The snowstorm of January 21 to 23, 2000

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

862

Deaths

3

Injuries

34

Damage

$51 million

Episodes

94

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 and Extreme Cold in Alaska, January 19 to 22, 200051 kt wind · 7 eventsA storm center as deep as 962 millibars moved slowly northeast from southwest of Kamchatka on the 18th to the southwest Bering Sea on the 20th.
• Heavy Snow in Kentucky, January 19 to 20, 20002 eventsHeavy snow accumulated between 4 and 6 inches.
• Heavy Snow in Ohio, January 19 to 20, 200021 eventsA fast-moving low pressure system brought a band of heavy snow across central and southern Ohio. Many locations received 5 to 6 inches while the heaviest band of 7 inches fell from Dayton to Xenia to Chillicothe.
• Heavy Snow in Michigan, January 19 to 21, 20002 eventsAn Arctic front swept across Lake Superior and cold northwest winds behind the front created bands of heavy "lake effect" snow containing snowfall rates of up to an inch an hour. Snowfall accumulation totaled 8.5 inches at Grand Marais and 10 inches in Ontonagon.
• Heavy Snow in West Virginia, January 19 to 20, 20001 eventSnow developed during the evening of the 29th and accumulated 6 inches before tapering to snow showers during the morning of the 20th.
• Heavy Snow in Indiana, January 19 to 20, 20001 eventA low pressure system deposited heavy snow across East-Central Indiana with Wayne county receiving around 5 inches.
• Extreme Cold in Alaska, January 19 to 20, 20001 eventThe remains of a weakening low pressure center over northwest Alaska produced a period of low windchill values at Point Hope in the colder air and northerly winds on the back side of the Low center. Lowest Wind Chill value at Point Hope: -74.
• Heavy Snow in North Carolina, January 19 to 20, 20004 eventsSnow developed in the evening of the 19th and accumulated 5 to 6 inches, with up to 10 inches in the higher elevations, before ending during the morning of the 20th.
• Heavy Snow in Ohio, January 19 to 20, 2000$315,000 · 7 eventsSnow spread across northern Ohio on the evening of the 19th as an area of low pressure moved up the Ohio Valley. Arctic air moving across Lakes Huron and Erie enhanced the snowfall, especially in Cuyahoga and Medina Counties on the morning of the 20th.
• Heavy Snow in Virginia, January 19 to 20, 20003 eventsSnow developed during the evening of the 19th and accumulated up to 5 inches in Franklin and Patrick counties, and in parts of northern Pittsylvania County, before ending during the morning of the 20th.
• Winter Storm in West Virginia, January 19 to 21, 20002 eventsA winter storm passed just south of the area, bringing an initial round of snow which began after midnight on the 20th. Accumulations of between 2 and 4 inches were common across Preston and Tucker Counties by noon on the 20th as the storm passed off to the east.
• Heavy Snow in Pennsylvania, January 19 to 21, 20002 eventsLow pressure tracked east across West Virginia, providing most of Pennsylvania with the first significant snowfall of the season.
• Winter Storm in Virginia, January 19 to 20, 200025 eventsTwo to three inches of snow fell overnight as an area of low pressure passed south of the region.
• Heavy Snow in West Virginia, January 19 to 20, 200023 eventsThe initial synoptic snow fell during the late night and predawn hours. The colder northwest wind caused moderate to heavy snow showers from dawn through midday. The snow showers lingered until late afternoon over the mountainous counties.
• Winter Storm in Virginia, January 19 to 20, 200014 eventsThree to four inches of snow fell across the region overnight. The highest amounts fell in a band from western Sussex county, to Amelia county, and then north to western Louisa county. Snow fell heavily at times, producing hazardous travel conditions.
• Winter Storm in North Carolina, January 19 to 20, 20004 eventsTwo to three inches of snow fell overnight as a low pressure system tracked south of the area. The heaviest snow fell in extreme western Northampton county, as well as over northern Gates county.
• Winter Storm and Winter Weather in Maryland, January 20, 20001 injured · 14 eventsLow pressure moved from west to east across the Mid-Atlantic region on the 20th, dropping 3 to 8 inches of snow between midnight and mid-afternoon.
• Winter Storm in North Carolina, January 20, 200021 eventsAn average of 2 to 3 inches of snow fell in the northern half of central North Carolina with a few locations near the Virginia border receiving up to 4 inches. The southern counties in central North Carolina received mostly rain with a trace of snow.
• Heavy Snow in Ohio, January 20, 20009 eventsSnow accumulated 3 to 5 inches.
• Winter Storm and Winter Weather in West Virginia, January 20, 20008 eventsLow pressure moved from west to east across the Mid-Atlantic region on the 20th, dropping 3 to 7 inches of snow between midnight and mid-afternoon.
• Heavy Snow in Virginia, January 20, 20002 eventsSnow accumulated 4 to 7 inches.
• Heavy Snow in Pennsylvania, January 20, 2000$40,000 · 1 eventSnow began during the early morning hours on the 20th as an area of low pressure moved up the Ohio Valley. Cold northwest flow behind the low resulted in lake enhanced snow during the afternoon and evening hours.
• Heavy Snow in Indiana, January 20 to 21, 20004 eventsStorm total snow amounts ranged from 6 to 10 inches across Fulton and Marshall counties with most of it falling from lake effect snow bands on the 20th. Laporte county totals ranged from 6 to 12 inches across the eastern third of Laporte county.
• Winter Storm in Virginia, January 20, 20003 eventsThree to five inches of snow fell as an area of low pressure passed south of the region. Snow fell heavily soon after beginning, creating hazardous conditions on area highways.
• Heavy Snow in Michigan, January 20 to 21, 20002 events...Synoptic and mesoscale conditions on the 20th/21st...The coldest air of the season dropped into the midwest on the 20th behind a vigorous low pressure system which developed across the central plains on the 19th.
• Heavy Snow in New York, January 20 to 21, 200018 eventsA low pressure system formed during the early morning hours of Thursday the 20th off the mid-Atlantic coast. The low intensified rapidly as it moved northeast during the day and was located off the Delaware coast by evening.
• Heavy Snow in Pennsylvania, January 20 to 21, 20007 eventsA low pressure system formed during the early morning hours of Thursday the 20th off the mid-Atlantic coast. The low intensified rapidly as it moved northeast during the day and was located off the Delaware coast by evening.
• Winter Storm in Maryland, January 20, 20004 eventsFour to six inches of snow fell across the area as an area of low pressure passed to the south of the region. The heaviest totals were recorded in Somerset and northern Wicomico counties.
• Winter Storm in Maryland, January 20 to 21, 20001 eventA winter storm passed just south of the area, bringing an initial round of snow which began after midnight on the 20th. Accumulations of between 2 and 4 inches of snow were common across Garrett County by noon on the 20th as the storm passed off to the east.
• Winter Storm in Maryland, January 20, 20001 eventFive to seven inches of snow fell as an area of low pressure passed to the south of the region. The highest totals were recorded in the northwestern sections of the county.
• Winter Storm and Winter Weather in Virginia, January 20, 200023 eventsAn area of low pressure moved from west to east across the Mid-Atlantic region on the 20th, dropping 2 to 6 inches of snow between midnight and mid-afternoon.
• Winter Weather in District of Columbia, January 20, 20001 eventAn area of low pressure moved from west to east across the Mid-Atlantic region on the 20th, dropping light snow between midnight and mid-afternoon. Gusty winds of 35 to 45 MPH developed during the afternoon causing the snow to drift across roadways and reduce visibilities.
• Heavy Snow in Delaware, January 20, 200030 injured · 3 eventsA pair of low pressure systems, one that moved from the Northern Plains into western Pennsylvania before dissipating and a second one that developed near Wilmington, North Carolina the morning of the 20th produced a steady, heavy snow across most of Delaware.
• Heavy Snow in North Carolina, January 20, 200018 eventsA cold front crossed the mountains overnight, and low pressure formed along the front in the foothills by morning. Cold air was already in place across the region, so precipitation fell in the form of snow.
• Heavy Snow in Pennsylvania, January 20, 200010 eventsA pair of low pressure systems, one that moved from the Northern Plains into western Pennsylvania before dissipating and a second one that developed near Wilmington North Carolina the morning of the 20th produced a steady snow across Eastern Pennsylvania with the heaviest snow…
• Heavy Snow in Maryland, January 20, 20005 eventsA pair of low pressure systems, one that moved from the Northern Plains into western Pennsylvania before dissipating and a second one that developed near Wilmington, North Carolina the morning of the 20th produced a steady, heavy snow across the Maryland Eastern Shore.
• Heavy Snow in New Jersey, January 20 to 21, 200020 eventsA pair of low pressure systems, one that moved from the Northern Plains into western Pennsylvania before dissipating and a second one that developed near Wilmington, North Carolina the morning of the 20th produced a steady, heavy snow across the southeast part of New Jersey.
• Heavy Snow in Michigan, January 20, 20001 eventA low pressure system moved east across the Ohio Valley on the night of the 19th, reaching the Mid-Atlantic coast on the 20th. This system produced up to 5 inches of snow across much of lower Michigan.
• Winter Storm in Pennsylvania, January 20 to 21, 20004 eventsA winter storm passed south of the area, producing an initial round of light snow starting just after midnight on the 20th. By midday on the 20th, accumulations of between 2 and 4 inches of snow were common across the counties as the storm passed off to the east.
• Heavy Snow in Massachusetts, January 20 to 21, 20003 eventsLow pressure moving from the Carolina coast to south of Nantucket brought heavy snow to parts of southeast Massachusetts. Snowfall amounts ranged from 5 to 7 inches across interior Plymouth County, to as much as 6 to 10 inches on the outer Cape and Nantucket.
• Cold in South Carolina, January 20, 20001 death · 1 eventAn elderly woman fell outside her home and was unable to crawl 60 feet back to her house before falling victim to hypothermia.
• Heavy Snow in New York, January 20, 2000$47,000 · 5 eventsLow pressure moving up the east coast brought a general snowfall to the area. The northerly flow across Lakes Erie and Ontario enhanced snowfall amounts and seven to nine inches of snow fell downwind of the lakes.
• Extreme Cold in Virginia, January 21, 200023 eventsDuring the morning of the 21st, northwest winds were blowing at 15 to 30 MPH. Temperatures across the region were in the teens. This resulted in wind chill readings from 10 to 25 degrees below zero between midnight and 10 AM.
• Extreme Cold in Maryland, January 21, 200014 eventsDuring the morning of the 21st, northwest winds were blowing at 15 to 30 MPH. Temperatures across the region were in the teens. This resulted in wind chill readings from 10 to 25 degrees below zero between midnight and 10 AM.
• Extreme Cold in West Virginia, January 21, 20008 eventsDuring the morning of the 21st, northwest winds were blowing at 15 to 30 MPH. Temperatures across the region were in the low teens. This resulted in wind chill readings from 15 to 25 degrees below zero between midnight and 10 AM.
• Extreme Cold in District of Columbia, January 21, 20001 eventDuring the morning of the 21st, northwest winds were blowing at 15 to 30 MPH. Temperatures in the District were in the teens. This resulted in wind chill readings from 10 to 25 degrees below zero between midnight and 10 AM.
• Heavy Snow in Ohio, January 21, 2000$70,000 · 4 eventsCold northwest flow across Lake Erie led to the development of lake effect snow bands. The snow began during the early morning hours and continued into the evening. The heaviest snow fell in Geauga County with accumulations of up to nine inches reported.
• Heavy Snow in Pennsylvania, January 21, 2000$40,000 · 2 eventsCold northwest flow over Lake Erie led to the development of lake effect snow bands. The snow began during the early morning hours and continued into the evening hours. Six to eight inches of snow fell over much of Crawford and Erie counties with 10 inches reported at Edinboro.
• Blizzard in Maine, January 21 to 22, 20006 eventsA rapidly intensifying low tracked along the Atlantic coast...passing east of the Gulf of Maine...toward Nova Scotia and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Heavy snow wrapped back across eastern Maine around the low.
• Extreme Cold in Maine, January 21 to 22, 200017 eventsLow pressure in the Gulf of Maine intensified rapidly as it moved slowly northward through the Canadian Maritimes. The pressure gradient between the low and a ridge of high pressure over the central and eastern U.S.
• Extreme Cold in New Hampshire, January 21 to 22, 200012 eventsLow pressure in the Gulf of Maine intensified rapidly as it moved slowly northward through the Canadian Maritimes. The pressure gradient between the low and a ridge of high pressure over the central and eastern U.S.
• Extreme Cold in New York, January 21, 200015 eventsThe combination of a quickly intensifying low pressure system off the New England Coast and a strong high pressure system west of the Great Lakes caused strong and gusty northwest winds.
• Extreme Cold in Connecticut, January 21, 20008 eventsThe combination of a quickly intensifying low pressure system off the New England Coast and a strong high pressure system west of the Great Lakes caused strong and gusty northwest winds.
• Extreme Cold in New Jersey, January 21, 20006 eventsThe combination of a quickly intensifying low pressure system off the New England Coast and a strong high pressure system west of the Great Lakes caused strong and gusty northwest winds.
• Extreme Cold in Virginia, January 22, 200023 eventsHigh pressure built into the Mid-Atlantic region on January 21st. A combination of clear skies, calm winds, and a fresh snowpack led to extremely cold overnight temperatures. On the morning of the 22nd, the mercury dropped into the single digits above and below zero.
• Extreme Cold in Maryland, January 22, 200014 eventsHigh pressure built into the Mid-Atlantic region on January 21st. A combination of clear skies, calm winds, and a fresh snowpack led to extremely cold overnight temperatures. On the morning of the 22nd, the mercury dropped into the single digits above and below zero.
• Extreme Cold in West Virginia, January 22, 20008 eventsHigh pressure built into the Mid-Atlantic region on January 21st. A combination of clear skies, calm winds, and a fresh snowpack led to extremely cold overnight temperatures. On the morning of the 22nd, the mercury dropped into the single digits above and below zero.
• Extreme Cold in Wisconsin, January 22, 2000$10,000 · 1 eventA frozen water pipe burst around 0430CST in a city of Kenosha restaurant, resulting in water damage to interior contents. Minimum temperatures the day before ranged from 3 below to 8 below across Kenosha County with daytime maximum readings only 5 to 10 above zero.
• Extreme Cold in West Virginia, January 22, 200016 eventsA clear and calm night, combined with a fresh snow cover, to produce dawn temperatures mostly in the minus 5 to minus 15 degree range. Belington and Elkins had the coldest with 17 below zero. Buckhannon and West Union were minus 12.
• Extreme Cold in Ohio, January 22, 20007 eventsA clear and calm night, combined with a fresh snow cover, to produce dawn temperatures mostly between zero and minus 10. The coldest reading was 11 below zero from New Lexington.
• Heavy Snow in Kentucky, January 22, 20007 eventsSnow began falling shortly before sunrise and ended before noon. The snow fell heavily at times, with snowfall rates between 1 and 2 inches per hour.
• Heavy Snow in Missouri, January 22, 20001 eventSnow began before sunrise and continued through mid-morning. Snowfall rates were 1 to 2 inches per hour. Total snowfall in the New Madrid area was 4 inches. The snow caused very slick roads and some accidents.
• Blizzard and Ice Storm in Alaska, January 22 to 25, 200066 kt wind · 13 eventsA storm as deep as 951 millibars early on the 23rd, moved slowly northeast over the Bering Sea, eventually dissipating over Saint Matthew Island on the afternoon of the 25th.
• Heavy Snow in Illinois, January 22, 200019 eventsSnow began during the morning hours and continued intermittently through the afternoon. Accumulations averaged only an inch or two, but roads still became quick slick. Slick roads may have contributed to a single-car accident in northern Pope County that critically injured a man.
• Heavy Snow in Kentucky, January 22, 200015 eventsSnow began falling during the morning hours and continued intermittently through the afternoon. Average accumulations were around 2 inches. Roads became very slippery. Numerous accidents were reported. Owensboro police worked 11 accidents during the morning.
• Heavy Snow in Indiana, January 22, 20006 eventsSnow began during the morning hours and continued intermittently through the afternoon. Total accumulations averaged about 2 inches. Roads became very slippery, causing numerous accidents.
• Ice Storm in Alabama, January 22 to 23, 2000$2.7 million · 3 eventsA light mixture of rain, freezing rain, sleet, and snow started on the morning of the 22nd. Several bridges became ice covered and numerous trees received a glaze of ice. Several trees and tree limbs started breaking and falling on roads by 9:00 PM.
• Winter Storm in Tennessee, January 22, 200040 eventsGenerally 2-4 inches of snow fell across central and northeast portions of East Tennessee, with only a few reports of amounts in the 1-2 inch range and 4-5 inch range.
• Winter Storm in Virginia, January 22, 20005 eventsGenerally 2-4 inches of snow fell across southwest Virginia.
• Heavy Snow in Wisconsin, January 22, 20001 eventA low pressure system that moved from Minnesota to Lake Superior on the 22nd brought snow to northeast Wisconsin. Snow began late in the morning and continued into the early evening hours in Door county.
• Heavy Snow in Minnesota, January 22, 20002 eventsHeavy lake effect snow fell in the higher terrain of the north shore of Lake Superior, with 12-14 inches reported near Pike Lake, about 12 miles west of Grand Marais.
• Ice Storm in Georgia, January 22 to 23, 20001 injured · $48 million · 49 eventsWintry precipitation plagued the northern third of Georgia beginning Saturday and continued into Sunday. A shallow cold airmass with single-digit dewpoint temperatures was in place over north Georgia, with temperatures in the upper 20s to lower 30s over much of the area.
• Winter Storm in Kentucky, January 22, 200011 eventsA mixture of snow and freezing rain fell across portions of Eastern Kentucky. Snowfall totals ranged from 3 to 5 inches.
• Heavy Snow and High Wind in Alaska, January 22 to 25, 2000$50,000 · 82 kt wind · 7 eventsA moderate front, extending from just west of Nunivak Island to just west of Cold Bay late Saturday, was preceded by brisk southeasterly winds across much of the southern mainland.
• Ice Storm and Heavy Snow in North Carolina, January 22 to 23, 200030 eventsA cold dome of arctic high pressure centered over the Mid-Atlantic States provided very cold and dry air to western North Carolina. Meanwhile, weak low pressure moved east along a frontal boundary stalled across the Gulf Coast States to the Georgia coast.
• Winter Storm in Tennessee, January 22, 200018 eventsThese were some snow depths as of 230 PM Sat. Jan. 22, 2000CITY SNOWFALL IN.NASHVILLE METRO 3-4DICKSON 2-3CLARKSVILLE 3-4CROSSVILLE 2-3COOKEVILLE 2-3MONTEREY 3.0SPRINGFIELD 3-4LIVINGSTON 2-3CENTERVILLE 4.0More snow continued to fall Saturday evening resulting in many school…
• Heavy Snow in North Carolina, January 22 to 23, 20002 eventsSnow developed in the afternoon of the 22nd and accumulated 6 to 8 inches before ending early on the 23rd.
• Winter Storm in North Carolina, January 22 to 23, 200031 eventsA winter storm producing snow and ice moved from west to east across central North Carolina beginning on the evening of the 22nd.
• Ice Storm and Heavy Snow in South Carolina, January 22 to 23, 200019 eventsA cold dome of arctic high pressure centered over the Mid-Atlantic States provided very cold and dry air to Upstate South Carolina. Meanwhile, weak low pressure moved east along a frontal boundary stalled across the Gulf Coast States to the Georgia coast.
• Winter Weather in North Carolina, January 22 to 23, 20004 eventsLight snow fell during the late afternoon in Robeson County, turning to light intermittent rain during the night. Mixed light sleet and light rain fell in the other counties...freezing mostly on trees and grassy surfaces.
• Winter Weather in South Carolina, January 22 to 23, 20004 eventsSnow began to fall in the late afternoon, accumulating 2 to 3 inches in Marlboro County. In other areas it was mostly rain, freezing during the nighttime on trees and grassy areas.
• Heavy Snow in California, January 22 to 24, 20003 eventsCaltrans and ski resorts reported up to 6 feet of new snow accumulated above 7000 feet. Interstate 80 as well as Highway 50 were temporarily closed due to snow, blowing snow, and avalanche warnings.
• Ice Storm in Georgia, January 23, 20006 eventsA cold dome of arctic high pressure centered over the Mid-Atlantic States provided very cold and dry air to extreme northeast Georgia. Meanwhile, weak low pressure moved east along a frontal boundary stalled across the Gulf Coast States to the Georgia coast.
• Winter Storm in California, January 23 to 25, 20002 eventsBadger Pass in Yosemite National Park reported 24 inches of snow from the 23rd through much of the morning of the 25th.
• Winter Storm in Nebraska, January 23, 20009 eventsA narrow swath of 2 to 6 inches of snow fell across south-central Nebraska the morning of January 23. The snow area was only about 30 miles wide, but extended from northern Dawson county to southeast of Hastings, and into parts of northwest Thayer county.
• Heavy Snow in California, January 23 to 24, 20002 eventsWith snow continuing afterwards during the day, CALTRANS reported 3 to 4 inches of snow by 0745 PST.
• Winter Weather in Missouri, January 23, 20003 eventsSnow affected northern sections of the Kansas City metro area from late morning through early afternoon. Although accumulations were only around 1 inch, most of the snow fell in a two-hour period between 1 and 3 pm.
• Winter Storm in Kansas, January 23, 20003 eventsA storm system produced between 2 and 4 inches of snow across the mentioned counties. Roads became slick and resulted in a number of traffic accidents but fortunately there were no serious injuries.
• Winter Storm in Kansas, January 23, 20002 deaths · 2 injured · 1 eventThe storm system mentioned in the previous entry resulted in less than a half inch of snow in the Topeka area yet roads became slick and hazardous resulting in two major traffic accidents near the I-70 and I-470 interchange in west Topeka.
• Heavy Snow in Michigan, January 23 to 24, 20001 eventArctic air over Lake Superior caused a heavy band of lake effect snow to establish itself over far northwestern Chippewa county. Locations around the town of Paradise received up to 8 inches of snow within 8 hours.
• Winter Storm in North Carolina, January 24 to 25, 200031 eventsThis record-setting snow storm began with freezing drizzle in the early morning hours of the 24th. Road surfaces quickly froze during this time when the temperature dropped from 32 degrees to 27 degrees. Numerous traffic accidents were reported.
• Heavy Snow in South Carolina, January 24 to 25, 200010 eventsLow pressure rapidly deepened near the Carolina coast, wrapping abundant moisture back across the piedmont of the Carolinas. Snow fell all day and into the night, heavy at times south and east of a line from Abbeville to Spartanburg and Gaffney.
• Heavy Snow in North Carolina, January 24 to 25, 20009 eventsLow pressure rapidly deepened near the Carolina coast, wrapping abundant moisture back across the piedmont of the Carolinas. Snow fell all day and into the night, heavy at times south and east of Interstate 85.
• Heavy Snow in Michigan, January 24 to 25, 20002 eventsCold northwest winds set up bands of heavy "lake effect" snow over lake Superior's south shore. Both Melstrand and Shingleton in Alger county accumulated another 10.5 inches of snow and Wakefield in Gogebic county received 10 inches.

The snowstorm of January 18 to 22, 2000The snowstorm of January 24 to February 1, 2000Snow nowEvery winter storm filed

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