FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2024, AS OF 11:00 AM ET
Beginning on January 4, powerful winter storms have been consistently affecting a large majority of the United States (US), bringing blizzard conditions, high winds, severe thunderstorms, and tornadoes to communities throughout the country, resulting in multiple fatalities, widespread power outages, and major travel disruptions. According to AccuWeather Meteorologists, the first of the storms began on the West Coast, spreading heavy rain and snow across the region before shifting inland and strengthening over the Southern Plains. On January 9, strengthened by moisture drawn from the Gulf of Mexico, the system prompted more than 40 million people to be under a severe storm threat and continued to cause extreme impacts across the Southern and Eastern US throughout the week.
A massive mid-latitude cyclone delivering heavy rains and high winds to the Northeast U.S. dominates this 12-hour #GOESEast Air Mass loop while a winter storm progresses eastward through northern tier states while generating snow for the West, especially the Cascades and Rockies. pic.twitter.com/zQVio3ibrA
— UW-Madison CIMSS (@UWCIMSS) January 10, 2024
Twitter: UW-Madison CIMSS
Blizzard Conditions In Pacific Northwest
On Tuesday, January 9, Winter Storm Gerri, a bomb cyclone – a low pressure system that rapidly intensifies, and is considered to be among the most violent weather systems – produced strong winds and heavy snowfall across the Pacific Northwest, causing Seattle’s National Weather Service (NWS) office to issue its first Blizzard Warning in nearly 12 years in anticipation of severe conditions in the Cascades and Blue Mountains. The Washington Emergency Management Division urged residents to avoid traveling through the Cascade Passes, where two to four feet of snow was expected. The powerful system impacted the region with wind gusts up to 60 miles per hour (mph) and between two and three feet of new snow in higher elevations, and over 100,000 residents experienced power outages across western Washington and Oregon experience power outages during the peak storm hours. Wind gusts of 103 mph and 97 mph were recorded in Pinnacle, Montana, and near Mount Hood, Oregon, respectively. This latest system comes on the heels of Winter Storms Ember and Finn that brought intense winds and precipitation; officials are predicting another system of heavy snowfall to sweep through the region on Friday, January 12, and Saturday, January 13, expected to be accompanied by the first arctic blast of the season.
️ Blizzard conditions will continue over the mountains today, alongside breezy and wet conditions across western Washington. ⚠️ Stay ahead of the storm – check live updates on mountain pass conditions and road alerts at https://t.co/mIyGKTeG45. #WAwx pic.twitter.com/1YJpef2VJE
— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) January 9, 2024
Twitter: NWS Seattle
Severe Winter Storms Produce Tornadoes Across The South
Additionally, severe winter storms produced numerous destructive tornadoes across portions of the Gulf Coast and Southern US early Tuesday, January 9, causing hazardous damages and at least four casualties. According to the NWS, of the nineteen tornados reported across the South, the most powerful tornado impacted the Panama City community in Bay County, Florida. Survey reports indicate the tornado’s damages were consistent with a three out of five rating on the Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale, with impacts including destroyed homes and structures, downed trees, and numerous power outages. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued a state of emergency order for 49 storm-impacted counties on January 9, activating the State’s National Guard to support communities’ emergency response efforts.
We are beginning to see impacts from the severe weather that is making its way across the Panhandle.
Technical Rescue Teams are currently being deployed to complete damage assessments in impacted areas. Please remain in your homes until the storm has passed. pic.twitter.com/Gb3iIuhvHt
— FL Division of Emergency Management (@FLSERT) January 9, 2024
Twitter: Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM)
Midwestern US Sees Intense Rain, Flooding, And Snow
In addition, on January 8 and 9, the Midwestern US was heavily impacted by a winter storm that brought blizzard conditions to communities stretching from Colorado to Michigan. According to the NWS, the storm brought heavy, wet snow with totals of more than a foot in some locations and strong northerly winds that reached up to 40 mph across parts of Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin, as well as South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas. Additionally, over 14 combined snowfall records were broken on January 9 across Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, according to the NWS. Nebraska State Patrol troopers responded to over 350 weather-related incidents and Iowa State Patrol reported over 170 calls for crashes and over 150 calls for property damage.
Major Winter Storm Brings Extreme Rain And Snow To Northeast
From January 8 to 10, additional winter storms brought heavy, wet snow, strong winds, and flash flooding to the Northeastern US, causing severe impacts across the region. An atmospheric river – or long, narrow system in the atmosphere carrying high concentrations of warm water vapors – brought wind gusts of more than 50 mph and record-setting amounts of water vapor to New England, causing over three inches of rainfall. Additionally, on January 9, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency due to hazardous weather conditions including heavy rain, high winds, and flash flooding. In New York, nearly 2,000 migrants housed in a tent shelter were relocated to a local high school due to the severe winds of up to 70 mph and rain making the shelter hazardous to occupy. In addition, multiple locations in Maine observed record water levels of nearly four feet above normal.
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency FEMA, winter storms can last from several hours to up to several days; disrupt access to heat, power, and communications; pose additional risks for vulnerable populations like older adults, children, those who are ill, and pets; and can “create a higher risk of car accidents, hypothermia, frostbite, carbon monoxide poisoning, and heart attacks from overexertion.” In order to stay safe, it is important to pay close attention to local weather reports, the Emergency Alert System, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio for the latest warnings, watches, and advisories and to seek shelter immediately when instructed to do so. For more winter weather safety information visit Ready.gov.