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2020–21 New Year's North American winter storm

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2020–21 New Year's North American winter storm
Category 1 "Notable" (RSI/NOAA: 1.788)
The winter storm impacting the Central United States on January 1, 2021
TypeExtratropical cyclone
Winter storm
Ice storm
FormedDecember 30, 2020
DissipatedJanuary 3, 2021
Lowest pressure1001 mb (29.56 inHg)
Tornadoes
confirmed		4 on January 1
Max. rating1EF1 tornado
Maximum snowfall
or ice accretion		Snowfall – 24.0 inches (61 cm) in Big Bend National Park, Texas
Ice — 0.66 inches (1.7 cm) in Blue Knob Mountain, Pennsylvania
Fatalities3 fatalities
Damage> Per Aon: $35 million (2021 USD)[1]
Power outages> 119,000
Areas affectedHigh Plains, Central United States, Northeastern United States, Atlantic Canada, Nova Scotia

1Most severe tornado damage; see Fujita scale

The 2020–21 New Year's North American winter storm was a major storm system that brought a wide swath of snow and ice to parts of the High Plains and Central and Northeastern United States during the New Years holiday from December 30–January 2. The system began developing early on December 30, and began spreading wintry precipitation to parts of Texas, coalescing into a low pressure system that formed near the western Gulf of Mexico. The winter storm tracked north and brought heavy snow, ice and strong winds to much of the center of the Midwest and interior parts of the Northeast and New England, causing widespread impacts and travel issues.

Prior to the storm, Oklahoma declared a state of emergency for several dozen counties due to expected icy conditions; the ice storm came only a few months after a crippling ice storm impacted the state in late October. In other states, wintry weather caused up to 100,000 power outages. One person was killed by the storm in Missouri, due to treacherous roads. The storm caused over $35 million (2021 USD) in damages.[1] It was unofficially named Winter Storm John by The Weather Channel.[2]

Meteorological history

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On December 30, an extratropical low formed over the northern Gulf of Mexico, to the south of Texas. Later that day, the low made landfall in southeastern Texas. In Western Texas, snow, freezing rain and sleet began to fall, prompting Winter Storm Warnings across the region and extending into Oklahoma.[3] During the next couple of days, the system moved northeastward, strengthening and later bringing more wintry weather to the Northeast.[4]

Preparations and impact

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Ahead of and during the storm, the National Weather Service issued Winter Storm Watches and Warnings across a large swath of the Central United States, ranging from Texas to as far as Maine as the system progressed.[5] In addition, Ice Storm Warnings were issued in parts of Illinois, particularly due to expected widespread ice accumulations of at least 0.25 inches (6.4 mm).[6]

Central United States

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The unusual severity of the winter weather led to the closure of parts of Interstate 10 in Texas, which stranded dozens of travelers that had to seek shelter in two school gyms in Marfa.[7] Interstate 20 also experienced 13 hour delays.[8] The Big Bend National Park had to be closed, due to heavy snow of up to 2 feet (24 in; 61 cm) deep.[9] Two migrants died after being caught in the storm in western Texas.[10]

In Oklahoma, governor Kevin Stitt declared a state of emergency for 39 counties on December 31 due to the impending hazardous winter weather.[11] The city of Oklahoma City recorded its highest daily snowfall record of about 4 inches (10 cm).[12] In addition, ice accumulations caused major problems and thousands of power outages across the state, due to freezing rain accumulating on power lines and trees and weighing them down.[13]

Kansas City in Missouri saw its greatest snowfall total in months, recording up to 3.5 inches (8.9 cm) across parts of the metro, which tied a record snowfall depth for the day of January 1, a record which was set in 1948 at the Kansas City International Airport.[14] The Missouri Department of Transportation warned travelers to stay off the roadways due to the winter weather and ice.[15] A jackknifed tractor-trailer resulted in the northbound lanes of Interstate 49 being closed early on January 1.[16] A 38-year-old man was killed during the storm after being struck by another car when trying to warn residents about the icy roadways on January 1.[2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Global Catastrophe Recap – December 2020" (PDF). Aon Benfield. January 24, 2021. p. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-02-02. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Winter Storm John Brings Mess of Snow and Ice From Texas to New England (RECAP)". The Weather Company. January 2, 2021. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  3. ^ "Snow Falls in West Texas; Travel Advisory Warns of 18 Inches of Accumulation". NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth. January 1, 2021. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  4. ^ Kwan Yin-Kong (January 8, 2021). "Southern Plains New Year's Winter Storm: (12/30 - 1/1)". www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov. Weather Prediction Center. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  5. ^ Sorace, Stephen (January 1, 2021). "Winter storm to bring mix of snow, freezing rain to Midwest and eastern US to kick off New Year". Fox News. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  6. ^ Kevin Barlow (January 1, 2021). "New year starts with Central Illinois ice storm". Herald-Review.com. Herald&Review. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  7. ^ Ron Bracket (December 31, 2020). "Hundreds Stranded When Winter Storm Shuts Down West Texas Highways". The Weather Company. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  8. ^ Brown, Lori (January 1, 2021). "Snowstorm leaves drivers stranded on I-20 in West Texas for 13 hours". FOX 4.
  9. ^ Chacour Koop (December 31, 2020). "Massive snowfall buries Big Bend National Park in Texas. 'Do not attempt to enter'". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  10. ^ Two dead, dozens rescued after storm dumps snow on Big Bend, Big Bend Sentinel, January 6, 2021
  11. ^ Kaylee Douglas (December 31, 2020). "Gov. Stitt declares state of emergency for 39 counties ahead of winter storm". kfor.com. Oklahoma's 4 News. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  12. ^ "Winter storm brings freezing rain, snow, causes slick road conditions in Oklahoma". KOCO. January 1, 2021. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  13. ^ Richards, Dillon (January 2, 2021). "Overnight snowstorm knocks out power for thousands in Oklahoma City". KOCO. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  14. ^ Kevin Hardy (January 5, 2021). "After overnight ice storm, KC area nears record snowfall level for New Year's Day". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  15. ^ MoDOT Kansas City [@MoDOT_KC] (January 1, 2021). "Winter Weather/Traffic Alert: KC area roads are now covered according to our Traveler Info Map. If possible, stay home. If you have to get out, use extreme caution. Take it easy and take your time. Be safe. Be smart. #kctraffic" (Tweet). Retrieved March 31, 2021 – via Twitter.
  16. ^ Nick Vasos; Travis Meier (January 1, 2021). "Crash closes part of I-49, wrecks reported across metro during winter storm". Fox 4. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
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