List of major snow and ice events in the United States

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The following is a list of major snow and ice events in the United States that have caused noteworthy damage and destruction in their wake. The categories presented below are not used to measure the strength of a storm, but are rather indicators of how severely the snowfall affected the population in the storm's path. Some information such as snowfall amounts or lowest pressure may be unavailable due to a lack of documentation. Winter storms can produce both ice and snow, but are usually more notable in one of these two categories. The "Maximum accumulation" sections reflect the more notable category which is represented in inches of snow unless otherwise stated. Only category 1 and higher storms as defined by their regional snowfall index are included here.

  • Note: A blizzard is defined as having sustained winds of at least 35 mph for three hours or more.
Regional Snowfall Index
Category RSI value Description
Five 18.0+     Extreme  
Four   10–18     Crippling  
Three   6–10     Major  
Two   3–6     Significant  
One   1–3     Notable  
Zero   <1.0     Nuisance  

Seasonal summaries[]

The following is a table that shows North American winter season summaries dating back to 2009. 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. The first is astronomical winter, which has the season starting on a date known as the winter solstice, often on or around December 21. The season lasts until the spring equinox, which often occurs on or around March 20. The second has to do with meteorological winter which varies with latitude for a start date.[1] Winter is often defined by meteorologists to be the three calendar months with the lowest average temperatures. Since both definitions span the start of the calendar year, it is possible to have a winter storm occur two different years.

Winter Season Maximum accumulation Number of RSI events
2009–2010 053 53 inches (130 cm)
(February 25–27, 2010) 		005 7
2010–2011 041 50 inches (130 cm)
(January 16–20, 2012) 		007 10
2011–2012 053 53 inches (130 cm)
(February 25–27, 2010) 		007 3
2012–2013 040 40 inches (100 cm)
(February 7–18, 2013) 		007 9
2013–2014 058 58 inches (150 cm)
(October 3–7, 2013) 		014 10
2014–2015 088 88 inches (220 cm)
(November 13–21, 2014) 		016 9
2015–2016 051 51.3 inches (130 cm)
(April 15–23, 2016) 		015 4
2016–2017 058 58 inches (150 cm)
(March 11–15, 2017) 		016 4
2017–2018 039 39.3 inches (100 cm)
(March 1–3, 2018) 		008 7
2018–2019 052 52 inches (130 cm)
(March 8–16, 2019) 		016 8
2019–2020 114 114 inches (290 cm)
(Mid-March blizzard) 		012 1
2020–2021 107 107 inches (270 cm)
(January 25–February 3, 2021) 		010 6
2021–2022 28 28 inches (71 cm)
(October 12–14, 2021) 		N/A

18th – 19th century[]

Year Date Maximum accumulation Lowest pressure Type
1717[a] February 27 – March 7 N/A N/A Storm
1804 October 4–11 048 48 inches (120 cm) 977 977 hPa (28.9 inHg)[b] Blizzard
1886 January 6–11 018 18.5 inches (47 cm) N/A Blizzard
1888 January 12–13 006 6 inches (15 cm) N/A
March 11–14 058 58 inches (150 cm) 982 982 hPa (29.0 inHg)
1899 February 10–14[2] N/A N/A

20th century[]

The Great Blizzard of 1978 was the most intense storm of the 20th century.
Year Date Maximum accumulation Lowest pressure Type Category
(RSI)
1905 November 27–28[3] N/A 991 991 hPa (29.3 inHg) Storm N/A
1913 November 6–11 024 24 inches (61 cm) 969 968.5 hPa (28.60 inHg) Blizzard N/A
1920 March 15–18 N/A N/A Blizzard N/A
1922 January 27–29 N/A N/A Blizzard Category 5
1940 November 10–12 027 27 inches (69 cm) 971 971 hPa (28.7 inHg) Blizzard N/A
1947 December 25–26 026 26.4 inches (67 cm) N/A Blizzard Category 3
1950 November 24–30 057 57 inches (140 cm) 978 978 hPa (28.9 inHg) Blizzard Category 5
1952 February 17–18 N/A N/A Storm N/A
1956 March 18–19 N/A N/A Blizzard N/A
1958 March 18–21 N/A N/A Storm Category 3
1960 December 11–12 021 21.4 inches (54 cm) 966 966 hPa (28.5 inHg) Blizzard Category 2
1961 January 1–3 008 8 inches (20 cm)[c] N/A Ice storm N/A
1963 October 25–30 048 48 inches (120 cm) 948 948 hPa (28.0 inHg)[d] Storm N/A
1966 January 27–31 103 103 inches (260 cm) N/A Blizzard Category 4
1967 January 26–27 023 23 inches (58 cm) 997 997 hPa (29.4 inHg) Blizzard Category 5
1969 February 8–10 N/A 970 970 hPa (29 inHg) Blizzard Category 2
March 5–8 N/A N/A Storm N/A
December 25–28 N/A 976 976 hPa (28.8 inHg) Storm N/A
1971 N/A N/A Blizzard N/A
1973 December 16–17 001 1 inch (2.5 cm)[c] 992 992 hPa (29.3 inHg) Ice storm N/A
1975 January 9–12 027 27 inches (69 cm) 961 961 hPa (28.4 inHg) Blizzard Category 3
1976 February 2 056 56 inches (140 cm) 957 957 hPa (28.3 inHg) Blizzard N/A
1977 January 28 – February 1 100 100 inches (250 cm) N/A Blizzard N/A
1978 January 25–27 036 36 inches (91 cm) 956 955.5 hPa (28.22 inHg) Blizzard Category 5
February 5–7 040 40 inches (100 cm) N/A Blizzard Category 5
1979 January 13–14 021 21 inches (53 cm) N/A Blizzard Category 4
1991 October 31 – November 3 037 37 inches (94 cm) 984 984 hPa (29.1 inHg) Blizzard Category 5
1992 December 10–12 048 48 inches (120 cm) 985 985 hPa (29.1 inHg) Blizzard Category 2
1993 March 12–15 069 69 inches (180 cm) 960 960 hPa (28 inHg) Blizzard Category 5
1995 February 2–6 020 20 inches (51 cm) 962 962 hPa (28.4 inHg) Storm Category 2
1996 January 6–10 048 48 inches (120 cm) 980 980 hPa (29 inHg) Blizzard Category 5
1997 March 31 – April 1 N/A 979 979 hPa (28.9 inHg) Blizzard Category 2
October 24–26 N/A N/A Storm N/A
1998 January 4–10 005 5 inches (13 cm)[c] N/A Ice storm N/A
1999 January 2–4 022 21.6 inches (55 cm) N/A Storm Category 4
January 14–15 N/A N/A Ice storm N/A

21st century[]

The 2016 United States winter storm is the latest "Category 5" (Extreme) storm to hit the United States as classified by NOAA.

2000s[]

Year Date Maximum accumulation Lowest pressure Type Category
(RSI)
2000 January 18–30 030 30 inches (76 cm) N/A Blizzard Category 3
December 27–31 030 30 inches (76 cm) N/A Storm Category 2
2002 January 29–31 003 3 inches (7.6 cm)[c] N/A Ice storm Category 2
February 7 N/A 994 994 hPa (29.4 inHg) Storm N/A
December 4–5 N/A N/A Ice storm N/A
2003 February 14–19 044 44 inches (110 cm) 999 999 hPa (29.5 inHg) Blizzard Category 4
December 5–8 036 35.6 inches (90 cm) 992 992 hPa (29.3 inHg) Blizzard Category 3
2004 December 21–24 059 39 inches (99 cm) 984 984 hPa (29.1 inHg) Storm Category 4
December 24–28 018 18 inches (46 cm)[e] 964 964 hPa (28.5 inHg) Storm N/A
2005 January 20–23 041 40.5 inches (103 cm) N/A Blizzard Category 4
December 14–16 001 0.75 inches (1.9 cm)[c] N/A Ice storm N/A
2006 February 11–13 030 30.2 inches (77 cm) 971 971 hPa (28.7 inHg) Blizzard Category 2
October 11–13 024 24 inches (61 cm) 980 980 hPa (29 inHg) Storm N/A
November 20–24 005 5 inches (13 cm)[f] 944 944 hPa (27.9 inHg) Storm N/A
November 26 – December 1 N/A N/A Storm N/A
December 20–31 032 32 inches (81 cm)[a] N/A Blizzard N/A
2007 January 11–24 004 4 inches (10 cm)[c] 961 961 hPa (28.4 inHg) Ice storm Category 2
February 12–20 048 48 inches (120 cm) 970 970 hPa (29 inHg) Blizzard Category 3
April 13–17 023 23 inches (58 cm) 969 969 hPa (28.6 inHg) Storm Category 1
November 29 – December 4 014 14 inches (36 cm)[a] 952 952 hPa (28.1 inHg) Storm N/A
November 29 – December 5 044 44 inches (110 cm) 976 976 hPa (28.8 inHg) Storm N/A
December 8–18 024 24 inches (61 cm)[a] 974 974 hPa (28.8 inHg) Various N/A
2008 January 3–11 N/A 956 956 hPa (28.2 inHg) Blizzard N/A
March 6–10 029 28.5 inches (72 cm) 984 984 hPa (29.1 inHg) Blizzard N/A
December 11–12 N/A N/A Ice storm N/A
December 19–25 N/A N/A Storm N/A
2009 January 25–30 003 2.5 inches (6.4 cm)[c] 999 999 hPa (29.5 inHg) Ice storm N/A
October 13–20 023 23 inches (58 cm) 966 966 hPa (28.5 inHg) Blizzard N/A
December 16–20 026 26.3 inches (67 cm) 968 968 hPa (28.6 inHg) Blizzard Category 4
December 22–28 040 40 inches (100 cm) 985 985 hPa (29.1 inHg) Blizzard Category 5

2010s[]

Year Date Maximum accumulation Lowest pressure Type Category
(RSI)
2010 February 5–6 038 38.3 inches (97 cm) 978 978 hPa (28.9 inHg) Blizzard Category 4
February 9–10 028 27.5 inches (70 cm) 969 969 hPa (28.6 inHg) Blizzard Category 2
February 25–27 053 53 inches (130 cm) 972 972 hPa (28.7 inHg) Blizzard Category 4
March 12–16 N/A 993 993 hPa (29.3 inHg) Storm N/A
October 23–28 009 9 inches (23 cm) 955 955.2 hPa (28.21 inHg) Blizzard N/A
December 5–29 036 36 inches (91 cm) 960 960 hPa (28 inHg) Blizzard Category 2
2011 January 8–13 041 40.5 inches (103 cm) N/A Blizzard Category 2
January 25–27 N/A N/A Blizzard Category 1
January 31 – February 2 027 27 inches (69 cm) 996 996 hPa (29.4 inHg) Blizzard Category 5
October 28 – November 1 032 32 inches (81 cm) 971 971 hPa (28.7 inHg) Blizzard Category 1
November 8–10 006 6.4 inches (16 cm) 943 943 hPa (27.8 inHg) Blizzard N/A
2012 January 16–20 050 50 inches (130 cm) 992 992 hPa (29.3 inHg) Blizzard N/A
October 29 – November 2 036 36 inches (91 cm) 940 940 hPa (28 inHg)[g] Storm N/A
November 7–10 014 13.5 inches (34 cm) 984 984 hPa (29.1 inHg) Storm Category 1
December 17–22 015 15.2 inches (39 cm) 971 971 hPa (28.7 inHg) Blizzard Category 2
December 25–28 027 27 inches (69 cm) 968 968 hPa (28.6 inHg) Blizzard Category 1
2013 February 7–18 040 40 inches (100 cm) 968 968 hPa (28.6 inHg) Blizzard Category 3
March 1–10 036 36 inches (91 cm) 986 986 hPa (29.1 inHg) Blizzard Category 2
October 3–5 058 58 inches (150 cm) 999 999 hPa (29.5 inHg) Blizzard Category 3
December 19–23 014 14 inches (36 cm) 997 997 hPa (29.4 inHg) Storm N/A
2014 December 30 – January 6 024 23.8 inches (60 cm) 936 936 hPa (27.6 inHg) Storm Category 2
January 19–24 018 18.3 inches (46 cm) 962 962 hPa (28.4 inHg) Blizzard Category 1
January 27–31 010 10 inches (25 cm) 999 999 hPa (29.5 inHg) Blizzard Category 1
February 11–24 028 27.5 inches (70 cm) 968 968 hPa (28.6 inHg) Blizzard Category 4
November 7–13 N/A N/A Blizzard N/A
November 13–21 088 88 inches (220 cm) 961 961 hPa (28.4 inHg) Storm N/A
2015 January 23–30 036 36 inches (91 cm) 970 970 hPa (29 inHg) Blizzard Category 3
January 31 – February 2 024 24.1 inches (61 cm) 978 978 hPa (28.9 inHg) Blizzard Category 3
February 12–17 027 27.4 inches (70 cm) 958 958 hPa (28.3 inHg) Blizzard Category 1
March 1–6 055 54.6 inches (139 cm) 993 993 hPa (29.3 inHg) Blizzard N/A
November 24–27 002 1.5 inches (3.8 cm)[c] 994 994 hPa (29.4 inHg) Ice storm N/A
December 26–30 041 41 inches (100 cm) 989 989 hPa (29.2 inHg) Blizzard N/A
2016 January 21–24 042 42 inches (110 cm) 983 983 hPa (29.0 inHg) Blizzard Category 5
January 29 – February 7 041 41 inches (100 cm) N/A Blizzard Category 2
February 7–10 011 11 inches (28 cm) 976 976 hPa (28.8 inHg) Blizzard N/A
February 23–24 017 17 inches (43 cm) N/A Storm N/A
March 21–25 033 32.5 inches (83 cm) 989 989 hPa (29.2 inHg) Blizzard N/A
April 15–23 051 51.3 inches (130 cm) 999 999 hPa (29.5 inHg) Blizzard N/A
2017 January 4–8 056 56 inches (140 cm) 987 987 hPa (29.1 inHg) Blizzard Category 2
January 7–13, 19–24
February 8–22 		N/A N/A Storm N/A
January 10–17 001 1 inch (2.5 cm)[c] 999 999 hPa (29.5 inHg) Ice storm N/A
February 6–10 024 24 inches (61 cm) 969 969 hPa (28.6 inHg) Blizzard Category 1
February 12–15 040 40 inches (100 cm) 968 968 hPa (28.6 inHg) Blizzard N/A
March 11–15 058 58 inches (150 cm) 974 974 hPa (28.8 inHg) Blizzard Category 4
2018 January 2–4 022 22 inches (56 cm) 949 949 hPa (28.0 inHg) Blizzard Category 1
March 1–3 039.3 39.3 inches (100 cm) 974 974 hPa (28.8 inHg) Blizzard Category 1
March 6–8 036 36 inches (91 cm) 986 986 hPa (29.1 inHg) Blizzard Category 1
March 20–22 020.1 20.1 inches (51 cm) 988 988 hPa (29.2 inHg) Storm Category 2
April 13–15 033 33 inches (84 cm) 985 985 hPa (29.1 inHg) Storm Category 4
2019 January 16–21 052 52 inches (130 cm) N/A Storm Category 1
February 11–13 026.5 26.5 inches (67 cm) N/A Blizzard N/A
March 8–16 052 52 inches (130 cm) 968 968 hPa (28.6 inHg) Blizzard Category 1
April 10–14 030 30 inches (76 cm) 982 982 hPa (29.0 inHg) Blizzard Category 3
November 26 – December 3 N/A 973 973 hPa (28.7 inHg) Blizzard Category 2

2020s[]

Year Date Maximum accumulation Lowest pressure Type Category
(RSI)
2020 January 15–18 037 37 inches (94 cm) 979 979 hPa (28.9 inHg) Blizzard N/A
February 2–5 023.5 23.5 inches (60 cm) 943 943 hPa (27.8 inHg)[h] Storm N/A
February 9–13 013 13 inches (33 cm) 920 920 hPa (27 inHg)[i] Blizzard N/A
October 29–30 06.5 6.5 inches (17 cm) 970 970 hPa (29 inHg)[j] Storm N/A
November 29–December 2 024 24 inches (61 cm) 989 989 hPa (29.2 inHg) Storm N/A
December 4–6 018 18 inches (46 cm) 976 976 hPa (28.8 inHg) Blizzard N/A
December 14–18 044 44 inches (110 cm) 985 995 hPa (29.4 inHg) Storm Category 2
December 30–January 2, 2021 024 24 inches (61 cm) 1001 1,001 hPa (29.6 inHg) Storm Category 1
2021 January 25–February 3 036.1 36.1 inches (92 cm) 985 984 hPa (29.1 inHg) Blizzard Category 3
February 6–8 014 14 inches (36 cm) 960 960 hPa (28 inHg) Storm N/A
February 13–17 026 26 inches (66 cm) 960 960 hPa (28 inHg) Blizzard Category 3
February 15–20 024 24 inches (61 cm) 948 948 hPa (28.0 inHg) Storm Category 3
March 10–16 052.5 52.5 inches (133 cm) 980 980 hPa (29 inHg) Blizzard Category 3
March 16–17 06.2 6.2 inches (16 cm) 997 997 hPa (29.4 inHg) Blizzard N/A
April 15–17 014 14 inches (36 cm) 988 988 hPa (29.2 inHg) Storm N/A
2022 January 1–4 015.5 15.5 inches (39 cm) 980 980 hPa (29 inHg) Storm N/A
January 14–17 027.5 27.5 inches (70 cm) 981 981 hPa (29.0 inHg) Storm Category 2
January 28–30 030.4 30.4 inches (77 cm) 969 969 hPa (28.6 inHg) Blizzard N/A

See also[]

Notes[]

  1. ^ a b c d This event included multiple different storms.
  2. ^ The 1804 New England hurricane caused a major snow event.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Freezing rain
  4. ^ Hurricane Ginny caused a major snow event.
  5. ^ This storm was significant for its snow impact on Texas.
  6. ^ While this nor'easter was not a major snow event, it was notable for the earliest snowfall ever recorded in Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia.
  7. ^ Hurricane Sandy caused a major snow event.
  8. ^ Storm Ciara caused a major snow event.
  9. ^ Storm Dennis caused a major snow event.
  10. ^ Hurricane Zeta caused a moderate snow event.

References[]

  1. ^ "Winter's Been Here Despite What the Calendar Says". NOAA Magazine. 22 December 2003. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
  2. ^ Griffin, Melissa (February 11, 2015). "The Great Blizzard of 1899". WeatherSTEM.
  3. ^ C.P. Labadie. "Famous for all the wrong reasons". Duluth Seaway Port Authority. Archived from the original on June 8, 2010. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
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