January 10–13, 2024 North American storm complex

A major winter storm hit the United States from January 10–13, 2024. The storm affected areas from the Pacific Northwest to New England, with considerable impacts in the Midwestern United States as well.

January 10–13, 2024 North American storm complex
Meteorological history
FormedJanuary 10, 2024
DissipatedJanuary 14, 2024
Winter storm
Highest winds103 mph (166 km/h) in Pinnacle, Montana on January 10
Maximum snowfall or ice accretion41.3 in (105 cm) in Hamburg, New York on January 13-14
Overall effects
Fatalities5
Areas affectedNorthwestern, Midwest and Northeastern United States
Power outages550,000

Part of the 2023–24 North American winter

Meteorological history

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The storm system entered the Pacific Northwest on January 10 and brought blizzard conditions there before diving south into the Sierra Nevada. The storm brought blizzard conditions in Arizona and Kansas and intensified over the Midwestern United States. The storm then brought thundersnow and frost quakes into the Chicago metropolitan area before causing coastal flooding in the Mid-Atlantic region on January 13 and exiting.[1]

Impact

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550,000 customers lost power due to the storm.[2]

Western United States

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The storm resulted in blizzard warnings for Oregon and Washington's mountain areas for the first time since 2012.[3] Crater Lake National Park closed due to the winter storm.[4] Stevens Pass recorded 29 in (74 cm) of snow in just 30 hours. Wind gusts reached 103 mph (166 km/h) in Pinnacle, Montana and 97 mph (156 km/h) near Mount Hood.[5] Following the storm, record cold conditions were observed in Washington, with Seattle observing a low of 13 °F (−11 °C), their coldest temperature since 1990. Ski resorts in on Mount Baker closed due to the cold as well.[6] 111,000 outages occurred in Oregon alone.[7] Four people died in the Western United States: three in Oregon,[8] and one person in California.[1]

Midwestern United States

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The state of Oklahoma experienced gusts up to 45 mph (72 km/h) during the storm. Following the storm, much of Central Oklahoma experienced sub-freezing conditions for 4.5 days.[9] Portions of Interstate 70 in Kansas were closed due to the winter weather. Moline, Illinois recorded their second snowiest day on record on January 12, with 15.4 in (39 cm) of snow.[1] At Chicago O'Hare International Airport, over 800 flights were cancelled on January 12 as the storm crossed through.[10] One death occurred in Wisconsin,[11] where snowfall totals reached as high as 18 in (46 cm).[12]

Eastern United States

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A state of emergency and travel ban was declared in Western New York, forcing the playoff game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills to be postponed from January 14 at 1pm to January 15 at 4:30pm.[13] Flooding in Eastern New York resulted in a brief suspension of Amtrak service between New York City and Albany, as well as suspensions on Metro-North Railroad through the Hudson Valley.[14] In New York City, the storm dropped 0.89 in (23 mm) of rain, and several locations saw higher amounts. As a result, the Passaic River crested at 11.3 ft (3.4 m), and widespread coastal flooding occurred, closing down parts of Hudson River Park.[15][16] Severe flooding led to most roads being impassable in Mystic, Connecticut.[17] Almost ten thousand people lost power in the state of Rhode Island.[18] In Boston, the high tide exceeded its expected value and peaked at 14.41 ft (4.39 m), amidst gusts as high as 38 mph (61 km/h).[19] In Portland, Maine, the water levels hit 14.57 ft (4.44 m), resulting in historic flooding in the city.[20] Property damage in Maine totaled to $76.25 million.[21]

Aftermath

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Officials in Oregon warned people to be prepared for lengthy power outages. Following the storms, temperatures dropped significantly, resulting in many burst pipes. The burst pipes caused minor flooding in Portland International Airport. Also, many warming shelters in the state opened, although one was closed due to a burst pipe.[22]

In Omaha, Nebraska, customers were asked to reduce their electricity usage as temperatures dropped and the Missouri River began to freeze.[23]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Winter Storm Gerri Wraps Up In Great Lakes After Bringing Blizzard To Midwest, Northwest (RECAP) Archived 2024-01-15 at the Wayback Machine, The Weather Channel, January 13, 2024
  2. ^ Vicious storm triggers historic coastal flooding as Arctic chill tees up the South's first snow Archived 2024-01-15 at the Wayback Machine, CNN, January 14, 2024
  3. ^ Winter storm Gerri blasts much of the U.S. Archived 2024-01-12 at the Wayback Machine, United Press International, January 12, 2024
  4. ^ CRATER LAKE NATIONAL PARK CLOSED DUE TO STORMY CONDITIONS Archived 2024-01-14 at the Wayback Machine, KQEN News Radio 1240, January 12, 2024
  5. ^ Winter Storm Gerri A Second Late-Week Strike Of Snow, Severe Weather, Winds, Rain, Then Coldest Air Of Season Archived 2024-01-15 at the Wayback Machine, The Weather Channel, January 15, 2024
  6. ^ Seattle area could see coldest temps in 33 years as brutal chill sweeps through region Archived 2024-01-14 at the Wayback Machine, KIRO7, January 13, 2024
  7. ^ Brutal arctic blast blanketing much of the US is set to deliver record cold temperatures as the South braces for snow and ice Archived 2024-01-15 at the Wayback Machine, CNN, January 15, 2023
  8. ^ Portland area winter storm: 3 dead; hundreds of thousands lose power Archived 2024-09-16 at the Wayback Machine, KGW8, January 13, 2024
  9. ^ Arctic Blast of January 2024 Archived 2024-08-30 at the Wayback Machine, ARCGIS, February 28, 2024
  10. ^ Hundreds of Flights Canceled, Airlines Issue Advisories, As Winter Storm Slams Midwest Archived 2024-08-30 at the Wayback Machine, Travel and Leisure, January 12, 2024
  11. ^ Winter Storm Gerri: Dangerous Cold Moves In; Travel Remains Hazardous Archived 2024-01-15 at the Wayback Machine, Weather Underground, January 14, 2024
  12. ^ Great Lakes region faces feet of lake-effect snow as Midwest winter storm winds down Archived 2024-08-30 at the Wayback Machine, Fox Weather, January 13, 2024
  13. ^ Almost every US state is under a weather alert as storms sweep across the country Archived 2024-09-16 at the Wayback Machine, ABC News, January 13, 2024
  14. ^ AMTRAK SERVICE RESUMES FOLLOWING SUSPENSION DUE TO FLOODING; SOME METRO-NORTH SERVICE SUSPENDED Archived 2024-01-15 at the Wayback Machine, ABC7NY, January 13, 2024
  15. ^ WEATHER: NYS prepares for winter storm, flooding continues across the Tri-State and a chilly NYC could soon see snow Archived 2024-08-30 at the Wayback Machine, Audacy, January 13, 2024
  16. ^ Coastal flooding inundates parts of New York City after storm Archived 2024-09-16 at the Wayback Machine, Gothamist, January 13, 2024
  17. ^ Most roads in Mystic and Groton reopen now that water has receded Archived 2024-08-30 at the Wayback Machine, NBC Connecticut, January 13, 2024
  18. ^ Storm brings more rain, with power outages, high coastal water, and possible flooding Archived 2024-08-30 at the Wayback Machine, Boston.com, January 13, 2024
  19. ^ Field Observations: Real-Time Data from the January 13 Storm & Flooding in Boston Archived 2024-08-30 at the Wayback Machine, Stone Living Lab, January 16, 2024
  20. ^ Vicious storm triggers historic coastal flooding as Arctic chill tees up the South's first snow Archived 2024-08-30 at the Wayback Machine, CNN, January 14, 2024
  21. ^ Maine Event Reports: January 13-14, 2024 Archived 2024-08-30 at the Wayback Machine, NCEI
  22. ^ Cold weather, power failures continue in aftermath of Oregon storm Archived 2024-08-30 at the Wayback Machine, OPB, January 14, 2024
  23. ^ 'All-hands-on-deck' effort, diverse energy sources aid storm response Archived 2024-08-30 at the Wayback Machine, The Wire, January 17, 2024