The snowstorm of December 13 to 16, 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

541

Deaths

5

Injuries

11

Damage

$1.6 million

Episodes

79

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.

• Winter Weather in Texas, December 12, 20131 death · $30,000 · 1 eventA truck driver died on US Highway 75 in Sherman when he crashed his semi after losing control on an icy patch. The temperature at the time of the accident was around 23 degrees.
• Lake-Effect Snow in New York, December 12 to 13, 2013$58,000 · 6 eventsThe second lake effect event of the season occurred on the heels of the first.|Off Lake Erie, lake effect snow lifted north across the Buffalo metro area on Thursday December 12 during the rush hour commute.
• Winter Storm in Missouri, December 12 to 13, 20132 eventsA narrow band of heavy snow developed across parts of east central Missouri resulting in 6 - 8 inches of snow across Warren and St. Charles counties. Light freezing rain began about midday on 12/13 but became all rain by early afternoon as temperatures rose into the middle 30s.
• Lake-Effect Snow in New York, December 12 to 13, 20132 eventsDue to very cold air moving off the relatively warmer waters of Lake Ontario, a band of heavy lake effect snow developed during the evening of Thursday, December 12th. This snow band strengthened and reached as far east as northern Herkimer and extreme western Hamilton Counties.
• Lake-Effect Snow in New York, December 12 to 13, 20131 eventA surface trough moving across Lake Ontario helped produce intense lake effect snow across northern Oneida county. The highest snowfall total of 9 inches occurred three miles west of Boonville.
• Heavy Snow in Michigan, December 13 to 14, 20133 eventsA low pressure system moved through the Ohio Valley on Saturday, spreading a swath of snow over Southeast Michigan. Totals were greatest toward the Ohio Border and Erie Shoreline where 8+ inches were reported.
• Heavy Snow in New Mexico, December 13, 20131 eventAn upper level trough and associated cold front moved across the state from the west, and combined with ample moisture to produce numerous snow bands across northwest and central locations of the state.
• Blizzard in Alaska, December 13 to 14, 20131 eventLow pressure in the Gulf of Alaska combined with strong high pressure over interior Alaska produced strong gap winds through the Chugach Mountains along with snow.
• Winter Weather in Missouri, December 13, 20136 injured · 1 eventEarly in the morning of December 13, 2013 light rain began falling across the area while surface temperatures were sub freezing. Slick roads resulted from the icy conditions, causing several vehicles to slide off the roads.
• Winter Weather in Arkansas, December 13, 20134 eventsAn area of low pressure aloft touched off some light freezing rain in parts of northern Arkansas on the morning of the 13th. Some traffic accidents occurred on icy roads.
• Heavy Snow in Wisconsin, December 13 to 14, 20131 eventParts of Douglas County in northwest Wisconsin got heavy amounts of lake enhanced/effect snow on December 13th and early December 14th. Snowfall amounts included 12.5 just south of Superior, and 7 to 9 in Superior.
• Winter Storm and High Wind in Alaska, December 13 to 15, 201350 kt wind · 3 eventsA 974 MB storm force low moved into the central Gulf of Alaska on the afternoon of Dec 13 with lots of warm moist air moving over the arctic front which was located near Berners Bay.
• Winter Storm and Winter Weather in Missouri, December 13 to 14, 20132 eventsA storm system tracked from the southern Rockies into Missouri and then into the Ohio Valley on December 13-14, 2013. This system spread light to moderate snow across portions of the area but winds were light during the event with minimal blowing and drifting.
• Winter Storm and Winter Weather in Illinois, December 13 to 14, 20138 eventsA storm system tracked from the southern Rockies into Missouri and then into the Ohio Valley on December 13-14, 2013. This system spread light to moderate snow across portions of the area but winds were light during the event with minimal blowing and drifting.
• Winter Weather in Iowa, December 13 to 14, 20134 eventsA storm system tracked from the southern Rockies into Missouri and then into the Ohio Valley on December 13-14, 2013. This system spread light to moderate snow across portions of the area but winds were light during the event with minimal blowing and drifting.
• Heavy Snow and Winter Weather in Illinois, December 13 to 14, 201321 eventsA powerful storm system tracked from the Oklahoma panhandle on the morning of December 13th into Kentucky by the morning of December 14th, spreading wintery precipitation across central and southeast Illinois.
• Heavy Snow in Illinois, December 13 to 14, 20133 eventsA winter storm dropped 6 to 8 inches of snow across portions of east-central Illinois. Some of the heaviest snow reports include: 8.0 inches in Buckley; 7.0 inches in Pontiac; 7.0 inches in Fairbury; 6.2 inches in Milford; and 6.0 inches in Mazon.
• Heavy Snow in Indiana, December 13 to 14, 20133 eventsA winter storm dropped 6 to 8 inches of snow across portions of northwest Indiana. Some of the heaviest snow reports include: 7.2 inches in De Motte; 6.3 inches in Remington; and 6.0 inches in Morocco.
• Winter Storm in Indiana, December 13 to 14, 20131 death · 24 eventsLight to moderate snow developed during the evening hours of December 13th and continued into December 14th as low pressure tracked northeast through the Ohio Valley. Total snow accumulations of 5 to 9 inches were common across northern Indiana.
• Winter Storm in Ohio, December 13 to 14, 20138 eventsLight to moderate snow developed during the early morning hours of December 14th and continued through much of the day. Total snow accumulations of 6 to 9 inches were common across northwest Ohio.
• Heavy Snow in Ohio, December 14, 2013$675,000 · 5 eventsAn area of deepening low pressure moved northeast across the Ohio Valley on December 14th. The low eventually moved across the southeast corner of Ohio during the evening hours. Snow associated with this low spread into northwestern Ohio around midnight on the 14th.
• Winter Storm and Winter Weather in Michigan, December 14, 20135 eventsLight to moderate snow developed during the early morning hours of December 14th and continued through much of the day as low pressure tracked northeast through the Ohio Valley. Total snow accumulations of 4 to 9 inches were common across southern Lower Michigan.
• Winter Storm and Winter Weather in Ohio, December 14 to 15, 201317 eventsA band of snow was enhanced over west central Ohio as a surface low pressure system tracked from the Mississippi Valley towards southeast Ohio. Warmer air pulled in with the low pressure significantly cut snowfall totals south of the Interstate 70 corridor.
• Winter Weather in Indiana, December 14 to 15, 20134 eventsA band of snow was enhanced over east central Indiana and west central Ohio as a surface low pressure system tracked from the Mississippi Valley towards southeast Ohio.
• Heavy Snow in Pennsylvania, December 14 to 15, 2013$200,000 · 2 eventsAn area of deepening low pressure moved northeast across the Ohio Valley on December 14th. The low eventually moved across the southeast corner of Ohio during the evening hours.
• Winter Weather in West Virginia, December 14, 2013$25,000 · 2 eventsA low pressure system lifted northeast through the Ohio Valley. An increasing southeast flow on the 14th, kept cold air over Pocahontas.
• Winter Weather in North Carolina, December 14, 20137 eventsLight freezing rain, mixed at times with sleet, developed along the Blue Ridge during the early morning hours. Temperatures gradually warmed above freezing through the morning, with precipitation changing to rain later in the morning.
• Winter Weather in Virginia, December 14, 201316 eventsCold air filtered into the Mid Atlantic from the north while low pressure approached from the south. A rain and snow line pushed north and west through the day and snow totals dropped off dramatically across the I-95 corridor.
• Winter Storm and Winter Weather in West Virginia, December 14, 201311 eventsCold air filtered into the Mid Atlantic from the north while low pressure approached from the south. A rain and snow line pushed north and west through the day and snow totals dropped off dramatically across the I-95 corridor.
• Heavy Snow in West Virginia, December 14, 20131 eventA low pressure system moving northeastward across the forecast area brought a combination of snow, sleet, freezing rain and rain during the day on the 14th.
• Heavy Snow in Maryland, December 14, 20131 eventA low pressure system moving northeastward across the forecast area brought a combination of snow, sleet, freezing rain and rain during the day on the 14th.
• Winter Storm and Winter Weather in New Jersey, December 14 to 15, 20134 injured · 12 eventsA series of low pressure systems combined with a high pressure system passing across nearby Canada to bring a winter storm of snow, sleet and freezing rain from the morning into the overnight on the 14th.
• Winter Storm and Winter Weather in Maryland, December 14, 20137 eventsCold air filtered into the Mid Atlantic from the north while low pressure approached from the south. A rain and snow line pushed north and west through the day and snow totals dropped off dramatically across the I-95 corridor.
• Winter Storm and Heavy Snow in New York, December 14 to 15, 20138 eventsAn intensifying low pressure system taking shape over the lower Mississippi Valley the morning of Saturday the 14th moved to a position south of Long Island by the morning of the 15th.
• Winter Storm in New York, December 14 to 15, 20135 eventsA low pressure system developed over the southern Plains on December 13th and intensified as it headed toward the northeast U.S. A coastal low developed along the Atlantic seaboard on December 15th. Warm advection snow developed on the morning of Saturday.
• Winter Storm and Heavy Snow in New Jersey, December 14, 20137 eventsAn intensifying low pressure system taking shape over the lower Mississippi Valley the morning of Saturday the 14th moved to a position south of Long Island by the morning of the 15th, bringing heavy snow and some freezing rain to parts of Northeast New Jersey.
• Lake-Effect Snow and Winter Weather in Michigan, December 14 to 15, 20132 eventsEast winds on the northern fringes of a low pressure system crossing the Lower Great Lakes brought moderate to heavy lake enhanced snow to portions of Menominee and Delta counties from the 14th into the morning of the 15th.
• Heavy Snow in Minnesota, December 14, 20131 eventBand of lake effect snow brought about 6 inches of fresh snow to the Lutsen area along the North Shore in the Minnesota Arrowhead.
• Winter Storm and Heavy Snow in New York, December 14 to 15, 201327 eventsAn area of low pressure moved across the Ohio Valley towards western New York on Saturday, December 14th.
• Winter Storm in Pennsylvania, December 14 to 15, 20135 eventsA low pressure system developed over the southern Plains on December 13th and intensified as it headed toward the northeast U.S. A coastal low developed along the Atlantic seaboard on December 15th. Warm advection snow developed on the morning of Saturday.
• Heavy Snow in Connecticut, December 14 to 15, 20136 eventsAn intensifying low pressure system taking shape over the lower Mississippi Valley the morning of Saturday the 14th moved to a position south of Long Island by the morning of the 15th, bringing heavy snow and some freezing rain to most of southern Connecticut.
• Winter Storm and Winter Weather in Pennsylvania, December 14 to 15, 201313 eventsA series of low pressure systems combined with a high pressure system passing across nearby Canada to bring a winter storm of snow, sleet and freezing rain from the morning into the overnight on the 14th.
• Lake-Effect Snow and Winter Weather in Michigan, December 14 to 16, 20133 eventsA strong upper disturbance from south central Canada produced moderate to heavy lake enhanced snow over portions of northwest and north central Upper Michigan from the 14th into the 16th.
• Winter Weather in Connecticut, December 14 to 15, 20132 eventsAn area of low pressure moved across the Ohio Valley towards western New York on Saturday, December 14th.
• Winter Storm and Heavy Snow in Pennsylvania, December 14 to 15, 20132 deaths · 1 injured · 36 eventsA complex low pressure system with energy transferring from the Ohio Valley across the Central Appalachians to the Mid-Atlantic coast produced widespread snow accumulations in excess of 6 inches over much of central Pennsylvania.
• Winter Storm and Winter Weather in Massachusetts, December 14 to 15, 20132 eventsAn area of low pressure moved across the Ohio Valley towards western New York on Saturday, December 14th.
• Winter Storm in New York, December 14 to 15, 2013$65,000 · 8 eventsLow pressure moved from the Ohio Valley to the East Coast and brought a general accumulating snow to much of the region.
• Heavy Snow in Vermont, December 14 to 15, 20133 eventsAn area of low pressure moved across the Ohio Valley towards western New York on Saturday, December 14th.
• Heavy Snow in Connecticut, December 14 to 15, 20132 eventsLow pressure moved out of the midwest, off the mid-Atlantic coast and northeastward across Nantucket and the outer arm of Cape Cod bringing accumulating snow to much of southern New England.
• Winter Weather in Delaware, December 14, 20131 eventA series of low pressure systems combined with a high pressure system passing across nearby Canada to bring a wintry mix of precipitation to northern New Castle County on the 14th.
• Winter Weather in Maryland, December 14, 20131 eventA series of low pressure systems combined with a high pressure system passing across nearby Canada to bring a wintry mix of precipitation to northern Cecil County on the 14th.
• Winter Storm and Winter Weather in Vermont, December 14 to 15, 2013$135,000 · 16 eventsA dual area of low pressure moved across New York and just south of New England on December 15th to bring the first widespread snowfall of the 2013-14 winter season.
• Heavy Snow in New Hampshire, December 14 to 15, 201312 eventsA major winter storm located over the Mississippi Valley on the morning of the 14th moved northeast during the day. A secondary low developed off the Mid-Atlantic coast and intensified rapidly by the morning of the 15th.
• Winter Storm and Winter Weather in New York, December 14 to 15, 2013$75,000 · 9 eventsA dual area of low pressure moved across New York and just south of New England on December 15th to bring the first widespread snowfall of the 2013-14 winter season.
• Heavy Snow in Rhode Island, December 14 to 15, 20132 eventsLow pressure moved out of the midwest, off the mid-Atlantic coast and northeastward across Nantucket and the outer arm of Cape Cod bringing accumulating snow to much of southern New England.
• Heavy Snow in New Hampshire, December 14 to 15, 20133 eventsLow pressure moved out of the midwest, off the mid-Atlantic coast and northeastward across Nantucket and the outer arm of Cape Cod bringing accumulating snow to much of southern New England.
• Heavy Snow in Maine, December 14 to 15, 201317 eventsA major winter storm located over the Mississippi Valley on the morning of the 14th moved northeast during the day. A secondary low developed off the Mid-Atlantic coast and intensified rapidly by the morning of the 15th.
• Winter Storm and Heavy Snow in Maine, December 15 to 16, 201315 eventsRapidly intensifying low pressure tracking northeast across the Gulf of Maine brought heavy snow and gusty winds to the region. Snow developed during the early morning hours of the 15th.
• Lake-Effect Snow in Michigan, December 15, 20134 eventsWeak west-northwest winds resulted in somewhat disorganized, but intense, lake effect snow in parts of northern Michigan. Snowfall rates exceeded two inches per hour at times.
• Lake-Effect Snow in Pennsylvania, December 15 to 16, 2013$250,000 · 2 eventsLake effect snow resumed across northwestern Pennsylvania around midday on December 15th as very cold air continued to move across Lake Erie.
• Lake-Effect Snow in New York, December 15 to 16, 2013$107,000 · 9 eventsA persistent upper level trough over eastern Canada kept a cold westerly flow over the Great Lakes. The event started Sunday afternoon (December 15th) to the east of Lake Erie during the afternoon hours.
• Winter Weather in Ohio, December 16, 201328 eventsA clipper system brought a brief period of snow for the morning hours of December 16th. An inch to an inch and a half of snow was common across much of the region.
• Winter Weather in Indiana, December 16, 20134 eventsA clipper system brought a brief period of snow for the morning hours of December 16th. An inch to an inch and a half of snow was common across much of the region.
• Winter Weather in Kentucky, December 16, 20133 eventsA clipper system brought a brief period of snow for the morning hours of December 16th. An inch to an inch and a half of snow was common across much of the region.
• Winter Weather in Kentucky, December 16, 20131 eventLight snow showers that occurred along and north of the I64 corridor on December 16th created slick roads that lead to numerous car accidents in the area.
• Cold in Illinois, December 17, 20131 death · 1 eventOvernight lows dropped to 16 F at O'Hare on December 17th. An elderly man was found dead in his home with hypothermia and cold exposure contributing factors.
• Winter Weather in Pennsylvania, December 17, 201313 eventsA quick moving Alberta Clipper type low pressure system brought a wintry mix to the local Philadelphia area and periods of snow to the rest of Eastern Pennsylvania on the 17th. Snowfall averaged 1 to 4 inches, with lower amounts in and around Philadelphia.
• Winter Weather in New Jersey, December 17, 201311 eventsA quick moving Alberta Clipper type low pressure system brought a wintry mix of precipitation to central New Jersey and periods of snow to northwest New Jersey.
• Winter Weather in New York, December 17, 201324 eventsA light to moderate snowfall occurred during the daytime hours on Tuesday, December 17th. Snowfall began during the morning hours as a weak upper level disturbance passed south of the region.
• Winter Weather in Connecticut, December 17, 20132 eventsA light to moderate snowfall occurred during the daytime hours on Tuesday, December 17th. Snowfall began during the morning hours as a weak upper level disturbance passed south of the region.
• Winter Weather in Massachusetts, December 17, 20132 eventsA light to moderate snowfall occurred during the daytime hours on Tuesday, December 17th. Snowfall began during the morning hours as a weak upper level disturbance passed south of the region.
• Winter Weather in Vermont, December 17, 20133 eventsA light to moderate snowfall occurred during the daytime hours on Tuesday, December 17th. Snowfall began during the morning hours as a weak upper level disturbance passed south of the region.
• Winter Weather in Maryland, December 17, 20131 eventA cold front moved through the Mid Atlantic while a warm nose entered northeast Maryland. This led to rain to change to freezing rain as temperatures dropped below freezing.
• Heavy Snow in Massachusetts, December 17 to 18, 20137 eventsLow pressure moved across Cape Cod bringing accumulating snow to much of southern New England. The highest snow amounts were across northeastern Massachusetts where a heavy band of snow set up right around the evening rush hour.
• Heavy Snow and High Wind in Montana, December 17 to 19, 201373 kt wind · 16 eventsA strong low pressure system from the Gulf of Alaska moved towards the Rocky Mountain Front as jet stream winds over 100 mph moved into the region. The low pressure system and a sharp cold front reached North-Central Montana Wednesday, adding moisture and light snow to the mix.
• Heavy Snow in New Hampshire, December 17, 20133 eventsLow pressure developed in the Mid-Atlantic States during the day on the 17th and spread snow northeastward during the afternoon and evening as it moved into the Gulf of Maine. Southeast New Hampshire generally saw between 4 and 8 inches of snow from the storm.
• Heavy Snow in New Hampshire, December 17 to 18, 20132 eventsLow pressure moved across Cape Cod bringing accumulating snow to much of southern New England.
• Heavy Snow in Maine, December 17 to 18, 20136 eventsLow pressure developed in the Mid-Atlantic States during the day on the 17th and spread snow northeastward late in the day and into the early morning hours of the 18th as it moved through the Gulf of Maine.
• Winter Weather in West Virginia, December 17 to 18, 20134 eventsAn Arctic cold front moved through the region accompanied by a deep negatively titled upper trough from December 17th into the 18th.

The snowstorm of December 1 to 7, 2013The snowstorm of December 30, 2013 to January 3, 2014Snow nowEvery winter storm filed

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