensevelie". Retrieved 2007-02-15.
  56. ^ a b "February 12-14 Storm Summary". 2007-02-14. Retrieved 2007-02-14.
  57. ^ a b NWS Lincoln (2007-02-14). "Blizard Feb 12-13". Retrieved 2007-02-14.
  58. ^ La Voix de l'Est, Granby, QC (February 16, 2007). "«Des comme ça, j'ai rarement vu ça...»".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  59. ^ NWS Cleveland (2007-02-14). "Spotter Reports". Retrieved 2007-02-14.
  60. ^ CBC Montreal (February 15, 2007). "Snow paralyzes parts of Quebec".
  61. ^ LCN (February 15, 2007). "Les conditions routières sont toujours difficiles".
  62. ^ NOAA (14-02-2007). "Snowfall totals from the February 13th-14th, 2007, winter storm". Retrieved 2007-02-15. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  63. ^ Le Droit (February 15, 2007). "La tempête a passé ailleurs".
  64. ^ National Weather Service (February 15, 2007). "Total Snowfall and Icing Reports".
  65. ^ Tornado heaps misery on Katrina-hit area CNN.com, February 14 2007
  66. ^ Storm Prediction Center Map for February 13, 2007NOAA
  67. ^ Storm Prediction Center Map for February 12, 2007NOAA
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