The snowstorm of February 28 to March 2, 2005
A snowstorm NOAA ranked in 8 regions on its Regional Snowfall Index, strongest in the Northeast.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast | 3.00 | Category 2, Significant | 174,949 | 58,912,741 | 0 | 0 |
| Northeast | 2.98 | Category 1, Notable | 177,823 | 60,995,775 | 0 | 0 |
| Upper Midwest | 1.89 | Category 1, Notable | 241,133 | 23,490,996 | 0 | 0 |
| Southeast | 1.65 | Category 1, Notable | 90,074 | 21,824,689 | 48 | 3,841 |
| Southeast | 1.47 | Category 1, Notable | 75,034 | 15,355,311 | 19 | 1,451 |
| Ohio Valley | 1.11 | Category 1, Notable | 262,352 | 44,908,150 | 221 | 5,171 |
| Ohio Valley | 0.95 | Below category 1 | 154,345 | 32,463,789 | 413 | 10,469 |
| Upper Midwest | 0.06 | Below category 1 | 46,627 | 9,627,023 | 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
- 571
- Deaths
- 1
- Injuries
- 4
- Damage
- $2.7 million
- Episodes
- 117
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
- Heavy Snow in Wisconsin, February 27, 2005Six to eight inches of snow fell from Solon Springs in central Douglas County to Bayfield and Ashland. Solon Springs and Barnes had 7 inches of snow, Ashland had 7.7 inches, and Bayfield measured 8 inches of new snow. Most of the snow fell overnight.
- Heavy Snow in Michigan, February 27 to 28, 2005A storm system tracking from the High Plains into the Lower Midwest brought heavy synoptic snow to portions of west and central Upper Michigan on the 27th.
- Heavy Snow in Wisconsin, February 27, 2005Heavy snow fell in north-central Wisconsin as a low pressure system moved from Minnesota, across northern Illinois. Lac Vieux Desert, in northeast Vilas county, received 9 inches of snow.
- Heavy Snow in Michigan, February 27 to 28, 2005Six to 11 inches of snow fell across central lower Michigan, primarily north of I-96. Much of the snow fell between 1 pm and 8 pm on the 28th.
- Winter Weather in North Carolina, February 27 to 28, 2005Wet snow, mixed at times with sleet and rain in the valleys, began to fall during the evening hours across the mountains and northern foothills. By 3 AM, accumulations ranged from 1 to 3 inches across the area. Slick roads resulted in a few traffic accidents.
- Winter Weather in North Carolina, February 27 to 28, 2005Wet snow, mixed with rain and sleet at times, began falling across western North Carolina during the evening of the 27th, and continued into the morning hours of the 28th.
- Heavy Snow in West Virginia, February 27 to 28, 2005Mixed rain and wet snow changed to heavy wet snow over the southern mountains early on the 28th. A quick 3 to 6 inches of snow accumulated by dawn on the 28th around Elkhorn, Beckley, Oak Hill, Richwood, and Marlinton.
- Heavy Snow in Virginia, February 27 to 28, 2005Mixed rain and wet snow fell initially on the 28th, before changing to all snow showers during the evening hours of the 28th. Elevation dependent snow accumulations on the 28th were 1 to 3 inches. However, accumulating snow showers continued into the 2nd of March.
- Winter Weather in California, February 27 to 28, 2005Significant snow fell at the higher elevations of the Southern Sierra Nevada and Tulare County Mountains the night of the 27th. Tuolumne Meadows and Badger Pass received 10" of new snow, Lodgepole 9", and Grant Grove 6".
- Heavy Snow in Wisconsin, February 28, 2005Lake effect snow bands brought 8 to 5 inches of snow to far northern Wisconsin. Specific amounts include 12 to 15 inches at Hurley, 11.5" at Mellen, 8.3" at Upson, and 6.8" at Oulu.
- Heavy Snow in North Carolina, February 28, 2005The wet snow became heavier across the mountains and northern foothills during the early morning hours on the 28th. Most locations below 3000 feet changed back to rain before the precipitation ended. A quick 3 to 7 inches of snow accumulated across much of this area.
- Winter Weather in Virginia, February 28, 2005One half inch to 2.5 inches of snow fell across portions of central Virginia. The snow produced slippery roadways, which resulted in several accidents.
- Winter Storm in Virginia, February 28, 2005Three to as much as six inches of snow fell across portions of central Virginia. The snow produced very slippery roadways, which resulted in numerous accidents.
- Heavy Snow in Kentucky, February 28, 2005This snow event actually ended during the afternoon and evening of March 1, 2005. A strong low pressure system moving up the east coast joined forces with an upper level low pressure area, and its associated surface cold front moving in from the plains, to produce a significant…
- Heavy Snow in Tennessee, February 28, 2005A winter storm tracked across northeast Tennessee dumping heavy snow across the higher elevations of northeast Tennessee and the Smoky Mountains. 12 inches of snow was reported at Newfound Gap in Sevier County. 8 inches fell near Cosby in Cocke County.
- Heavy Snow in Virginia, February 28, 2005A winter storm dumped heavy snow across extreme southwest Virginia. 8 inches of snow was reported in Russell County and 3 to 6 inches was reported across the rest of southwest Virginia.
- Winter Weather in Indiana, February 28, 2005A combination of light snow, which developed in advance of an approaching area of low pressure, and road temperatures around freezing, created slippery conditions for motorists across portions of northern Indiana.
- Heavy Snow in North Carolina, February 28, 2005A winter storm moved across the southeastern U.S., then up the east coast during the 27th and 28th of February. Heavy snow fell across the foothills and mountains of northwest North Carolina during the evening of the 27th and through the 28th.
- Heavy Snow in West Virginia, February 28, 2005A winter storm moved across the Southeast U.S. and up the east coast February 27th and 28th. This storm brought heavy snow to southeast West Virginia during the evening of the 27th and for most of the day on the 28th. Snowfall amounts were in the 5 to 8 inch range.
- Heavy Snow in Virginia, February 28, 2005A very strong winter storm moved across the southeastern U.S., then up the east coast during the 28th of February. This storm brought heavy snow amounts to most of southwestern Virginia from the piedmont to the mountains.
- Heavy Snow and Winter Weather in Maryland, February 28, 2005Heavy snow fell across northern parts of the Eastern Shore and a mixture of rain and snow fell across southern parts of the Eastern Shore from the morning of the 28th into the early morning of March 1st. Snow began during the morning of the 28th throughout the Eastern Shore.
- Heavy Snow and Winter Weather in New Jersey, February 28, 2005Heavy snow fell across northern and southwestern New Jersey from the morning of the 28th into the morning of March 1st.
- Heavy Snow and Winter Weather in Delaware, February 28, 2005Heavy snow fell across New Castle County and a mixture of rain and snow fell across Kent County from the morning of the 28th into the early morning of March 1st. Precipitation fell as mainly rain in Sussex County until the rain changed to snow late in the evening of the 28th.
- Heavy Snow in Pennsylvania, February 28, 2005Heavy snow fell across Eastern Pennsylvania from the late morning of the 28th into the morning of March 1st. Snow began during the late morning of the 28th around the Philadelphia Metropolitan Area and spread north and reached the Poconos during the early afternoon.
- Heavy Snow in Michigan, February 28, 2005A slow-moving storm system crossed the southern Great Lakes region, producing snow at the tail end of the month. Most places only saw 2 to 5 inches of snow on the 28th, but there were a few pockets of 6 to 8 inches of accumulation in northern Lower Michigan.
- Winter Storm in Virginia, February 28, 2005A strong coastal low pressure moved from offshore Carolinas to near the mid-Atlantic coast on late Sunday into Monday, February 27-28 2005.
- Winter Storm in Maryland, February 28, 2005A strong coastal low pressure moved from offshore Carolinas to near the mid-Atlantic coast on late Sunday into Monday, February 27-28 2005.
- Winter Storm in West Virginia, February 28, 2005A strong coastal low pressure moved from offshore Carolinas to near the mid-Atlantic coast on late Sunday into Monday, February 27-28 2005.
- Winter Weather in North Carolina, February 28, 2005Snow showers redeveloped during the evening of the 28th, continuing off and on through the evening of the 1st. Additional snowfall accumulations of 1 to 2 inches were observed. The higher elevations along the Tennessee border were the main areas affected.
- Winter Weather in North Carolina, February 28, 2005Snow showers redeveloped during the evening of the 28th, continuing off and on through the afternoon of the 1st, mainly affecting the counties along the Tennessee border. Additional snowfall accumulations of 1 to 2 inches were observed during this time.
- Heavy Snow in New Jersey, February 28, 2005A weak high pressure ridge extended southwest across the region from New England as a low pressure system intensified and moved northeast.
- Heavy Snow in New York, February 28, 2005A weak high pressure ridge extended southwest across the region from New England as a low pressure system intensified and moved northeast.
- Winter Storm in Ohio, March 1 to 2, 2005An area of light snow moved into northeast Ohio during the early morning hours of March 1 as a low pressure system passed to the north of Lake Erie. A cold front associated with the low pressure system passed through the region during the afternoon.
- Winter Storm in Massachusetts, March 1, 2005Heavy snow and gusty winds affected a large portion of Massachusetts and all of southern New England, as low pressure reformed off the mid Atlantic coast and tracked southeast of the region.
- Heavy Snow in Pennsylvania, March 1 to 2, 2005A low pressure system developed over the northeast Gulf of Mexico on Sunday February 27th, and then tracked northeast just off the East Coast during Monday, February 28th.
- Heavy Snow and Winter Weather in New Jersey, March 1, 2005Heavy snow fell across northern and southwestern New Jersey from the morning of February 28th into the morning of the 1st.
- Heavy Snow in West Virginia, March 1 to 2, 2005Snow showers continued from February 28th. Total storm accumulations were 4 to 8 inches for elevations under 2000 feet. Above 2000 feet in elevation, accumulations of 8 to 22 inches were measured. The extreme examples, were Snowshoe and Kumbrabow State Forest.
- Heavy Snow in Pennsylvania, March 1, 2005Heavy snow fell across Eastern Pennsylvania from the late morning of February 28th into the morning of March 1st. Snow began during the late morning of February 28th around the Philadelphia Metropolitan Area and spread north and reached the Poconos during the early afternoon.
- Heavy Snow in Michigan, March 1, 2005Snow that began on the afternoon of February 28th, continued into the morning hours of March 1st. Total snowfall amounts ranged from 5 to 10 inches, with the higher amounts scattered haphazardly across northern Lower Michigan.
- Winter Storm in Rhode Island, March 1, 2005Heavy snow and gusty winds affected Rhode Island and all of southern New England, as low pressure reformed off the mid Atlantic coast and tracked southeast of the region. Snowfall totals of 4 to 8 inches were widely observed.Officially, the snowfall total at T.F.
- Winter Storm and Winter Weather in Maryland, March 1, 2005Heavy snow fell across northern parts of the Eastern Shore and a mixture of rain and snow fell across southern parts of the Eastern Shore from the morning of February 28th into the early morning of the 1st.
- Winter Weather in North Carolina, March 1 to 2, 2005Snow showers redeveloped during the evening of the 28th, continuing off and on through the evening of the 1st. Additional snowfall accumulations of 1 to 2 inches were observed. The higher elevations along the Tennessee border were the main areas affected.
- Heavy Snow in Michigan, March 1, 2005Some higher terrain locations received heavy lake effect snow from February 28th into March 1st in the wake of a storm system tracking through the Lower Midwest.
- Heavy Snow in New Jersey, March 1, 2005A weak high pressure ridge extended southwest across the region from New England as a low pressure system intensified and moved northeast.
- Winter Weather in North Carolina, March 1, 2005Snow showers redeveloped during the evening of the 28th, continuing off and on through the afternoon of the 1st, mainly affecting the counties along the Tennessee border. Snowfall accumulations of 1 to 2 inches were observed during this time.
- Heavy Snow in Pennsylvania, March 1, 2005Rain and snow began 7 AM Feb 28, changed to snow by 9 AM. Snow continued into the night, until just beforenoon Mar 1, when it tapered off to snow showers. Six inches of snow accumulated by midnight the morning of Mar 1. Chalkhill had 8" by 7 AM, and Conemaugh got 7.
- Winter Storm in Connecticut, March 1, 2005Heavy snow and gusty winds affected northern Connecticut and all of southern New England, as low pressure reformed off the mid Atlantic coast and tracked southeast of the region.
- Heavy Snow in Michigan, March 1, 2005Low pressure slowly tracked across the southern Michigan border on February 28th into March 1st. Most locations across southeast Michigan received 4 to 7 inches in a 24 hour period.
- Heavy Snow in Kentucky, March 1, 2005This is a continuation of an event that originally began on February 28, 2005. Snowfall amounts from this event varied from 4 inches on Pine Mountain to 14 inches on Black Mountain.
- Heavy Snow and Winter Weather in Delaware, March 1, 2005Heavy snow fell across New Castle County and a mixture of rain and snow fell across Kent County from the morning of February 28th into the early morning of the 1st.
- Heavy Snow in Virginia, March 1 to 2, 2005Snow showers continued from February 28th. The total storm accumulations of 3 to 10 inches, were highly elevation dependent.
- Winter Storm in New Hampshire, March 1, 2005Heavy snow and gusty winds affected southwest New Hampshire and all of southern New England, as low pressure reformed off the mid Atlantic coast and tracked southeast of the region.
- Heavy Snow in Maryland, March 1, 2005Rain and snow began early in the morning of Feb 28, changed to snow by noon. Snow continued into the night. The heaviest part ended by noon Mar 1, but off and on snow showers added to the storm total through Mar 3. Six inches of snow accumulated by midnight the morning of Mar 1.
- Heavy Snow in Maine, March 1 to 2, 2005Low pressure developed off the southern New England coast during the evening of Monday, February 28, and intensified as it moved into the Gulf of Maine on Tuesday, March 1. Snowfall amounts of 3 to 15 inches fell over southwestern Maine through the early morning hours of March 2.
- Heavy Snow in New Hampshire, March 1 to 2, 2005Low pressure developed off the southern New England coast during the evening of Monday, February 28, and intensified as it moved northeast into the Gulf of Maine on Tuesday, March 1.
- Heavy Snow in New York, March 1, 2005A weak high pressure ridge extended southwest across the region from New England as a low pressure system intensified and moved northeast.
- Winter Weather in Indiana, March 1, 2005Around an inch of snow fell across parts of southwest Indiana, mainly along and south of Interstate 64. Some schools were closed due to the timing of the snowfall, which was coincident with the morning commute. Numerous slide-offs were reported in and around Evansville.
- Heavy Snow in West Virginia, March 1, 2005Rain and snow began early on the morning of Feb 28, changed to snow by 11 AM. Snow continued into the night. The heaviest part ended by noon Mar 1, but snow showers continued off and on through Mar 2. Davis had 7 inches by 7 AM Mar 1 and a total of 13 by 7 AM Mar 3.
- Heavy Snow in Connecticut, March 1, 2005A weak high pressure ridge extended southwest across the region from New England as a low pressure system intensified and moved northeast.
- Heavy Snow in New York, March 1, 2005A strong winter storm brought 8 to 14 inches of snow to all of central New York. Isolated snow amounts were as much as two feet.
- Winter Storm in Pennsylvania, March 1 to 3, 2005Light snow associated with a low pressure spread across northwest Pennsylvania during the early morning hours of March 1.
- Heavy Snow in Pennsylvania, March 1, 2005A strong winter storm brought 8 to 14 inches of snow to all of northeast Pennsylvania. Isolated snow amounts were as much as two feet.
- Heavy Snow in Pennsylvania, March 1, 2005In southwestern Pennsylvania, rain and snow began 7 AM Feb 28, changed to snow by 9 AM. In northwesternPennsylvania, snow began 10 AM Feb 28. Snow continued into the night, until just before noon Mar 1, when it tapered off to snow showers. Most places reported 6" by 3 AM Mar 1.
- Heavy Snow in Ohio, March 1, 2005In east central Ohio, rain began 7 AM Feb 28, changed to snow by 4 PM. Snow continued into the night, until just before noon Mar 1, when it tapered off to snow showers. 6 inches of snow accumulated by 7 AM Mar 1.
- Winter Weather in Kentucky, March 1, 2005An inch or two of snow fell across parts of northwest Kentucky, mainly from the Owensboro area south into Mclean County. Some schools were closed due to the timing of the snowfall, which was coincident with the morning commute.
- Heavy Snow in New York, March 1, 2005An intensifying low over Indiana and Ohio on February 28th lifted slowly across Lake Erie. Snow overspread the area during the late afternoon hours of the 28th.
- Winter Storm in Michigan, March 1 to 2, 2005A strong storm system moved across the southern Great Lakes region, bringing with it a large area of snow.
- Heavy Snow in New York, March 1 to 2, 2005
- Heavy Snow in New York, March 1 to 2, 2005Average total snowfall across Ulster County was 11 inches.
- Heavy Snow in New York, March 1 to 2, 2005
- Heavy Snow in New York, March 1 to 2, 2005The average total snowfall across Dutchess County was 9 inches.
- Winter Storm in Indiana, March 1 to 2, 2005A strong storm system moved across the southern Great Lakes region, bringing with it a large area of snow.
- Heavy Snow in West Virginia, March 1, 2005Rain began 530 AM Feb 28, changed to snow by 11 AM. Snow continued into the night, until just before noon Mar 1, when it tapered off to snow showers. Six inches of snow accumulated by 7 AM Mar 1.
- Heavy Snow in New York, March 1 to 2, 2005Average total snowfall across Greene County was 11 inches.
- Winter Weather in Tennessee, March 1, 2005Light snow showers resulted in 1/4 to 1/2 inch of snow across the higher terrain of Franklin County including Sewanee.
- Winter Weather in Alabama, March 1, 2005Light snow showers resulted in 1/4 to 1/2 inch of snow across northeast Jackson County including the cities of Stevenson and Bridgeport.
- Heavy Snow in New York, March 1 to 2, 2005
- Heavy Snow in New York, March 1 to 2, 2005Average total snowfall across Columbia County was 10 inches.
- Heavy Snow in New York, March 1 to 2, 2005
- Heavy Snow in Maine, March 1, 2005Intense low pressure tracking north through the Gulf of Maine to New Brunswick brought heavy snow and gusty winds to the region. Storm total snow accumulations generally ranged from 4 to 8 inches.
- Winter Storm in Maine, March 1, 2005Intense low pressure tracking north through the Gulf of Maine to New Brunswick brought heavy snow and gusty winds to the region. Storm total snow accumulations generally ranged from 5 to 9 inches.
- Heavy Snow in New York, March 1 to 2, 2005Average total snowfall across Schenectady County was 11 inches.
- Heavy Snow in New York, March 1 to 2, 2005Average total snowfall across Schoharie County was 10 inches.
- Heavy Snow in New York, March 1 to 2, 2005Average total snowfall across Rensselaer County was 11 inches.
- Heavy Snow in New York, March 1 to 2, 2005
- Heavy Snow in New York, March 1 to 2, 2005
- Heavy Snow in New York, March 1 to 2, 2005
- Heavy Snow in New York, March 1 to 2, 2005Average total snowfall across Albany County was 13 inches.
- Heavy Snow in New York, March 1 to 2, 2005
- Heavy Snow in New York, March 1 to 2, 2005Average total snowfall across Washington County was 11 inches.
- Heavy Snow in New York, March 1 to 2, 2005
- Heavy Snow in New York, March 1 to 2, 2005Average total snowfall across Saratoga County was 12 inches.
- Heavy Snow in New York, March 1 to 2, 2005Average total snowfall across Montgomery County was 9 inches.
- Heavy Snow in New York, March 1 to 2, 2005
- Heavy Snow in New York, March 1 to 2, 2005Average total snowfall across Fulton County was 9 inches.
- Heavy Snow in Michigan, March 1 to 2, 2005Lake effect snow confined to portions of Allegan and Van Buren counties resulted in 8 to 9 inches of accumulation across northern Van Buren county between Paw Paw and Bloomingdale. Approximately 6 to 9 inches of snow was reported across western and southern Allegan county.
- Winter Weather in Maryland, March 1 to 2, 2005mod-heavy snow occurred especially in the higher elevations
- Winter Storm in West Virginia, March 1 to 2, 2005mod-heavy snow occurred esp in the higher elevations
- Heavy Snow in Vermont, March 1 to 2, 2005
- Heavy Snow in Vermont, March 1 to 2, 2005The average total snowfall across Windham County was 11 inches.
- Heavy Snow in Vermont, March 1 to 2, 2005The average total snowfall across Bennington County was 12 inches.
- Heavy Snow in Maine, March 1 to 2, 2005Intense low pressure tracking north through the Gulf of Maine to New Brunswick brought heavy snow and gusty winds to the region. Storm total snow accumulations generally ranged from 7 to 12 inches with localized totals to around 15 inches.
- Heavy Snow in New York, March 1 to 2, 2005Average total snowfall across Hamilton County was 8 inches.
- Heavy Snow in New York, March 1 to 2, 2005
- Heavy Snow in New York, March 1 to 2, 2005The average total snowfall across Herkimer County was 8 inches.
- Heavy Snow in Connecticut, March 1 to 2, 2005
- Heavy Snow in Connecticut, March 1 to 2, 2005The average snowfall across Litchfield County was 9 inches.
- Heavy Snow in New York, March 1 to 2, 2005
- Heavy Snow in New York, March 1 to 2, 2005A surface low pressure was centered along the mid-Atlantic Coast at the beginning of March. This storm tracked northeastward well off the eastern seaboard, reaching southeast of Cape Cod by midday on March 1. The storm then moved into the Gulf of Maine by late on March 1.
- Heavy Snow in Massachusetts, March 1 to 2, 2005
- Heavy Snow in Massachusetts, March 1 to 2, 2005The average total snowfall across Berkshire County was 11 inches.
- Heavy Snow in North Carolina, March 1 to 2, 2005Snow developed during the evening across the northern mountains, as strong northwest winds developed in the wake of a cold front. 2 to 4 inches of snow accumulated in addition to that which fell across the area on the morning of the 28th.
- Winter Storm in Vermont, March 1, 2005A storm system off the Carolinas on Monday, February 28th moved to the Gulf of Maine the afternoon and evening of Tuesday, March 1st.
- Winter Storm in New York, March 1, 2005A storm system off the Carolinas on Monday, February 28th moved to the Gulf of Maine the afternoon and evening of Tuesday, March 1st.
- Winter Storm in Vermont, March 1, 2005A storm system off the Carolinas on Monday, February 28th moved to the Gulf of Maine the afternoon and evening of Tuesday, March 1st.
- Blizzard in Alaska, March 2 to 3, 2005High pressure near Wrangell Island with low pressure over the Gulf of Alaska created moderate north winds over the far western coast of Alaska. The high strengthen some which increased winds and produced a period of blizzard conditions to several locations over western Alaska.
- Heavy Snow in New York, March 2 to 3, 2005A northwest flow across Lake Erie resulted in an intense lake effect snow across the higher elevations of the western southern tier of New York during the evening of March 2nd and continuing through the afternoon of the 3rd.
More
The snowstorm of January 22 to 24, 2005The snowstorm of February 10 to 14, 2006Snow nowEvery winter storm filed
Sources
NOAA NCEI Regional Snowfall Index, and the Storm Events Database for the episodes.