Low pressure developed in the lower Mississippi River Valley on the evening of February 15th (Saturday) and then moved northeast across the Ohio River Valley midday on February 16th (Sunday)and into the Gulf of Maine during the evening hours. A large pressure gradient led to strong southeast winds on the front end of the storm with cold and equally strong northwest winds after storm passage into…
Every event with a place to put it; 33 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
The episode as NWS BTV wrote it up.
Low pressure developed in the lower Mississippi River Valley on the evening of February 15th (Saturday) and then moved northeast across the Ohio River Valley midday on February 16th (Sunday)and into the Gulf of Maine during the evening hours.
A large pressure gradient led to strong southeast winds on the front end of the storm with cold and equally strong northwest winds after storm passage into Newfoundland.
Snow overspread the region late Saturday afternoon, snowing heavy at times during Sunday before ending Sunday night. Some sleet mixed in at times Sunday across northern and central area with a complete changeover to sleet and freezing rain with some ice accumulations in southern areas before changing back to snow during the afternoon and evening.
Scattered power outages were reported on February 17th due to strong winds in excess of 50 mph in northeast VT and in southern VT where it combined with some lightly ice laden trees.
Combination of strong winds in excess of 40 mph and deep snow led to a 100 foot barn collapse in the town of Williamstown. The end result was the barn was a total loss and at least 6 cows had died.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Burlington, VT wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Feb 15, 4:03 PM EST, 57 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Burlington VT
403 PM EST Sat Feb 15 2025
.SYNOPSIS...
A powerful storm system will impact the North Country this
afternoon through Sunday night with light snow spreading
southwest to northeast this afternoon before intensity
increases overnight. Heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain will
continue Sunday bringing widespread difficult travel conditions.
In addition, high winds along the western slopes of the Green
Mountains on Sunday may bring localized power outages. Mixed
wintry precipitation will taper off to snow showers Sunday
night, with cold temperatures and strong gusty winds expected
on Monday as the storm system departs.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/...
As of 325 PM EST Saturday...
* Winter Storm Warning remains in effect for northern New York
and Vermont. 6 to 12 inches of snow is generally expected with
8 to 16 inches possible for the St Lawrence Valley. Snow will
transitions for most locations to a mix of sleet and freezing
rain Sunday as gusty easterly winds rise. Travel will be
difficult
* Wind Advisories and High Wind Warnings are in effect for
Sunday along the mainly along/adjacent to westerly slopes of
the Green Mountains and Rutland County of Vermont. Gusts to 55
mph expected for west slopes of the Greens with up to 60 mph
for Rutland County and higher terrain of western Windsor
County of Vermont. Power outages are expected, especially
where freezing rain occurs.
Overview: A strongly deepening low pressure will track through
the North Country tonight bringing first snow, then a
transition to sleet and freezing rain. Snow and sleet
accumulations will be substantial for many resulting in the
continuance of a Winter Storm Warning. Accompanying this system
will be a strengthening low level get bringing strong easterly
winds to the higher terrain. Unfortunately, model soundings are
indicative of downsloping winds showing these winds below the
frontal inversion allowing winds to surface in adjacent valleys.
The strongest wind signatures are across Rutland Country with
marginally lower winds for areas northward along/west of the
Greens. Gusts on the order of 45 to 60 mph are possible. Sleet
and Freezing rain transition back to snow Sunday evening as the
low and cold front move into the region. More widespread
westerly wind gusts of 30 to 45 mph are expected along the low
and cold front with some potential for gusts up to 60 mph for
locations that are prone to downslope winds out of the west.
Temperatures will plunge behind the cold front. The combination
of gusty winds and cold temperatures will make for large areas
where wind chills will be below -10F for many locations outside
of the Champlain Valley.
Forecast Changes: Ice amounts were increased in portions of the
Adirondacks and southern Vermont with 6+ hours of sleet and
freezing rain expected on Sunday. 0.1" to 0.35" of ice expected.
Some models show potential for more ice, up to 0.5" in southern
Vermont where winds will knock snow out of trees while allowing
for more efficient icing processes. Ice accretion combined with
winds may exacerbate power outages.
Winds were increased Sunday night surrounding the low's track
just east of the St Lawrence River and elsewhere behind the
surface cold front. Widespread gusts 30 to 50 mph are possible
with wind prone locations possibly reaching 60 mph. Strong winds
around the low may not be completely realized in models when
considering the isallobaric contribution of the strongly
deepening low. Additional 5-10mph of winds surrounding the low
are possible and could result in localized high winds directly
along the low's track.
Snow totals were marginally increased based on a slight bump up
in QPF preceding the warm nose. This didn't change the overall
message of 6 to 12 inches, but shift totals for some spots
towards the higher end of that range. Questions remain about
downslope winds tonight and their impacts on snow amounts for
the Champlain Valley. Should winds duct under the inversion
farther away from the Greens, compressional warming/drying cut
cut totals by a couple of inches for adjacent locations like
Burlington to Jericho and similar longitudes in the Champlain
Valley. This outcome has about a 30% chance of occurrence and
thus warrants a mention; the result would be a decrease in the
totals range to 4 to 7 inches for those locales.
Impacts: Snow, ice, and periods of blowing snow will make
travel very difficult, especially for higher terrain and
downslope locations. Power outages are expected, especially for
southern Vermont and portions of the Adirondacks where the
combination of ice accretion and wind gusts could exacerbate
stress on trees. Winds Sunday night could hamper recovery
efforts while temperatures plummet. Cold conditions are expected
Sunday night with wind chills below -10F for many locations
which could cause frost bite or hypothermia in less than 1 hour.
&&
.SHORT TERM /MONDAY THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT/...
As of 325 PM EST Saturday...Monday is shaping out to be quite the
blustery day following the weekend winter storm. Models have come
into better agreement showing an impressive isallobaric push with
strong low pressure exiting to the east with strong high pressure
building in from the west. When you couple the isallobaric winds and
deep mixing following the frontal passage, it's a high likelihood
that we see 35 to 50 mph gusts across the entire region throughout
the day on Monday. It's possible we could see even stronger winds if
the strongest isallobaric winds coincide with deep afternoon mixing
but right now the two are out of phase. Temperatures will struggle
to warm on Monday given very strong cold advection and residual
cloud cover and we have lowered high temperatures to account for
this. With highs in the single digits to mid teens coupled with the
aforementioned wind gust, wind chills throughout the day will likely
be below zero. These strong winds and dangerously cold wind chills
will likely impact recovery efforts from any tree/power line damage
from the weekend winter storm. We will see winds begin to abate
Monday night as temperatures begin to drop into the single digits
above and below zero. Still enough gradient wind will be around that
we will likely need a cold weather advisory for much of the North
Country Monday night as wind chills will be in the -15 to -25 degree
range.
Upslope snow showers will likely continue through much of the day on
Monday across the Adirondacks and northern Greens with convergent
flow along the high terrain. A few inches of fluffy snow will be
possible but no additional impacts.
&&
.LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
As of 325 PM EST Saturday...Finally, some quiet weather. After a busy
first half of the month, it looks like we will finally have a
respite from snowfall for a few days. High pressure will continue to
build into the region on Tuesday with winds still elevated but
weakening throughout the day. It's going to be unseasonably cold
through Wednesday before we start to see the air mass begin to
modify and warm to more seasonal normal values. Numerical guidance
has backed off the potential of a coastal system on Thursday with
the GFS showing a system heading straight out to sea and the ECMWF
showing a system that just glances the New England coastline. There
is still a lot of time to dial in this system but the increasing
global and ensemble guidance looks more like a swing and a miss than
another big snow storm. Thereafter, we could see a few hit-or-miss
showers through late week and the weekend but not big systems appear
to be on the horizon.
&&
.AVIATION /21Z SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
Through 18Z Sunday...Quiet weather will start the period with
VFR conditions and light winds continuing through 21Z-00Z.
Conditions will rapidly deteriorate late this afternoon and
evening as snowfall overspreads the region from south to north.
IFR to LIFR visibilities are expected while snow falls, with
KRUT dropping around 21Z and KEFK not dropping until closer to
00Z or 01Z. Winds will begin shifting to the south around 12Z
Sunday with increasingly gusty winds developing through the
morning hours. The strongest winds are likely at KRUT where wind
gusts up to 45 knots are currently expected with 25 to 30 knots
expected elsewhere. A strong low level jet will also be present
around 10Z onwards with southwest winds of 45 to 60 knots
forecasted at 2kft. We will begin to see snow change to freezing
rain and sleet at many terminals between 12Z and 18Z Sunday
with the southern terminals most likely impacted by 18Z.
Outlook...
Sunday Night: Mainly MVFR, with areas VFR possible. Windy with
gusts to 30 kt. Chance SHSN.
Washingtons Birthday: VFR. Strong winds with gusts to 40 kt.
Chance SHSN.
Monday Night: VFR. Windy with gusts to 30 kt. Slight chance SHSN.
Tuesday: Mainly VFR, with local MVFR possible. NO SIG WX.
Tuesday Night: Mainly VFR, with local MVFR possible. NO SIG WX.
Wednesday: Mainly VFR, with local MVFR possible. NO SIG WX.
Wednesday Night: VFR. NO SIG WX.
Thursday: Mainly VFR, with areas MVFR possible. Chance SN.
&&
.EQUIPMENT...
The Mount Ascutney NOAA Weather Radio transmitter, serving
portions of eastern Vermont, is currently out of service. The
earliest date of restoration is Tuesday, February 18th. We
apologize for any inconvenience.
&&
.BTV WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
VT...Winter Storm Warning from 7 PM this evening to 1 AM EST Monday
for VTZ001>011-016>021.
High Wind Watch from Sunday evening through Monday evening for
VTZ003-006-008-010-020.
High Wind Warning from 7 AM to 7 PM EST Sunday for VTZ011-019.
Wind Advisory from 7 AM to 7 PM EST Sunday for VTZ016>018.
NY...Winter Storm Warning from 7 PM this evening to 1 AM EST Monday
for NYZ026>031-034-035-087.
High Wind Watch from Sunday evening through Monday evening for
NYZ027-028-030-031-034-035.
&&
SYNOPSIS...Boyd
NEAR TERM...Boyd
SHORT TERM...Clay
LONG TERM...Clay
AVIATION...Clay
EQUIPMENT...WFO BTVHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Burlington VT 306 AM EST Sat Feb 15 2025 NYZ026>031-034-035-087-VTZ001>010-020-021-160815- Northern St. Lawrence-Northern Franklin-Eastern Clinton- Southeastern St. Lawrence-Southern Franklin-Western Clinton- Western Essex-Eastern Essex-Southwestern St. Lawrence-Grand Isle- Western Franklin-Orleans-Essex-Western Chittenden-Lamoille-Caledonia- Washington-Western Addison-Orange-Western Windsor-Eastern Windsor- 306 AM EST Sat Feb 15 2025 ...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 1 AM EST MONDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northern New York, central Vermont, northeast Vermont, northwest Vermont and southern Vermont. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Winter Storm Warning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Winter Storm Warning. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. VTZ016>018-160815- Eastern Franklin-Eastern Chittenden-Eastern Addison- 306 AM EST Sat Feb 15 2025 ...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 1 AM EST MONDAY... ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM EST SUNDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Vermont and northwest Vermont. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Winter Storm Warning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Winter Storm Warning. Wind Advisory. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. VTZ011-019-160815- Western Rutland-Eastern Rutland- 306 AM EST Sat Feb 15 2025 ...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 1 AM EST MONDAY... ...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM EST SUNDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southern Vermont. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Winter Storm Warning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Winter Storm Warning. High Wind Warning. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
17 winter storm, 14 strong wind, 2 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Snowfall totals across the county were 8 to 15 inches with brisk winds developing in the evening hours to begin blowing and drifting snow that caused some driving hazards of poor visibility and snow covered roads through February 17th.
Snowfall totals across the county were 8 to 15 inches with brisk winds developing in the evening hours to begin blowing and drifting snow that caused some driving hazards of poor visibility and snow covered roads through February 17th.
Snowfall totals across the county were 4 to 10 inches with brisk winds developing in the evening hours to begin blowing and drifting snow that caused some driving hazards of poor visibility and snow covered roads through February 17th. In addition, there was several hours of sleet that accumulated up to an half inch and a prolonged period of freezing rain that accumulated in excess of a tenth of an inch.
Snowfall totals across the county were 4 to 10 inches with brisk winds developing in the evening hours to begin blowing and drifting snow that caused some driving hazards of poor visibility and snow covered roads through February 17th. In addition, there was several hours of sleet that accumulated up to an half inch and a prolonged period of freezing rain that accumulated in excess of a tenth of an inch.
Snowfall totals across the county were 6 to 18 inches with brisk winds developing in the evening hours to begin blowing and drifting snow that caused some driving hazards of poor visibility and snow covered roads through February 17th. In addition, there was several hours of sleet that accumulated up to an half inch and a prolonged period of freezing rain that accumulated in excess of a tenth of an inch.
Snowfall totals across the county were 6 to 18 inches with brisk winds developing in the evening hours to begin blowing and drifting snow that caused some driving hazards of poor visibility and snow covered roads through February 17th. In addition, there was several hours of sleet that accumulated up to an half inch and a prolonged period of freezing rain that accumulated in excess of a tenth of an inch.
Snowfall totals across the county were 10 to 15 inches with brisk winds developing in the evening hours to begin blowing and drifting snow that caused some driving hazards of poor visibility and snow covered roads through February 17th.
Snowfall totals across the county were 10 to 15 inches with brisk winds developing in the evening hours to begin blowing and drifting snow that caused some driving hazards of poor visibility and snow covered roads through February 17th.
Snowfall totals across the county were 10 to 16 inches with brisk winds developing in the evening hours to begin blowing and drifting snow that caused some driving hazards of poor visibility and snow covered roads through February 17th.
Snowfall totals across the county were 8 to 18 inches with brisk winds developing in the evening hours to begin blowing and drifting snow that caused some driving hazards of poor visibility and snow covered roads through February 17th.
Snowfall totals across the county were 7 to 12 inches with brisk winds developing in the evening hours to begin blowing and drifting snow that caused some driving hazards of poor visibility and snow covered roads through February 17th. In addition, there was several hours of sleet that accumulated up to an half inch.
Combination of strong winds in excess of 40 mph and deep snow led to a 100 foot barn collapse in the town of Williamstown. The end result was the barn was a total loss and at least 6 cows had died.
Snowfall totals across the county were 8 to 15 inches with brisk winds developing in the evening hours to begin blowing and drifting snow that caused some driving hazards of poor visibility and snow covered roads through February 17th.
Snowfall totals across the county were 8 to 12 inches with brisk winds developing in the evening hours to begin blowing and drifting snow that caused some driving hazards of poor visibility and snow covered roads through February 17th.
Snowfall totals across the county were 8 to 15 inches with brisk winds developing in the evening hours to begin blowing and drifting snow that caused some driving hazards of poor visibility and snow covered roads through February 17th.
Snowfall totals across the county were 8 to 15 inches with brisk winds developing in the evening hours to begin blowing and drifting snow that caused some driving hazards of poor visibility and snow covered roads through February 17th.
Snowfall totals across the county were 8 to 15 inches with brisk winds developing in the evening hours to begin blowing and drifting snow that caused some driving hazards of poor visibility and snow covered roads through February 17th.
Snowfall totals across the county were 10 to 12 inches with brisk winds developing in the evening hours to begin blowing and drifting snow that caused some driving hazards of poor visibility and snow covered roads through February 17th.
Numerous wind gusts in excess of 45 mph and several above 55 mph were recorded and combined with freshly fallen snow and light ice coating on trees led to some scattered power outages.
Numerous wind gusts in excess of 40 mph were recorded and combined with freshly fallen snow for considerable blowing and drifting snow that caused some driving hazards of poor visibility and snow covered roads.
Numerous wind gusts in excess of 40 mph were recorded and combined with freshly fallen snow for considerable blowing and drifting snow that caused some driving hazards of poor visibility and snow covered roads.
Numerous wind gusts in excess of 40 mph were recorded and combined with freshly fallen snow for considerable blowing and drifting snow that caused some driving hazards of poor visibility and snow covered roads.
Numerous wind gusts in excess of 40 mph were recorded and combined with freshly fallen snow for considerable blowing and drifting snow that caused some driving hazards of poor visibility and snow covered roads.
Numerous wind gusts in excess of 40 mph were recorded and combined with freshly fallen snow for considerable blowing and drifting snow that caused some driving hazards of poor visibility and snow covered roads.
Numerous wind gusts in excess of 40 mph were recorded and combined with freshly fallen snow for considerable blowing and drifting snow that caused some driving hazards of poor visibility and snow covered roads.
Numerous wind gusts in excess of 40 mph were recorded and combined with freshly fallen snow for considerable blowing and drifting snow that caused some driving hazards of poor visibility and snow covered roads.
Numerous wind gusts in excess of 40 mph were recorded and combined with freshly fallen snow for considerable blowing and drifting snow that caused some driving hazards of poor visibility and snow covered roads.
Numerous wind gusts in excess of 40 mph were recorded and combined with freshly fallen snow for considerable blowing and drifting snow that caused some driving hazards of poor visibility and snow covered roads.
Numerous wind gusts in excess of 40 mph were recorded and combined with freshly fallen snow for considerable blowing and drifting snow that caused some driving hazards of poor visibility and snow covered roads.
Numerous wind gusts in excess of 40 mph were recorded and combined with freshly fallen snow for considerable blowing and drifting snow that caused some driving hazards of poor visibility and snow covered roads.
Numerous wind gusts in excess of 40 mph were recorded and combined with freshly fallen snow for considerable blowing and drifting snow that caused some driving hazards of poor visibility and snow covered roads.
Numerous wind gusts in excess of 40 mph were recorded and combined with freshly fallen snow for considerable blowing and drifting snow that caused some driving hazards of poor visibility and snow covered roads.
Numerous wind gusts in excess of 40 mph were recorded and combined with freshly fallen snow for considerable blowing and drifting snow that caused some driving hazards of poor visibility and snow covered roads.
Numerous wind gusts in excess of 40 mph were recorded and combined with freshly fallen snow for considerable blowing and drifting snow that caused some driving hazards of poor visibility and snow covered roads. Several wind gusts in excess of 55 mph occurred with some scattered power outages.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Vermont in 2025Every state in 2025This day in weather historyWarnings in Vermont, February 2025
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 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1227594, 1227595, 1227598, 1227599, 1227600, 1227601, 1227592, 1227593, 1227596, 1227597, 1227585, 1227602, 1227586, 1227587, 1227588, 1227589, 1227591, 1227573, 1227554, 1227555, 1227556, 1227558, 1227559, 1227561, 1227562, 1227563, 1227564, 1227565, 1227567, 1227568, 1227570, 1227571, 1227572.