The snowstorm of February 22 to 27, 2007

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

853

Deaths

13

Injuries

33

Damage

$31 million

Episodes

97

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 Alaska, February 21 to 22, 20071 eventA moderate Low pressure system persisted in the Central Gulf of Alaska on Wednesday 2/21. Due to arctic High pressure over the Northern Yukon, a strong surface pressure gradient formed forcing cold dry air to toward the south for the inner channels.
• Extreme Cold in Alaska, February 22 to 23, 20071 eventWith very cold air over the North Slope, east winds increased to 15 to 25 mph on the 22nd over the Western Arctic Coast, creating Extreme Wind Chills until clouds moved in during late morning of the 23rd, raising temperatures.
• Winter Storm in New York, February 22 to 23, 20071 eventA low pressure system over the Great Lakes intensified as it moved southeast across central New York and northeast Pennsylvania on the 22nd. Initially, the air was mild ahead of the storm.
• Winter Storm and Heavy Snow in California, February 22 to 23, 2007$2,000 · 6 eventsA cold Pacific storm system moved across central California from the morning of the 22nd until the morning of the 23rd.
• Heavy Snow in New York, February 22 to 23, 2007$55,000 · 4 eventsA fast moving low pressure system brought a light snowfall to much of the region. Across the higher elevations of the western Southern Tier snowfall amounts were enhanced with about a foot of snow falling.
• Lake-Effect Snow in Pennsylvania, February 22 to 23, 2007$50,000 · 2 eventsCold northwest winds blowing across Lake Erie caused lake effect snow showers to develop on February 22nd.
• Ice Storm and Winter Weather in Missouri, February 23 to 24, 20072 eventsA widespread and crippling ice/snow storm affected eastern Iowa, northwest and western Illinois, and extreme northeast Missouri on February 24, 2007. This massive ice storm was the worst to affect the region since January 22-23, 1965.
• Heavy Snow in Utah, February 23, 20077 eventsA large winter storm brought mainly heavy snow to much of Utah. Accumulations ranges from 3 to 6 inches in many of the more populated valleys, to up to two feet in the mountains.
• Heavy Snow in Montana, February 23, 20072 eventsA winter strom brought heavy snow to the high country of Southwest Montana. Snow amounts of 8 to 10 inches were common.
• Winter Storm in Wisconsin, February 23 to 25, 20079 eventsA strong upper level low pressure system moved from the Rockies on the 22nd, and across much of the Upper Midwest from the 23rd to the 25th. A large swath of heavy snow accompanied by sustained winds in the 15 to 20 mph range were noted across much of West Central Wisconsin.
• Winter Weather in Iowa, February 23, 20074 eventsLow pressure developing in the central Plains, spread a swath of freezing rain, snow and sleet across northeast Iowa and extreme northwest Illinois, during the evening of February 23, 2007. This storm system would develop into a major ice storm the next day on February 24.
• Winter Storm in Iowa, February 23 to 25, 2007$470,000 · 8 eventsA powerful winter storm moved from Kansas to the lower Great Lakes, producing a combination of freezing rain, sleet and heavy snow, which virtually paralyzed northeast Iowa. Widespread power outages and tree damage were caused by ice accumulations of 1 to 2 inches.
• Winter Storm in Minnesota, February 23 to 25, 20077 eventsA powerful winter storm moved from Kansas to the lower Great Lakes. This storm produced a combination of significant heavy snow, sleet and ice accumulations, which virtually paralyzed southeast Minnesota.
• Winter Storm in Wisconsin, February 23 to 25, 200713 eventsHeavy snow was widespread across southwest Wisconsin, as a powerful winter storm moved from Kansas to the lower Great Lakes.
• Winter Weather in Illinois, February 23, 20071 eventLow pressure developing in the central Plains, spread a swath of freezing rain, snow and sleet across northeast Iowa and extreme northwest Illinois, during the evening of February 23, 2007. This storm system would develop into a major ice storm the next day on February 24.
• Winter Weather in Wisconsin, February 23 to 24, 20073 deaths · 4 eventsSnowfalls of 3 to almost 6 inches fell overnight across Rock, Walworth, Racine, and Kenosha counties. The snow was heavy and wet, and visibilites were reduced to below 1 mile. Roads became very slippery. Some social activities were cancelled.
• Winter Storm in Wisconsin, February 23 to 24, 20071 death · $20,000 · 13 eventsA winter storm (first of two rounds) consisting of heavy snow with some sleet and freezing rain mixed in, left behind 6 to 8.5 inches of accumulations over several south-central and southeast Wisconsin counties.
• Heavy Snow in Wisconsin, February 23 to 24, 20074 eventsMoisture surging ahead of a developing storm system over the Plains produced heavy snow in central Wisconsin.
• Winter Storm in Minnesota, February 23 to 25, 200742 eventsA strong upper level low pressure system moved from the Rockies on the 22nd, and across much of the Upper Midwest from the 23rd to the 25th.
• Winter Storm in South Dakota, February 23 to 25, 200717 eventsA strong area of low pressure tracking across the central plains brought widespread snowfall to parts of central and much of northeast South Dakota.
• Blizzard and Winter Storm in Minnesota, February 23 to 25, 20078 eventsA powerful storm system moved through the upper midwest in late February, and brought heavy snow to much of northeast Minnesota with localized blizzard conditions along the north shore of Lake Superior.
• Winter Storm in Minnesota, February 24 to 25, 20072 eventsA strong area of low pressure moving across the central plains brought heavy snow of 7 to 10 inches along with some freezing rain and sleet to Big Stone and Traverse counties. Thundersnow also occurred at times during this winter storm.
• Blizzard and Winter Storm in Wisconsin, February 24 to 25, 20075 eventsA powerful storm system moved through the upper midwest in late February, and brought heavy snow to portions of northwest Wisconsin. The snow began falling during the evening of the 24th, with some ice and sleet mixed in at the beginning.
• Heavy Snow in Washington, February 24, 20071 eventA moist westerly flow brought heavy snow to the higher elevations in western Klickitat County. Ten to 11 inches of snow were reported from midnight to 4 pm.
• Winter Storm and Flooding in Iowa, February 24 to 26, 2007$18 million · 53 eventsA major winter storm affected Iowa through the 24th and 25th of February. A powerful upper low moved onto the west coast during the middle of the week, and advanced east through the Rockies during the end of the week.
• Blizzard and Winter Storm in Nebraska, February 24 to 25, 2007$30,000 · 22 eventsAn intense storm system emerging from the Southern Rockies into Kansas and surface low pressure moving across Southern Kansas brought colder air into Western and North Central Nebraska.
• Blizzard in Colorado, February 24, 20078 eventsA winter storm intensified rapidly just to the southeast of Colorado generated snow amounts of only 3 to 6 inches. But, wind gusts over 60 mph at times causing blizzard condtions over most of eastern Colorado.
• Blizzard in Kansas, February 24, 20071 death · 8 eventsA low pressure system moved across the area bringing very strong surface winds and light to moderate snow. Blizzard conditions were reported over eastern Colorado and parts of northwest Kansas and southwest Nebraska during the day.
• Blizzard in Colorado, February 24, 20073 eventsA low pressure system moved across the area bringing very strong surface winds and light to moderate snow. Blizzard conditions were reported over eastern Colorado and parts of northwest Kansas and southwest Nebraska during the day.
• Blizzard in Nebraska, February 24, 20072 eventsA low pressure system moved across the area bringing very strong surface winds and light to moderate snow. Blizzard conditions were reported over eastern Colorado and parts of northwest Kansas and southwest Nebraska during the day.
• Ice Storm and Winter Storm in Iowa, February 24 to 25, 2007$11 million · 21 eventsA widespread and crippling ice/snow storm affected eastern Iowa, northwest and western Illinois, and extreme northeast Missouri on February 24, 2007. This massive ice storm was the worst to affect the region since January 22-23, 1965.
• Blizzard in Colorado, February 24, 200710 eventsA fast moving winter storm caused whiteout conditions to form over the Northeast Plains of Colorado. Interstate 70 was closed from just east of Denver; from Airpark Road, to the Kansas border. Snow drifts up to 3 feet deep were reported.
• Winter Storm in Minnesota, February 24 to 25, 20078 eventsWidespread freezing rain developed on February 24th and produced ice accumulations of near or greater than a quarter inch.
• Winter Storm and Winter Weather in Iowa, February 24 to 25, 200711 eventsWidespread rain and freezing rain developed on February 24th. Most of the freezing rain was northeast of a Sioux Center to Storm Lake line, and ice accumulations of a quarter inch or more resulted in the Spirit lake to Spencer area.
• Winter Storm in South Dakota, February 24 to 25, 20073 eventsA strong low pressure system moved across the central Plains. The northern edge of this system brought heavy snow to south central South Dakota. The precipitation started as a mix of rain, freezing rain, and sleet before changing to snow.
• Heavy Snow in Washington, February 24 to 26, 20071 eventA prolonged winter storm dumped 15 to 30 inches of new snow on the South Washington Cascades.
• Ice Storm and Winter Storm in Illinois, February 24 to 25, 20071 death · 1 injured · $965,000 · 13 eventsA widespread and crippling ice/snow storm affected eastern Iowa, northwest and western Illinois, and extreme northeast Missouri on February 24, 2007. This massive ice storm was the worst to affect the region since January 22-23, 1965.
• Ice Storm in Illinois, February 24, 200712 eventsA strong winter storm lifted into the Midwest from the southern Plains on the 24th, bringing a wintry mix of precipitation to portions of central Illinois. Ice accumulations of one quarter to one inch were common.
• Heavy Snow and Astronomical Low Tide in Oregon, February 24 to 26, 20073 eventsA very strong and wet Pacific storm dumped heavy snow on the Oregon Coast Range and Cascades.
• Winter Storm and Winter Weather in South Dakota, February 24 to 25, 20071 death · 24 eventsWidespread rain and freezing rain developed and changed to snow on February 24th, with snow continuing through the morning of February 25th.
• Winter Storm in Minnesota, February 24 to 25, 200724 eventsA Colorado Low moved across Kansas and into northern Missouri, then shifted northeast into Wisconsin. To the north of this low, an inverted trough set up into the Red River Valley.
• Winter Storm in North Dakota, February 24 to 25, 20075 eventsA Colorado Low moved across Kansas and into northern Missouri, then shifted northeast into Wisconsin. To the north of this low, an inverted trough set up into the Red River Valley.
• Winter Storm in Nebraska, February 24 to 25, 200711 eventsLow pressure tracked across northeast Kansas and into northeast Iowa February 24th through February 25th.
• Blizzard in Kansas, February 24, 20075 eventsVery strong winds developed early in the day on Saturday, February 24th. A band of snow then developed in Central Kansas by late morning and moved southeastward, combining with the high winds to result in blizzard conditions for much of the afternoon and early evening hours…
• Heavy Snow in North Dakota, February 24, 20072 eventsA winter storm moving northeast through the central Midwest brought snow across much of central North Dakota Saturday night February 24th and into early Sunday morning February 25th.|Around 6 inches of snow fell over far south central North Dakota during this event, over…
• Ice Storm in Indiana, February 24 to 25, 200711 eventsAn ice storm caused sporadic power outages and travel difficulties over northern portions of central Indiana on the evening of 24 February 2007.
• Ice Storm in Indiana, February 24 to 25, 20071 death · 1 injured · $600,000 · 23 eventsA late February storm system brought widespread precipitation in the form of mainly freezing rain. Several locations did see periods of sleet during the event, however the ice accumulations posed the greatest threat.
• Blizzard in Wisconsin, February 24 to 25, 200713 eventsAs the winter storm moved across Iowa toward the lower Great Lakes, blizzard conditions affected southwest Wisconsin Saturday night, February 24, and lasted into Sunday morning, February 25.
• Blizzard in Iowa, February 24 to 25, 20078 eventsAs the winter storm moved across Iowa toward the lower Great Lakes, blizzard conditions developed Saturday night, February 24, and lasted into Sunday morning, February 25. Winds gusting to around 40 mph caused white-out conditions, along with considerable blowing and drifting.
• Blizzard in Minnesota, February 24 to 25, 20077 eventsAs the winter storm moved across Iowa toward the lower Great Lakes, blizzard conditions developed Saturday night, February 24, and lasted into Sunday morning, February 25.
• Heavy Snow in Nebraska, February 24 to 25, 20072 eventsRain changed to snow late on February 24th, then moderate to heavy snow continued through that night and into the morning of February 25th. The snow accumulated 7 to 11 inches, severely hampering travel.
• Ice Storm in Ohio, February 24 to 25, 2007$150,000 · 6 eventsA late February storm system brought widespread precipitation in the form of mainly freezing rain. Several locations did see periods of sleet during the event, however the ice accumulations posed the greatest threat.
• Blizzard in Wisconsin, February 24 to 25, 2007$55,000 · 15 eventsThis blizzard was round #2 of a 1-2 Winter Storm/Blizzard, with about a 12 hour separation between rounds.
• Blizzard in Wisconsin, February 24 to 25, 2007$75,000 · 3 eventsA blizzard event affected the counties of Milwaukee, Rock, and Walworth overnight from the 24th into the 25th. Convective bands of heavy snow, with hourly snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches moved through the area as east winds gusted to 30 to 38 knots (35 to 44 mph).
• Winter Storm and Winter Weather in West Virginia, February 24 to 25, 20076 eventsA low pressure system developed over the high plains of eastern Colorado on February 23rd and pushed east to the Ohio Valley by February 25th.
• Winter Storm in Iowa, February 24 to 25, 20073 eventsLow pressure tracked across northeast Kansas and into northeast Iowa February 24th through February 25th.
• Ice Storm in Michigan, February 24 to 25, 2007$90,000 · 3 eventsA late February storm system brought widespread precipitation in the form of mainly freezing rain. Several locations did see periods of sleet during the event, however the ice accumulations posed the greatest threat.
• Winter Storm and Winter Weather in Maryland, February 24 to 25, 200714 eventsA low pressure system developed over the high plains of eastern Colorado on February 23rd and pushed east to the Ohio Valley by February 25th.
• Heavy Snow in North Dakota, February 24 to 25, 20073 eventsA Colorado Low moved across Kansas and into northern Missouri, then shifted northeast into Wisconsin. To the north of this low, an inverted trough set up into the Red River Valley.
• Winter Storm and Winter Weather in Virginia, February 24 to 25, 200721 eventsA low pressure system developed over the high plains of eastern Colorado on February 23rd and pushed east to the Ohio Valley by February 25th.
• Winter Storm in Wisconsin, February 24 to 26, 200722 eventsAn intense low pressure system that moved from the Plains to southern Wisconsin produced heavy snow and strong winds across northeast Wisconsin. Thunder accompanied the snow showers early on the morning of the 25th in east-central Wisconsin.
• Heavy Snow in Michigan, February 24 to 26, 20077 eventsA vigorous low pressure system produced nine to twelve inch snow accumulations across much of central lower Michigan.
• Ice Storm in Maryland, February 24 to 25, 20071 eventA storm system moving across the Ohio Valley produced freezing rain across the region with one quarter inch of ice accumulating in protected valley locations of Garrett county Maryland.
• Winter Storm in Virginia, February 24 to 25, 20071 eventA storm system moved into the Ohio Valley, spreading gulf moisture into the area, while high pressure over New England provided cold air. Mixed precipitation fell across southwest Virginia, but amounts were light.
• Ice Storm in Ohio, February 24 to 25, 2007$260,000 · 11 eventsAn area of low pressure moved from the Plains to the western Great Lakes on February 25th. A warm front stretching east from the low moved north across central and northern Ohio early on the 25th. Rain and freezing fell in association with this front.
• Winter Weather in Virginia, February 25, 20074 eventsLow pressure developed on a warm front as it pushed north through the Mid Atlantic States on February 25, 2007. As the system moved through the area, a mix of snow, sleet, and ice fell over portions of east central Virginia.
• Winter Storm in West Virginia, February 25, 20071 eventA strong upslope wind flow from the east and southeast kept low level temperatures just cold enough for frozen precipitation across Pocahontas County. The snow and sleet accumulated 4 to 8 inches in about a 12 hour period.
• Winter Storm in District of Columbia, February 25, 20071 eventA low pressure system developed over the high plains of eastern Colorado on February 23rd and pushed east to the Ohio Valley by February 25th.
• Winter Storm in Wisconsin, February 25, 20073 eventsThis winter storm event is a continuation of a storm system that initually started off as a blizzard event in these counties. Additional snowfalls of 1 to 2 inches occurred along with some sleet, freezing rain, rain, and thunder mixed in.
• Winter Storm and Winter Weather in Michigan, February 25 to 26, 20071 death · 8 eventsA winter storm system over Iowa weakened as it moved northeast into northern Illinois. Waves of moisture in advance of the storm moved across Southeast Michigan on Sunday, February the 25th and during the early morning hours of the 26th.
• Winter Storm in Wisconsin, February 25, 200715 eventsThis winter storm event was a continuation of storm conditions that existed intially as a blizzard in these counties. During this winter storm, an additional 1 to 3 inches of snow fell, with some sleet, freezing rain, and rain mixed in.
• Winter Storm and Winter Weather in Michigan, February 25 to 26, 200710 eventsLow pressure originating in the Plains moved into the Great Lakes and dumped heavy snow over much of central Upper Michigan on the 25th and 26th.
• Heavy Snow in Idaho, February 25 to 26, 20075 eventsA Pacific storm brought heavy snow amounts to the mountains of southeast Idaho. Heavier amounts were 15 inches at Vienna Mine, 13 inches at Sedgewick Peak, 9 inches at Sheep Mountain, 15 inches at Howell Canyon, 10 inches at Lost Wood Divide, and 12 inches at Galena Summit.
• Winter Storm in Michigan, February 25 to 26, 200714 eventsA low pressure system stalled out over the Southwest Great Lakes region. This resulted in a fairly extensive period of accumulating snowfall and gusty east winds in much of Northern Lower Michigan.
• Heavy Snow and High Wind in California, February 25 to 27, 2007$27,000 · 53 kt wind · 4 eventsA Pacific storm system moved across the Central California Interior on the 25th and brought a foot of snow to the Sierra Nevada from Yosemite to Kings Canyon.
• Winter Weather in Maryland, February 25, 20071 eventLow pressure developed on a warm front as it pushed north through the Mid Atlantic States on February 25, 2007. The system produce light accumulations of snow across the lower Maryland Eastern Shore.
• Winter Storm and Winter Weather in Maryland, February 25 to 26, 20075 eventsA winter storm that featured mixed precipitation affected the Maryland Eastern Shore on the 25th. Snowfall accumulations averaged 2 to 5 inches with up to around one quarter of an inch of ice accruing on exposed surfaces in Cecil County. Precipitation began around Noon EST.
• Winter Storm and Winter Weather in Delaware, February 25 to 26, 20072 deaths · 24 injured · 4 eventsA winter storm that featured mixed precipitation affected Delaware on the 25th. Snowfall accumulations averaged 2 to 4 inches in Kent and New Castle Counties and less than two inches in Sussex County.
• Winter Storm and Winter Weather in Pennsylvania, February 25 to 26, 200710 eventsA winter storm that featured a potpourri of precipitation types affected Eastern Pennsylvania from the afternoon of the 25th into the early morning of the 26th. Snowfall accumulations averaged 1 to 3 inches.
• Winter Storm and Winter Weather in New Jersey, February 25 to 26, 200721 eventsA winter storm that featured a potpourri of precipitation types affected New Jersey from the afternoon of the 25th into the early morning of the 26th. Snowfall accumulations averaged 1 to 4 inches with the highest amounts in Sussex County.
• Ice Storm and Winter Storm in Indiana, February 25 to 26, 20075 eventsA mixed precipitation event developed over northwest Indiana on February 25th. Most areas saw a mix of snow, sleet and rain, though some areas received a quarter inch of ice accumulation. Wind gusts were frequently above 35 mph over much of the area.
• Blizzard and Ice Storm in Illinois, February 25 to 26, 200718 eventsA mixed precipitation event developed over northern Illinois on February 25th. Only far northern Illinois near the Wisconsin border remained mainly snow.
• Heavy Snow in California, February 25 to 26, 20071 eventSnow amounts up to 8 inches overnight on Februrary 25 occured at elelvations as low as 2700 feet. Certain sections of highways were impacted throughout northwestern California.
• Heavy Snow in Oregon, February 26, 20071 eventUp to a foot of snow fell in the North Oregon Coast Range.
• Heavy Snow in Idaho, February 26 to 27, 20072 eventsHeavy snow fell in extreme eastern Idaho. Heaviest amounts were 20 inches at the White Elephant SNOTEL and 12 inches at the Franklin Basin SNOTEL.
• Blizzard and High Wind in Alaska, February 26, 200757 kt wind · 2 eventsA low pressure center just east of Kamchatka on the 23rd began weakening while moving norhteast over Far East Russia on the 24th.
• Winter Storm and Heavy Snow in California, February 26 to 28, 20074 eventsA cold Pacific storm system brought 2 to 3 feet of snow to the Southern Sierra Nevada from the afternoon of the 26th until the morning of the 28th. The largest recorded amount was 36 inches at Huntington Lake (7000 feet msl).
• Heavy Snow in Utah, February 27, 20079 eventsA large cold storm closed out February by bringing 4 to 7 inches of snow to the valleys of Northern Utah and up to 1 1/2 feet in the mountains.
• Winter Storm in Minnesota, February 27 to 28, 200720 eventsA Colorado Low tracked from northwest Missouri to eastern Wisconsin, while an inverted trough extended back into the Red River Valley. This brought a prolonged period of snow to eastern North Dakota and portions of northwest and west central Minnesota.
• Winter Storm in North Dakota, February 27 to 28, 200718 eventsA Colorado Low tracked from northwest Missouri to eastern Wisconsin, while an inverted trough extended back into the Red River Valley. This brought a prolonged period of snow to eastern North Dakota and portions of northwest and west central Minnesota.
• Heavy Snow in South Dakota, February 28, 200710 eventsAnother late February strong low pressure area moving across the central plains spread heavy snow of 6 to 11 inches across northeast South Dakota. Many school and college classes were cancelled and many events were postponed.
• Winter Storm in North Dakota, February 28, 20072 deaths · 25 eventsA low pressure system ejecting out of the Northern Rockies and into Wisconsin brought snow across western and central North Dakota from late Tuesday night February 27th into Wednesday night February 28th.
• Heavy Snow and Winter Weather in South Dakota, February 28, 200717 eventsHeavy wet snow, beginning briefly as rain, accumulated 6 to 12 inches over much of the James River Valley in southeast South Dakota on February 28th.
• Heavy Snow in Minnesota, February 28, 20072 eventsAnother late February strong low pressure area moving across the central plains spread heavy snow of 7 to 9 inches into Big Stone and Traverse counties. Many schools and events were cancelled or postponed. Some vehicle accidents also occurred.
• Winter Storm in Minnesota, February 28, 20077 eventsWithin a week of being hit by the powerful winter storm of February 23 to 25, another winter storm affected southeast Minnesota from February 28 to March 2. This storm produced snow accumulations between 6 and 12 inches.
• Heavy Snow and Winter Weather in Washington, February 28, 20077 injured · $108,000 · 5 eventsA short wave trough associated with a very cold upper low brought areas of heavy snow to parts of the western Washington lowlands, including Western Whatcom County, Everett and Vicinity, Seattle/Bremerton Area, and East Puget Sound Lowlands.
• Winter Storm in Wisconsin, February 28, 20078 eventsWithin a week of being impacted by the winter storm of February 23 to 25, a second winter storm hit southwest Wisconsin from February 28 to March 2. This storm produced snow accumulations of 6 to 10 inches.

Valentines Day BlizzardThe snowstorm of February 26 to March 4, 2007Snow nowEvery winter storm filed

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