2009–10 North American winter
2009–10 North American winter | |
---|---|
Seasonal boundaries | |
Meteorological winter | December 1 – February 28 |
Astronomical winter | December 21 – March 20 |
Most notable event | |
Name | 2009 North American Christmas blizzard |
• Duration | December 22–28, 2009 |
Seasonal statistics | |
Total fatalities | 79 total |
Total damage | Unknown |
The 2009–10 North American winter saw several major blizzards affect the Northeastern United States. It refers to winter as it occurred across the North American continent from late 2009 to early 2010. 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 2009 occurred on December 21, and ends at the March equinox, which in 2010 occurred on March 20.[1] Based on the meteorological definition, the first day of winter is December 1 and the last day February 28.[2] Both definitions involve a period of approximately three months, with some variability.
Seasonal forecasts
On October 15, 2009, the
Events
Mid-December blizzard
On December 16, meteorologists identified a storm forming in the Gulf of Mexico.
Christmas Eve storm complex
Just before Christmas of 2009, an area of
January winter storms
Late January winter storm
In late January, a
Early February blizzards
Two blizzards occurred in very close proximity in the Northeast during a timespan from February 5–11. This put many areas in the Northeast towards their snowiest winter on record. Both were rated on the
The first blizzard developed out of a large
Less than two days after this storm had left the East Coast, another significant snowstorm pummeled nearly the same areas, throwing off many people and delaying cleanup efforts from the first storm. This storm began as a classic "Alberta clipper", starting out in Canada and then moving southeast, and finally curving northeast while rapidly intensifying off the New Jersey coast, forming an eye, something that a blizzard in 2005 had done (ironically 10 years later, another severe blizzard did the same). The National Weather Service, in an interview with The Baltimore Sun's weather reporter Frank Roylance, likened this storm to a Category 1 hurricane. Forecasters told Roylance that "Winds topped 58 mph over part of the Chesapeake Bay, and 40 mph gusts were common across the region as the storm's center deepened and drifted slowly along the mid-Atlantic coast".[13] Total snow accumulations from this system were generally about 15–30 miles (24–48 km) further north then the previous blizzard snow totals had been, with accumulations peaking around 28 inches (71 cm) (one area in Maryland in the higher elevations, picked up nearly 62 inches (5.2 ft)).
In total, the back-to-back snowstorms produced record snowfall amounts in some areas and even pushed areas towards their snowiest season on record. They were also mentioned in the media, with the first blizzard receiving unofficial names like "Snowmageddon", "Snowpocalypse" and such, with the latter receiving an unofficial name of "Snoverkill".
Late February nor'easter
Near the end of the month, another blizzard struck parts of
See also
References
- ^ "Earth's Seasons: Equinoxes, Solstices, Perihelion, and Aphelion, 2000-2025" (PHP). Washington, D.C.: United States Naval Observatory. March 27, 2015. Archived from the original on August 31, 2015. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
- ^ "Meteorological vs. Astronomical Seasons". National Centers for Environmental Information. National Centers for Environmental Information (NOAA/NWS). Retrieved July 3, 2015.
- ^ "NOAA: El Niño to Help Steer U.S. Winter Weather". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. October 15, 2009. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
- ^ Wood, Anthony R.; Colimore, Edward. "Better watch out: Snow looks to reign". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on December 22, 2009. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
- ^ a b Tim Ballisty. "Snow Totals Adding Up from Blizzard 2009". The Weather Channel. Archived from the original on December 21, 2009. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
- ^ Alex Sosnowski. "Super Saturday Blizzard to Reach Southern New England Next". Accuweather. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
- ^ Zapotosky, Matt; Morello, Carol; Halsey III, Ashely (December 20, 2009). "The great dig-out: Neighborhood streets still clogged with snow". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
- ^ Griffith, Stephanie (December 21, 2009). "Record-breaking storm closes US federal government". Yahoo! News. Agence France-Presse. Archived from the original on December 22, 2009. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
- ^ "Five dead as snowstorm engulfs US East Coast". "BBC". December 20, 2009. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
- ^ "Midwest US states face fresh blizzards". BBC. December 26, 2009. Archived from the original on December 27, 2009. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
- ^ a b January 29–30, 2010 Winter Storm
- ^ David Morgan & Eric Beech (February 6, 2010). "Powerful snowstorm hits U.S. East Coast". Reuters. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
- ^ NWS: Intense storm likened to a Cat.1 hurricane
- ^ "National Weather Service Area Forecast Discussion". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. National Weather Service. February 26, 2010. Retrieved February 26, 2010.