The snowstorm of April 7 to 13, 2013

The Regional Snowfall Index is NOAA’s ranking of snowstorms east of the Rockies by how much snow fell, over how wide an area and on how many people, region by region: the area and the population above four snowfall thresholds set for each region, weighted against that region’s own history. A storm is scored in each region it reached, on a scale from 1, notable, to 5, extreme.

Events

485

Deaths

2

Injuries

2

Damage

$207 million

Episodes

55

Every winter weather episode the Weather Service filed east of the Rockies in these dates. A few may belong to another system on the same days. 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.

• Heavy Snow in Minnesota, April 5 to 6, 20133 eventsSeven to 10 inches of snow fell across the Minnesota Iron Range to along the north shore of Lake Superior. Specific amounts included 10 inches in Two Harbors, 9 inches at Babbitt and 8 to 9 inches near Virginia to Embarrass and Tower.
• Winter Weather in Michigan, April 6 to 7, 20132 eventsA low pressure system moving in the Northern Plains produced moderate snow over portions of northwest Upper Michigan from the 6th into the 7th.
• Blizzard in Alaska, April 6, 20131 eventUnder a strong pressure gradient over northwest Alaska, blizzard conditions likely occurred at Kivalina during the morning and early afternoon of the 6th, as indicated by the AWOS where the visibility was one-quarter mile or less and winds gusted to 45 mph during this time.
• Heavy Snow in Montana, April 7 to 8, 20137 eventsA strong Spring weather system moved across north-central Montana on April 7 - 8, 2013 bringing widespread snow and strong winds. Heaviest snow accumulations occurred above elevations of 5000 feet. Heavy snow also occurred in the Tobacco Root mountains in Madison County.
• Winter Storm in South Dakota, April 8 to 11, 20131 death · 20 eventsA large slow moving upper level low pressure area moving across the region brought several rounds of heavy snow to much of central and northeast South Dakota. Snowfall amounts from 6 to as much as 22 inches occurred over the several day period.
• Winter Weather and Dense Fog in Michigan, April 8, 20133 eventsA low pressure system moving from the Plains through the Lower Great Lakes produced moderate snow over portions of northwest Upper Michigan on the morning of the 8th. Dense fog occurred over portions of the Keweenaw Peninsula on the afternoon of the 8th.
• Winter Storm in Wyoming, April 8 to 9, 20131 eventA moist and unstable Pacific disturbance combined with a Canadian cold front brought heavy snow, gusty winds, and much colder temperatures to the area.
• Heavy Snow in North Dakota, April 8, 20137 eventsAn area of strong frontogenesis developed along a southward advancing cold front and extended from southern Montana into western North Dakota.
• Winter Storm in South Dakota, April 8 to 11, 201323 eventsAn intense and slow moving spring snow storm impacted the area for over 48 hours. This storm brought heavy snowfall to much of the area, especially from the Black Hills into south central South Dakota.
• Winter Storm and High Wind in Utah, April 8 to 9, 2013$120,000 · 65 kt wind · 10 eventsA slow-moving and moist storm system moved through Utah beginning on April 8. Heavy snow fell across much of the higher terrain and a few valley locations. In addition, strong downslope winds developed along the Wasatch Front, causing damage across the area.
• Heavy Snow in Idaho, April 8 to 9, 20131 eventUp to 9 inches of snow fell in Bear Lake County with power lines downed as well due to heavy wet snow.
• Heavy Snow and High Wind in New Mexico, April 8 to 10, 201353 kt wind · 7 eventsA low pressure system over the Pacific northwest made its way toward New Mexico over the weekend bringing major weather changes through mid week. As the system moved into the Four Corners area Monday strong winds were prevalent statewide.
• Winter Storm in Wyoming, April 8 to 10, 20136 eventsAn intense and slow moving spring storm moved across the region, bringing heavy snow and gusty winds to much of northeastern Wyoming. Most of the snow fell late on the 8th and into the 9th.
• Winter Storm in Nebraska, April 8 to 9, 20131 death · 23 eventsA vigorous Pacific low pressure system brought widespread heavy snowfall and northerly winds up to 50 mph as it moved across the central Rockies. Storm total snow accumulations up to two feet were observed across the western Nebraska Panhandle.
• Winter Storm in South Dakota, April 9 to 11, 2013$80 million · 24 eventsHeavy precipitation with rapid cooling produced a combination of freezing rain, sleet, and snow over all of southeast South Dakota from the early morning hours of April 9th, to the morning of April 11th. Moderate to heavy ice accumulations were reported near Interstate 90.
• Winter Storm in Nebraska, April 9 to 10, 2013$150,000 · 16 eventsA winter storm brought produced up to 17 inches of snow, while the associated strong winds produced snow drifts to 5 feet. A period of freezing rain and sleet was followed by heavy snow and blowing snow in the northwest.
• Winter Storm in Colorado, April 8 to 9, 20135 eventsHeavy snow developed in and near the Front Range Foothills and Palmer Divide as an upper level trough made its way across southern Colorado. Snowfall was enhanced locally with the presence of an upper level jet.
• Winter Storm in Minnesota, April 9 to 11, 2013$71 million · 8 eventsHeavy precipitation with rapid cooling produced a combination of freezing rain, sleet, and snow over all of southwest Minnesota from the early morning hours of April 9th, to the morning of April 11th.
• Winter Weather in Oklahoma, April 9 to 10, 201314 eventsAn unseasonably strong arctic cold front swept through Oklahoma on the afternoon and evening of April 9. Behind the front, elevated thunderstorms affected much of western and central Oklahoma as temperatures fell to near or just below freezing.
• Winter Storm in Minnesota, April 9 to 11, 201342 eventsA large and long duration snow event developed across the Rockies on April 8th, and spread north-northeast across the Plains, and into the Upper Midwest for three days.
• Winter Storm and Winter Weather in Iowa, April 9 to 11, 2013$55 million · 11 eventsHeavy precipitation with rapid cooling produced a combination of freezing rain, sleet, and snow over much of northwest Iowa from the evening hours of April 9th, to the morning of April 11th.
• Winter Storm and Hail in Nebraska, April 9 to 11, 20132.5 in hail · 31 eventsA very atypical early spring storm brought a mix of winter weather and severe thunderstorms to eastern Nebraska April 9th and 10th. An Arctic cold front pushed across the area early on April 9th bringing subfreezing temperatures to northeast Nebraska.
• Winter Weather in Texas, April 9 to 10, 20136 eventsSleet and freezing rain affected the eastern Texas Panhandle during the afternoon and evening hours of the 9th. Showers developed across the eastern Texas Panhandle in response to the lift from an upper level shortwave trough of low pressure.
• Winter Storm and Winter Weather in Nebraska, April 9 to 11, 20132 eventsHeavy precipitation with rapid cooling produced a combination of freezing rain, sleet, and snow in Dixon County in extreme northeast Nebraska from the evening of April 9th, to the morning of April 11th.
• Blizzard in Alaska, April 9 to 10, 20131 eventA high pressure center over the western Chukchi Sea and low pressure over the northwest interior of Alaska created an area of strong winds over the northern Chukchi Sea coast.
• Ice Storm in Wisconsin, April 9 to 10, 20135 eventsAn area of low pressure over the Central Plains moved east along a stationary front and generated a large area of mixed freezing rain, sleet and snow to parts of northeast Wisconsin.
• Winter Weather in Wisconsin, April 10, 20137 eventsIce accumulations of 1/10 to 2/10 of an inch brought down tree limbs and power lines causing scattered power outages. Some trees were felled by the weight of the accumulated ice combined with strong northeast winds gusting to around 35 mph.
• Winter Storm in Kansas, April 10, 20134 eventsA strong storm system brought severe thunderstorms along with sharply colder temperatures to north central and northeast Kansas on Tuesday night April 9th into the early morning hours of April 10th.
• Ice Storm in Kansas, April 10, 201311 eventsA strong upper level disturbance developed and moved into the inter-mountain west. Ahead of this wave, a surface low pressure set up in the lee of the Rockies.
• Winter Storm in Wisconsin, April 10 to 11, 20137 eventsA wave of snow, sleet and rain, including some thunderstorms, moved across southern Minnesota during the evening of Tuesday, April 9th.
• Heavy Snow in Wisconsin, April 10 to 13, 20134 eventsA winter storm brought heavy snow to northwestern Wisconsin near Lake Superior on April 11th and 12th. Much of the northern parts of Douglas, Bayfield, Ashland, and Iron counties received 8 to 13 inches of snow, and there were isolated areas that received much more.
• Winter Weather in Texas, April 10, 20133 eventsAn unseasonably strong arctic cold front swept through western north Texas on the evening of April 9. Behind the front, elevated thunderstorms affected the region as temperatures fell to near or just below freezing.
• Winter Weather in Texas, April 10, 2013$500,000 · 1 eventAfter temperatures in the 80s the previous day, an unseasonably strong cold front swept over the South Plains during the overnight hours accompanied by elevated showers and thunderstorms and eventually wintry precipitation.
• Blizzard in Alaska, April 10 to 11, 20131 eventA low pressure center developing over the Mackenzie Delta on the 10th likely created blizzard conditions at Barter Island and Kaktovik...where the AWOS indicated the visibility was one-quarter mile or less and the wind gusted as high as 53 knots (61 mph).
• Winter Storm in Iowa, April 10 to 11, 2013$300,000 · 3 eventsLow pressure moved across Missouri on the 10th with an inverted trough extending north and northwest into Iowa. Cold air spilled south across the state, setting the stage for freezing rain initially, then moderate to heavy snow toward the end of the storm.
• Winter Storm in Minnesota, April 10 to 11, 20132 eventsA large slow moving upper low pressure area brought several rounds of snowfall to west central Minnesota. Heavy snow of 6 to 13 inches occurred from the storm. Traveling was difficult, if not, impossible with several roads closed along with some schools.
• Ice Storm in Minnesota, April 11, 20132 injured · $20,000 · 2 eventsIcy conditions developed across portions of southeast Minnesota as freezing rain created a layer of ice on some roads and most exposed surfaces. Several accidents were reported along Interstate 90 in Olmsted and Winona Counties with some injuries occurring.
• Ice Storm in Wisconsin, April 11, 20131 eventIcy conditions developed across portions of western Wisconsin as freezing rain created a layer of ice on some roads and most exposed surfaces. The Buffalo County Emergency Manager reported dangerous road conditions across the county with numerous slide offs.
• Heavy Snow in North Dakota, April 11, 20131 eventA spring storm brought heavy wet snow to parts of Dickey County in southeastern North Dakotaon April 11h. A storm total of eight inches was reported in Ellendale, the county seat.
• Winter Storm and Winter Weather in Michigan, April 11 to 13, 201315 eventsA low pressure system tracking from Iowa across northern Lower Michigan dropped moderate to heavy snow over much of west and central Upper Michigan from the 11th into the morning of the 13th.
• Winter Storm in North Dakota, April 11 to 12, 20131 eventA winter storm brought very heavy snow to a large part of eastern South Dakota and Central Minnesota.
• Winter Storm in Minnesota, April 11 to 12, 20131 eventA winter storm brought very heavy snow to a large part of eastern South Dakota and Central Minnesota.
• Heavy Snow in Minnesota, April 11 to 12, 20134 eventsA winter storm brought a swath of heavy snow to parts of east central and northeast Minnesota on April 11th and 12th. Areas affected included the Brainerd Lakes, Hinckley, Cloquet, Duluth, Two Harbors, and Silver Bay areas. The snowfall ranged from about 8 to around 17 inches.
• Ice Storm and Winter Storm in Michigan, April 11 to 12, 2013$155,000 · 14 eventsA large and complex low pressure system lifted toward the southern and western Great Lakes region, bumping into high pressure over northern Ontario and Quebec. The high helped anchor cold air in place at low levels, while warm and moist air surged in aloft ahead of the low.
• Blizzard in Alaska, April 12, 20131 eventA strong pressure gradient between high pressure over the interior of the state and low pressure in the Gulf of Alaska resulted in strong winds through the channeled terrain of Thompson Pass.
• Winter Storm in South Dakota, April 13 to 15, 201312 eventsA large upper level low pressure area brought heavy snow to much of northern South Dakota. Much of the precipitation began as a mix of rain, freezing rain, sleet, and snow before changing to all snow.
• Ice Storm in South Dakota, April 14, 20137 eventsA large upper level low pressure trough combined with warm air aloft and cold air at the surface to bring freezing rain to parts of northeast South Dakota. Ice accumulations of a quarter to a half inch occurred on power lines and trees.
• Blizzard and Winter Storm in North Dakota, April 14 to 15, 201342 eventsStrong low pressure pushed across the Rockies April 13th, slowed down over the Dakotas April 14th, then moved east on April 15th.
• Winter Storm in Minnesota, April 14, 20132 eventsA slow moving storm system brought a large area of sleet, snow and freezing rain across southern Minnesota the morning of Sunday, April 14th.
• Heavy Snow in Washington, April 14, 20131 eventTraining convective snow showers provided significant snow accumulations along I-90 between Easton and the Cascade crest on April 13th-14th 2013.
• Winter Storm in North Dakota, April 14 to 15, 201318 eventsA low pressure system developed from western North Dakota into southeastern South Dakota from Sunday the 14th into Monday the 15th.
• Winter Storm in Minnesota, April 14 to 15, 201324 eventsA low pressure system developed from western North Dakota into southeastern South Dakota from Sunday the 14th into Monday the 15th.
• Blizzard in North Dakota, April 14, 20136 eventsAs a winter storm was developing over western and central North Dakota very strong winds developed across upland portions of eastern North Dakota. The strong winds produced mainly ground blizzard conditions in the middle of the afternoon.
• Winter Weather in Michigan, April 14 to 15, 20136 eventsA low pressure system approaching from Minnesota produced a mix of moderate wet snow, sleet and freezing rain over portions of the west half of Upper Michigan from the 14th into the 15th.
• Heavy Snow in Minnesota, April 14 to 15, 20135 eventsA winter storm brought heavy snow of about 6 to 9 inches to parts of northeast Minnesota, including higher terrain areas of the north shore in the Minnesota Arrowhead.

The snowstorm of March 23 to 28, 2013The snowstorm of April 13 to 15, 2013Snow nowEvery winter storm filed

NOAA NCEI Regional Snowfall Index, and the Storm Events Database for the episodes.