January 14–17, 2022 North American winter storm explained

January 14–17, 2022 North American winter storm
Image Location:Mid January 2022 North American winter storm 2022-01-16 1810Z.jpg
Image Name:The winter storm intensifying over the Southeastern United States late on January 16.
Rsi:3.407
Stormtype:Extratropical cyclone
Winter storm
Nor'easter
Tornado outbreak
Date Formed:January 13, 2022
Date Dissipated:January 19, 2022
Maximum Amount:Snow – 27.5inches near Ashtabula, Ohio
Ice – 0.5inches in Lancaster, South Carolina
Lowest Pressure:981
Fujitascale:EF2
Tornadoes:7
Enhanced:yes
Gust:91mph near Wellfleet, MA
Total Damages (Usd):$600 million[1]
$10.745 million tornadic
Power Outages:>375,000
Areas Affected:Central Canada, Northwestern, Central, Southeastern, and Northeastern United States
Total Fatalities:4 deaths, 17 injuries (14 winter storm and 3 tornadic)
Season:2021–22 North American winter and Tornadoes of 2022

The January 14–17, 2022 North American winter storm brought widespread impacts and wintry precipitation across large sections of eastern North America and parts of Canada. Forming out of a shortwave trough on January 13, it first produced a swath of snowfall extending from the High Plains to the Midwestern United States. The storm eventually pivoted east and impacted much of the Southern United States from January 15–16 before shifting north into Central Canada, the Mid-Atlantic states, and the Northeastern United States. The system, named Winter Storm Izzy by The Weather Channel, was described as a "Saskatchewan Screamer".[2]

Several states in the Southeast declared states of emergencies ahead of the storm, including as North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia. Snowfall totals of up to 1feet were observed across much of the affected areas in the High Plains and Central United States, with the storm bringing gusty winds and numerous power outages in its wake. The system also spawned seven tornadoes in Florida, one of which was an EF2 that resulted in three injuries. Ice storm conditions were observed in the Southeastern states, while snowfall amounts in excess of 2feet were reported across Northeast Ohio.[3] [4] Large areas of Southern Ontario received NaNcm (-2,147,483,648inches) of snow, in some places at rates of over 10cm (00inches) per hour, resulting in the closure of some highways, and impacting transit services in some areas.

Meteorological history

A weak area of low pressure developed on January 13 in southwestern Canada along a stationary front from a weakening extratropical cyclone that was impacting the West Coast of the United States.[5] From there, the system drifted southeastwards into the High Plains while delivering heavy snowfall and began moving more southwards through the states of Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri into the early morning hours of January 14.[6] Later that day, at 21:00 UTC the Weather Prediction Center (WPC) began issuing periodic storm summary bulletins on the developing system, albeit with competing areas of low pressure.[7] A stronger low began forming over southern Missouri on January 15, moving into Arkansas and began strengthening due to a strong upper-level low located nearby.[8] Associated cold air in place over the aforementioned areas allowed snow to break out in areas further south, as the system began occluding – with a new low forming just offshore in the northern Gulf of Mexico before moving onshore – later that night as snowfall, ice and mixed precipitation spread eastward towards the Southeastern United States into the early morning hours of January 16.[9] The winter storm began turning more northward later that day into the southern Appalachian Mountains as the two centers began merging.[10]

Preparations

Canada

Prior to snowfall, totals were forecasted between NaNcm (-2,147,483,648inches) across Southern Ontario.[11] In response to that, winter storm watches and warnings were issued across a large swath of southern Ontario and southwestern Quebec. As the storm progressed, a rare blizzard warning was issued for much of the Greater Toronto Area and National Capital Region, now forecasting up to 60cm (20inches) of snow. This was the first blizzard warning for Toronto since 1993. Winter storm and snowfall warnings were expanded in to parts of central and southwestern Ontario. Ahead of the storm, many school districts cancelled in-person classes for January 17 and 18.[12]

United States

Winter storm watches and warnings were issued across a large swath of the Central and Eastern United States, along with ice storm warnings for several areas in North Carolina and South Carolina due to the potential for ice accumulations.[13] However, in New York City, it was expected to bring rain and strong winds.[14] Amtrak cancelled several trains in advance of the storm.[15]

Southeast

Georgia, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina all declared a state of emergency in preparation for the winter storm.[16]

Impacts

Canada

Ontario

The storm brought heavy snow across much of southern Ontario, with snow accumulations of up to 50cm (20inches) in St. Catharines, 48cm (19inches) in Ottawa (second largest snowstorm on record), 55cm (22inches) of snow in Toronto (the third largest snowfall since 1937), 41cm (16inches) in Hamilton, and 32cm (13inches) in Kitchener-Waterloo.[17] In hard hit areas, snow fell at a rate of over 10cm (00inches) per hour during the morning of January 17, which along with winds created blizzard conditions.[18]

In Toronto, the storm prompted the closure of Gardiner Expressway and the Don Valley Parkway for several hours in the early afternoon to remove stranded automobiles and to facilitate plowing, while sections of Highway 401 were blocked by stranded vehicles for up to 12 hours with one section blocked until the late morning of the next day.[19] Near Ottawa, a stretch of Highway 7 was closed to due blizzard conditions and a section of Highway 417 was closed for eight hours due to a fatal accident that killed two people.[20] [21] Some cities' transit systems had difficulties providing service, such as 504 of the Toronto Transit Commission's 1,300 bus fleet and 150 OC Transpo buses being trapped in snow.[22] [23] School boards throughout the Golden Horseshoe closed their schools for both January 17 and 18 while some other school boards closed schools for January 17.[23] [24] The storm temporarily shut down Toronto Pearson International Airport, and forced the cancelation of all flights at Ottawa International Airport.[25]

United States

High Plains and Midwest

The storm dropped 11inches of snow in Laurens, Iowa and 14.3inches in Des Moines. There were also 78 car crashes reported, which caused 14 injures.[26] [27]

Heavy snow was recorded across eastern Ohio, where 15inches fell at Cleveland and 13.6inches at Akron-Canton. Parts of Ashtabula County reported 27.5inches of snow.

Southeast

The Nashville Fire Department in Davidson County, Tennessee, opened a shelter from the cold weather on January 15.[28]

Snow fell in mostly the northern and central part of Alabama with only a trace recorded in most areas. York recorded 1.5inches while Livingston recorded 2inches.[29] [30]

In Georgia, approximately 100,000 customers were without power at the height of the storm on January 16.[13] Atlanta recorded 0.3inches of snow from the storm, which became the first measurable snow at the airport since January 2018.[31]

In North Carolina, parts of U.S. Route 276 were closed due to icing.[13] The city of Charlotte opened a shelter for those who sought warmth from the cold.[32] [13] The North Carolina Highway Patrol responded to approximately 200 collisions by noon of January 16.[13] A car crash also killed 2 people in Raleigh, North Carolina.[33] Over 90% of flights that day from Charlotte Douglas International Airport were cancelled.[34]

A state of emergency was declared in Virginia due to the storm. Virginia reported 482 car crashes and 486 disabled vehicles.[35]

Florida

The warm side of the storm caused severe thunderstorms, high winds, and several tornadoes in Florida.[36] An EF2 tornado touched down in Iona, damaging numerous homes and causing three injuries. Around 7,000 homes lost power in the state.[37] The Iona tornado caused $10 million in damage.[38] Some parts of the Panhandle saw flurries while in areas in northern Escambia County saw light accumulation, the first snow accumulation observed in the state since a winter storm in 2018.[39] [40] [41] [42]

Northeast

Buffalo received 19.2inches of snow while areas to the east of Buffalo, such as Medina (22inches) and Batavia (17inches) received similar amounts, while Rochester further east received 11.5inches inches of snow.[43] Snow was reported falling at as much as 4.6inches per hour in the early hours of January 17 in Buffalo.[44] Schools in the Buffalo area were closed both January 17 and 18 due to the storm.[45] The storm was sufficient enough to make it the third snowiest January day in Buffalo history.[46] Albany, New York, received 4inches of snow while mountain areas to its west and east received between 10inches and 14inches.[47] New York City received less than 1inches of snow after which it received rain and experienced wind gusts approaching 60mph, prompting COVID-19 vaccination and testing sites to close temporarily. In Staten Island, where temperatures remained 38F or higher during the event, significant rainfall of 2.06inches fell.[48] In Suffolk County, New York, a 60 knot wind gust was confirmed at 3:46 a.m. EST on January 17.[49]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. https://www.aon.com/reinsurance/getmedia/af1248d6-9332-4878-8c92-572c1bf3c19d/20221204-q1-2022-catastrophe-recap.pdf Q1 Global Catastrophe Recap
  2. Web site: Winter Storm Izzy to Spread Mess of Snow, Ice from Midwest into South and East into MLK Weekend. The Weather Channel. 14 January 2022. 2022-01-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20220114010717/https://weather.com/storms/winter/news/2022-01-12-winter-storm-east-south-midwest-forecast. live.
  3. Web site: US Department of Commerce. NOAA. Text Products for PNS Issued by CLE. 2022-01-18. forecast.weather.gov. EN-US. 2022-01-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20220118124350/https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=NWS&issuedby=CLE&product=PNS&format=CI&version=1&glossary=1. live.
  4. Web site: Winter Storm Izzy: Coastal Flooding Hits Connecticut, Two Dead in North Carolina Crash The Weather Channel - Articles from The Weather Channel weather.com. 2022-01-18. The Weather Channel. en-US. 2022-01-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20220118010652/https://weather.com/news/news/2022-01-17-winter-storm-izzy-outages-roads-ice-snow. live.
  5. Web site: WPC Surface Analysis for 01/13/22 at 09 UTC. Weather Prediction Center. January 13, 2022. January 16, 2022. January 18, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220118051553/https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/archives/web_pages/sfc/sfc_archive_maps.php?arcdate=01%2F13%2F2022&selmap=2022011309&maptype=satsfcnps. live.
  6. Web site: WPC Surface Analysis for 01/14/22 at 06 UTC. Weather Prediction Center. January 14, 2022. January 16, 2022. January 16, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220116213343/https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/archives/web_pages/sfc/sfc_archive_maps.php?arcdate=01%2F14%2F2022&selmap=2022011406&maptype=satsfcnps. live.
  7. Web site: Storm Summary Number 01 for Northern Plains through Midwest Winter Storm. Storm Summary Message. National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center. January 16, 2022. College Park, Maryland. January 14, 2022. January 17, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220117065638/https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/storm_summaries/storm24/stormsum_1.html. live.
  8. Web site: Storm Summary Number 03 for Northern Plains through Mississippi Valley Winter Storm. Storm Summary Message. National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center. January 16, 2022. College Park, Maryland. January 15, 2022. January 17, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220117065637/https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/storm_summaries/storm24/stormsum_3.html. live.
  9. Web site: Storm Summary Number 04 for Northern Plains through Mississippi Valley Winter Storm. Storm Summary Message. National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center. January 16, 2022. College Park, Maryland. January 15, 2022. January 16, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220116213337/https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/storm_summaries/storm24/stormsum_4.html. live.
  10. Web site: Storm Summary Number 05 for Northern Plains, Mississippi Valley, and Central/Southern Appalachians Winter Storm. Storm Summary Message. National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center. January 16, 2022. College Park, Maryland. January 16, 2022. January 17, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220117065640/https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/storm_summaries/storm24/stormsum_5.html. live.
  11. Web site: Inc. Pelmorex Weather Networks. Winter storm will bring 20-40 cm of snow to parts of Ontario on Monday. 2022-01-18. www.theweathernetwork.com. en-CA. 2022-01-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20220118210417/https://www.theweathernetwork.com/ca/news/article/major-southern-ontario-cities-face-threat-of-20-40-cm-of-snow. live.
  12. Web site: Weather watch: What you need to know about the winter blast in Ontario . . 18 January 2022 . 17 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220117230336/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/winter-weather-ontario-snow-jan17-2022-1.6317370 . live .
  13. Web site: Winter Storm Izzy: Hundreds of Vehicle Crashes Reported, Thousands of Flights Canceled . 2022-01-16 . 2022-01-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220116231435/https://weather.com/news/news/2022-01-16-winter-storm-izzy-live-updates/ . live .
  14. https://www.silive.com/news/2022/01/nyc-weather-heavy-rain-strong-winds-to-slam-new-york-city-flooding-possible.html?outputType=amp NYC weather: Heavy rain, strong winds to slam New York City; flooding possible
  15. Web site: Service Alert: Modified Service in Advance of Winter Storm . www.amtrak.com . 4 February 2022 . 16 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220116004908/https://www.amtrak.com/alert/modified-service-in-advance-of-winter-storm0.html . 16 January 2022 . dead.
  16. Web site: Winter Storm Izzy: Hundreds of Flights Canceled, Several States Declare Emergencies. The Weather Channel. 16 January 2022. 2022-01-16. https://web.archive.org/web/20220116003459/https://weather.com/news/news/2022-01-15-winter-storm-izzy-hundreds-of-flights-canceled. live.
  17. Web site: Ontario buried under epic snow totals as lake-effect setup takes over . 2022-01-18 . 2022-01-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220118173707/https://www.theweathernetwork.com/ca/news/article/ontario-buried-under-epic-snow-totals-as-lake-effect-setup-takes-over . live . Web site: 'It's going to be a mess': Hamilton punches through its single-day snowfall record — with more winter weather on its way . 2022-01-30 . 2022-01-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220118003509/https://www.thespec.com/news/hamilton-region/2022/01/17/its-going-to-be-a-mess-hamilton-punches-through-its-single-day-snowfall-record-with-more-winter-weather-on-its-way.html . live . Web site: Snow plows clear up after major storm . Daily Hive News . 18 January 2022 . 18 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220118145956/https://dailyhive.com/toronto/toronto-snow-plows-snow-storm-map . live . Web site: Toronto snow clearing effort continues 5 days after massive storm . 2022-01-26 . 2022-01-26 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220126040817/https://globalnews.ca/news/8531756/toronto-snowstorm-clean-up-weekend/ . live . Web site: Toronto declares 'major snow storm condition' to aid cleanup after winter storm . 2022-01-26 . 2022-01-26 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220126041008/https://www.cp24.com/news/all-hands-on-deck-with-more-snow-falling-toronto-continues-to-dig-out-a-week-after-massive-storm-1.5751922?cache=%2F7.311553 . live . Web site: Toronto declares 'major snow storm condition' to aid cleanup after winter storm . 2022-01-26 . 2022-01-26 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220126040817/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/toronto-snowstorm-january-17-2022-1.6317236 . live . Web site: Snowfall - Daily Data . 2022-01-21 . 2022-01-21 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220121041707/https://kitchenerwaterloo.weatherstats.ca/charts/snow-daily.html . live .
  18. Web site: Record-breaking snowfall snarls travel in Toronto. live. 2022-01-20. 2022-01-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20220120211923/https://www.accuweather.com/en/winter-weather/record-breaking-snowfall-snarls-travel-in-toronto/1128176.
  19. Web site: Just Trying to Remain Calm: some stuck on Highway 401 in Toronto for more than 8 hours as storm wallops city. CBC News. 2022-01-30. 2022-01-26. https://web.archive.org/web/20220126055604/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/dvp-gardiner-closure-blizzard-1.6317614. live. News: Rodrigues . Gabby . Major delays continue across Highway 401 in Toronto day after massive snow storm . 4 February 2022 . Global News . Global Television Network . January 18, 2022.
  20. Web site: Two killed in Highway 417 crashes outside of Ottawa . . 6 February 2022.
  21. News: Travel excruciating due to record-breaking snowfall and wind gusts . 5 February 2022 . CBC . January 17, 2022.
  22. Web site: Union calls for policy change after hundreds of TTC buses got stuck in Monday's snowstorm . 2022-01-29 . 2022-01-26 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220126040913/https://globalnews.ca/news/8521359/union-calls-for-policy-change-after-ttc-buses-get-stuck-snowstorm/ . live . News: Willing . Jon . STUCK: Some bus drivers stranded in vehicles for eight-plus hours during storm: union . 5 February 2022 . Ottawa Sun . en-CA. News: Pringle . Josh . Delayed launch, stopped train over lunch hour slows service on Confederation Line . 5 February 2022 . CTV . 19 January 2022 . en. Web site: Just Trying to Remain Calm: some stuck on Highway 401 in Toronto for more than 8 hours as storm wallops city . CBC News. Web site: Toronto to under major storm condition. Toronto Star.
  23. News: Niagara storm closures . 4 February 2022 . St. Catherines Standard . Torstar . 17 January 2022 . en.
  24. Web site: Several GTA school boards announce school closures as Toronto braves winter storm. 17 January 2022. Toronto Star. 2022-01-20 . 2022-01-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220120025408/https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2022/01/17/several-gta-school-boards-announce-school-closures-as-toronto-braves-winter-storm.html. live. Web site: School closures and cancellations for tuesday January 18, 2022. CHCH TV News. 2022-01-30 . 2022-01-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220118112144/https://www.chch.com/school-closures-and-cancellations-for-tuesday-jan-18-2022/ . live .
  25. Web site: Ontario buried under epic snow totals as lake-effect setup takes over . . 18 January 2022.
  26. Web site: Tow bans issued for 21 Iowa counties as spotters report more than 7 inches of snow in Des Moines metro. Des Monies Register. 15 January 2022. 30 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220130015826/https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/weather/2022/01/14/live-updates-iowa-winter-storm-izzy-snow-forecast-road-conditions-closures/6521828001/. live.
  27. Web site: 75 million Americans under alert for winter storm, chilling temperatures . ABC News . 15 January 2022 . 15 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220115185307/https://abcnews.go.com/US/75-million-americans-alert-winter-storm-chilling-temperatures/story?id=82283443 . live .
  28. Web site: Nashville Fire Department (TN) App Store Links. apps.myocv.com. 2022-01-16. 2022-01-15. https://web.archive.org/web/20220115194154/https://apps.myocv.com/blog/a34437210/newsAndEvents. live.
  29. Web site: IEM :: LSR from NWS BMX . National Weather Service . National Weather Service Birmingham AL . 17 January 2022 . en . 17 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220117081649/https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php?pil=LSRBMX&e=202201161344 . live .
  30. Web site: IEM :: LSR from NWS BMX . National Weather Service . National Weather Service Birmingham AL . 17 January 2022 . en . 17 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220117081730/https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php?pil=LSRBMX&e=202201161443 . live .
  31. https://www.11alive.com/article/weather/nws-reports-accumulation-at-hartsfield-jackson/85-6f7f21be-819c-4def-b7f9-322bba7952e8 Atlanta's snowless streak ends with accumulation reported at airport
  32. Web site: TEMPORARY COLD WEATHER WARMING STATION OPEN . 2022-01-16 . 2022-01-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220116231935/https://charlottenc.gov/emergency/Documents/Shelter%20Info2.pdf . live .
  33. https://news.yahoo.com/power-outages-flight-cancellations-sweep-143942006.html At least 2 dead, tens of thousands without power as brutal winter storm slams South
  34. https://caribbean.loopnews.com/content/snow-ice-blasts-through-south-powerful-winter-storm-3 Snow, ice blasts through South with powerful winter storm
  35. Web site: Mid-Atlantic Regional Climate Impacts Summary and Outlook: Winter 2021-2022 . Mid Atlantic Regional Climate Center . November 3, 2022.
  36. News: Webb. Robin. January 16, 2022. Most of South Florida, including Broward, under tornado watch until 3 p.m.. Sun Sentinel. January 16, 2022. January 16, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220116154957/https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/weather/fl-ne-tornado-watch-south-florida-20220116-vdwxc4gpcvhhrdrjjp5rdeenia-story.html. live.
  37. https://www.winknews.com/2022/01/16/tornadoes-move-across-swfl-sunday-morning/ EF2 tornado, other tornadoes hit Southwest Florida Sunday morning
  38. https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=995997 Florida Event Report: EF2 Tornado
  39. Web site: 2022-01-03. Snow in Florida? Video appears to show rare flurries in the Panhandle. 2022-01-19. WFLA. en-US. 2022-01-19. https://web.archive.org/web/20220119023241/https://www.wfla.com/news/florida/snow-in-florida-video-appears-to-show-rare-flurries-in-the-panhandle/. live.
  40. Web site: Snow falls in Florida — yes, Florida — in rare cold snap. 2022-01-19. TODAY.com. en. 2022-01-19. https://web.archive.org/web/20220119023222/https://www.today.com/news/news/snow-falls-florida-yes-florida-rare-cold-snap-rcna10752. live.
  41. Web site: This Was Our Favorite Florida Sunday Snow Picture : NorthEscambia.com. 2022-01-18. 2022-01-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20220118040444/https://www.northescambia.com/2022/01/this-was-our-favorite-florida-sunday-snow-picture. live.
  42. Web site: Kelly McCleary, Holly Yan and Theresa Waldrop. Winter storm packs a wallop of snow for much of East Coast. 2022-01-18. CNN. 17 January 2022 . 2022-01-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20220118101745/https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/17/weather/winter-storm-ice-snow-monday/index.html. live.
  43. Web site: How much snow did Rochester NY get? The latest snowfall amounts . 2022-01-21 . 2022-01-21 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220121050059/https://www.yahoo.com/news/much-snow-did-rochester-overnight-102044698.html . live .
  44. News: Thousands in northeast are without power after heavy snowfall from winter storm . 4 February 2022 . NPR . 17 January 2022. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20220127174746/https://www.npr.org/2022/01/17/1073586705/winter-storm-could-drop-foot-of-snow-on-northeast. January 27, 2022. en.
  45. News: Buffalo Schools Close for Second Straight Day Due to Storm Aftermath . 4 February 2022 . 93.7 WBLK.
  46. https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/buffalo/weather/2022/02/05/january-was-among-the-top-10-snowiest-in-buffalo-s-history January was among the top 10 snowiest in Buffalo’s history
  47. Web site: How The Local Terrain Shaped the January 17, 2022 Snow Storm . 19 January 2022 . 2022-01-30 . 2022-01-30 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220130015855/https://gum.criteo.com/syncframe?origin=publishertag&topUrl=cbs6albany.com . live .
  48. News: NYC winter storm: How much rain fell on Staten Island? . July 19, 2022 . Silive.com . January 17, 2022.
  49. Web site: New York Event Report: Thunderstorm Wind . NCDC . April 19, 2022.

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