The snowstorm of January 2 to 5, 2003

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

439

Deaths

0

Injuries

1

Damage

$11 million

Episodes

80

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.

• Ice Storm in Pennsylvania, January 1 to 2, 200310 eventsA low pressure system moved northeast along the mid Atlantic coast during Wednesday, January 1st, spreading a large swath of precipitation across Central Pennsylvania.
• Heavy Snow in Colorado, January 1, 20032 eventsModerate to heavy snow fell across portions of extreme eastern Colorado, northwest Kansas and Southwest Nebraska on New Year's Day. Total snow accumulations of 4 to 8 inches were common across Kit Carson and Yuma counties in Colorado.
• Heavy Snow in Kansas, January 1, 20032 eventsModerate to heavy snow fell across portions of extreme eastern Colorado, northwest Kansas and Southwest Nebraska on New Year's Day. Total snow accumulations of 4 to 8 inches were common across Sherman and Cheyenne counties in Kansas.
• Heavy Snow in Nebraska, January 1, 20031 eventModerate to heavy snow fell across portions of extreme eastern Colorado, northwest Kansas and Southwest Nebraska on New Year's Day. Total snow accumulations of 4 to 8 inches were common across the area with up to 6 inches in Dundy county, Nebraska.
• Winter Storm in Colorado, January 1, 20031 eventA potent winter storm centered over the Texas Panhandle brought snow and wind to southeast Colorado.
• Heavy Snow in Washington, January 1, 20031 eventThe city of Easton received 12 inches of snow.
• Winter Weather in Pennsylvania, January 1, 20031 eventFreezing rain fell over sections of Monroe County during the afternoon and early evening of the 1st. Warmer air then moved in at the surface and raised temperatures above the freezing mark overnight as precipitation fell as plain rain.
• Winter Weather in New Jersey, January 1, 20031 eventFreezing rain fell over higher terrain sections of Sussex County during the afternoon and early evening of the 1st. Warmer air then moved in at the surface and raised temperatures above the freezing mark overnight as precipitation fell as plain rain.
• Winter Storm in Missouri, January 1 to 2, 200314 eventsA New Years Day winter storm made staying in and watching football the thing to do. Sleet started during the evening hours and accumulated to about 1 inch in a narrow band from the Columbia area east into St. Louis.
• Winter Storm in Illinois, January 1 to 2, 20036 eventsA New Years Day winter storm made staying in and watching football the thing to do. Mainly snow fell across West Central Illinois with accumulations from 6 - 8 inches. A band of sleet fell initially across parts of Southwest Illinois, from the St.
• Winter Storm in Vermont, January 1 to 2, 20032 eventsA low pressure area formed in the Ohio valley, along a stationary front, early on New Years Day. The storm deepened and as it tracked northward, reaching Cape Cod shortly after midnight. This storm initially brought rain to southern Vermont.
• Ice Storm in New York, January 1 to 2, 2003$1.1 million · 9 eventsA low pressure system in Mississippi, New Year's Eve, moved northeast to the Tennessee/North Carolina border the morning of the 1st. The storm then picked up speed to be in northeast Pennsylvania the evening of New Year's Day. The next morning it was off the coast of Maine.
• Ice Storm in Pennsylvania, January 1 to 2, 2003$100,000 · 2 eventsA low pressure system in Mississippi, New Year's Eve, moved northeast to the Tennessee/North Carolina border the morning of the 1st. The storm then picked up speed to be in northeast Pennsylvania the evening of New Year's Day. The next morning it was off the coast of Maine.
• Winter Storm in New York, January 1 to 2, 200313 eventsA low pressure area formed in the Ohio Valley, along a stationary front, early on New Years Day. The storm deepened as it tracked northeastward, reaching east of Cape Cod shortly after midnight. This storm initially brought rain to most of eastern New York.
• Winter Storm in Massachusetts, January 1 to 2, 20031 eventA low pressure area formed along a stationary front in the Ohio Valley, early on New Years Day. The storm deepened as it tracked northeastward, reaching east of Cape Cod shortly after midnight. This storm initially brought rain to the Berkshires.
• Heavy Snow in Kansas, January 1 to 2, 20036 eventsA strong winter storm crossing Oklahoma and Southern Kansas spread convective snows across a small part of southeast Kansas New Year's night. A 30-40 mile wide swath of 5-7 inch accumulations stretched from southeast Cowley County east-northeast to Allen and Neosho Counties.
• Heavy Snow in Illinois, January 2, 20037 eventsHeavy snow accumulated between 6 and 10 inches across west central Illinois from Lewistown to Jacksonville. The snow began after midnight on the 2nd, with snow accumulations reaching 6 inches by midday before diminishing to flurries by mid afternoon.
• Winter Storm in Kansas, January 2, 20032 eventsThe third significant winter storm to affect extreme southeast Kansas during the 2002-2003 cool season, brought six to seven inches of snow over portions of Crawford and Bourbon counties.
• Winter Storm in Missouri, January 2, 20032 eventsA storm system brought a band of heavy snow across west central Missouri on January 2nd. Snowfall totals of 5 to 9 inches, were reported from Butler to Clinton.
• Winter Storm in Kansas, January 2, 20031 eventA storm system on January 2nd produced 6 to 9 inches of snow in Mound City.
• Winter Storm in Missouri, January 2, 200311 eventsThe third significant winter storm of the 2002-2003 cool season, blanketed areas of west central and central Missouri with seven inches of snow. Accumulations tapered down to less than an inch across extreme southern Missouri.
• Winter Storm in Illinois, January 2, 20033 eventsA winter storm moved across central Missouri and central Illinois during the day producing a swath of snow from southeast Iowa and northeast Missouri into west central Illinois.
• Winter Storm in Missouri, January 2, 20032 eventsA storm system on Jnauary 2nd, brought a band of heavy snows across southern portions of Pettis and Cooper counties. Snowfall amounts ranged from 5 to 8 inches.
• Winter Storm in Indiana, January 2, 20031 eventA storm system moving across the Ohio Valley spread snow across northwest Indiana. Boswell in Benton County reported 7 inches of snowfall. Snowfall amounts rapidly decreased north of Benton County.
• Winter Storm in Indiana, January 2 to 3, 20038 eventsAn area of low pressure brought snow to parts of central Indiana. Snowfall amounts of 5 to 8 inches were common, with a few areas receiving 9 inches.
• Heavy Snow in Michigan, January 2 to 3, 20032 eventsAn upper level disturbance passed across the northern Ohio Valley and southern Great Lakes during the afternoon and evening of the 2nd. This system caused snowfall across eastern Michigan, the heaviest of which occurred across Monroe and Wayne counties.
• Winter Storm in Ohio, January 2, 20031 eventA series of low pressure systems tracked through the Ohio River valley, producing up to four inches of snow across west central Ohio.
• Heavy Snow in Pennsylvania, January 2 to 3, 200316 eventsLow pressure moved into the Ohio Valley during Thursday evening, January 2nd, bringing a light coating of snow and freezing rain to the region. As the storm redeveloped along the East coast, the snow became steadier and heavier.
• Ice Storm in Pennsylvania, January 2 to 3, 20033 eventsLow pressure moved into the Ohio Valley during Thursday evening, January 2nd, bringing a light coating of snow and freezing rain to the region.
• Winter Storm and Winter Weather in Pennsylvania, January 2 to 4, 200311 eventsA large high pressure system over nearby Canada and a low pressure that passed south of the region set the stage for a protracted winter storm from Berks County and the Lehigh Valley northward and a winter weather event elsewhere across Eastern Pennsylvania.
• Winter Storm and Winter Weather in New Jersey, January 2 to 4, 20037 eventsA large high pressure system over nearby Canada and a low pressure system that passed south of the region set the stage for a protracted winter storm for northwest New Jersey and a winter weather event for Mercer and Somerset Counties.
• Winter Weather in Maryland, January 3, 20031 eventAn upper level disturbance dropped light snow across Allegany County between 2 AM and 10 PM on the 3rd. Snowfall totals included 5.1 inches in Frostburg and 5.5 inches in Eckert Mines. Two inches or less were reported from Cumberland eastward.
• Blizzard and High Wind in Alaska, January 3 to 5, 200362 kt wind · 7 eventsA 966 mb low pressure center moved slowly north over the eastern Alaska Peninsula and Bristol Bay the evening of the 3rd, then continued to drift north-northwest and weaken until it formed a trough from Kotzebue to Unalakleet on the 5th.
• Winter Storm in Connecticut, January 3 to 4, 20033 eventsA powerful winter storm tracked south of New England and dumped heavy snow over northern Connecticut. Totals of 6 to 10 inches were common in Hartford, Tolland, and Windham Counties.
• Winter Storm in New Hampshire, January 3 to 4, 20032 eventsA powerful winter storm tracked south of New England and dumped heavy snow over southern New Hampshire. Totals of 1 to 2 feet were common in Cheshire and Hillsborough Counties.
• Winter Storm in Rhode Island, January 3 to 4, 20031 eventA powerful winter storm tracked south of New England and dumped heavy snow over northwest Rhode Island. Totals of 5 to 10 inches were common in northwest Providence County.
• Heavy Snow in New York, January 3 to 4, 2003$6.0 million · 18 eventsA slow moving nor'easter moved from the southeast United States early on the 3rd to the Delmarva peninsula that evening. The storm then moved to the southeast New England coast the morning of the 4th.
• Heavy Snow in Pennsylvania, January 3 to 4, 2003$2.5 million · 7 eventsA slow moving nor'easter moved from the southeast United States early on the 3rd to the Delmarva peninsula that evening. The storm then moved to the southeast New England coast the morning of the 4th.
• Heavy Snow in Alaska, January 3, 20031 eventHeavy snow was reported along the Homer Bluff. 6 inches of snow fell in a short duration...3 hours. At one time, spotter reports indicated snowfall rates of close to 2 inches per hour. Precipitation near sea level was recorded as both rain and snow.
• Winter Storm in New York, January 3 to 4, 2003$430,000 · 24 eventsA low pressure area developed in the Mississippi valley by late on January 2. The storm tracked northward into the southern Ohio Valley, then rapidly redeveloped along the Mid Atlantic seaboard on January 3.
• Winter Storm in New York, January 3 to 4, 20035 eventsA cold front moved across the region during the pre-dawn hours, early on Wednesday, January 1st before stalling just off the coast later that day.
• Winter Weather in North Carolina, January 3 to 4, 20034 eventsMainly light snow fell during the evening of the 3rd, and the early morning hours on the 4th across the northern mountains of North Carolina. Snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches caused some slick roads.
• Winter Storm in Massachusetts, January 3 to 4, 20031 eventA low pressure area developed in the Mississippi valley by late on January 2. The storm then tracked northward into the southern Ohio Valley, then rapidly redeveloped along the Mid Atlantic seaboard on January 3. Slowly, it moved to just east of Cape Cod by late on January 4.
• Winter Storm in Connecticut, January 3 to 4, 20031 eventA low pressure area developed in the Mississippi Valley by late on January 2. The storm tracked northward into the southern Ohio Valley, then rapidly redeveloped along the Mid Atlantic seaboard on January 3. Slowly, it moved to just east of Cape Cod by late on January 4.
• Winter Storm in New Jersey, January 3 to 4, 20034 eventsA cold front moved across the region during the pre-dawn hours, early on Wednesday, January 1st before stalling just off the coast later that day.
• Winter Storm in Vermont, January 3 to 4, 20032 eventsA low pressure area developed in the Mississippi valley by late on January 2. The storm then tracked northward into the southern Ohio Valley, then rapidly redeveloped along the Mid Atlantic seaboard on January 3. Slowly, it moved to just east of Cape Cod by late on January 4.
• Heavy Snow in New York, January 3, 2003$15,000 · 1 eventLow pressure over North Carolina moved northeast to Cape Cod and brought a general four to six inch snowfall to the entire region. Over the higher elevations of the eastern Lake Ontario region, snowfall accumulations ranged from eight to ten inches.
• Winter Storm in Connecticut, January 3 to 4, 20033 eventsA cold front moved across the region during the pre-dawn hours, early on Wednesday, January 1st before stalling just off the coast later that day.
• Winter Weather in New York, January 4, 2003$10,000 · 2 eventsA storm system moved from Virginia on Friday January 3rd to near Cape Cod by Saturday, January 4th. Snow developed across the region during the late night and continued into Saturday morning. Total accumulations were 3 to 5 inches.
• Winter Storm in Vermont, January 4, 2003$60,000 · 3 eventsA storm system over Virginia Friday morning (1/3/03) moved to coastal New Jersey Friday evening and then to near Cape Cod Saturday morning (1/4/03). Snow spread across the area Friday afternoon, and was heavy at times overnight Friday into Saturday morning.
• Winter Storm in Vermont, January 4, 20031 injured · $160,000 · 4 eventsA storm system over Virginia Friday morning (1/3/03) moved to coastal New Jersey Friday evening and then to near Cape Cod Saturday morning (1/4/03). Snow spread across the area late Friday afternoon, and became heavy at times late Friday night into Saturday morning.
• Winter Storm in New York, January 4, 2003$40,000 · 2 eventsA storm system over Virginia Friday morning (1/3/03) moved to coastal New Jersey Friday evening and then to near Cape Cod Saturday morning (1/4/03). Snow spread across the area Friday afternoon, and was heavy at times overnight Friday into Saturday morning.
• Winter Storm in Vermont, January 4, 2003$60,000 · 3 eventsA storm system over Virginia Friday morning (1/3/03) moved to coastal New Jersey Friday evening and then to near Cape Cod Saturday morning (1/4/03). Snow spread across the area late Friday afternoon, and was heavy at times late Friday night into Saturday morning.
• Winter Storm in Vermont, January 4, 2003$40,000 · 2 eventsA storm system over Virginia Friday morning (1/3/03) moved to coastal New Jersey Friday evening and then to near Cape Cod Saturday morning (1/4/03). Snow spread across the area by Friday evening. The snow was heavy for a time late Friday night and Saturday morning.
• Winter Storm in New York, January 4, 2003$60,000 · 3 eventsA storm system over Virginia Friday morning (1/3/03) moved to coastal New Jersey Friday evening and then to near Cape Cod Saturday morning (1/4/03). Snow spread across the area by Friday evening and was heavy for a time late Friday night into Saturday morning.
• Blizzard in Maine, January 4 to 5, 20032 eventsRapidly intensifying low pressure tracking along the New England coast...through the Gulf of Maine to the maritimes...brought snow and blizzard conditions to the Downeast coast. Total snow accumulations ranged from 10 to 18 inches.
• Winter Storm in New York, January 4, 2003$5,000 · 1 eventA storm system over Virginia Friday morning (1/3/03) moved to coastal New Jersey Friday evening and then to near Cape Cod Saturday morning (1/4/03). Snow spread across the area late Friday, and was heavy for a time late Friday night and early Saturday morning.
• Winter Storm in Maine, January 4 to 5, 20037 eventsRapidly intensifying low pressure tracking along the New England coast...through the Gulf of Maine to the maritimes...brought general snow accumulations of 8 to 14 inches. However...localized accumulations to around 18 inches were also reported.
• Heavy Snow in Maine, January 4 to 5, 20033 eventsRapidly intensifying low pressure tracking along the New England Coast...through the Gulf of Maine to the maritimes...brought general snow accumulations of 8 to 12 inches. However...localized accumulations to around 18 inches were also reported.
• Heavy Snow in Tennessee, January 5, 200323 eventsWidespread snows over northern East Tennessee...and all of the mountain regions brought 4 to 6 inches of snow between 4 A.M. and noon.
• Heavy Snow in Virginia, January 5, 20035 eventsHeavy snow of 4 to 6 inches fell over southwest Virginia beginning around 4 A.M. and ending around noon.
• Heavy Snow in North Carolina, January 5, 20032 eventsSnows of 4 to 6 inches fell across extreme southwest North Carolina.
• Winter Storm and Winter Weather in Virginia, January 5, 200319 eventsA weak area of low pressure moved through the region on the 5th. It produced light snow across the northern half of Virginia between 6 AM and 7 PM.
• Winter Storm and Winter Weather in Maryland, January 5, 200310 eventsA weak area of low pressure moved through the region on the 5th. It dropped 2 to 5 inches of snow across Central and Western Maryland between 6 AM and 7 PM. The snow caused roads to become very slippery and hundreds of traffic accidents were reported.
• Winter Weather in West Virginia, January 5, 20037 eventsA weak area of low pressure moved through the region on the 5th. It dropped 2 to 4 inches of snow across the Eastern Panhandle between 6 AM and 7 PM. The snow caused roads to become very slippery and a handful of traffic accidents were reported.
• Winter Weather in District of Columbia, January 5, 20031 eventA weak area of low pressure moved through the region on the 5th. It dropped around 3 inches of snow on the District between 6 AM and 7 PM. The snow caused roads and bridges to become very slippery. Several traffic accidents were reported across the metropolitan area.
• Winter Storm in Virginia, January 5, 20037 eventsSnow accumulated 1 to 3 inches during the 5th, and resulted in nearly 100 automobile accidents. Several minor injuries were reported.
• Heavy Snow and Winter Weather in Maryland, January 5, 20033 eventsA potent Alberta Clipper produced heavy snow across extreme northeastern Maryland and measurable snow across central sections of the Eastern Shore. Snow fell at a lesser intensity and temperatures were warmer farther south across the Eastern Shore with little or no accumulation.
• Heavy Snow and Winter Weather in Delaware, January 5, 20032 eventsA potent Alberta Clipper produced heavy snow across New Castle County and measurable snow across Kent County. Snow fell at a lesser intensity and temperatures were warmer farther south across Sussex County with little or no accumulation.
• Heavy Snow and Winter Weather in New Jersey, January 5, 200311 eventsA potent Alberta Clipper produced heavy snow across extreme southwestern New Jersey and an accumulating snow of two to four inches across much of the rest of the southern half of southern New Jersey. Accumulations farther north were less than two inches.
• Winter Weather in Pennsylvania, January 5, 20036 eventsA potent Alberta Clipper produced two to four and a half inches of snow across Berks County and southeastern Pennsylvania. Accumulations farther north were less than two inches. The largest accumulations were in Chester County.
• Heavy Snow in West Virginia, January 5, 20031 eventSnow during the afternoon and evening of the 5th accumulated 5 to 8 inches across Mercer County.
• Blizzard and High Wind in Alaska, January 6 to 8, 200368 kt wind · 8 eventsA strong low in the north Pacific moved toward the western Aleutians at 970 mbs Sunday morning. By Monday morning the low evolved into multiple centers, one southwest of Attu and the other south of Adak.
• Heavy Snow in Ohio, January 6, 2003$325,000 · 4 eventsCold northerly winds blowing across Lake Erie caused bands of lake effect snow to develop during the morning. The snow intensified during the afternoon and finally dissipated during the evening.
• Winter Weather in North Carolina, January 6, 20039 eventsLight snow fell for much of the day across the western mountains of North Carolina. By evening, 1 to 3 inches had accumulated, mainly in areas above 3000 feet. The snow was accompanied by wind gusts of up to 50 mph.
• Heavy Snow in West Virginia, January 6, 20038 eventsA northwest wind flow, combined with an upper air disturbance, to squeeze-out an upslope snow event.
• Winter Weather in Pennsylvania, January 6, 20031 eventA 37-year-old woman died from injuries sustained in a traffic accident during the evening of January 6th in Horsham Borough. A light dusting of snow (0.5 inches measured at Neshaminy Falls in Bucks County) accumulated on the roadways.
• Winter Weather in Virginia, January 6, 200343 eventsA weak winter storm produced only a dusting to 1 inch of snow across portions of central and eastern Virginia.
• Heavy Snow in West Virginia, January 6 to 7, 20032 eventsSix inches of snow accumulated by 6 PM on the 6th. Totals by 7 AM on the 7th ranged from 8 to 14 inches in Preston County, and 9 to 18 inches in Tucker county.
• Heavy Snow in Maryland, January 6 to 7, 20031 eventSix inches of snow accumulated by 6 PM on the 6th, with a total of 10 inches by 7 AM on the 7th.

The snowstorm of January 1 to 4, 2003The snowstorm of January 14 to 17, 2003Snow nowEvery winter storm filed

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