2008–09 North American winter

none yes 2008NYSIceStorm.JPG Aftermath of a major ice storm in the Northeastern United States on December 13, 2008 December 21 – March 20 December 1 – February 28 2008 19 total 10 total 1 total November 6, 2008 April 19, 2009 December 2008 North American snowstorms December 18–22, 2008 1001 8 fatalities Unknown (2008 USD) 80 total > $3.625 billion (2009 USD) Weather of 2008 The 2008–09 North American winter was quite variable in terms of winter weather, influenced by neutral ENSO conditions. The Weather Prediction Center (WPC) tracked a total of 19 significant winter weather events during the season. A large portion of the Northern United States saw large amounts of snowfall, with several high-impact winter storms occurring. 10 events were rated on the Regional Snowfall Index (RSI), although only one managed to be rated above a Category 3 "Major" ranking, which was a significant and crippling late-season blizzard in March that affected the Central United States. Other significant events included crippling ice storms in the Northeast and Ohio Valley in December and January respectively, cold outbreaks in mid-January and a major nor'easter that affected the Eastern United States at the end of February into the first week of March. Collectively, the winter storms and related weather resulted in 80 deaths during the season and caused an estimated $3.62 billion (2009 USD) in damages, most of which came from the two ice storms in December and January. While there is no well-agreed-upon date used to indicate the start of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, there are two definitions of winter which may be used. Based on the astronomical definition, winter begins at the winter solstice, which in 2008 occurred on December 21, and ends at the March equinox, which in 2009 occurred on March 20.Earth's Seasons: Equinoxes, Solstices, Perihelion, and Aphelion, 2000-2025 http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/EarthSeasons.php United States Naval Observatory March 27, 2015 August 15, 2015 Washington, D.C. PHP https://web.archive.org/web/20150831000837/http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/EarthSeasons.php August 31, 2015 dead mdy Based on the meteorological definition, the first day of winter is December 1 and the last day February 28.Meteorological vs. Astronomical Seasons https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/news/meteorological-versus-astronomical-summer%E2%80%94what%E2%80%99s-difference National Centers for Environmental Information National Centers for Environmental Information (NOAA/NWS) July 3, 2015 Both definitions involve a period of approximately three months, with some variability. __TOC__ Seasonal forecasts 200 US temperature outlook winter 2008–09 NOAA.jpg Temperature outlook US precip outlook winter 2008–09 NOAA.jpg Precipitation outlook center On November 20, 2008, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center issued its U.S. Winter Outlook.U.S. Winter Outlook Calls For Variability, According To NOAA https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081121162734.htm ScienceDaily November 20, 2008 February 13, 2026 Citing the lack of an El Niño or La Niña event and the presence of neutral ENSO conditions, above-average temperatures were expected to be likely in the central United States. Precipitation was forecast to also be above average within the central U.S., primarily within the states of Kansas and Oklahoma. Further south along the Gulf Coast, below-average amounts of precipitation were expected, stretching from the Southwest to Southeast. Equal chances for near, above- or below-average temperatures were expected to prevail across the rest of the U.S. through the winter. Seasonal summary Events Early December Gulf Coast snowstorm 0 999 6 December 10 December 11, 2008 Early on December 11, an extremely rare snowstorm occurred in southeastern Texas and most Louisiana as a result of an upper-level low moving eastwards through the region.https://www.weather.gov/lch/e121108 Precipitation started out as rain across most of the state, with snow breaking out later as colder temperatures filtered in. Intense snowfall rates occurred leading to large snowfall totals. Beaumont, Texas saw the first December snowfall since 1989, and only the second time in recorded history that it had occurred. Additionally, the event was, at the time, the heaviest snowfall in the city's history, recording 1.8 in cm; this stood as the record until 2025. The maximum snowfall reported was 6 in cm in a few regions northeast of Lafeyette, Louisiana. Thundersnow was also reported during the snowstorm as well. Mid-December ice storm 0 Fallen Tree December 08 Storm.jpg 2008 996 10 December 11 December 12, 2008 5 3500 December 2008 Northeastern United States ice storm A damaging ice storm took out power for millions of people in the Northeastern United States in early December 2008. The storm was deemed the worst ice storm in a decade for New EnglandWorst Ice Storm in a Decade (Video) The Weather Channel http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid823425597/bclid877032950/bctid4778613001 2008-12-14 May 2019 InternetArchiveBot yes and the most severe ice storm in 21 years for Upstate New York.Gavin Robert Jordan Carleo-Evangelist Icy Disaster: Outages stun area; shelters fill Times Union (Albany) A1 2008-12-13 http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=750116 2008-12-14 October 2010 H3llBot Damage was primarily a result of fallen trees and fallen utility wires and poles, which were coated in a heavy layer of ice. The storm raised heavy controversy over the slow return of power, as at the storm's peak, as many as 1.7 million customers were without power.Storm leaves at least 1 million without power in Northeast http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/weather/12/12/storm.new.york.massachusetts/index.html CNN 2008-12-13 2009-01-02 By Sunday evening, 14 December, 126,000 were still estimated to be without power.About 126,000 without power; water, dry ice being distributed Times Union (Albany) 2008-12-14 http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=750369 2008-12-14 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20081218011254/http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=750369 December 18, 2008 In Massachusetts up to one million residents and businesses lost power due to the storm, causing Governor Deval Patrick to declare a state of emergencyAbel David John R. Ellement Ice storm paralyzes parts of New England The Boston Globe 2008-12-13 http://archive.boston.com/news/weather/articles/2008/12/13/ice_storm_paralyzes_parts_of_new_england/ 2008-12-14 and mobilize at least 500 National Guardsmen to help the clean-up efforts.https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gZYp6w6DJvTsDmydm4C71yE-e5uA Ice storm leaves one million without power in US northeast Agence France-Presse 2008-12-13 2008-12-14 2009-02-09 https://web.archive.org/web/20090209021254/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gZYp6w6DJvTsDmydm4C71yE-e5uA dead Governors John Lynch of New Hampshire and John Baldacci of Maine also declared a state of emergency, and as of 13 December at least 400,000 customers were without power in New Hampshire,http://www.oe.netl.doe.gov/docs/eads/ead121508.pdf NH Department of Energy Report 2009-01-03 https://web.archive.org/web/20090327021735/http://www.oe.netl.doe.gov/docs/eads/ead121508.pdf 2009-03-27 dead and at least 172,000 were without power in Maine. This total in New Hampshire was more than five times larger than those who lost power in the ice storm of 1998, previously the most devastating storm on record. At least four deaths were attributed to the storm. Three of them were due to carbon monoxide poisoning, the source of which were gas-powered generators that were used indoors. One carbon-monoxide-related death was in New Hampshire, and the other two were in New York.Northeast still without power after Arctic blast NBC News and Associated Press 2008-12-14 https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna28193030 2008-12-15Gavin Robert 2 die in storm's wake Times Union Albany, NY 2008-12-14 http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=750269 2008-12-14 October 2010 H3llBot The fourth fatality occurred in Massachusetts. A public works employee was found in a reservoir after having gone missing when investigating damage to trees. Mid-December blizzard June 2026 Pre-Christmas snowstorms 2.645 Snowy street in downtown Seattle.jpg 1001 35 December 18 December 22, 2008 8 December 2008 North American snowstorms A series of snowstorms before Christmas 2008 were responsible for the greatest December snowfall in Portland, Oregon, in 40 years NOAA. "Public Information Statement" 22 December 2008 (the snowiest December in Portland was 1884, with more than 31 in cm 0 us of snow). The City of Portland reported spending an estimated $2.17 million on snow removal, deicing of roads, and employee overtime due to the record snowfall. https://web.archive.org/web/20130319052848/http://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/article/376317 2013-03-19 Portland Bureau of Transportation. "History of Snow and Ice Events in Portland: December 2008 Storm." Tri-Met suspended two-thirds of its bus lines. Mortenson, Eric. The Oregonian. "TriMet says it's doing 'extraordinary job'." 23 December 2008. Hundreds of flights arriving and departing from Portland International Airport were canceled, leaving passengers and luggage stranded. Hannah-Jones, Nikole. The Oregonian. "Icy snowstorm slows region to a crawl." 21 December 2008. Garbage services, privately run in the Portland area, were also canceled for over two weeks. Milstein, Michael. The Oregonian. "Extra garbage trucks making rounds after storms." 29 December 2008. The winter weather greatly affected the Seattle area, where snow brought the city to a standstill and temperatures reached record lows. Many holiday travelers were unable to reach their destinations when Greyhound canceled bus service, airlines canceled flights at Seattle–Tacoma International Airport, and Amtrak shut down passenger service between Eugene, Oregon, and Vancouver, British Columbia.http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008522970_webweather15m.html Local News | Record low temperature set this morning | Seattle Times Newspaper 2009-11-30 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090502070734/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008522970_webweather15m.html 2009-05-02 Karen Gaudette, Nicole Tsong and Sara Jean Green. "Record low temperature set this morning." Seattle Times. December 15, 2008.http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008551179_travel23m.html Travel | Travelers in holding pattern for holidays | Seattle Times Newspaper 2009-11-30 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090430231403/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008551179_travel23m.html 2009-04-30 Carol Pucci, Marc Ramirez and Jennifer Sullivan. "Travelers in holding pattern for holidays." Seattle Times. December 23, 2008. The city of Seattle was criticized over its response to the snowfall. Mayor Greg Nickels initially gave the city a "B" for its response to the snowstorm, but the director of the Department of Transportation admitted the city should have done things differently.http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008557711_webmayor.html Local News | Mayor Nickels gives city 'B' grade for snow response | Seattle Times Newspaper 2009-11-30 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090502102703/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008557711_webmayor.html 2009-05-02 Doughton, Sandi. "Mayor Nickels gives city 'B' grade for snow response." Seattle Times. December 24, 2008.http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008767386_websnowstorm21m.html Local News | Seattle transportation official on snowstorm response: "We blew it" | Seattle Times Newspaper 2009-11-30 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090428085549/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008767386_websnowstorm21m.html 2009-04-28 Heffter, Emily. "Seattle transportation official on snowstorm response: "We blew it"." Seattle Times. February 20, 2009.http://seattletimes.com/html/politics/2008885019_sdot19m.html Politics | Seattle DOT botched snow response | Seattle Times Newspaper 2013-07-05 dead https://archive.today/20130705201935/http://seattletimes.com/html/politics/2008885019_sdot19m.html 2013-07-05 Kelleher, Susan. "Seattle DOT botched snow response." Seattle Times. 19 March 2009. The Seattle Department of Transportation did not use salt on the icy roads, opting instead to put sand and a chemical de-icer on the roads. The snowplows used by the city did not clear the roads entirely of snow, instead creating a hard snow-packed surface; this was done to minimize damage to the roads.http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008551284_snowcleanup23m.html Local News | Seattle refuses to use salt; roads "snow packed" by design | Seattle Times Newspaper 2009-11-30 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20100411034810/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008551284_snowcleanup23m.html 2010-04-11 Kelleher, Susan. "Seattle refuses to use salt; roads "snow packed" by design." Seattle Times. December 23, 2008. Mid-January winter storms & cold wave A major winter storm swept across the Great Lakes region and the U.S. Northeast. Areas of Toronto recorded between 15 and 25 cm, with 10 cm in Windsor, Ontario, & higher amounts towards the Lakes. Some areas reported more than 20 cm of accumulation. This same storm affected Northeastern United States with 10–30 cm, and the Atlantic provinces of Canada. Some areas have reported freezing rain and ice pellets, and even rain mixing in. U.S. Southeast saw mostly rain. Late January ice storm 0 09 IceStorm Kentucky.jpg 2009 1008 13 January 25 January 30, 2009 65 125 January 2009 North American ice storm A major ice storm impacted parts of Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky in late January. The storm produced widespread power outages for over 2 million people due to heavy ice accumulation. The hardest-hit areas were in Kentucky with over 500,000 residences without power during the height of the storm, including 100,000 without power for over one week, and northern Arkansas, with 300,000 residences without power. This ice storm killed 65 people nationwide and 35 in Kentucky.2009 National Death Toll Hits 55 in Ice Storm, 24 in KY http://www.krdo.com/news/22437502/detail.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110718221348/http://www.krdo.com/news/22437502/detail.html July 18, 2011 February 2, 2009 ABC News Most deaths were attributed to carbon monoxide poisoning due to power generators or kerosene heaters being used indoors without proper ventilation. Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear called up the entire Kentucky Army National Guard to deal with the after-effects of this storm, the largest National Guard call up in that state's history.Jan 31, 2009 Storm-Struck Ky. Calls Up Entire Nat'l Guard http://www.wfsb.com/weather/18610686/detail.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090204011836/http://www.wfsb.com/weather/18610686/detail.html February 4, 2009 June 18, 2010 WFSB HartfordJan 31, 2009 Storm-struck KY calls up entire Army Nat'l Guard http://apnews.myway.com/article/20090131/D962BNEO0.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090212090845/http://apnews.myway.com/article/20090131/D962BNEO0.html February 12, 2009 February 2, 2009 My Way News Mammoth Cave National Park closed due to the storm.Mammoth Cave National Park Remains Closed Due to Ice Storm, NationalParkTraveler, January 28, 2009 Emergency response teams from NRWA state affiliates, including the Arkansas, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Florida rural water associations, provided portable generators and technical assistance to maintain the water supply in the impacted areas.February 2, 2009 Kentucky Ice Storm Update http://nrwa.org/NRWAupdates/2009%2002%20February/Kentucky%20Ice%20Storm.htm dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110102094454/http://nrwa.org/NRWAupdates/2009%2002%20February/Kentucky%20Ice%20Storm.htm January 2, 2011 February 11, 2009 National Rural Water AssociationNational Rural Water Association January 29, 2009 January 29, 2009 Arkansas Rural water fighting ice to bring generators to powerless utilities http://nrwa.org/NRWAupdates/2009%2001%20January/Ark.%20Ice%20Storms.htm dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110102130257/http://nrwa.org/NRWAupdates/2009%2001%20January/Ark.%20Ice%20Storms.htm January 2, 2011 Early February storm complex February 2009 North American storm complex On February 11, behind a powerful system responsible for a tornado outbreak, a tight pressure-gradient behind the cold front led to a large area of damaging non-thunderstorm winds across the Midwest and Ohio Valley. This squall line continued to renew its energy as it passed through the Midwest, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and New England, causing wind and water damage, and dumping 6 in cm of snow in central and eastern Massachusetts. The resulting power outages affected homes throughout the northeastern seaboard. Westerly winds and enhanced moisture from lakes led to 3 to 6 in cm on of snow falling in parts of The Berkshires.National Centers for Environmental Information 2009 April 18, 2023 Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena with Late Reports and Corrections https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-853086A8-E3C2-4872-8CC8-E70C66B50CB3.pdf April 19, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230419003511/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-853086A8-E3C2-4872-8CC8-E70C66B50CB3.pdf 0039-1972 51132 Mid-February winter storm A winter storm that developed over Colorado brought messy weather across the Great plains, Midwest U.S., the Great Lakes and Northeast United States. Some areas had a messy mix of snow, ice and rain. Toronto had seen about 10 cm. South Western Ontario saw between 1–10 cm. Northern Areas of Ontario and Quebec received between 10 and 25 cm. Eastern Ontario received between 10 and 20 cm. The northeast saw local amounts of over 15 cm. From Midwestern sections of the U.S. to the Southern Lakes messy mix was reported with rain at times. Southern United States saw heavy amounts of rainfall, Thunderstorms and Tornado warnings were issued in some areas. Late February–early March nor'easter 3.423 March 2009 snowstorm aftermath in northern Virginia.jpg 999 16 February 26 March 3, 2009 A major nor'easter affected the eastern U.S. in the last few days of February into the first week of March. On March 1, a strengthening area of low pressure brought 12–18 in cm to the southern parts near the Appalachian Mountains and the Southeastern United States. As the storm intensified and tracked northeastwards, it moved into and paralleled the Mid-Atlantic states and New England the following day.https://abcnews.com/GMA/story?id=6987638&page=1https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/storm_summaries/2009/storm4/stormsum_5.html Gusty winds and heavy snowfall stretched across a wide region of the Northeast causing many disruptions. The maximum snowfall recorded was 16 in cm in Mount Mitchell, North Carolina, while a more general area of 6–12 in cm was recorded across the storm path, including 9.5 in cm on in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 8 in cm on in New York City, and heavier amounts near 1 ft in cm in New Jersey.https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/storm_summaries/2009/storm4/stormsum_8.html Hundreds of flights were cancelled across the Northeast, and people in Virginia were stranded on a train overnight after snow and ice caused delays due to fallen trees and snow covered tracks. In South Carolina, wintry weather caused multiple car crashes and accidents closing Interstate 85 for as much as 10 hours. Power outages also were very prevalent across the affected regions from the South into Maine. Late March blizzard 14.952 988 28 March 27 March 30, 2009 2 Unknown A major blizzard hit Denver and other counties around the area on Thursday, March 26. Parts of the Front Range saw 18 in mm of snow and schools around Denver were closed early. Denver International Airport canceled more than 400 planes departing and arriving. On Friday, March 27, the storm impacted Kansas, northwestern Oklahoma, and the Texas Panhandle, with 12 to 24 in mm of snow and blizzard conditions. Some areas around Pratt County, Kansas and Kiowa County, Kansas received 28" of Snowfall. Snow Drifts reached 10 ft m high in Dalhart, Texas. On Friday night and into Saturday, March 28, the storm system impacted the Kansas City area and northern parts of Missouri, before moving into the Quad Cities area, Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin on Saturday night. Numerous areas here saw between 4 and 8" of snow. Waukegan, Illinois, saw around half a foot from this late-season winter blast. At least two people were killed as a result of the blizzard.https://www.cbsnews.com/news/blizzard-paralyzes-midwest-2-dead/ Records United States Canada Canada had the first "nationwide" white Christmas since 1971. King, Tamara. The Canadian Press. "Canada has white Christmas." 25 December 2008. The series of snowstorms broke a 44-year-old record for the snowiest Christmas ever, with up to 28 in cm 0 us of snow accumulated in some parts of the South Coast. It was the first "official" white Christmas in Vancouver since 1998. In fact, Vancouver would be the Canadian city with the greatest snow depth for the Christmas Day of 2008. CBC News. "Snowstorm strands thousands overnight at Vancouver Airport." 22 December 2008http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/story.html?id=418952a7-4a57-4c3d-a90c-a8b426f517ce Vancouver less than centimetre short of December snow record 2013-07-04 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20151208131618/http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/story.html?id=418952a7-4a57-4c3d-a90c-a8b426f517ce 2015-12-08 The Vancouver Province. "Vancouver less than centimetre short of December snow record." 31 December 2008. See also Weather North America List of major snow and ice events in the United States Weather of 2008 Weather of 2009 References External links 2008 Storm Summaries from the Weather Prediction Center 2009 Storm Summaries from the Weather Prediction Center 2007–08 North American winters 2008–09 2009–10 Winter Winter Category:North American winters