The Late Autumn 2006 Storm Complex, also called the Superstorm of 2006 (a term coined by AccuWeather)[1] was a significant weather system that impacted much of North America from November 26 through December 2. It produced all kinds of severe weather, including snow, ice, sleet, heavy rain and a significant derecho.
The storm left at least eight deaths and widespread damage, as well as transportation troubles[2]. It also knocked out power to over 4,000,000 customers. The hardest hit areas were in the Midwest.
Meteorological synopsis
editPreparations
editImpact
editUtah
editThe storm began impacting Utah on November 27, bringing heavy snow to the mountains through November 29. Alta saw nearly 40 inches of snow in the event, and most of the other ski resorts in the state saw 2-3 feet. The Wasatch Front saw 4-10 inches of snow, mostly from the lake-effect off of the Great Salt Lake from the evening of the 28th into the 29th. Several valley locations in central Utah saw 8-12 inches, including nearly 15 inches at Fillmore. Although the snow was widespread and relatively singificant, and was followed by bitterly cold air, it caused no power outages, and only minor injuries were reported due to car accidents.
Illinois and Missouri
editThe worst ice storm in the region's history took place on November 30. Over 500,000 people lost power in the Ameren service area.[3] It was the second major power disaster in five months in the region, after a derecho on July 19.
In central Illinois, significant snow and ice damage was also reported. Widespread power outages were reported and many trees and tree limbs were knocked down. The communities of Mount Pulaski, Decatur and Taylorville were hardest hit by the freezing rain.[4]
Two people died of hypothermia in Cook County, Illinois and two others may have also died as a result of the severe weather there.[5]
Wisconsin
editThe heavy snow was localized in the state, but the transportation impacts were significant. A stretch of Interstate 94 was closed and General Mitchell International Airport was paralyzed with extensive cancellations during and after the storm.[6]
Mid-Atlantic Derecho
editA significant derecho took place on December 1 across the Mid-Atlantic States, particularly in Pennsylvania. Widespread damage was reported throughout the state.
Overall
editThe power outages across the entire region were as follows:
| State | Maximum loss |
|---|---|
| Washington | 40,000[7] |
Observed accumulations
editOnly amounts of 8 inches (20 cm) of snow or 3/4 inch (18 mm) of ice (freezing rain or sleet) or more are listed, except for the state maximums. Unless otherwise listed, all amounts are of snow.
| State | City/location | Amount in inches (cm) |
|---|---|---|
| IL | Princeton | 18.0 (45.8) |
| MO | Butler | 18.0 (45.8) |
| MO | Clinton | 18.0 (45.8) |
| WI | Kenosha | 17.0 (43.3) |
| MI | Manistee | 16.9 (42.9) |
| MO | Jefferson City | 16.3 (41.4) |
| KS | Chanute | 16.0 (40.6) |
| MO | Sedalia | 16.0 (40.6) |
| MO | Columbia | 15.3 (38.9) |
| OK | Bartlesville | 15.0 (38.1) |
| WI | Racine | 14.5 (36.8) |
| OK | Pawhuska | 14.0 (35.6) |
| KS | Cherryvale | 12.5 (31.8) |
| MI | Ludington | 11.5 (29.2) |
| IL | Quincy | 10.5 (26.7) |
| MI | Traverse City | 10.5 (26.7) |
| OK | Tulsa | 10.4 (26.4) |
| WI | Milwaukee Mitchell Field | 10.1 (25.6) |
| IL | Moline | 8.8 (22.4) |
| IL | Peoria | 8.1 (20.6) |
| NM | Taos | 8.0 (20.2) |
| TX | Childress | 7.0 (17.8) |
| IL | Springfield | 2.0 (51 mm) ice |
| IL | Peoria | 1.0 (25 mm) ice |
Sources: NWS St. Louis, NWS Kansas City, NWS Quad Cities, NWS Central Illinois, NWS Grand Rapids, NWS Gaylord, NWS Milwaukee, NWS Lubbock, NWS Wichita, NWS Albuquerque, NWS Tulsa, Midwest Winter Storm Summary
Aftermath
editA state of emergency was declared by Missouri Governor Matt Blunt. The National Guard was deployed to help affected people in the state. Shelters were opened up as well due to the extreme cold behind the cold front. Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius also declared a state disaster area for 30 counties.[8]
In Illinois, 49 counties were declared disaster areas by Governor Rod Blagojevich.[9]
References
edit- ^ http://wwwa.accuweather.com/news-blogs.asp?partner=accuweather&blog=community
- ^ http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061202/ap_on_re_us/wintry_weather
- ^ http://www.kmov.com/localnews/stories/kmov_localnews_061130_poweroutages.3f25386a.html
- ^ http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ilx/?n=2006-Dec01
- ^ http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=local&id=4827551
- ^ http://www.crh.noaa.gov/mkx/?n=120106_snow
- ^ http://www.kptv.com/weather/10413409/detail.html
- ^ http://www.newschannel10.com/global/story.asp?s=5757014
- ^ http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=local&id=4827551