North American ice storm of January 1961 explained

Ice Storm of January 1961
Stormtype:Ice storm
Date Formed:January 1, 1961
Date Dissipated:January 3, 1961
Maximum Amount:~8 inches (freezing rain)
Pressure:Unknown
Total Damages (Usd):Unknown
Areas Affected:northern Idaho

The North American ice storm of January 1961 was a massive ice storm that struck areas of the Idaho Panhandle in the United States on January 1–3, 1961.[1] The storm set a record for thickest recorded ice accumulation from a single storm in the United States, at eight inches.[2] [3]

The storm's swath covered areas from Grangeville, Idaho, to the Canada–United States border. According to the National Weather Service, a combination of dense fog, sub-freezing temperatures, and occasional freezing rain led to the heavy ice accretions. Catastrophic damage to trees and utilities resulted in widespread power outages.[2] [4]

Prior to the storm, previous records of between four and six inches of ice were recorded in New York City and Texas.[2]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Paul, Bimal Kanti. Natural Hazards and Disasters: From Avalanches and Climate Change to Water Spouts and Wildfires [2 volumes]]. 2020-12-07. ABC-CLIO. 978-1-4408-6214-4. en.
  2. http://www.nws.noaa.gov/view/validProds.php?prod=RWS&node=KAPX National Weather Service — January 3, 2010
  3. Book: Salzmann, Mary Elizabeth. Biggest, Baddest Book of Storms. 2015-01-01. ABDO. 978-1-62969-404-7. en.
  4. Web site: The Nation's Worst Ice Storms. 2021-09-22. The Weather Channel. en-US.