The Groundhog Day Blizzard of 2011
This powerful storm affected four regions and was a Cat 5 for the Ohio Valley Region and a Cat 3 for the Southern Region. The storm dropped snow from as far south as Ohio Valley Texas through New England. The heaviest snow fell in a line from Oklahoma City to Chicago where almost two feet of snow fell. The Chicago area experienced near record snowfall and reported thunder snow during the storm. The heavy snow combined with very strong winds to produce blizzard conditions across much of the Ohio Valley U.S. Areas in New England received over a foot of snow including Boston where 13 inches fell. This powerful storm caused over 1 billion dollars in damage and brought travel to a standstill throughout the Midwest and New England.
What the offices filed during it
Winter weather episodes east of the Rockies from the day before the storm began to the day after it ended, colored by kind.
- Tornadoes
- Tropical storms and surge
- Floods
- Wind
- Hail
- Winter weather
- Heat and drought
- Cold
- Fire, smoke and dust
- Marine and coastal
- Other
The storm by region
Each region’s thresholds are its own, so the same depth of snow counts for more in the South than in the Northeast.
| Region | Index | Category | Area with snow (sq mi) | People under snow | Above the top threshold (sq mi) | People above it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio Valley | 21.99 | Category 5, Extreme | 241,595 | 41,263,890 | 3,844 | 5,727,480 |
| Upper Midwest | 12.55 | Category 4, Crippling | 220,193 | 23,436,497 | 432 | 422,807 |
| South | 11.07 | Category 4, Crippling | 321,156 | 18,144,660 | 2,219 | 218,210 |
| Northeast | 1.78 | Category 1, Notable | 170,298 | 56,938,590 | 0 | 0 |
| Northern Rockies and Plains | 0.62 | Below category 1 | 140,671 | 2,576,110 | 0 | 0 |
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.
The toll the offices filed
- Events
- 2,346
- Deaths
- 64
- Injuries
- 157
- Damage
- $102 million
- Episodes
- 199
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.
Episode by episode
- Winter Storm and Winter Weather in Minnesota, January 30 to 31, 2011A prolonged snowfall became moderate to heavy on during the evening of January 30th and the morning of January 31st. Total accumulations varied from 6 to 10 inches, except for lesser amounts near the southern border of the state.
- Lake-Effect Snow in Minnesota, January 30 to 31, 2011A small convective snow shower formed over the tip of Lake Superior late at night on January 30th. The tiny storm dumped 9 inches on the Park Point section of Duluth MN, just east of downtown Duluth.
- Lake-Effect Snow in Wisconsin, January 30 to 31, 2011Convective snow showers developed in a cold airmass over the nose of Lake Superior late in the evening of January 30. Heavy snow fell in a localized area two miles east of Superior, WI where 8 to 9 inches of snow accumulated overnight.
- Winter Storm and Winter Weather in South Dakota, January 31, 2011A prolonged snowfall became moderate to heavy on January 31st in Brookings, Lake, and Moody Counties with total accumulations of 6 to 10 inches. There were some areas of blowing snow as winds increased. Lesser amounts of snow fell further west and south in southeast South Dakota.
- Winter Weather in Iowa, January 31, 2011Snow accumulated 3 to 6 inches over the extreme northwest corner of Iowa in Lyon County on January 31st. Winds gusting to over 30 mph caused areas of blowing snow. Lesser snowfall was reported to the east and south in northwest Iowa.
- Blizzard and Winter Storm in Kansas, January 31, 2011A massive winter storm of historic proportions affected the region from the early morning hours January 31st through the evening hours February 1st.
- Cold in New Mexico, January 31, 2011The third exposure death in the Farmington area of the winter season occurred during the morning of the 31st.
- Winter Storm and Winter Weather in Kansas, January 31, 2011Following a brief warm spell in late January, winter quickly returned to North Central Kansas on the last day of the month as a large upper level low pressure system carved into the central United States, bringing some of the coldest air of the season with it.
- Winter Weather in Kentucky, January 31, 2011Numerous car accidents resulted early on the morning of January 31st, as light freezing rain created slick roadways in Fleming and Rowan counties.
- Winter Storm and Winter Weather in Nebraska, January 31, 2011Following a brief warm spell in late January, winter quickly returned to South Central Nebraska on the last day of the month as a large upper level low pressure system carved into the central United States, bringing some of the coldest air of the season with it.
- Winter Storm in Nebraska, January 31, 2011A large upper level system that dropped southeast from the northern Rockies split into two pieces, one tracked across the central plains while the other drifted southwest across the southwestern U.S.
- Winter Storm in Missouri, January 31, 2011The first true blizzard in many years hit from Central to Northeast Missouri. Up to 20 inches of snow fell along with winds gusting over 40 mph. For many counties it was a record snowfall event. I-70 was shut down from Warren County to just east of Kansas City.
- Heavy Snow in Iowa, January 31, 2011An upper level system dropped southeast into the north central U.S. during the day on the 31st. This combined with an inverted trough across the state that resulted in snow across much of the state. The snow was heavier across the northern counties into Minnesota.
- Winter Storm in Iowa, January 31, 2011A large upper level system that dropped southeast from the northern Rockies split into two pieces, one tracked across the central plains while the other drifted southwest across the southwestern U.S.
- Heavy Snow in New Mexico, January 31, 2011Two successive upper level storm systems effectively brought a one-two punch to New Mexico. Winter weather began on the 31st of January when an arctic cold front blasted through the eastern plains.
- Winter Storm in Illinois, January 31, 2011The first true blizzard in many years hit from West Central parts of Southwest Illinois. Up to 22 inches of snow fell along with winds gusting over 40 mph. For many counties it was a record snowfall event.
- Winter Storm in Indiana, January 31, 2011A powerful winter storm moved across the United States, bringing severe winter weather to central Indiana from January 31 through February 2. Freezing rain, sleet, snow, strong winds, and arctic air impacted the state.
- Winter Weather in Colorado, January 31, 2011Three to 4 inches of snow was noted near Cuchara and Walsenburg (Huerfano County)...Rye (Pueblo County)...and near Colorado Springs (El Paso County).
- Heavy Snow in Wisconsin, January 31, 2011Persistent northeast winds picked up plenty of moisture from Lake Michigan, producing snow showers that dropped more than a foot of snow at several locations in the counties bordering the lake. An upper atmospheric disturbance also contributed to the snow process.
- Winter Weather in Maryland, January 31, 2011A wave of low pressure passed by to the south during the evening hours of the 31st. Light precipitation fell in the form of freezing rain across lower southern Maryland before the wave moved out to sea later that evening.
- Extreme Cold in North Dakota, January 31, 2011Dangerous wind chill conditions developed across the Northern Plains Monday night January 31st through Tuesday morning February 1st as Arctic high pressure pushed south into the region.
- Ice Storm and Heavy Snow in Pennsylvania, January 31, 2011A surface low pressure system, intially analyzed in east Texas on January 31st moved northeast over the Ohio Valley to western Pennsylvania by Wednesday morning, Febraury 2nd.
- Ice Storm in Ohio, January 31, 2011A surface low pressure system, intially analyzed in east Texas on January 31st moved northeast over the Ohio Valley to western Pennsylvania by Wednesday morning, Febraury 2nd.
- Ice Storm in Maryland, January 31, 2011A surface low pressure system, intially analyzed in east Texas on January 31st moved northeast over the Ohio Valley to western Pennsylvania by Wednesday morning, Febraury 2nd.
- Winter Storm in Oklahoma, January 31, 2011A powerful winter storm began to take shape during the evening hours of the 31st and continued into the 1st of February. Most of the accumulating snow occurred on February 1, but thunder-sleet and snow did affect many locations after dark on the 31st.
- Extreme Cold in Nebraska, January 31, 2011A bitter cold arctic air mass with temperatures in the single digits below zero combined with northwest winds of 20 to 40 mph during the evening hours on January 31st.
- Winter Storm in Texas, January 31, 2011A powerful winter storm began to take shape during the evening hours of the 31st and continued into the 1st of February.
- Ice Storm and Winter Weather in Ohio, February 1 to 2, 2011An ice storm hit the Ohio Valley, beginning late in the evening of January 31st. Low pressure traced from Texas to the lower Great Lakes region, and strengthened as it crossed the Ohio Valley.
- Ice Storm and Winter Storm in Indiana, February 1 to 2, 2011A powerful winter storm moved across the United States, bringing severe winter weather to central Indiana from January 31 through February 2. Freezing rain, sleet, snow, strong winds, and arctic air impacted the state.
- Winter Storm and Winter Weather in Ohio, February 1 to 2, 2011An area of low pressure developed over the southern Plains on February 1st and then moved quickly northeast. This low moved across northern Ohio during the morning hours of February 2nd. Three waves of wintry precipitation were associated with this storm across northern Ohio.
- Winter Weather in Maryland, February 1 to 2, 2011Low pressure over the Ohio Valley caused periods of precipitation during the first into the morning hours of the second.
- Ice Storm and Heavy Snow in Pennsylvania, February 1 to 2, 2011A surface low pressure system, intially analyzed in east Texas on January 31st moved northeast over the Ohio Valley to western Pennsylvania by Wednesday morning, Febraury 2nd.
- Ice Storm and Winter Weather in Indiana, February 1, 2011An ice storm hit the Ohio Valley, beginning late in the evening of January 31st. Low pressure traced from Texas to the lower Great Lakes region, and strengthened as it crossed the Ohio Valley.
- Winter Weather in West Virginia, February 1 to 2, 2011Low pressure over the Ohio Valley caused periods of precipitation during the first into the morning hours of the second.
- Ice Storm in Ohio, February 1 to 2, 2011A surface low pressure system, intially analyzed in east Texas on January 31st moved northeast over the Ohio Valley to western Pennsylvania by Wednesday morning, Febraury 2nd.
- Winter Weather in Kentucky, February 1, 2011A significant ice storm hit the northern portion of the Ohio Valley. Some locations across northern Kentucky reported a light glaze before the rain overspread the area and melted any icy accumulations.
- Ice Storm in Maryland, February 1, 2011A surface low pressure system, intially analyzed in east Texas on January 31st moved northeast over the Ohio Valley to western Pennsylvania by Wednesday morning, Febraury 2nd.
- Ice Storm and Winter Storm in Texas, February 1 to 4, 2011The first week of February 2011 was plagued with two winter weather events and persistent cold temperatures. The first winter storm began late on January 31st and ended during the morning hours of February 1st.
- Blizzard and Winter Storm in Missouri, February 1, 2011A major winter storm brought heavy wintry precipitation to the Missouri Ozarks and southeast Kansas on February 1, 2011.
- Blizzard and Winter Storm in Oklahoma, February 1, 2011A very strong storm system moved across the Southern Rockies into the Southern Plains on the 31st of January and 1st of February. Cold air had surged into the region ahead of this system on the 30th and 31st.
- Winter Storm and Extreme Cold in Texas, February 1 to 4, 2011A winter storm impacted west Texas during the pre-dawn hours of the 1st, and marked the onset of a prolonged outbreak of arctic air in the Southern Plains.
- Blizzard and Winter Storm in Kansas, February 1, 2011A massive winter storm of historic proportions affected the region from the early morning hours January 31st through the evening hours February 1st.
- Winter Storm and Winter Weather in Oklahoma, February 1, 2011After a relatively quiet early winter, a dose of reality, in the form of a major, record-setting winter storm, affected all of Oklahoma from late on January 31 through February 1.
- Winter Storm in Pennsylvania, February 1 to 2, 2011A protracted winter storm dropped several inches of sleet and snow in the Poconos and included a long period of freezing rain that produced ice accretions of up to half an inch in the Lehigh Valley and the Philadelphia suburbs.
- Winter Storm in New Jersey, February 1 to 2, 2011A protracted winter storm dropped several inches of sleet and snow in Sussex County and included a long period of freezing rain that produced ice accretions of around half an inch in the Raritan Basin and the rest of Northwest New Jersey.
- Winter Storm and Extreme Cold in Nebraska, February 1 to 2, 2011A large upper level system dropped southeast from the northern Rockies and then split into two pieces, one tracked across the central plains while the other drifted southwest across the southwestern U.S.
- Blizzard and Winter Storm in Missouri, February 1 to 2, 2011The first true blizzard in many years hit from Central to Northeast Missouri. Up to 20 inches of snow fell along with winds gusting over 40 mph. For many counties it was a record snowfall event.
- Winter Storm in Pennsylvania, February 1 to 2, 2011A large winter storm brought periods of snow, sleet and freezing rain to central Pennsylvania.
- Extreme Cold in North Dakota, February 1, 2011Dangerous wind chill conditions developed across North Dakota January 31 through February 1 as Arctic high pressure pushed into the region. North winds up to 15 mph combined with subzero temperatures to result in wind chill temperatures of 40 below to 55 below zero.
- Extreme Cold in Nebraska, February 1 to 2, 2011A bitter cold arctic air mass with temperatures mainly in the single digits below zero combined with northwest winds of 20 to 40 mph during overnight and morning hours on February 1st and again during the overnight hours on February 2nd as temperatures dropped to 10 to 15 below…
- Extreme Cold in South Dakota, February 1 to 2, 2011Falling temperatures and strong north to northwest winds produced dangerous wind chills throughout the first day of February and on the morning of February 2nd.
- Winter Storm and Extreme Cold in Nebraska, February 1, 2011Following a brief warm spell in late January, winter quickly returned to South Central Nebraska on January 31st as a large upper level low pressure system carved into the central United States, bringing some of the coldest air of the season with it.
- Blizzard and Winter Storm in Illinois, February 1 to 2, 2011The first true blizzard in many years hit West Central and parts of Southwest Illinois. Up to 22 inches of snow fell along with winds gusting over 40 mph. For many counties it was a record snowfall event.
- Blizzard and Winter Storm in Kansas, February 1, 2011A severe winter storm brought near blizzard and blizzard conditions to much of eastern and northeastern Kansas on February 1 2011. Many areas received 6 to 10 inches of wind blown snow within a 12 hour period. Most of the snow fell between 6am and 9pm on February 1.
- Winter Storm in Texas, February 1, 2011A deepening surface low, a frigid arctic front, and a digging upper level jet stream interacted with gulf moisture to produce a variety of weather like thunder snow, thunder sleet, freezing rain, pea size hail, and locally heavy rainfall across a large part of West Central…
- Extreme Cold in Iowa, February 1 to 2, 2011Falling temperatures and strong north to northwest winds produced dangerous wind chills throughout the first day of February and on the morning of February 2nd.
- Winter Storm and Cold in Iowa, February 1 to 2, 2011A large upper level system dropped southeast from the northern Rockies and then split into two pieces, one tracked across the central plains while the other drifted southwest across the southwestern U.S.
- Ice Storm and Winter Storm in New York, February 1 to 2, 2011A complex low pressure system tracked northeast from the Lower Mississippi River Valley into the Ohio Valley Tuesday, February 1st into Tuesday Night , with a secondary low pressure developing over the Delmarva region and tracking southeast of Long Island on Wednesday February…
- Extreme Cold in Minnesota, February 1 to 2, 2011Falling temperatures and strong north to northwest winds produced dangerous wind chills throughout the first day of February and on the morning of February 2nd.
- Winter Storm in Arkansas, February 1, 2011A very strong storm system moved across the Southern Rockies into the Southern Plains on the 31st of January and 1st of February. Cold air had surged into the region ahead of this system on the 30th and 31st.
- Ice Storm in New Jersey, February 1 to 2, 2011A complex low pressure system tracked northeast from the Lower Mississippi River Valley into the Ohio Valley Tuesday, February 1st into Tuesday Night, with a secondary low pressure developing over the Delmarva region and tracking southeast of Long Island on Wednesday February…
- Winter Weather in New Jersey, February 1, 2011A weak low pressure system that developed along a warm front and moved east of the state on the 1st helped produce a light wintry mix in interior central and southern New Jersey during the first half of the day on the 1st.
- Winter Storm and Winter Weather in Kansas, February 1, 2011Following a brief warm spell in late January, winter quickly returned to North Central Kansas on the last day of the month as a large upper level low pressure system carved into the central United States, bringing some of the coldest air of the season with it.
- Winter Weather in Delaware, February 1, 2011A weak low pressure system that developed along a warm front and moved east of the state on the 1st helped produce a light wintry mix in Delaware during the first half of the morning on the 1st.
- Winter Weather in Maryland, February 1, 2011A weak low pressure system that developed along a warm front and moved east of the state on the 1st helped produce a light wintry mix along the Eastern Shore during the first half of the day on the 1st.
- Heavy Snow in Wisconsin, February 1, 2011Persistent northeast winds picked up plenty of moisture from Lake Michigan, producing snow showers that dropped more than a foot of snow at several locations in the counties bordering the lake. An upper atmospheric disturbance also contributed to the snow process.
- Winter Weather in Illinois, February 1 to 2, 2011A strengthening low pressure system tracked northeast from the southern Plains, passing across the Lower Ohio Valley. On the north and west side of the low pressure track, a period of freezing rain caused hazardous conditions.
- Extreme Cold in Nebraska, February 1 to 2, 2011Falling temperatures and strong north to northwest winds produced dangerous wind chills throughout the first day of February and on the morning of February 2nd.
- Winter Weather in Pennsylvania, February 1, 2011A weak low pressure system that developed along a warm front and moved east of the state on the 1st helped produce a light wintry mix in Philadelphia and Delaware Counties during the first half of the day on the 1st.
- Winter Storm in Texas, February 1, 2011After a relatively quiet early winter, a dose of reality, in the form of a major, record-setting winter storm, affected north Texas from late on January 31 through February 1.
- Winter Weather in Missouri, February 1 to 2, 2011A strengthening low pressure system tracked northeast from the southern Plains, passing across the Lower Ohio Valley. On the north and west side of the low pressure track, a period of freezing rain caused hazardous conditions.
- Extreme Cold in Texas, February 1 to 4, 2011A strong upper low dropped down the Northern Rockies which pushed a back door arctic cold front through the region. An upper level ridge was located over the eastern Pacific with the arctic jet steam diving south to the Mexican border.
- Winter Storm in Pennsylvania, February 1 to 2, 2011An area of low pressure developed over the southern Plains on February 1st and then moved quickly northeast. This low moved across northern Ohio and into western Pennsylvania during the morning hours of February 2nd.
- Heavy Snow in New Mexico, February 1 to 2, 2011Two successive upper level storm systems effectively brought a one-two punch to New Mexico. Winter weather began on the 31st of January when an arctic cold front blasted through the eastern plains.
- Winter Storm and Winter Weather in New York, February 1 to 2, 2011A complex low pressure system originating from the deep south brought heavy snow and sleet to east central New York.
- Winter Weather in Virginia, February 1 to 2, 2011Low pressure over the Ohio Valley caused periods of precipitation during the first into the morning hours of the second.
- Heavy Snow in New Mexico, February 1 to 2, 2011A strong upper low dropped down the Northern Rockies which pushed an arctic back door cold front through the region. Over a foot of snow fell in the Sacramento Mountains with lesser amounts over the Gila and lowlands of Southern New Mexico.
- Extreme Cold in Colorado, February 1 to 4, 2011A frigid Arctic airmass settled into the Front Range Urban Corridor to start out the month. At Denver International Airport overnight low temperatures on the 1st through the 3rd were 13 below zero, 17 below zero and zero respectively.
- Winter Storm and Winter Weather in Connecticut, February 1 to 2, 2011A complex low pressure system originating from the deep south brought heavy snow and sleet to Litchfield County Connecticut.
- Winter Weather in District of Columbia, February 1, 2011Low pressure over the Ohio Valley caused a period of precipitation during the morning hours of the first.
- Extreme Cold in Idaho, February 1 to 2, 2011Several school closings occurred in southeast Idaho due to the extremely cold conditions on both Feb 1st and 2nd. Widespread wind chill readings of -25 to -40 degrees occurred on the morning of the 1st.
- Winter Storm in Missouri, February 1, 2011A winter storm moving through the southern U.S. produced snow across southeast Kansas and southern Missouri. A band of heavy snowfall impacted extreme southwest Missouri and along the Missouri and Arkansas border where some areas received up to a foot.
- Winter Storm and Hail in Arkansas, February 1, 2011A low pressure center tracked across Arkansas on the 1st, taking a path from near Texarkana to the Missouri Bootheel. In the colder air to the northwest of the low, freezing rain and sleet occurred, then precipitation changed over to light snow.
- Ice Storm and Winter Storm in Connecticut, February 1 to 2, 2011A complex low pressure system tracked northeast from the Lower Mississippi River Valley into the Ohio Valley Tuesday, February 1st into Tuesday Night , with a secondary low pressure developing over the Delmarva region and tracking southeast of Long Island on Wednesday February…
- Blizzard and Winter Storm in Missouri, February 1 to 2, 2011A historic winter storm impacted a wide swath of the central and eastern United|States on Tuesday, February 1st into Wednesday, February 2nd. This was one of the|strongest blizzards ever to impact the region.
- Winter Storm in Massachusetts, February 1 to 2, 2011A complex low pressure system originating from the deep south brought heavy snow to the Berkshires of Massachusetts.
- Blizzard in Kansas, February 1, 2011A major winter storm brought heavy wintry precipitation to the Missouri Ozarks and southeast Kansas on February 1, 2011.
- Winter Storm in Vermont, February 1 to 2, 2011A complex low pressure system originating from the deep south brought heavy snow to southern Vermont. Initially light snow overspread the area as a result of a weak area of low pressure moving northeastward off the mid Atlantic and northeast coasts on Tuesday, February 1st.
- Winter Storm in Massachusetts, February 1 to 2, 2011A series of low pressure centers impacted the Southern New England Region with a combination of heavy snows and ice.
- Winter Storm in Connecticut, February 1 to 2, 2011A series of low pressure centers impacted the Southern New England Region with a combination of heavy snows and ice.
- Winter Storm in Rhode Island, February 1 to 2, 2011A series of low pressure centers impacted the Southern New England Region with a combination of heavy snows and ice.
- Extreme Cold in New Mexico, February 1 to 4, 2011A strong upper low dropped down the Northern Rockies which pushed a back door arctic cold front through the region. An upper level ridge was located over the eastern Pacific with the arctic jet steam diving south to the Mexican border.
- Blizzard in Illinois, February 1 to 2, 2011A powerful and enormous winter storm moved across northern Illinois with blizzard conditions across much of the area which paralayzed the region.
- Blizzard in Missouri, February 1 to 2, 2011A tremendous blizzard, one of the worst in memory, impacted much of the region on February 1-2, 2011, as deep low pressure tracked from Texas to southern Indiana. Snowfall totals ranged from 10 to 20 inches with drifts as high as 7 feet.
- Blizzard in Iowa, February 1 to 2, 2011A tremendous blizzard, one of the worst in memory, impacted much of the region on February 1-2, 2011, as deep low pressure tracked from Texas to southern Indiana. Snowfall totals ranged from 10 to 20 inches with drifts as high as 7 feet.
- Blizzard in Illinois, February 1 to 2, 2011A tremendous blizzard, one of the worst in memory, impacted much of the region on February 1-2, 2011, as deep low pressure tracked from Texas to southern Indiana. Snowfall totals ranged from 10 to 20 inches with drifts as high as 7 feet.
- Winter Storm in New Hampshire, February 1 to 2, 2011A series of low pressure centers impacted the Southern New England Region with a combination of heavy snows and ice.
- Extreme Cold in Texas, February 1 to 3, 2011Arctic air overspread the region on 2/1/2011. Northeast winds of 30-45 mph with higher gusts combined with temperatures in the single digits to produce wind chill values of -15 to -35 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Blizzard and Ice Storm in Illinois, February 1 to 2, 2011A powerful storm system tracking from the southern Plains into the Great Lakes brought a wide variety of wintry precipitation to central and southeast Illinois on Februray 1st into the 2nd.
- Blizzard in Kansas, February 1, 2011A historic winter storm impacted a wide swath of the central and eastern United|States on Tuesday, February 1st into Wednesday, February 2nd. This was one of the|strongest blizzards ever to impact the region.
- Blizzard in Indiana, February 1 to 2, 2011A powerful and enormous winter storm moved across northwest Indiana with blizzard conditions across much of the area which paralayzed the region. Heavy snow began falling during the early afternoon.
- Winter Weather in Vermont, February 1, 2011A weak mid-atmospheric disturbance and inverted surface trough moved across Vermont during the afternoon of February 1st. A light snowfall occurred for much of the afternoon and early evening before ending prior to a significant snowfall event on February 2nd.
- Winter Storm in Iowa, February 1, 2011A powerful storm system moved into the southwest U.S. on January 31st into the 1st. The system moved east-northeast across the southern U.S. on the 1st into early the 2nd. Surface low pressure developed over west Texas.
- Blizzard in Indiana, February 1 to 2, 2011An intense low pressure system tracked from the Lower Mississippi River Valley northeast into northern Indiana late February 1st into February 2nd.
- Winter Storm in Indiana, February 1 to 2, 2011An intense low pressure system tracked from the Lower Mississippi River Valley northeast into northern Indiana late February 1st into February 2nd.
- Blizzard in Michigan, February 1 to 2, 2011An intense low pressure system tracked from the Lower Mississippi River Valley northeast into northern Indiana late February 1st into February 2nd.
- Winter Storm in Ohio, February 1 to 2, 2011An intense low pressure system tracked from the Lower Mississippi River Valley northeast into northern Indiana late February 1st into February 2nd.
- Winter Storm and Winter Weather in Iowa, February 1 to 2, 2011A strong low pressure system tracked across the Central Plains States and the Great Lakes region on February 1st and into the morning hours of the 2nd. This spread heavy snow across portions of northeast Iowa.
- Blizzard in Ohio, February 1 to 2, 2011An intense low pressure system tracked from the Lower Mississippi River Valley northeast into northern Indiana late February 1st into February 2nd.
- Blizzard and Winter Storm in Michigan, February 1 to 2, 2011A major winter storm brought 10 to 15 inches of snow and blizzard conditions to much of southwest lower Michigan the during the late evening of Tuesday, February 1st into the morning hours of Wednesday, February 2nd.
- Blizzard and Winter Storm in Wisconsin, February 1 to 2, 2011A strong low pressure system tracked across the Central Plain States and the Great Lakes region on February 1st and into the morning hours of the 2nd. This spread heavy snow across parts of southwest Wisconsin.
- Blizzard in Wisconsin, February 1 to 2, 2011A powerful low pressure center, passing south of Wisconsin, produced blizzard conditions across much of southern Wisconsin from the evening hours of Tuesday, February 1st into the early morning of Wednesday, February 2nd.
- Blizzard in Iowa, February 1 to 2, 2011A powerful storm system moved into the southwest U.S. on January 31st into the 1st The system moved east-northeast across the southern U.S. on the 1st into early the 2nd. Surface low pressure developed over west Texas.
- Blizzard in Wisconsin, February 1 to 2, 2011A powerful low pressure center, passing south of Wisconsin, produced blizzard conditions across much of southern Wisconsin from the evening hours of Tuesday, February 1st into the early morning of Wednesday, February 2nd.
- Extreme Cold in North Dakota, February 1 to 2, 2011Dangerous wind chill conditions redeveloped across the region the night of February 1 through February 2 as Arctic high pressure remained over the area. Winds up to 15 mph combined with subzero temperatures to result in wind chill temperatures of 40 below to 50 below zero.
- Extreme Cold in South Dakota, February 1 to 2, 2011Well below zero temperatures under Arctic high pressure combined with north winds of 10 to 20 mph to bring extreme wind chills to the entire region. Wind chills of 35 below to 45 below zero occurred across the region from the evening of the 1st into the morning hours of the 2nd.
- Extreme Cold in North Dakota, February 1 to 2, 2011High pressure slid down the western Dakotas, keeping wind speeds in the 5 to 10 mph range over eastern North Dakota and portions of the northwest quarter of Minnesota through the late evening and overnight hours.
- Blizzard and Winter Storm in Michigan, February 1 to 2, 2011A major winter storm impacted southeast Michigan, with snowfall accumulations generally ranging from 6 to 12 inches. Isolated higher amounts were recorded across the Thumb and Tri-Cities Region.
- Extreme Cold in Minnesota, February 1 to 2, 2011A large area of arctic high pressure moved southward across the Upper Midwest the evening of Tuesday, February 1st, and continued through the morning of February 2nd.
- Blizzard in Wisconsin, February 1 to 2, 2011A powerful low pressure center, passing south of Wisconsin, produced blizzard conditions across much of southern Wisconsin from the evening hours of Tuesday, February 1st into the early morning of Wednesday, February 2nd.
- Blizzard in Wisconsin, February 1 to 2, 2011A powerful low pressure center, passing south of Wisconsin, produced blizzard conditions across much of southern Wisconsin from the evening hours of Tuesday, February 1st into the early morning of Wednesday, February 2nd.
- Cold in Kansas, February 1 to 3, 2011A massive winter storm of historic proportions affected the region from the early morning hours January 31st through the evening hours February 1st.
- Extreme Cold in New Mexico, February 1 to 4, 2011Arctic air overspread the region on 2/1/2011. Northeast winds of 30-45 mph with higher gusts combined with temperatures in the single digits to produce wind chill values of -15 to -35 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Extreme Cold in Minnesota, February 1 to 2, 2011High pressure slid down the western Dakotas, keeping wind speeds in the 5 to 10 mph range over eastern North Dakota and portions of the northwest quarter of Minnesota through the late evening and overnight hours.
- Ice Storm and Winter Weather in New Jersey, February 1 to 2, 2011Freezing rain fell across central and southern New Jersey overnight on February 1st. Ice accretions were one tenth of an inch to one quarter of an inch with the highest accretions in Monmouth County. The freezing rain started in the evening on February 1st.
- Winter Storm in Wisconsin, February 1 to 2, 2011A powerful low pressure center, passing south of Wisconsin, produced near blizzard conditions across portions of South Central Wisconsin from the evening hours of Tuesday, February 1st into the early morning of Wednesday, February 2nd.
- Blizzard in Wisconsin, February 1 to 2, 2011Strong north-northeast winds gusted as high as 40 to 50 mph as a low pressure system moved across the Midwest, producing blizzard conditions for a brief time late on February 1st and early on the 2nd.
- Ice Storm in Pennsylvania, February 1 to 2, 2011Freezing rain fell across Delaware and Philadelphia Counties overnight on February 1st. Ice accretions averaged one quarter to half an inch with the highest amounts in northern Delaware County.
- Blizzard in Wisconsin, February 1 to 2, 2011A powerful low pressure center, passing south of Wisconsin, produced blizzard conditions across much of southern Wisconsin from the evening hours of Tuesday, February 1st into the early morning of Wednesday, February 2nd.
- Ice Storm in Delaware, February 1 to 2, 2011Freezing rain fell across New Castle County overnight on February 1st. Ice accretions were generally around one quarter of an inch. The freezing rain started late in the evening on February 1st.
- Blizzard and Winter Storm in Michigan, February 1 to 2, 2011Strong low pressure moved from Texas, to northern Ohio, and on to the Northeast States, producing a large swath of heavy snow along the way. Northern Lower Michigan caught the northern edge of the heavy snow swath.
- Extreme Cold in New Mexico, February 1 to 2, 2011After the precipitation ended, at least significantly so, on the 1st, brutally cold temperatures and strong winds impacted eastern New Mexico.
- Winter Storm in New York, February 1 to 2, 2011A winter storm tracked from the Ohio Valley Tuesday evening the 1st, |to the eastern Great Lakes region Wednesday the 2nd. The storm then|moved off the northeast coast by Wednesday evening.
- Winter Weather in Maryland, February 1 to 2, 2011Freezing rain fell across Cecil County overnight on February 1st. Ice accretions were generally less than one tenth of an inch. The freezing rain started late in the evening on February 1st.
- Winter Storm in Vermont, February 2, 2011A major winter storm developed in the southern Plains and western Gulf coast states on February 1st and proceeded to move into the Ohio River Valley on the morning of February 2nd.
- Winter Storm in New York, February 2, 2011A major winter storm developed in the southern Plains and western Gulf coast states on February 1st and proceeded to move into the Ohio River Valley on the morning of February 2nd.
- Heavy Snow in Maine, February 2, 2011Low pressure over the Gulf States on the morning of the 1st moved northeast to the Ohio Valley by the morning of the 2nd as a secondary low developed off the Delmarva Peninsula.
- Heavy Snow in New Hampshire, February 2, 2011Low pressure over the Gulf States on the morning of the 1st moved northeast to the Ohio Valley by the morning of the 2nd as a secondary low developed off the Delmarva Peninsula.
- Extreme Cold in Minnesota, February 2, 2011Well below zero temperatures under Arctic high pressure combined with north winds of 10 to 20 mph to bring extreme wind chills to west central Minnesota. Wind chills of 35 below to 45 below zero occurred through the morning hours of the 2nd.
- Heavy Snow in Maine, February 2 to 3, 2011Low pressure tracking across the Gulf of Maine brought heavy snow to Downeast and much of northern Maine. Snow began during the morning of the 2nd...then continued through the early morning hours of the 3rd. Storm total snow accumulations ranged from 7 to 14 inches.
- Winter Weather in Connecticut, February 2 to 4, 2011The excessive weight from snow and ice caused numerous roof collapses across Southern Connecticut during the first week of February.
- Winter Weather in Minnesota, February 2, 2011The driver of a vehicle was killed when he was unable to stop on an icy road and slid into the path of an approaching train. The accident occurred on County Road 4 south of Austin (Mower County) on February 2nd.
- Extreme Cold in Texas, February 2 to 4, 2011Northeast winds of 30-45 mph with higher gusts combined with temperatures in the single digits, thanks to an arctic airmass, to produce wind chill values of -15 to -35 degrees Fahrenheit in the Guadalupe Mountains.
- Cold in Illinois, February 2 to 4, 2011In the wake of a powerful storm system that brought copious amounts of snow and ice to central Illinois, strong Canadian high pressure built into the region from February 2nd through February 4th.
- Blizzard in South Dakota, February 2 to 3, 2011Blizzard conditions developed along and east of the Sisseton Hills late on February 2nd and continued into the mid morning hours of February 3rd.
- Extreme Cold in New Mexico, February 2 to 3, 2011A powerful storm and arctic cold front combined to bring fresh snow cover to nearly all of northern and central New Mexico on the 1st and 2nd, as well as extremely cold, record setting minimum temperatures. This resulted in dangerously low wind chill values over many areas.
- Ice Storm and Winter Weather in Louisiana, February 3 to 4, 2011A strengthening upper level low over western Texas began to push east-northeast across southwest Louisiana from the morning of February 3 into February 4. At the surface, temperatures were generally above freezing, but dewpoints were well below freezing.
- Ice Storm in Louisiana, February 3 to 4, 2011A winter storm moving across Louisiana and Mississippi produced numerous reports of freezing rain.
- Winter Weather in Alabama, February 3, 2011A shallow arctic air mass combined with a developing low pressure system moving across the area created light rain that froze on contact with surface objects.
- Ice Storm in Mississippi, February 3 to 4, 2011A winter storm moving across Louisiana and Mississippi produced numerous reports of freezing rain.
- Heavy Snow and Winter Weather in Alabama, February 3 to 4, 2011A narrow band of heavy snow developed during the late afternoon and early evening hours of the 3rd across portions of north central into northeast Alabama, generally south of the Tennessee River.
- Winter Weather in Mississippi, February 3, 2011A shallow arctic air mass combined with a developing low pressure system moving across the area created light rain that froze on contact with surface objects.
- Winter Weather in Texas, February 3 to 4, 2011A strengthening upper level low over western Texas began to push east-northeast across southeast Texas from the morning of February 3 into February 4. At the surface, temperatures were generally above freezing, but dewpoints were well below freezing.
- Ice Storm in Texas, February 3 to 4, 2011The combination of an arctic airmass with the approach of an upper level disturbance lifted a limited amount of low level moisture into light precipitation, which started by mid morning in Cameron and Willacy County, then spread into Hidalgo County during the afternoon and…
- Winter Weather in Minnesota, February 3, 2011A two vehicle accident occurred on a snow covered road near Oronoco (Olmsted County) on February 3rd. A person was killed in the accident and another sustained injuries.
- Ice Storm in Mississippi, February 3 to 4, 2011An ice storm developed across the area on February 3rd into the early morning hours of the 4th. While this icing event was not devastating, the impact to travel was a major issue across the region. Thousands of accidents occurred from slick roads.
- Winter Weather in Colorado, February 3, 2011A weather disturbance generated snow over sections of southern Colorado. Some of the snow totals include 4 to 7 inches in the vicinity of Pueblo, Pueblo West, and Rye (Pueblo County)...Divide (Teller County)...and Cuchara (Huerfano County).
- Winter Weather in Georgia, February 3 to 4, 2011A deep upper trough and closed low were moving from the south central U.S. toward the mid-Atlantic region. This system brought widespread moderate to heavy rain to north and central Georgia. Most areas of the state received two to three inches of rain from this event.
- Ice Storm in Texas, February 3 to 4, 2011South Texas experienced frigid temperatures and prolonged hard freezes between Tuesday morning February 1st and Saturday morning February 5th, 2011. A large dome of arctic air plunged southward across South Texas on Tuesday morning February 1st behind a strong cold front.
- Winter Storm in Texas, February 3 to 4, 2011An arctic cold front pushed across South Central Texas early on February 1. An upper level storm system moved east across Texas during the early morning hours of February 4.
- Cold in Illinois, February 3 to 4, 2011By the morning of February 3rd, temperatures dropped below zero in many areas except downtown Chicago where temperatures were in the single digits. Many areas across north central Illinois measured temperatures between 10 below and 15 below zero.
- Ice Storm in Louisiana, February 3 to 4, 2011An ice storm developed across the area on February 3rd into the early morning hours of the 4th. While this icing event was not devastating, the impact to travel was a major issue across the region. Thousands of accidents occurred from slick roads.
- Heavy Snow and Winter Weather in Texas, February 3 to 4, 2011The second winter storm of the week brought heavy snow to most of the eastern and northeastern counties of north Texas. However, much of the area received at least some snow.
- Ice Storm and Winter Storm in Texas, February 3 to 4, 2011A very cold air mass was in place in early February with overnight lows in the teens and 20s.
- Winter Storm and Winter Weather in Arkansas, February 3 to 4, 2011A cold arctic airmass was in place across the four state region the night of February 3rd as a strong upper level storm system moved quickly out of the southern Great Basin and into the West Texas Hill Country.
- Winter Storm and Winter Weather in Texas, February 3 to 4, 2011A cold arctic airmass was in place across the four state region the night of February 3rd as a strong upper level storm system moved quickly out of the southern Great Basin and into the West Texas Hill Country.
- Winter Storm and Winter Weather in Louisiana, February 3 to 4, 2011A cold arctic airmass was in place across the four state region the night of February 3rd as a strong upper level storm system moved quickly out of the southern Great Basin and into the West Texas Hill Country.
- Winter Storm in Oklahoma, February 3 to 4, 2011A cold arctic airmass was in place across the four state region the night of February 3rd as a strong upper level storm system moved quickly out of the southern Great Basin and into the West Texas Hill Country.
- Winter Storm and Heavy Snow in Arkansas, February 4 to 5, 2011A low pressure system tracked across Arkansas on the 4th and early on the 5th. Heavy snow fell over parts of western and northern Arkansas, where snow accumulations of 4 to 6 inches occurred. Totals in most other sections of the state were in the 1 to 3 inch range.
- Winter Weather in Oklahoma, February 4, 2011A slow-moving upper level low pressure moved from central Texas through the eastern half of Oklahoma. Broad-scale ascent over a very cold temperatures at the surface allowed for very dry snow to fall over southern and eastern Oklahoma.
- Ice Storm in Arkansas, February 4, 2011An ice storm developed across the area on February 3rd into the early morning hours of the 4th. While this icing event was not devastating, the impact to travel was a major issue across the region. Thousands of accidents occurred from slick roads.
- Winter Storm in Oklahoma, February 4 to 5, 2011A strong upper level disturbance moved from southwest Texas to northern Texas into northern Arkansas on the 4th. Snow developed into the area during the morning hours and continued into the evening hours.
- Winter Storm in Arkansas, February 4 to 5, 2011A strong upper level disturbance moved from southwest Texas to northern Texas into northern Arkansas on the 4th. Snow developed into the area during the morning hours and continued into the evening hours.
- Heavy Snow and Winter Weather in Missouri, February 4 to 5, 2011An upper-level storm system lifted northeast out of the southern Plains. An associated weak surface low moved northeast across western Kentucky and southwest Indiana. A few bands of moderate to locally heavy snowfall occurred to the north and west of the surface low path.
- Winter Storm and Winter Weather in Illinois, February 5, 2011An upper-level storm system lifted northeast out of the southern Plains. An associated weak surface low moved northeast across western Kentucky and southwest Indiana. A few bands of moderate to locally heavy snowfall occurred to the north and west of the surface low path.
- Winter Weather in Maryland, February 5, 2011Low pressure tracked through the Ohio Valley on the fifth of February causing precipitation over the area. High pressure just off the New England coast supplied enough low-level cold air for a period of freezing rain.
- Winter Storm in Montana, February 4 to 6, 2011Pacific moisture overran cold air east of the Continental Divide and produced areas of heavy snow. Snowfall amounts up to 23 inches were reported.
- Winter Weather in West Virginia, February 5, 2011Low pressure tracked through the Ohio Valley on the fifth of February causing precipitation over the area. High pressure just off the New England coast supplied enough low-level cold air for a period of freezing rain.
- Winter Weather in Virginia, February 5, 2011Low pressure tracked through the Ohio Valley on the fifth of February causing precipitation over the area. High pressure just off the New England coast supplied enough low-level cold air for a period of freezing rain.
- Winter Storm in South Dakota, February 5 to 6, 2011A series of upper level disturbances brought snow to much of western South Dakota. The heaviest snow developed over the northern Black Hills, where upslope northwest winds enhanced snowfall.
- Winter Storm in Wyoming, February 5 to 6, 2011A series of upper level disturbances brought snow to much of northeastern Wyoming. The heaviest snow developed over the Wyoming Black Hills, where upslope northwest winds enhanced snowfall.
- Winter Weather in Pennsylvania, February 5, 2011A wintry mix of mainly sleet and freezing rain affected Pennsylvania on the 5th. Ice accretions averaged one twentieth to one quarter of an inch and any snow and sleet accumulations averaged less than one inch.
- Winter Weather in Arkansas, February 5, 2011An upper level disturbance tracked northeastward from Eastern Oklahoma into the Mid-South during the late evening hours of February 4th, 2011 into the early morning hours of February 5th, 2011.
- Winter Storm in Wyoming, February 5 to 6, 2011A very unstable and moist northwest flow produced significant snowfall over the Big Horn Mountains.
- Winter Weather in Missouri, February 5, 2011An upper level disturbance tracked northeastward from Eastern Oklahoma into the Mid-South during the late evening hours of February 4th, 2011 into the early morning hours of February 5th, 2011.
- Winter Weather in New Jersey, February 5, 2011A wintry mix of mainly sleet and freezing rain affected central and northern New Jersey on the 5th. Ice accretions averaged one twentieth to one quarter of an inch and any snow and sleet accumulations averaged less than one inch.
- Heavy Snow and Winter Weather in Indiana, February 5, 2011A potent upper level disturbance lifted northeastward into the Ohio Valley on February 5th. Moderate to heavy snow accompanied this system, with amounts generally ranging between 3 and 7 inches across northern Indiana.
- Winter Storm and Winter Weather in Colorado, February 5, 2011A winter storm brought heavy snow to the foothills of Douglas, Jefferson and Park Counties.
- Winter Weather in Illinois, February 5, 2011An area of low pressure tracking from the southern Plains into the Ohio River Valley brought accumulating snow to east-central and southeast Illinois on February 5th.
- Winter Weather in New Jersey, February 5, 2011The excessive weight from snow and ice caused a roof collapse in Verona New Jersey on February 5th.
- Heavy Snow and Winter Weather in Ohio, February 5, 2011A potent upper level disturbance lifted northeastward into the Ohio Valley on February 5th. Moderate to heavy snow accompanied this system, with amounts generally ranging between 4 and 7 inches across northwest Ohio.
- Heavy Snow in Michigan, February 5, 2011A strong and compact upper wave produced a quick hitting snowfall south of M-59, with 6 inches falling in a 8 hour period across Wayne and Monroe Counties.
- Winter Weather in New York, February 5 to 6, 2011Low pressure tracked from the eastern Gulf Coast toward the mid Atlantic Coast Friday February 4th, then from the mid Atlantic Coast toward the New York City area during Saturday February 5th.
- Winter Storm and Heavy Snow in Maine, February 5 to 6, 2011Low pressure tracking near the Downeast coast to southern New Brunswick brought heavy snow to northern Maine...with a mixture of snow and ice across interior Downeast areas.
- Heavy Snow in New Hampshire, February 5 to 6, 2011An area of low pressure intensified rapidly as it moved from the Carolina Coast on the morning of the 5th to near Nova Scotia by the morning of the 6th.
- Winter Storm and Lightning Strike in Vermont, February 5 to 6, 2011A strong, potent upper atmospheric system, as well as a developing surface low, raced across the Ohio River Valley during the afternoon of February 5th.
- Winter Storm and Winter Weather in New York, February 5 to 6, 2011A strong, potent upper atmospheric system, as well as a developing surface low, raced across the Ohio River Valley during the afternoon of February 5th.
- Winter Storm in Maine, February 5 to 6, 2011An area of low pressure intensified rapidly as it moved from the Carolina Coast on the morning of the 5th to near Nova Scotia by the morning of the 6th.
- Winter Weather in Massachusetts, February 5 to 6, 2011Low pressure tracked from the eastern Gulf Coast toward the mid Atlantic Coast Friday February 4th, then from the mid Atlantic Coast toward the New York City area during Saturday February 5th.
More
The snowstorm of January 26 to 27, 2011The snowstorm of February 9 to 11, 2011Snow nowEvery winter storm filed
Sources
NOAA NCEI Regional Snowfall Index, and the Storm Events Database for the episodes.