| November 2020 North American storm complex | |
| Formed: | November 29, 2020 |
| Dissipated: | December 2, 2020 |
| Maximum Snow: | 24inches at Thompson, Ohio |
| Gusts: | 61 |
| Pressure: | 993 |
| Tornadoes: | 5 |
| Fujita-Scale: | EF1 |
| Duration: | 12 hours, 43 minutes |
| Outages: | >100,000 |
| Fatalities: | None confirmed |
| Damages: | >$100 million (2020 USD)[1] |
| Affected: | Southern United States, Ohio Valley, Northeastern United States, Eastern Canada |
The November 2020 North American storm complex was a major early-season snowstorm that impacted most of the Ohio Valley from November 30–December 2 with heavy snow, gusty winds, and near-whiteout conditions. The system originated from a weak gulf low off the coast of Texas on November 29, which began to move northeastward onto land the next day. It then began to strengthen, as well as slowing its movement down, resulting in heavy, wind-driven snow for prolonged periods of time in the Ohio Valley. It also triggered a major lake-effect snow event from December 1–2 as the system stalled over Lake Ontario, resulting in additional heavy snowfall. The storm system was also responsible for a severe thunderstorm outbreak in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, causing 22 severe thunderstorms and 5 tornadoes. In total, the system is estimated to have caused at least $100 million (2020 USD) in damages.[1] It was unofficially named Winter Storm Dane by The Weather Channel.[2]
The system formed as a weak low-pressure system off the coast of southeastern Texas early on November 29. After meandering eastward for around 12 hours, the low-pressure made landfall and came ashore in southeastern Louisiana at 18:00 UTC.[3] It then turned northeastward, beginning to strengthen and spawning a secondary low-pressure to the east.[4] By 15:00 UTC on November 30, the system had spawned two more low-pressures, and the main low had reached an initial intensity of 995mb.[5] The system reached a peak intensity of 993mb at 00:00 UTC on December 1, while two of the low-pressure areas dissipated and the main low stalled out over Lake Ontario.[6] Another low-pressure dissipated a few hours later, leaving only the main low remaining, which began to slowly weaken.[7] The system continued weakening throughout December 1, and by early on December 2, it had begun moving to the northeast again.[8] After continuing to weaken for several hours, it dissipated late on December 2.[9]
Winter Storm Warnings were issued in parts of Ohio and Pennsylvania, mainly along the shores of Lake Erie due to the potential for heavy snow. Winter Weather Advisories were issued in a broad swath farther south, stretching all the way down to eastern Tennessee.[2]
A fairly large area of Ohio and Pennsylvania picked up over 10inches of snow, with the highest totals near Lake Erie. Snow fell in Cleveland all day November 30, and the city saw 10.1inches of snow during the event. Areas near Cleveland, such as Thompson, Ohio, saw as much as 24inches of snow, due to lake-effect enhancement. Trees and power lines were downed in the Cleveland area due to the heavy snow and strong winds.[2] Elnora, Indiana had received nearly 7inches by the time snow had ended. Detroit, Pittsburgh, Columbus, and other areas further away from Lake Erie generally saw NaNinches of snow from the system.[2]
In Arab, Alabama, 1inches of snow was measured. Around 0.5inches of snow was reported in the Murfreesboro, Tennessee area. The Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge areas had seen up to 5inches. By the end of the night, Mount Le Conte, Tennessee had seen 11inches inches of snow, as reported by the National Weather Service.[10] Roan Mountain, Tennessee had seen 12inches by the time snow and finished, and Robbinsville, North Carolina picked up a total of 15inches from the system.[2]
The warm side of the system also resulted in some severe thunderstorms in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. Several of the storms became tornadic, with at least five tornadoes being confirmed on November 30. The storms also resulted in 22 reports of wind damage in an area from Maryland to eastern Pennsylvania.[11] [12]
| Location | County / Parish | State | Start Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Max width | Summary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EF1 | NNW of Hamburg to SE of Nankin | Madison | FL | 08:10–08:18 | 5.52abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 475abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Significant tree damage and minor damage to a home occurred near where this tornado touched down. The tornado was at its strongest and its widest point as it continued to significantly damage trees, and cause damage to multiple farm outbuildings. As the tornado narrowed, it snapped many pine trees. The tornado lifted near SR 53, just south of the Florida/Georgia state border.[13] | |
| EFU | East Lake to NE of Odessa | Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco | FL | 11:00–11:25 | 12.45abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 50abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Despite this tornado touching down intermittently for over 12abbr=onNaNabbr=on, only damage reported was downed tree limbs and blown around patio furniture.[14] [15] | |
| EF1 | E of Port Deposit to Woodlawn | MD | 19:37–19:42 | 3.36abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 75abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Many trees were snapped or uprooted at the beginning of the path, including some near a home. As the tornado moved northeast, it damaged newly installed power poles near another home. Additional trees and power poles were damaged. The tornado was at its strongest point when a front porch awning was lifted. Damage to other homes occurred, including damage to roof shingles and siding. One home's garage door was bent inward. Trees were snapped or uprooted along the rest of the path before the tornado lifted.[16] | ||
| EF0 | NNW of Baltimore Corner to SW of Templeville | Caroline | MD | 20:13–20:20 | 5.32abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 75abbr=onNaNabbr=on | This tornado first touched down along MD 313, just south of the Caroline/Queen Anne's county border. Little to no damage was found in this area, however, a small tornado debris signature appeared on doppler radar. As this tornado moved northeastward, it passed northwest of Henderson. In this area, a small horse barn was destroyed, with its walls collapsed, and its roof blown across a yard into a nearby home. The nearby home had damage done to its roof, siding, and chimney. Several trees and tree branches were snapped or uprooted. Later on down the path, two barns were destroyed. One of the barns' roofs was lifted and tossed, while the other was peeled and twisted. The tornado continued northeast before lifting.[17] | |
| EF0 | Montgomeryville | PA | 20:52–20:53 | 0.87abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 100abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A brief tornado touched down just east of the PA 309 northbound onramp to the US 202 parkway. As the tornado crossed the US 202 parkway, two small trees were uprooted. Wooden picnic tables outside of a Texas Roadhouse were tossed, shattering the front window of a nearby closed restaurant. This same restaurant had air-handling equipment and siding torn from the building. Six to eight cars in the parking lots of both the Texas Roadhouse and the nearby restaurant were either shaken or tossed by the tornado. Several small tree branches were snapped in the area. Metal light posts were bent at the base, and two stop signs were either bent over or removed from the ground. A supporting pole at the entrance of a nearby Staybridge Suites was damaged. The tornado inflicted minor damage to roofing at a Costco before lifting less than one minute after it touched down.[18] | ||