The snowstorm of January 12 to 17, 1997

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

1,328

Deaths

27

Injuries

63

Damage

$38 million

Episodes

166

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.

• Blizzard in Alaska, January 10 to 12, 19971 eventA weather front moving over an existing strong pressure gradient across the outer West Coast of Alaska produced high winds and blizzard conditions. Winds at Tin City peaked at 40 kts sustained, at Gambell 45 kts sustained, gust 55 kts.
• Heavy Snow in New York, January 10 to 14, 1997$47,000 · 3 eventsAn intense band of lake effect snow brought unprecedented amount of snow to the eastern Lake Ontario region. Snowfall rates of three to six inches per hour were received. Snow totals for the four day event ranged from five to seven feet! Isolated areas exceeded 84".
• Heavy Snow in North Carolina, January 10 to 11, 199713 eventsHeavy snow fell in the mountains resulting in accumulations of 3 to 6 inches. The highest totals were reported from Graham and Jackson counties. Over 200 car wrecks were reported in western North Carolina during the snow.
• Heavy Snow in North Carolina, January 10 to 11, 19973 eventsHeavy snow developed across the mountains of northwestern North Carolina during the evening hours on the 10th. Snowfall accumulations ranged from 3 to 6 inches across Watauga, Ashe, and Alleghany Counties. Snow covered and slippery road conditions resulted in several accidents.
• Winter Weather in Georgia, January 10 to 11, 19972 eventsOne to two inches of snow fell.
• Lake-Effect Snow in New York, January 10 to 11, 1997$50,000 · 8 eventsCold air blowing across Lake Ontario resulted in Lake Effect Snow across portions of the following New York counties: St. Lawrence, Franklin, Essex and Clinton.
• Heavy Snow in Virginia, January 10 to 11, 19972 eventsHeavy snow during the late evening hours on the 10th and the early morning hours on the 11th deposited 4 to 5 inches of snow in Smyth and Tazewell Counties. Slippery road condition resulted in several traffic accidents.
• Winter Weather in Maryland, January 11, 19975 eventsA weak low pressure system developed over Virginia the night of the 10th along a secondary cold front. As the low moved northeast and reached Block Island, Rhode Island during the morning of the 11th, a swath of light snow accompanied it during the pre-dawn hours.
• Winter Weather in Delaware, January 11, 19972 eventsA weak low pressure system developed over Virginia the night of the 10th along a secondary cold front. As the low moved northeast and reached Block Island Rhode Island during the morning of the 11th, a swath of light snow accompanied it during the pre-dawn hours.
• Cold in New Mexico, January 11, 19971 death · 1 eventA man from Gamerco died from exposure in west Gallup. Overnight weather was clear and cold with a low of 16 degrees.
• Winter Weather in New Jersey, January 11, 199714 eventsA weak low pressure system developed over Virginia the night of the 10th along a secondary cold front. As the low moved northeast and reached Block Island Rhode Island during the morning of the 11th, a swath of light snow accompanied it during the pre-dawn and morning hours.
• Winter Weather in Pennsylvania, January 11, 19975 eventsA low pressure system developed over Virginia along a secondary cold front the evening of the 10th. It spread a swath of light snow across Southeast Pennsylvania during the predawn and morning hours of the 11th. Accumulations averaged between 1.0 and 2.5 inches.
• Heavy Snow in Montana, January 11, 19971 eventEnnis received 7 inches of new snow and Alder received 6 inches.
• Heavy Snow in Rhode Island, January 11, 19975 eventsA developing low pressure system south of Long Island spread snow across the entire state. Snowfall totals ranged from about 4 inches along the south coast to 7 inches in the northwest corner of the state. The maximum total was 7.4 inches at North Foster.
• Heavy Snow in Massachusetts, January 11, 199710 eventsA developing low pressure system south of Long Island spread bands of heavy snow across southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod, and the Islands. Six to nine inches of snow fell from just south of Boston to northern Rhode Island and southeastward to Cape Cod.
• Cold in North Carolina, January 11, 19971 death · 1 eventA man died outside his home, at least in part because of exposure to the cold.
• Winter Storm in New Mexico, January 11 to 14, 19971 death · 14 eventsThe second winter storm in less than a week dumped another 20 to 45 inches of fresh snow across northern New Mexico in a period of 48 to 72 hours.
• Heavy Snow in Texas, January 11 to 12, 199711 eventsSnowfall across the northern and eastern Texas panhandle ranged from 4 inches at Dalhart and Miami to 8 inches at Shamrock.
• Heavy Snow in Oklahoma, January 11 to 12, 19971 eventSnowfall across the western Oklahoma panhandle ranged from 4 to 5 inches.
• Blizzard in Idaho, January 11, 19972 eventsBlizzard conditions occurred in Southeast Idaho due to strong winds and 1-3 inches of new snow. Several communities in Bannock, Bingham, Minidoka and Lincoln counties reported 30 to 45 mph winds and visiblities at 1/4 mile or less. In Springfield, winds were sustained to 60 mph.
• Winter Storm in Texas, January 11 to 14, 1997$1.0 million · 27 eventsA second strong cold front moved into central Texas on the evening of Friday, January 10th, and again temperatures began to drop steadily across the area. Again, an upper level disturbance moving through the southwestern U.S.
• Winter Weather in Oklahoma, January 11 to 12, 199716 eventsOn January 11, a Sunday, 2 to 3 inches of snow fell over southwest Oklahoma with a band of heavy snow over Altus where snow measured 4 inches.
• Cold in Nebraska, January 11 to 12, 19976 eventsStrong northwest winds combined with cold temperatures to generate wind chills of 40 to 50 below zero.
• Cold in Nebraska, January 12, 199710 eventsStrong northwest winds combined with cold temperatures to generate wind chills of 40 to 50 below zero.
• Cold in Iowa, January 12, 19974 eventsStrong northwest winds combined with cold temperatures to produce wind chills of 40 to 50 below.
• Heavy Snow in New York, January 12 to 14, 19972 eventsA strong push of cold air from central Canada invaded central New York on the evening of the 11th. By the early morning hours of the 12th, this cold air was interacting with the relatively warm waters of Lake Ontario to produce heavy lake effect snow.
• Cold in Wyoming, January 12 to 13, 19976 eventsStrong winds of 30 to 40 MPH combined with temperatures around zero degrees to create dangerously cold wind chills in southeast Wyoming. Wind chills of 70 below zero were recorded at Arlington as well as at the summit of Interstate 80 between Cheyenne and Laramie at 1050 AM.
• Ice Storm in Texas, January 12 to 13, 19973 deaths · 23 eventsFreezing rain/sleet event occured on the 12th-13th. Trees, powerlines and roadways were all effected. The weight of the ice caused trees and powerlines to snap/fall. Glazed roadways posed hazardous driving conditions.
• Cold in Illinois, January 12, 19971 death · 1 eventA man found on his driveway, died of cold exposure and chronic alcoholism.
• Ice Storm in Louisiana, January 12 to 15, 199717 eventsWith Artic air over northern Louisiana an upper level storm system moved out of central Texas drawing copious amounts of moisture northward from the Gulf of Mexico.
• Ice Storm in Oklahoma, January 12 to 15, 19971 eventFor the second time this month another surge of Artic air plunged southward across the region. The cold front responsible for the Artic air stalled along the Gulf Coast states and a low pressure system formed along the front in the nothwest Gulf of Mexico.
• Ice Storm in Louisiana, January 12 to 14, 19972 deaths · 15 injured · $12 million · 6 eventsA record ice storm hit southwest Louisiana and southeast Texas. The hardest hit area was Calcasieu Parish. Over 40,000 electric customers were without power for up to six days due to the number of downed trees and power lines.
• Ice Storm in Texas, January 12 to 14, 19971 death · 20 injured · $18 million · 3 eventsA record ice storm paralyzed southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana. Around 90,000 electric customers across southeast Texas were without power for up to six days. Emergency shelters were opended for several nights due to the cold weather following the ice storm.
• Ice Storm in Texas, January 12 to 15, 199711 eventsFreezing rain with sleet accumulated to depths of 1/4 to 1/2 inch across the region. Several highways were closed and numerous traffic accidents occurred. Isolated power outages from fallen power lines also occurred.
• Winter Storm in Texas, January 12 to 14, 19975 eventsCold arctic air settled over west central Texas on the 11th. Warm and moist air from the Gulf of Mexico moved northwest above the frigid air on the night of the 11th.
• Cold in Texas, January 12 to 14, 19974 eventsTemperatures in the upper 20s to near 30 and extensive freezing drizzle caused damage to tropical ornamental plants, sugar cane, aloe, and some citrus.
• Winter Weather in Texas, January 12 to 13, 199748 eventsAnother major winter storm developed into the southwestern United States on the 11th and 12th while arctic air remained entrenched over the southern plains. An upper level disturbance moved away from the developing storm and toward Texas late on the 12th.
• Heavy Snow in Nevada, January 12 to 13, 19971 eventA strong winter storm dropped heavy snow over parts of East Central Nevada. 24 hour totals were: 12 inches at Ruth...10 miles west of Ely, and 7 inches in the city of Ely.
• Heavy Snow in Arizona, January 12 to 13, 19971 eventUp to 12 inches of snow fell on the Northwest Arizona plateau and deserts above 4000 feet during a 24 hour period. Chloride reported a foot of snow on the ground and 15 to 18 inches fell on Hualapai Mountain above 6000 feet.
• Heavy Snow in Montana, January 13, 19971 eventBig Sky ski resort received 7 inches of new snow.
• Heavy Snow in Nevada, January 13, 19971 eventA winter storm dropped heavy snow over parts of East Central Nevada. 24 hour totals at Eureka were 8 inches.
• Cold in Colorado, January 13 to 14, 19977 eventsA combination of brisk northerly winds and a bitter cold Arctic airmass allowed for dangerous wind chill temperatures to develop over a large portion of the northeast plains. Wind chill readings generally ranged from 25 below zero to 40 below zero.
• Heavy Snow in Nevada, January 13, 19972 eventsA strong winter storm dropped heavy snow over parts of East Central Nevada. 24 hour snowfall totals ending at 6:00 pm included: 12 inches at Ruth...10 miles west of Ely, 8 inches at Eureka and 7 inches at Ely.
• Heavy Snow in Oklahoma, January 14, 19978 eventsHeavy snow fell throughout the morning of January 14th over north-central Oklahoma. Areas from Enid to Mulhall and eastward received upwards of 2 inches, with a maximum of 4 inches from Perry to Stillwater.
• Cold in Illinois, January 14, 19971 death · 1 eventThe frozen body of a man was found in a ditch covered with snow.Time of death is unknown.
• Ice Storm in Texas, January 14 to 15, 19978 eventsIce accumulations of 1/4 to 1/2 inch occurred across portions of northeast Texas. Several traffic accidents resulted.
• Ice Storm in Arkansas, January 14 to 15, 19976 eventsFor the second time in this month another surge of Artic air plunged southward. The cold front responsible for the Artic air stalled along the Gulf Coast states and a low pressure system formed along the front in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico.
• Ice Storm in Oklahoma, January 14 to 15, 19971 eventAbundant low level moisture pumped northward from the Gulf of Mexico resulted in ice accumulations of 1/4 to 1/2 inch. Several traffic accidents was a result.
• Cold in Illinois, January 14, 19971 death · 1 eventA woman was found dead on the back patio of her home after being exposed to the cold.
• Winter Storm in California, January 14 to 15, 19973 eventsA cold Pacific storm produced more snow across the mountains and high deserts of Southern California. In themountains, 4 to 8 inches of snow fell. The snow forced the closure of Highway 39 north of Coldbrook andportions of Interstate 5 in northern Los Angeles county.
• Winter Weather in Texas, January 14 to 15, 199723 eventsDuring the late night hours of the 14th and early morning hours of the 15th, the upper level storm moved across the southern plains. Strong southerly winds ahead of the storm brought warmer temperatures into the area a few thousand feet above the surface.
• Heavy Snow in Wisconsin, January 15, 19971 eventTwo upper-level weather disturbances swept across southeast Wisconsin and produced two separate periods of snow. Eventually 8 inches was recorded in the city of Racine. There was no snowfall in the 3 hour period of 1200-1500 CST.
• Ice Storm in Missouri, January 15, 199711 eventsAn ice storm coated surfaces with up to an inch of ice. The worst icing was around Dexter and Bloomfield, where an inch of ice was reported. Elsewhere across southeast Missouri, around a half inch of ice accumulated.
• Heavy Snow in Montana, January 15, 19973 events4 to 6 inches of snow fell over central Montana in and around the Little Belt, Big Belt, and Highwood mountains.
• Winter Storm in Illinois, January 15 to 17, 19971 death · 7 injured · 35 eventsA winter storm developed over the central Rockies and moved east into the Midwest. The storm brought between 4 and 6 inches of snow to a large part of central Illinois north of I-70.
• Cold in Minnesota, January 15 to 16, 199715 eventsTemperatures in the teens below zero combined with winds gusting to 30 mph to create life-threatening wind chills of 60 to 70 degrees below zero. This prompted the governor to close all Minnesota schools on the 15th.
• Cold in Nebraska, January 15 to 16, 199724 eventsBitterly cold wind chills returned to South Central Nebraska again aboard strong north winds. Temperatures dropped sharply into the single digits. In turn, wind chill factors ranged from 35 to 50 below zero for much of a two day period.
• Winter Storm in Iowa, January 15 to 17, 199721 eventsA winter storm hit the area just before the beginning of the Martin Luther King Jr. weekend. This meant that many schools and other businesses were closed for six days.
• Ice Storm in Illinois, January 15, 199719 eventsFreezing rain coated surfaces with around a half inch of ice. Travel became very difficult in a short period of time. The weather prompted Southern Illinois University in Carbondale to shut down for the fourth time in 30 years.
• Ice Storm in Kentucky, January 15, 199715 eventsA morning ice storm produced around a quarter inch of ice west of Kentucky Lake and from Paducah to Henderson. Ice caused numerous traffic accidents, especially on secondary roads. The temperature warmed above freezing by noon, changing the freezing rain to plain rain.
• Winter Storm in Illinois, January 15 to 17, 199713 eventsA winter storm hit the area just before the beginning of the Martin Luther King Jr. weekend. This meant that many schools and other businesses were closed for six days.
• Blizzard in South Dakota, January 15 to 16, 199710 events
• Winter Storm in Kansas, January 15, 19971 eventA mixture of snow and freezing rain resulted in slippery roadways across Miami County. A least 6 traffic accidents were attributed to the icy roadways. Less than an inch of ice and snow accumulated.
• Winter Storm in Indiana, January 15 to 18, 199714 eventsA winter storm brought 4 to 6 inches of snow to northern Indiana on January 15. The snow was followed by strong winds and cold temperatures creating wind chills of 20 to 40 below zero. Lake effect snow developed in north central Indiana on the 16th.
• Cold in Wisconsin, January 15 to 16, 19978 eventsTemperatures in the teens below zero combined with winds gusting to 30 mph to create life-threatening wind chills of 60 to 70 degrees below zero. The winds also caused travel problems due to blowing and drifting of snow.
• Winter Storm in Illinois, January 15 to 18, 19975 deaths · 18 eventsOn January 15th, 4 to 6 inches of snow fell across much of northern Illinois. A narrow band of heavy snow fell from Aurora, in southeast Kane County, to southern Lake County Illinois.
• Blizzard in North Dakota, January 15 to 16, 19972 deaths · 10 injured · $6.3 million · 7 eventsThe 3rd blizzard to hit North Dakota in less than 3 weeks affected mainly the east-central and eastern part of the state. Again, like the previous blizzard, the winds was the major weather factor. Wind gusts at times were over 50 mph.
• Winter Storm in Indiana, January 15 to 16, 199741 eventsA winter storm in the plain states moved into Indiana on January 15th producing rain, freezing rain, sleet and snow across most parts of the state. Freezing rain did not result in widespread power outages but did lead to numerous car accidents.
• Ice Storm in Indiana, January 15, 19976 eventsFreezing rain glazed many surfaces with around a quarter inch of ice.
• Blizzard in South Dakota, January 15, 199726 eventsAn intense Arctic High brought widespread blizzard conditions and dangerous wind chills of 40 to 70 below to central and northeast South Dakota. One to 3 inches of snow fell on top of the already deep snowpack of 2 to 5 feet.
• Blizzard in Minnesota, January 15, 199717 eventsAn arctic front plunged south across the area, bringing less than an inch of snow to northwest Minnesota. However, strong winds created blizzard conditions across the area. Fergus Falls reported a wind gust to 55 knots and Hallock reported a gust to 45 knots.
• Blizzard in North Dakota, January 15, 199717 eventsAn arctic front plunged south across the area, bringing less than an inch of snow to eastern North Dakota. However, strong winds created blizzard conditions across the area. Fargo reported a peak wind of 49 knots and Devils Lake had a gust to 44 knots.
• Heavy Snow in Pennsylvania, January 15 to 16, 19971 eventSnow fell heavily over Sullivan County with as much as 8.0 inches at LaPorte. Elsewhere, snowfall was much lighter, accumulating 1 to 3 inches.
• Winter Storm in Michigan, January 15 to 16, 19971 eventLOW PRESSURE CROSSING THE GREAT LAKES BROUGHT ISOLATED AREAS OF HEAVIER SNOW TO NORTHERN LOWER MICHIGAN FROM THE AFTERNOON OF THE 15TH INTO THE EARLY MORNING HOURS OF THE 16TH. SNOWFALL TOTALS ACROSS THE COUNTY RANGED FROM 6 TO 9 INCHES.
• Winter Storm in Michigan, January 15 to 16, 19971 eventLOW PRESSURE CROSSING THE GREAT LAKES BROUGHT ISOLATED AREAS OF HEAVIER SNOW TO PORTIONS OF NORTHERN LOWER MICHIGAN FROM THE AFTERNOON OF THE 15TH INTO THE EARLY MORNING HOURS OF THE 16TH. SNOWFALL TOTALS ACROSS THE COUNTY RANGED FROM 6 TO 10 INCHES.
• Winter Storm in Michigan, January 15 to 16, 19971 eventLOW PRESSURE CROSSING THE GREAT LAKES BROUGHT ISOLATED AREAS OF HEAVIER SNOW TO NORTHERN LOWER MICHIGAN FROM THE AFTERNOON OF THE 15TH INTO THE EARLY MORNING HOURS OF THE 16TH. SNOWFALL TOTALS ACROSS THE COUNTY RANGED FROM 6 TO 8 INCHES.
• Cold in Kansas, January 15 to 16, 19976 eventsA stiff north wind combined with plunging temperatures to force wind chill factors to near 35 below zero across North Central Kansas.
• Winter Weather in North Carolina, January 15, 199712 events
• Blizzard in Michigan, January 15 to 16, 199713 eventsStrong northwest winds between low pressure moving to the east of Upper Michigan and high pressure in the Plains combined with deep snow cover to produce blizzard conditions between the evening of the 15th and the afternoon of the 16th.
• Cold in South Dakota, January 15 to 16, 19972 deaths · 2 injured · 24 eventsTemperatures a few degrees below zero were accompanied by wind gusts over 40 mph creating wind chills as cold as 70 below zero. Drifting snow and areas of low visibility in blowing snow also occurred in open areas.
• Blizzard in Minnesota, January 15 to 16, 199719 eventsA strong cold front swept through the area increasing wind speeds to 25 to 40 mph with occasional gusts to 50 mph. Simultaneouly, temperatures plummeted well below zero resulting in wind chills of 40 to 65 below zero.
• Blizzard in Minnesota, January 15 to 16, 19972 eventsAn intense Arctic High brought widespread blizzard conditions and dangerous wind chills to Big Stone and Traverse counties. One to 3 inches of snow fell on top of an already deep snowpack of 2 to 4 feet.
• Cold in Minnesota, January 15 to 16, 199742 eventsGovernor of Minnesota canceled school on 1/16 due to extreme wind chills. Wind chills in 40 to 60 below range much of period. Coldest wind chill noted was 63 below at Alexandria at 7 am on 1/16.
• Cold in Wisconsin, January 15 to 16, 19979 eventsStrong northwest winds of 25 to 40 mph in combination with temperatures around or below zero dropped windchills into the 40 to the 40 to 60 below zero range.
• Blizzard in Iowa, January 15 to 16, 199711 events
• Winter Storm in Wisconsin, January 15 to 16, 199713 eventsWinds of 20 to 30 mph caused considerable blowing and drifting snow. Travel became nearly impossible in open country and higher terrain where visibility was reduced to less than 1/4 mile.
• Winter Storm in Iowa, January 15 to 16, 19978 eventsStrong winds gusting to 40 mph caused considerable blowing and drifting snow. Travel was impossible in areas west of Decorah and West Union due to whiteout conditions.
• Winter Storm in Minnesota, January 15 to 16, 19977 eventsStrong winds gusting to 40 mph caused considerable blowing and drifting snow. Travel was impossible in areas west of Rochester due to whiteout conditions.
• Cold in Colorado, January 15 to 16, 19973 eventsBrisk northerly winds combined with frigid Arctic air to create another round of dangerous wind chill temperatures over extreme northeast Colorado. Wind chill readings generally ranged from 25 below zero to 50 below zero.
• Blizzard in Nebraska, January 15 to 16, 19974 eventsA strong arctic cold front moved south from Canada through the central plains as low pressure moved east along the U.S./Canadian border into southeast Canada. Strong winds gusted over 60 mph.
• Winter Weather in North Carolina, January 15, 19973 eventsUnusual thunder snowshowers moved across the foothills and piedmont during the afternoon causing rapid accumulations ranging from 1/2 inch to 3 inches. Freezing rain followed in the northern mountains with several accidents reported.
• Blizzard in Iowa, January 15 to 16, 19973 eventsA strong arctic cold front moved south from Canada through the central plains as low pressure moved east along the U.S./Canadian border into southeast Canada. Strong winds gusted over 60 mph.
• Cold in Iowa, January 15 to 16, 1997$750,000 · 51 eventsDuring the night of the 14th into the morning of the 15th a low pressure tracked east, then northeast across the central U.S. The low passed south of Iowa, leaving behind a fresh 2 to 5 inches of fluffy snow. There was no wind associated with this snowfall.
• Cold in Nebraska, January 15 to 16, 19979 eventsA strong arctic cold front raced south from southern Canada through the central plains behind low pressure that moved east along the U.S. Canadian border.
• Cold in Iowa, January 15 to 16, 19971 eventStrong northwest winds gusting to 60 mph combined with cold temperatures to generate wind chills of 40 to 70 below zero.
• Winter Storm in Missouri, January 15 to 16, 199726 eventsA winter storm started the night of the 15th with a mix of freezing rain and sleet across much of central, east and northeast Missouri. from 1/4 to 1/2 inch of ice was left on area roads by the morning of the 16th, creating a mess for the morning commute.
• Heavy Snow in Michigan, January 15 to 16, 19978 eventsIn a 23 hour period lake effect snows piled up at depths of 9 to 12 inches throughout the affected area. High winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 40 mph created blizzard conditions for most of the day.
• Winter Storm in Illinois, January 15 to 16, 199716 eventsFreezing rain and sleet began falling late on the night of the 15th coating the area with a layer of ice by the morning rush. Numerous auto accidents occurred along with some power outages, and most area school were closed.
• Winter Storm in Pennsylvania, January 16, 19974 eventsA large high pressure system brought a cold and dry air mass into Eastern Pennsylvania. As the high drifted off the Middle Atlantic Coast, a slow moving cold front tapped the moisture in the Gulf of Mexico and dropped heavy precipitation across the area.
• Heavy Snow in Pennsylvania, January 16 to 17, 19972 eventsCold arctic winds, blowing across partially open waters of Lake Erie, contributed to lake effect snow that piled heavy snow across parts of northwest Pennsylvania. A total of 6 inches fell in Franklin, Venango County.
• Cold in Nebraska, January 16, 19979 eventsStrong northwest winds gusting to 55 mph combined with cold temperatures to generate wind chills of 40 to 65 below zero.
• Winter Weather in Pennsylvania, January 16, 19974 eventsA large high pressure system brought a cold and dry air mass into Eastern Pennsylvania. As the high drifted off the Middle Atlantic Coast, a slow moving cold front tapped the moisture in the Gulf of Mexico and dropped heavy precipitation across the area.
• Cold in Iowa, January 16, 19973 eventsStrong northwest winds gusting to 55 mph combined with cold temperatures to generate wind chills in the 40 to 60 below zero range.
• Winter Weather in Vermont, January 16, 1997$25,000 · 5 eventsA cold front moved across the northeast during Thursday, January 16, 1997. Gusty winds and a mixture of light snow, sleet and freezing rain preceded and accompanied the front. Snow squalls followed the front.
• Blizzard in Wisconsin, January 16, 199712 eventsFrequent ground blizzard conditions affected the rural areas of southcentral and southeast Wisconsin as bitter cold air poured into this area on northwest winds gusting to 40 mph.
• Winter Weather in New Jersey, January 16, 19974 eventsA large high pressure system brought a cold and dry air mass into New Jersey. As the high drifted off the Middle Atlantic Coast, a slow moving cold front tapped the moisture in the Gulf of Mexico and dropped heavy precipitation across the area.
• Winter Storm in New Jersey, January 16, 19972 eventsA large high pressure system brought a cold and dry air mass into Northwest New Jersey. As the high drifted off the Middle Atlantic Coast, a slow moving cold front tapped the moisture in the Gulf of Mexico and dropped heavy precipitation across the area.
• Cold in Nebraska, January 16, 199711 eventsStrong northwest winds combined with cold temperatures to generate wind chills of 40 to 55 below zero.
• Cold in Iowa, January 16, 19974 eventsStrong northwest winds combined with cold temperatures to generate wind chills in the 40 to 55 below zero range.
• Cold in Wisconsin, January 16, 199713 eventsWind chills of 30 below to 50 below forced the closure of schools throughout western and central Wisconsin.
• Cold in Iowa, January 16, 19978 eventsWind chills of 35 below to 55 below persisted throughout the day, forcing schools to close across northeast Iowa.
• Cold in Minnesota, January 16, 19977 eventsWind chills of 40 below to 60 below persisted during the day, prompting the closure of schools throughout southeast Minnesota.
• Heavy Snow in New York, January 16 to 18, 1997$31,000 · 5 eventsLake effect snows dropped between six and twelve inches of snow in intense bands off Lake Erie. The snows combined with strong winds to produce hazardous conditions. The New York State Thruway was closed between Henrietta and Depew for a good portion of the 17th.
• Blizzard in Michigan, January 16, 19971 eventBLIZZARD CONDITIONS DEVELOPED AS MERGING LOWS RAPIDLY INTENSIFIED NORTHEAST OF THE STATE. AS THE LOW DEEPENED...NORTHWEST WINDS INCREASED TO SUSTAINED SPEEDS OF 25 TO 35 MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS. WIDESPREAD BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW PRODUCED WHITEOUT CONDITIONS.
• Blizzard in Michigan, January 16, 19971 eventBLIZZARD CONDITIONS DEVELOPED AS MERGING LOWS RAPIDLY INTENSIFIED NORTHEAST OF THE STATE. AS THE LOW DEEPENED...NORTHWEST WINDS INCREASED TO SUSTAINED SPEEDS OF 25 TO 35 MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS. WIDESPREAD BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW PRODUCED WHITEOUT CONDITIONS.
• Blizzard in Michigan, January 16, 19971 eventBLIZZARD CONDITIONS DEVELOPED AS MERGING LOWS RAPIDLY INTENSIFIED NORTHEAST OF THE STATE. AS THE LOW DEEPENED...NORTHWEST WINDS INCREASED TO SUSTAINED SPEEDS OF 25 TO 35 MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS. WIDESPREAD BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW PRODUCED WHITEOUT CONDITIONS.
• Blizzard in Michigan, January 16, 19971 eventBLIZZARD CONDITIONS DEVELOPED AS MERGING LOWS RAPIDLY INTENSIFIED NORTHEAST OF THE STATE. AS THE LOW DEEPENED...NORTHWEST WINDS INCREASED TO SUSTAINED SPEEDS OF 25 TO 35 MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS. WIDESPREAD BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW PRODUCED WHITEOUT CONDITIONS.
• Blizzard in Michigan, January 16, 19971 eventBLIZZARD CONDITIONS DEVELOPED AS MERGING LOWS RAPIDLY INTENSIFIED NORTHEAST OF THE STATE. AS THE LOW DEEPENED...NORTHWEST WINDS INCREASED TO SUSTAINED SPEEDS OF 25 TO 35 MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS. WIDESPREAD BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW PRODUCED WHITEOUT CONDITIONS.
• Blizzard in Michigan, January 16, 19971 eventBLIZZARD CONDITIONS DEVELOPED AS MERGING LOWS RAPIDLY INTENSIFIED NORTHEAST OF THE STATE. AS THE LOW DEEPENED...NORTHWEST WINDS INCREASED TO SUSTAINED SPEEDS OF 25 TO 35 MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS. WIDESPREAD BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW PRODUCED WHITEOUT CONDITIONS.
• Blizzard in Michigan, January 16, 19971 eventBLIZZARD CONDITIONS DEVELOPED AS MERGING LOWS RAPIDLY INTENSIFIED NORTHEAST OF THE STATE. AS THE LOW DEEPENED...NORTHWEST WINDS INCREASED TO SUSTAINED SPEEDS OF 25 TO 35 MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS. WIDESPREAD BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW PRODUCED WHITEOUT CONDITIONS.
• Blizzard in Michigan, January 16, 19971 eventBLIZZARD CONDITIONS DEVELOPED AS MERGING LOWS RAPIDLY INTENSIFIED NORTHEAST OF THE STATE. AS THE LOW DEEPENED...NORTHWEST WINDS INCREASED TO SUSTAINED SPEEDS OF 25 TO 35 MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS. WIDESPREAD BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW PRODUCED WHITEOUT CONDITIONS.
• Blizzard in Michigan, January 16, 19971 eventBLIZZARD CONDITIONS DEVELOPED AS MERGING LOWS RAPIDLY INTENSIFIED NORTHEAST OF THE STATE. AS THE LOW DEEPENED...NORTHWEST WINDS INCREASED TO SUSTAINED SPEEDS OF 25 TO 35 MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS.WIND GUSTS IN EXCESS OF 50 MPH WERE REPORTED NEAR THE LAKE MICHIGAN SHORELINE.
• Blizzard in Michigan, January 16, 19971 eventBLIZZARD CONDITIONS DEVELOPED AS MERGING LOWS RAPIDLY INTENSIFIED NORTHEAST OF THE STATE. AS THE LOW DEEPENED...NORTHWEST WINDS INCREASED TO SUSTAINED SPEEDS OF 25 TO 35 MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS.
• Blizzard in Michigan, January 16, 19971 eventBLIZZARD CONDITIONS DEVELOPED AS MERGING LOWS RAPIDLY INTENSIFIED NORTHEAST OF THE STATE. AS THE LOW DEEPENED...NORTHWEST WINDS INCREASED TO SUSTAINED SPEEDS OF 25 TO 35 MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS.
• Blizzard in Michigan, January 16, 19971 eventBLIZZARD CONDITIONS DEVELOPED AS MERGING LOWS RAPIDLY INTENSIFIED NORTHEAST OF THE STATE. AS THE LOW DEEPENED...NORTHWEST WINDS INCREASED TO SUSTAINED SPEEDS OF 25 TO 35 MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS. WIDESPREAD BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW PRODUCED WHITEOUT CONDITIONS.
• Blizzard in Michigan, January 16, 19971 eventBLIZZARD CONDITIONS DEVELOPED AS MERGING LOWS RAPIDLY INTENSIFIED NORTHEAST OF THE STATE. AS THE LOW DEEPENED...NORTHWEST WINDS INCREASED TO SUSTAINED SPEEDS OF 25 TO 35 MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS. WIDESPREAD BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW PRODUCED WHITEOUT CONDITIONS.
• Blizzard in Michigan, January 16, 19971 eventBLIZZARD CONDITIONS DEVELOPED AS MERGING LOWS RAPIDLY INTENSIFIED NORTHEAST OF THE STATE. AS THE LOW DEEPENED...NORTHWEST WINDS INCREASED TO SUSTAINED SPEEDS OF 25 TO 35 MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS. WIDESPREAD BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW PRODUCED WHITEOUT CONDITIONS.
• Blizzard in Michigan, January 16, 19971 eventBLIZZARD CONDITIONS DEVELOPED AS MERGING LOWS RAPIDLY INTENSIFIED NORTHEAST OF THE STATE. AS THE LOW DEEPENED...NORTHWEST WINDS INCREASED TO SUSTAINED SPEEDS OF 25 TO 35 MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS.WIND GUSTS IN EXCESS OF 50 MPH WERE REPORTED NEAR THE LAKE MICHIGAN SHORELINE.
• Blizzard in Michigan, January 16, 19971 eventBLIZZARD CONDITIONS DEVELOPED AS MERGING LOWS RAPIDLY INTENSIFIED NORTHEAST OF THE STATE. AS THE LOW DEEPENED...NORTHWEST WINDS INCREASED TO SUSTAINED SPEEDS OF 25 TO 35 MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS. WIDESPREAD BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW PRODUCED WHITEOUT CONDITIONS.
• Blizzard in Michigan, January 16, 19971 eventBLIZZARD CONDITIONS DEVELOPED AS MERGING LOWS RAPIDLY INTENSIFIED NORTHEAST OF THE STATE. AS THE LOW DEEPENED...NORTHWEST WINDS INCREASED TO SUSTAINED SPEEDS OF 25 TO 35 MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS. WIND GUSTS IN EXCESS OF 50 MPH...WERE REPORTED NEAR THE LAKE MICHIGAN SHORELINE.
• Blizzard in Michigan, January 16, 19971 eventBLIZZARD CONDITIONS DEVELOPED AS MERGING LOWS RAPIDLY INTENSIFIED NORTHEAST OF THE STATE. AS THE LOW DEEPENED...NORTHWEST WINDS INCREASED TO SUSTAINED SPEEDS OF 25 TO 35 MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS. WIDESPREAD BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW PRODUCED WHITEOUT CONDITIONS.
• Blizzard in Michigan, January 16, 19971 eventBLIZZARD CONDITIONS DEVELOPED AS MERGING LOWS RAPIDLY INTENSIFIED NORTHEAST OF THE STATE. AS THE LOW DEEPENED...NORTHWEST WINDS INCREASED TO SUSTAINED SPEEDS OF 25 TO 35 MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS. WIDESPREAD BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW PRODUCED WHITEOUT CONDITIONS.
• Blizzard in Michigan, January 16, 19971 eventBLIZZARD CONDITIONS DEVELOPED AS MERGING LOWS RAPIDLY INTENSIFIED NORTHEAST OF THE STATE. AS THE LOW DEEPENED...NORTHWEST WINDS INCREASED TO SUSTAINED SPEEDS OF 25 TO 35 MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS. WIDESPREAD BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW PRODUCED WHITEOUT CONDITIONS.
• Blizzard in Michigan, January 16, 19971 eventBLIZZARD CONDITIONS DEVELOPED AS MERGING LOWS RAPIDLY INTENSIFIED NORTHEAST OF THE STATE. AS THE LOW DEEPENED...NORTHWEST WINDS INCREASED TO SUSTAINED SPEEDS OF 25 TO 35 MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS. WIND GUSTS IN EXCESS OF 50 MPH WERE REPORTED ALONG THE LAKE MICHIGAN SHORELINE.
• Blizzard in Michigan, January 16, 19971 eventBLIZZARD CONDITIONS DEVELOPED AS MERGING LOWS RAPIDLY INTENSIFIED NORTHEAST OF THE STATE. AS THE LOW DEEPENED...NORTHWEST WINDS INCREASED TO SUSTAINED SPEEDS OF 25 TO 35 MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS.WIDESPREAD BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW PRODUCED WHITEOUT CONDITIONS.
• Blizzard in Michigan, January 16, 19971 eventBLIZZARD CONDITIONS DEVELOPED AS MERGING LOWS RAPIDLY INTENSIFIED NORTHEAST OF THE STATE. AS THE LOW DEEPENED...NORTHWEST WINDS INCREASED TO SUSTAINED SPEEDS OF 25 TO 35 MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS. WIDESPREAD BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW PRODUCED WHITEOUT CONDITIONS.
• Blizzard in Michigan, January 16, 19971 eventBLIZZARD CONDITIONS DEVELOPED AS MERGING LOWS RAPIDLY INTENSIFIED NORTHEAST OF THE STATE. AS THE LOW DEEPENED...NORTHWEST WINDS INCREASED TO SUSTAINED SPEEDS OF 25 TO 35 MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS. WIDESPREAD BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW PRODUCED WHITEOUT CONDITIONS.
• Blizzard in Michigan, January 16, 19971 eventBLIZZARD CONDITIONS DEVELOPED AS MERGING LOWS RAPIDLY INTENSIFIED NORTHEAST OF THE STATE. AS THE LOW DEEPENED...NORTHWEST WINDS INCREASED TO SUSTAINED SPEEDS OF 25 TO 35 MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS.WIND GUSTS IN EXCESS OF 50 MPH WERE REPORTED NEAR THE LAKE MICHIGAN SHORELINE.
• Winter Weather in Ohio, January 16 to 17, 19971 injured · $25,000 · 8 eventsA burst of heavy snow, although accumulating only one to three inches, caused whiteout conditions in many locations, resulting in numerous vehicular accidents. In Akron (Summit County), there were dozens of car crashes and one person was injured in a nine car pile-up.
• Heavy Snow in Ohio, January 16 to 17, 19974 eventsHeavy lake effect snow fell over Northeast Ohio, with locally heavy squalls of six to eight inches occurring during the day on Thursday the 16th. Total storm accumulations of up to 10 inches were reported in Southern Geauga County.
• Heavy Snow in Pennsylvania, January 16 to 17, 19973 eventsHeavy lake effect snow, primarily occurring during the day on the 16th, accumulated up to seven inches in many locations. In Erie County, Green Township, Albion, Waterford, Edinboro and Corry received 6 inches, while Union City and Hatch Hollow each received 7 inches.
• Ice Storm in Oregon, January 16 to 17, 19972 eventsFreezing rain produced significant accumulations of ice and disrupted traffic through the Columbia Gorge and over the passes of the North Oregon Cascades.
• Cold in Ohio, January 16 to 20, 1997$16,000 · 9 eventsMinimum temperatures of 5 above zero to 5 below zero werecommon. The coldest reading from preliminary data wasminus 12 in rural western Gallia County near Patriot.These readings are typical for the coldest temperaturesof a nonsevere winter.
• Cold in Kentucky, January 16 to 20, 1997$8,000 · 4 eventsMinimum temperatures of 5 above zero to 5 below zero werecommon. Daytime high readings were in the teens on the18th and 19th. Winds of 10 to 20 mph prompted wind chilladvisories. Schools delayed or cancelled their openingson the coldest mornings.
• Cold in Virginia, January 16 to 20, 1997$5,000 · 2 eventsMinimum temperatures of 5 above zero to 5 below zero werecommon. Daytime high readings on the 18th and 19th werein the teens. Winds of 10 to 20 mph prompted wind chilladvisories.
• Heavy Snow in New York, January 16 to 19, 1997$21,000 · 3 eventsLake effect snows dropped up to two feet of snow downwind of Lake Ontario. Highest amounts were along the immediate Oswego county shore. Specific reports included: Oswego 24"; Adams and Montague 18"; Fulton 17"; and Watertown 10".
• Heavy Snow in New York, January 16 to 17, 19972 eventsDuring January 16 and 17, arctic air moving across the open waters of Lake Ontario produced heavy lake effect snow in Herkimer County. Snowfall totals ranged from 5 to 10 inches in many locations with accumulations over one foot in the most persistent lake snows.
• Ice Storm in Oregon, January 16 to 17, 19971 eventSchools closed becouse of ice storm.
• Ice Storm in Oregon, January 16 to 17, 19971 eventHead-on collision between two slow moving vehicles on icy highway, numerous cars slid off road, at least two cars rolled on to their sides.
• Cold in West Virginia, January 16 to 20, 1997$25,000 · 34 eventsMinimum temperatures of 5 above zero to 5 below zero were common.Daytime readings were in the teens on the 18th and 19thfor the lowlands, with single digits across the mountains. Preliminary data indicates Glady of Randolph County had thecoldest reading on the 19th.
• Heavy Snow in New York, January 16 to 17, 19973 eventsA surge of cold air across Lake Ontario produced yet another round of heavy lake effect snow for sections of central New York.
• Cold in Michigan, January 17 to 19, 19972 deaths · 17 eventsThe coldest weather of the winter occurred from the 17th through the 19th. During that period, lows reached as low as -6 at Detroit's metro airport, and -9 at Flint's Bishop airport and the National Weather Service forecast office at White Lake.
• Cold in Vermont, January 17, 199710 eventsAn outbreak of arctic air resulted in extreme wind chills across much of Vermont. These wind chills frequently ranged from between 30 and 60 below zero.
• Cold in New York, January 17, 19978 eventsAn outbreak of arctic air resulted in extreme windchills across much of Northern New York. The windchills frequently ranged between 30 and 60 below zero.
• Cold in Pennsylvania, January 17 to 20, 19973 deaths · 10 eventsThe coldest air mass of the winter season moved into Eastern Pennsylvania on Friday the 17th. The high pressure system came straight from the arctic tundra and moved southeast reaching the Middle and South Atlantic States on the 19th and 20th.
• Cold in Wisconsin, January 17, 19973 injured · $20,000 · 20 eventsThe coldest arctic air of the winter season enveloped southeast and southcentral Wisconsin, resulting in many school closings and cancellation of evening activities. There were 3 frostbite injury cases reported in Milwaukee county.
• Cold in New Jersey, January 17 to 20, 199720 eventsThe coldest air mass of the winter season moved into New Jersey on Friday the 17th. The high pressure system came straight from the arctic tundra and moved southeast reaching the Middle and South Atlantic States on the 19th and 20th.
• Cold in Maryland, January 17 to 20, 19975 eventsThe coldest air mass of the winter season moved into the Maryland Eastern Shore on Friday the 17th. The high pressure system came straight from the arctic tundra and moved southeast reaching the Middle and South Atlantic States on the 19th and 20th.
• Cold in Delaware, January 17 to 20, 19974 eventsThe coldest air mass of the winter season moved into Delaware on Friday the 17th. The high pressure system came straight from the arctic tundra and moved southeast reaching the Middle and South Atlantic States on the 19th and 20th.
• Cold in New York, January 17 to 18, 199718 eventsA bitterly cold arctic air mass invaded central New York and northeast Pennsylvania during the evening hours of the 16th and remained over the area through the 18th. Air temperatures dropped to near zero degrees over much of the region by early morning of the 17th.
• Cold in Pennsylvania, January 17 to 18, 19977 eventsA bitterly cold arctic air mass invaded northeast Pennsylvania during the evening hours of the 16th and remained over the area through the 18th. Air temperatures dropped to near zero degrees over much of the region by early morning of the 17th.
• Cold in Iowa, January 17 to 19, 199721 eventsExtreme windchill followed the winter storm of the 15th through the 17th. Temperatures ranged in the single digits, above and below zero, combined with winds which ranged from 20 to 25 mph with gusts to 45 mph.
• Cold in Illinois, January 17 to 19, 199713 eventsExtreme windchill followed the winter storm of the 15th through the17th. Temperatures ranged in the single digits, above and belowzero, combined with winds which ranged from 20 to 25 mph with guststo 45 mph.
• Lake-Effect Snow in New York, January 17, 19973 eventsA flow of arctic air across Lake Ontario resulted in localized Lake Effect Snow across southern St Lawrence County, Southern Franklin County and Western Essex County in New York. Generally 4 to 8 inches of snow fell in these areas.
• Ice Storm in Oregon, January 17 to 19, 19975 injured · 3 eventsIcy roads caused several traffic accidents and injuries on I-84.
• Heavy Snow in Massachusetts, January 17 to 18, 19971 eventSix to eight inches of "ocean-effect" snow fell across Nantucket Island as west-southwest winds transported Arctic air across the relatively warmer ocean waters. Several inches of snow also fell on the nearby island of Martha's Vineyard.

The snowstorm of January 8 to 12, 1997The snowstorm of March 31 to April 1, 1997Snow nowEvery winter storm filed

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