Ice Storm in Connecticut, January 15 to 16, 1998

Name: Ice Storm in Connecticut, January 15 to 16, 1998
Start: 1998-01-15T19:00
End: 1998-01-16T09:00
Location: Connecticut

January 15 to 16, 1998 · NWS OKX · 3 events in 3 counties and zones

As a strong high pressure system moved slowly east over Southeast Canada, a low pressure system developed off the Carolina Coast and moved northeast. The high provided the region with temperatures at or below freezing along the surface and the low provided the moisture needed for an ice storm.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 3 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

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The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 3

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS OKX wrote it up.

As a strong high pressure system moved slowly east over Southeast Canada, a low pressure system developed off the Carolina Coast and moved northeast. The low passed east of the area during Friday morning, January 16th.The high provided the region with temperatures at or below freezing along the surface and the low provided the moisture needed for an ice storm. Generally, from 1/2 to 1 inch of mainly liquid precipitation fell. Freezing rain began around 5 pm. Icing became widespread and significant by around 7 pm.As ice accumulated on roads, there was widespread and significant traffic accidents that led to numerous injuries across the area. Several parts of roads were closed due to severe icing. At least 1/2 inch of ice accumulated on trees and power lines. The hardest hit areas were in Northern New Haven County where several communities (Meriden, Southington, Cheshire) were without power due to tree limbs collapsing on power lines from the weight of the ice. Several other communities across Northern Middlesex County (Cromwell, Portland, and Middletown) and Northern Fairfield County (New Fairfield and Danbury) also experienced power outages.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

3 ice storm. Local standard time, as filed.

Ice Storm, Northern Fairfield

When: January 15, 7:00 PM EST to January 16, 8:00 AM EST
Where: Northern Fairfield forecast zone
Coordinates: 41.285, -73.339 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Ice Storm, Northern New Haven

When: January 15, 7:00 PM EST to January 16, 8:30 AM EST
Where: Northern New Haven forecast zone
Coordinates: 41.443, -72.965 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Ice Storm, Northern Middlesex

When: January 15, 7:00 PM EST to January 16, 9:00 AM EST
Where: Northern Middlesex forecast zone
Coordinates: 41.451, -72.508 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

Ice Storm: Freezing rain accumulating a quarter inch or more of ice, or less where it caused significant damage.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Connecticut in 1998 Every state in 1998 This day in weather history Warnings in Connecticut, January 1998

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5637267, 5637268, 5637269.