WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2024 AS OF 3:30 PM EST
Since January 4, severe winter weather has continued impacting communities across the Pacific Northwest, Midwest, and Northeast United States (US) — marking the second consecutive week of numerous winter weather advisories, blizzards, hazardous flooding, and freezing temperatures. On January 16, 220 million people were under some form of winter weather alert, ranging from ice storm warnings to wind chill advisories, and nearly 80 percent of the nation experienced subzero temperatures overnight. As dangerous cold temperatures are predicted to continue throughout the week, the National Weather Service (NWS) Weather Prediction Center (WPC) advises people to avoid outdoor activities, but if travel is necessary, dress in layers and keep a cold survival kit.
As the sun rises across the U.S. we’re getting a view of the #snow that’s accumulated over the last few days!
This Day Snow-Fog image, from @NOAA‘s #GOESEast ️, differentiates between snow on the ground (red), high ice clouds (pink) and lower moisture-rich clouds/fog (white). pic.twitter.com/xHuiRWxV0i
— NOAA Satellites (@NOAASatellites) January 16, 2024
X: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Satellites
Pacific Northwest Ice Storm
Washington and Oregon were hit with high winds, freezing temperatures, and snow beginning Friday, January 12. Overnight, wind gusts contributed to a real-feel of negative 10 degrees Fahrenheit in Portland, Oregon and southwest Washington. The NWS Portland noted that total snowfall on Saturday, January 13 was between four and five inches, leading to road closures and activating alerts for western Oregon.
Timeline of Winter Weather, Portland, Oregon: NWS
Authorities from the City of Portland, Multnomah County, Washington County, and Lake Oswego collectively confirmed that at least eight people have died as a result of windblown treefall or hypothermia during the storm. In response, the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (ODEM) activated resource centers to assist communities across the state, particularly for coordination of search and rescue efforts and opening of warming centers for individuals living unhoused. As of Wednesday, January 17, portions of the Pacific Northwest are continuing to grapple with snowfall. Accordingly, the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) advised residents of impacted areas to avoid travel, if possible, and take caution when traveling is necessary.
With more winter weather on the way, over 75,000 Oregon residents remain without power due to downed power lines across the state. The highest concentration of outages are south of Portland in Lane County, where 63 percent of customers remain without power as of 9 am PST January 17. In addition, water and sewer utilities advise residents to ensure they allow their faucets to drip to prevent burst pipes and water main breaks.
Blizzard conditions continue across the northern half of IA. This is a look at CR R38 by Slater. Notice visibility no more than 2 telephone poles. Would you be able to see what’s beyond the second pole and stop in time if you were traveling the speed limit? #iawx pic.twitter.com/Js8Hddj7U4
— NWS Des Moines (@NWSDesMoines) January 13, 2024
Midwest Freezing Temperatures And Snow
On January 12, Winter Storm Gerri reached the Midwest after impacting the Northwest and Central Plains from January 9 to 11, bringing heavy snow, blizzard conditions, and extremely cold air to the region. Multiple communities across Illinois and Wisconsin, received a foot or more of snow, with Moline, Illinois receiving over 15 inches —the city’s second highest snowfall ever recorded in the area. The NWS in Des Moines, Iowa noted wind gusts of up to 50 miles per hour (mph), causing whiteout conditions. A whiteout is created when the snow on the ground combines with snow in the air due to high winds, causing a nearly complete lack of visibility. These conditions led the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) to deem multiple roads impassable. Additionally, as of Wednesday, January 17, the NWS Chicago has issued two flood warnings for the Kankakee River and Illinois River due to the elevated risk of ice jams, which can cause significant water rises and localized flooding with little to no warning.
Northeast Lake-Effect Storms And Record High Tides
This latest stretch of severe weather has impacted the Northeast US, bringing intense snow and wind to some regions and extensive rain and flooding to others. Over the weekend, Western New York (NY) was hit with a combination of heavy, lake-effect snow and strong winds that limited visibility to .06 miles at times in the Buffalo area. The storm prompted New York Governor Kathy Hochul to postpone the Pittsburg Steelers-Buffalo Bills playoff game from Sunday to Monday afternoon “in the best interest of public safety”. The Governor also instituted travel advisories for Erie County and South Buffalo, with several municipalities still under a travel ban as lake-effect snow continues to fall.
The next round of heavy lake effect snow is set to impact areas east and northeast of Lakes Erie and Ontario later today through Thursday. Localized event total snowfall amounts of 1-2 feet plus will impact similar areas that just received heavy snow from the recent storm. pic.twitter.com/EFjXmEv44X
— NWS Buffalo (@NWSBUFFALO) January 16, 2024
X: NWS Buffalo
Meanwhile, the coastal Northeast experienced significant rainfall which caused record high tides and flooding in Maine and New Hampshire, including a gauge in Portland, Maine that recorded a 14.57-foot difference between high and average low tide, an all-time record as reported by NWS Gray. The intense flooding extended south into New York and New Jersey, where emergency crews performed multiple rescue operations to evacuate residents from their homes in Paterson and Little Falls, New Jersey. Following the weekend weather events, between Monday, January 15 and Tuesday, January 16, other areas across the Northeast including New York City, Washington, DC., and Philadelphia saw streak-ending snowfall that caused travel disruptions and school closures. The snowfall in Washington, DC – at total of 4.1 inches reported on the ground by Tuesday morning – marked 727 days since the last time the area received at least one inch of snow.
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.” 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.