 Suomi NPP image of the nor'easter onFebruary 9, 2013 | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | February 7, 2013 |
| Exited land | February 10, 2013 |
| Dissipated | February 18, 2013 |
| Category 3 "Major" blizzard | |
| Regional snowfall index: 9.21 (NOAA) | |
| Highest winds | 85 mph (140 km/h) (1-minute sustained winds) |
| Highest gusts | 102 mph (164 km/h)[3] |
| Lowest pressure | 968mbar (hPa); 28.59 inHg |
| Maximum snowfall or ice accretion | 40 inches (100 cm) atHamden, Connecticut[1][2] |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 18 total |
| Damage | $100 million (2013USD)[4] |
| Areas affected |
|
Part of the2012–13 North American winter | |
TheFebruary 2013 North American blizzard, also known asWinter Storm Nemo[5][6] and theBlizzard of 2013,[7] was a powerfulblizzard that developed from the combination of twoareas of low pressure,[8] primarily affecting theNortheastern United States and parts ofCanada, causing heavy snowfall andhurricane-force winds. The storm crossed the Atlantic Ocean, affecting Ireland and the United Kingdom.[9] Thenor'easter's effects in the United States received a Category 3 rank on theNortheast Snowfall Impact Scale, classifying it as a "Major" Winter Storm.
The first low-pressure system, originating from theNorthern Plains of the United States, produced moderate amounts of snow across theGreat Lakes region of the U.S. and Canada.[10] The second low, originating across the state ofTexas, produced heavy rains and flooding across much of theSoutheast andMid-Atlantic parts of the U.S. As the two systems merged off the Northeast coast on February 8, 2013, they produced heavy snowfall over a large region fromNorth Jersey and inland from New York City through eastern New England up to coastalMaine and inland toOntario.
Total snowfall inBoston, Massachusetts, reached 24.9 inches (63 cm), the fifth-highest total ever recorded in the city.[11] New York City officially recorded 11.4 inches (29 cm) of snow atCentral Park, andPortland, Maine, set a record of 31.9 inches (81 cm).Hamden, Connecticut recorded the highest snowfall of the storm at 40 inches (100 cm), the second highest total inConnecticut was recorded inMilford at 38 inches (97 cm). Many surrounding cities picked up at least 1 foot (30 cm). In addition to the significant snowfall totals, hurricane-force wind gusts were recorded, reaching 102 mph (164 km/h) inNova Scotia, 89 mph (143 km/h) atMount Desert Rock, Maine, and 84 mph (135 km/h) off the coast ofCuttyhunk, Massachusetts.[3][12][13] Boston experienced astorm surge of 4.2 ft (1.3 m), its fourth-highest.[14] The storm affectedAtlantic Canada after hitting the Northeastern United States.
Watches and warnings were issued in preparation for the storm, and state governors declared states of emergency in all states inNew England and in New York. Flights at many major airports across the region were canceled, and travel bans were put into place on February 8 in several states. Hundreds ended up stranded on Long Island late on February 8 as a result of the rapidly accumulating snowfall. A combination of strong winds and heavy, wet snow left 700,000 customers without electricity at the height of the storm.[15] At least eighteen deaths were attributed to the storm.[16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24]
Atmospheric conditions leading up to the formation of the February 2013nor'easter were rather anomalous and were conducive forcyclogenesis. Such conditions included the presence of aridge over the North Atlantic and the strengthening of atrough in California.[25] The impactful nature of the eventual winter storm event was first predicted inNational Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) andHydrometeorological Prediction Center (HPC) forecasts at 1200 UTC on February 6,[nb 1] when the accumulation of at least 4 in (100 mm) of snow in the ensuing hours was considered a moderate probability in parts ofWisconsin andMichigan.[26] Fueled by energy originating from theGulf of Alaska and carried by thepolar jet stream, alow-pressure area formed as anticipated inMontana, at 1200 UTC the next day.[25] The cyclone tracked in a general east-northeastward direction throughout the day,[27] reaching centralIndiana by early on February 8.[28]
As the low-pressure system over theUnited States Midwest developed, energy associated with thesubtropical jet over the Mexican plateau tracked into theGulf of Mexico, resulting in the formation of another low-pressure area just off the coast ofTexas on February 7.[25] Tracking eastward, the system produced isolated severe weather across theUnited States Gulf Coast.[29] Near noontime that day, the cyclone moved into theFlorida Panhandle.[30] By February 8, the low-pressure system had moved intoGeorgia.[31] Both the system in the Gulf of Mexico and the system in the Midwestern United States were supported by the sameshortwave trough. Due toblocking steering patterns, both storms began to gravitate towards theEastern Seaboard.[25]
The HPC began issuing periodic storm summary bulletins on the two low-pressure areas at 0300 UTC on February 8. Their forecasts suggested that the system associated with the subtropical jet stream would rapidly intensify near theUnited States East Coast, later absorbing the system associated with the polar jet stream.[32] A few hours later, the southern disturbance began a phase of barometric deepening as it tracked northeastward off theOuter Banks, while the northern system maintained an easterly course into northwesternOhio.[33] Beginning at 0000 UTC on February 9, the two systems began an extensive merging process, with the strengthening cyclone originating from the subtropics absorbing energy from the cyclone originating from the polar jet stream.[25] This resulted in the cyclone off the United States East Coast to continue intensifying while the initial system to the northwest gradually diffused over theMid-Atlantic states.[34] Throughout the day the resulting system continued to track to the northeast, bringing along with it a large swath of snowfall that tracked acrossNew England and into Canada.[35] By 1200 UTC, the extratropical cyclone had strengthened enough to classify it as abomb.[36]
At 2100 UTC on February 9, the extratropical cyclone reached its peak intensity with a minimumbarometric pressure of 968millibars (28.6 inHg) while located roughly 200 mi (320 km) off the coast ofMassachusetts.[37] After reaching peak intensity the system began to steadily weaken and depart the coast ofNew England, tracking nearNova Scotia early on February 10, upon which the HPC issued their final storm summary bulletin.[38] Despite the discontinuance of bulletins, the extratropical cyclone continued to persist and assumed an easterly course. By February 13, the storm system had tracked just south of Iceland,[39] bringing a cold and warm front into theBritish Isles.[40] The system then began to curve northward through theNorwegian Sea over the next few days,[41] before it was absorbed by a larger system on February 18.[42]
Environment Canada issued winter storm warnings for much ofOntario, whileToronto issued an extreme weather alert ahead of the storm.[43] Several universities and colleges closed throughoutSouthern Ontario.[44][45] Many flights were canceled in the region[46] andGreyhound canceled bus service to New York.[47] In theMaritimes, blizzard warnings were in effect for parts ofNew Brunswick[48] and all ofNova Scotia andPrince Edward Island, with more than 50 centimetres (20 in) possible.[49][50]
By late on February 7, 2013,winter storm warnings andwinter weather advisories were issued for the northeastern United States, from theUpper Midwest toNew England. There was also ablizzard warning for theNew York metropolitan area, all of Connecticut, all of Rhode Island, and eastern Massachusetts, as well as southeast New Hampshire and coastal Maine.[32] On February 8, blizzard warnings were expanded to include inland portions of southeast New Hampshire, and inland portions of Maine's coastal counties.[51] By February 8,storm warnings andhurricane force wind warnings were in effect for the New England and Mid Atlantic waters, in addition tocoastal flood warnings.[52]
In Chicago, officials deployed 199 snow trucks, and theIllinois State Toll Highway Authority sent 182 plows for its road system.[53] In the northeast United States, the storm threatened beaches and dunes in areas affected byHurricane Sandy from the previous October.[54] 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,[55] with more than 250,000 tons of salt prepared.[54] Schools were closed inHartford, Connecticut andProvidence, Rhode Island, among other cities.[56]
Connecticut GovernorDannel Malloy declared a state of emergency at 12:00 p.m. EST (1700 UTC) on February 8, and closed limited-access highways statewide at 4:00 p.m.[57]Connecticut Light and Power andUnited Illuminating planned for 30 percent of customers to lose power in Connecticut, and hired out-of-state line crews to assist with power restoration.[58] Governor Malloy on February 9 ordered all roads in the state closed except to essential vehicles.[59]
Rhode Island GovernorLincoln Chafee declared a state of emergency on February 8, and issued a travel ban for interstates and other major highways effective 5 p.m. EST.[60][61]
Massachusetts GovernorDeval Patrick declared a state of emergency at 12:00 p.m. EST on February 8, and banned vehicles from all public roads after 4:00 p.m.; it was the first statewide driving ban in Massachusetts since theBlizzard of 1978, which happened to strike the region exactly 35 years and 1 day earlier. The ban, issued via executive order, included a penalty of one year in jail and/or a five hundred dollar fine. The ban did not apply to emergency vehicles, hospital workers, or the media.[62][63] TheMassachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) suspended subway, commuter rail, bus, and boat service at 3:30 p.m. on February 8,[64] and flights atBoston Logan International Airport were suspended at 4:00 p.m.[65]Boston mayorThomas Menino ordered schools to close and recommended that businesses shut down during the storm.[55] TheNational Hockey League postponed a game between theBoston Bruins and theTampa Bay Lightning that was scheduled to be played at Boston'sTD Garden on February 9 due to the nor'easter; the game was originally set for a delayed start of 7 p.m.; before the game was first delayed to 7 p.m. it was set for 1 p.m.[66]
New York GovernorAndrew Cuomo declared a state of emergency on February 8.[67]Maine GovernorPaul LePage declared a state of emergency as well.[68]New Jersey GovernorChris Christie activated his state's Emergency Operations Center on the morning of February 8.[69]
Approximately 2,295National Guard soldiers and airmen were activated in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New York to support actions needed on state roads.[70][71]
TheMet Office issued an amber warning for snow and ice for the weakened storm for between 09:05 till 23:55 GMT on Wednesday 13 February. The already existing Cold weather health alert was extended in anticipation of the storm.Forecasters also warned of severe drifting of snow ahead of the gale force winds.[9]
The storm brought significant snow toSouthernOntario from February 7 to February 8. Snowdrifts caused major disruptions on roads and freeways.[72] Nearly a thousand flights were canceled atPearson International Airport, as well as a numerous flights atOttawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport,Montreal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, andBilly Bishop Toronto City Airport (Toronto island).[73]
The storm brought snow and high winds toToronto,Ottawa andMontreal, as well as extensive flooding to parts ofNova Scotia andNew Brunswick. In Toronto, it was the largest snowfall in 5 years with accumulations of 10 inches (25 cm) at the airport and 14.4 inches (37 cm) in downtown (And up to 18 inches (46 cm) in the suburbs). Power was disrupted for thousands of customers inAtlantic Canada, and dozens of flights were canceled atHalifax Stanfield International Airport on February 9. AllMarine Atlantic ferries on February 9 were canceled.Nova Scotia was hit with wind gusts up to 164 kilometers per hour (102 mph),[3] and more than 21,000Nova Scotia Power customers were without electricity as of the afternoon of February 9.[74]
Snow and rainfall began at 9 a.m. on February 8 acrossNew England; by late that day, totals reached 8 in (20 cm) nearMilton, Vermont.[75] Later that evening, snow was falling at 2 to 3 inches (5 to 8 cm) per hour in coastal Massachusetts, and at a significant rate of over 6 inches per hour (15 cm/h) in parts of Connecticut.[76] Thunder and lightning along with small hail were reported within the heavy band of snow in Connecticut. In Massachusetts, two neighborhoods inQuincy and about a dozen homes inSalisbury were evacuated due tocoastal flooding. Voluntary evacuation orders were issued for oceanfront residents inRevere,Marshfield, andScituate.[77] Early on February 9, mandatory evacuations were ordered for Massachusetts coastal regions near the town ofHull due to possible flooding and high winds.[78]
Parts of coastal New England experienced hurricane-force winds from the storm, with a peak gust of 89 mph (143 km/h) in Mount Desert Rock, Maine.[12] A maximum gust of 87 mph (140 km/h) was recorded on theIsle of Shoals, a small group of islands off the New Hampshire coast.[79] Winds of 84 mph (135 km/h) were recorded inBuzzards Bay nearCuttyhunk, Massachusetts,[13] and Boston'sLogan Airport measured a wind gust of 76 mph (122 km/h).[80]
When the snow stopped, the highest amount recorded was 40 inches (100 cm) inHamden, Connecticut. The 31.9 inches (81 cm) of snow inPortland, Maine, set a new record for the city from a single snowstorm, andGorham, Maine set a record for the state of 35.5 inches (90 cm). It was the second highest total inHartford, Connecticut, with 22.8 inches (58 cm);Concord, New Hampshire, received 24 inches (61 cm) of snow.Boston received 24.9 inches (63 cm) of snow, the fifth highest total in the city from a single storm. It was the third-largest snowfall inWorcester, Massachusetts, at 28.7 inches (73 cm).[81] Connecticut set a 24 hour snowfall record at 36 inches (91 cm).[82]
AtCentral Park in New York, 11.4 inches (29 cm) of snow was recorded, while other parts of the city accumulated as much as 16 inches (41 cm). Much of Long Island was hit with over 2 feet (61 cm) of snow, with snowfall as high as 33.5 inches (85 cm) being recorded inMedford, inSuffolk County.[83]
The secondary low overIndiana produced light to moderate snowfall that extended toWisconsin.[32] Totals reached 11.6 in (29 cm) inMuskegon, Michigan.[32] The storm previously dropped 1.5 in (3.8 cm) of snow in Chicago,[55][84] and 8.5 in (22 cm) was reported inBeach Park, Illinois on February 8.[85] Several traffic accidents were reported in Illinois.[53]
TheNuclear Regulatory Commission said thePilgrim Nuclear Power Plant inPlymouth, Massachusetts experienced an automatic shutdown at around 9:15 p.m. EST on February 8 after losing off-site power; there was no threat to the public.[86]
The storm caused power outages, shortages at gas stations, and numerous car accidents across the region.[87][88] As of 12:45 a.m. EST on February 9, 321,000 customers were without power inMassachusetts, 191,000 inRhode Island, and 32,000 inConnecticut.[70] By 10:30 a.m., more than 655,000 customers were without power due to the storm, including 405,000 in Massachusetts and 185,000 in Rhode Island.[88][89] As of the evening of February 9, approximately 575,000 people were without power.[20]
As of the late evening of February 9, 344,000 customers were without power in Massachusetts and 31,000 in Connecticut. About 390,000 remained without power in total in the Northeast.[88][90] In total, utility companies reported about 700,000 customers were without power across nine states.[88][91] As of Sunday[clarification needed] evening, there were still about 205,000 customers in Massachusetts without power. Some areas were projected not to have power restored until Thursday February 14.[92]
The Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant lost power again on February 10, after an offsite outage had caused a shutdown on February 8. A spokeswoman forEntergy Corp., the Louisiana company that owns Pilgrim said, "There's no worker or public safety concern," she said. "We're troubleshooting the cause."[92]
On Long Island, at least 40,000 people lost power, 29,000 outages in which were restored several hours later.[93]
More than 6,300 commercial flights were canceled on February 8 and 9.[94] In the New York City area,John F. Kennedy Airport,LaGuardia Airport andNewark Airport opened 7 a.m. EST on February 9.[81] In Boston,Logan International Airport reopened at 11 p.m. EST on February 9. Also, in Hartford,Bradley International Airport reopened at 6 a.m. EST on February 10.[95] As of Sunday[clarification needed] night, Logan Airport had limited service.[92]
Hundreds of cars got stuck on theLong Island Expressway inSuffolk County beginning the afternoon of February 8.[96] On February 10, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST, about 26 miles of the Long Island Expressway were closed between exits 57 and 73 for snow removal.[97] The closure was extended till 9 p.m. EST[98] however, it was closed indefinitely as of 10:50 p.m. EST.[99] The westbound side of the Long Island Expressway opened early Monday[clarification needed] morning, while the eastbound lanes between exits 57 and 73 remained closed for snow removal.[100] At around 7 a.m. on February 11, both lanes of the Long Island Expressway reopened.[101]
In the afternoon of February 9, a portion of the roof of Smithtown Lanes bowling alley inSmithtown, New York collapsed. There were no injuries as the business was closed at the time.[102] A house in Long Island suffered major structural damage due to heavy snow accumulation on the roof.[103]
TheBoston Bruins postponed their afternoon home game on Saturday, February 9 at theTD Garden against theTampa Bay Lightning to Thursday, April 25.[104] TheMohegan Sun resort casino in Connecticut postponed a Saturday[clarification needed] nightBon Jovi concert, but the band played for the snowbound guests.[105]
TheUnited States Postal Service (USPS) suspended mail delivery in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, and parts of New York during and after the storm.[91][106][107] Many school districts onLong Island, especially inSuffolk County closed schools for February 11.[108]Boston Public Schools and several other school districts, includingCambridge andSomerville, remained closed on February 11 and 12.[92][109] On February 10, President Obama declared a state of emergency for Connecticut.[110]
An 80-year-old woman inHamilton, and an 80-year-old man inNiagara Falls collapsed and died while shoveling snow.[111][112] A 49-year-oldOshawa man was killed in a multi-vehicle collision inPickering.[112] A 57-year-old man fromOttawa died when his car crashed nearPrescott.[112]
In Connecticut an 81-year-old woman using a snowblower was hit by a car inProspect, a man inBridgeport was found dead under snow at his home, a man died after he suffered a heart attack while plowing snow inNew Milford, a man fromShelton died while digging his truck out of the snow, and police inDanbury said a man was found dead on his back porch on February 9.[19][113] In Maine, a 75-year-old man crashed his vehicle into a tree inPassadumkeag, then his pickup ended up in thePenobscot River.[114] InBoston, Massachusetts, a 13-year-old boy and a man died separately due tocarbon monoxide poisoning while inside cars because the tailpipes were blocked by snow.[21][115] A man was killed in an automobile accident inAuburn, New Hampshire when his car spun out on a hill and collided with a tree, flattening the front end of hisSUV and crushing him.[20]
In New York, a man was plowing his driveway with a tractor on February 8 inGermantown, when the tractor went off the edge of the road and fell on top of him.[20] InPoughkeepsie, a pedestrian was struck by a car and killed.[23] A 58-year-old man inSelden died while clearing snow at his apartment complex.[22] On February 11, three more deaths, all inNorthport, New York, were blamed on the storm, bringing the blizzard death toll inSuffolk County to four.[16]
The Weather Channel dubbed the storm "Winter Storm Nemo",[11][5][116][117][6][118] in keeping with a list of names they have given to some winter storms since 2012.[119]Hartford, Connecticut,CBS affiliateWFSB named the storm "Blizzard Charlotte", in keeping with a long-standing station tradition of naming major winter storms affectingConnecticut dating back to the early 1970s.[120][121] TheNational Weather Service however, has rejected naming winter storms.[122] Despite this, theFree University of Berlin kept the name "Nemo", referring to the storm by that name on their weather maps.[40] Other names for the storm include the "Blizzard of 2013" (or the "Blizzard of '13") and "Blizzard 2013".[7][123]
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