The snowstorm of January 27 to 31, 2001

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

797

Deaths

2

Injuries

0

Damage

$803,000

Episodes

100

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.

• Winter Storm and Heavy Snow in California, January 25 to 26, 20013 eventsClassic Pacific Frontal system spread rain at the lower elevations and snow at elevations above 3000 feet MSL through Interior Central California.
• Winter Storm in Illinois, January 26, 200113 eventsLight rain began falling during the early morning hours of January 26 resulting in a thin coating of ice on area roads by the morning drive time. Most schools across the area were closed and numerous traffic accidents were reported.
• Winter Storm in Missouri, January 26, 20016 eventsLight rain began falling during the early morning hours of January 26 resulting in a thin coating of ice on area roads by the morning drive time. Many area schools closed for the day. Numerous traffic accidents were also reported.
• Heavy Snow in Iowa, January 26 to 27, 200121 eventsAn upper-level low tracked from northern Missouri during the early morning of 1/26, into central Illinois by evening. Light snow began in far northeast Missouri and east central Iowa around 2 am, then spread eastward into western Illinois around sunrise.
• Heavy Snow in Illinois, January 26 to 27, 200113 eventsAn upper-level low tracked from northern Missouri during the early morning of 1/26, into central Illinois by evening. Light snow began in far northeast Missouri and east central Iowa around 2 am, then spread eastward into western Illinois around sunrise.
• Heavy Snow in Missouri, January 26 to 27, 20012 eventsAn upper-level low tracked from northern Missouri during the early morning of 1/26, into central Illinois by evening. Light snow began in far northeast Missouri and east central Iowa around 2 am, then spread eastward into western Illinois around sunrise.
• Heavy Snow in Wisconsin, January 26, 20013 eventsHeavy lake effect snow fell along the south shore of Lake Superior. Some of the higher amounts were 6 inches in Cornucopia, 9 inches in Mellen, and 10 inches in Hurley.
• Winter Weather in Illinois, January 26, 200119 eventsLight freezing rain overspread southern Illinois just before the early morning commute time. The precipitation, which amounted to less than a tenth of an inch, lasted a few hours. Along and north of Interstate 64, there was more sleet than ice.
• Winter Weather in Kentucky, January 26, 20019 eventsLight freezing rain overspread the Ohio River counties of western Kentucky just before the early morning commute time. The precipitation, which amounted to less than a tenth of an inch, lasted a few hours.
• Winter Weather in Indiana, January 26, 20016 eventsSleet and freezing rain overspread southwest Indiana during the morning commute time. The precipitation, which amounted to less than a tenth of an inch, lasted a few hours. A number of vehicle wrecks were reported.
• Heavy Snow in Utah, January 26 to 28, 20011 eventA large storm brought more snow to Southern Utah. Torrey and Teasdale picked up a foot of snow, with Capitol Reef NP reporting 11 inches, and Brian Head checking in with 10 inches.
• Heavy Snow in Ohio, January 27, 2001$25,000 · 1 eventNorthwest winds across Lake Erie caused lake effect snow showers to develop. Accumulations of up to 6 inches were reported at several locations on the east end of the county with nearly 7 inches falling at Pepper Pike.
• Heavy Snow in Pennsylvania, January 27, 2001$20,000 · 1 eventNorthwest winds across Lake Erie caused lake effect snow showers to develop. Snow accumulations of up to 7 inches were reported.
• Heavy Snow in Alaska, January 27 to 28, 20011 eventHeavy snow occurred across the interior valleys of the southern Panhandle. Hyder received 14 inches of snow in about 24 hours.
• Winter Storm in Arizona, January 27 to 28, 20011 eventHanagan Meadow received a total of 25 inches of snow in this two day event. Highway 191 between Springerville and Morenci was closed since the roads were impassable.
• Winter Storm in Arizona, January 27 to 28, 20011 eventVarying snow amounts were reported by trained spotters in Santa Cruz county. Sonoita had 6 inches of snow, while Rio Rico reported 2 inches of snow. Also, areas between Green Valley and Nogales reported sleet and small hail.
• Winter Storm in Arizona, January 27 to 28, 20011 eventBisbee reported 3 inches of snow and Mescal received 2 inches of snow. Texas Canyon also received 1 inch of snow.
• Winter Storm in Arizona, January 27 to 28, 20011 eventMt. Lemmon reported 23 inches of snow, while the Tucson Metro area had some reports of small hail. The Catalina Highway was also closed due to ice and snow.
• Winter Storm in Arizona, January 27 to 28, 20011 eventMt. Graham received 30 inches of snow.
• Winter Storm in Arizona, January 27 to 28, 20011 eventThis storm system originated over the Gulf of Alaska on the 22nd before dropping down into Arizona and producing varying amounts of snow on the 27th and 28th.
• Heavy Snow in California, January 27, 20011 eventAgain, snowfall rates did not meet Winter Storm criteria but continued accumulation of snow in the Kern County Mountains over the period from the 25th through the morning of the 27th plagued the area.
• Winter Storm in Texas, January 27 to 28, 2001$250,000 · 24 eventsA strong upper level low pressure system moved from California into the Southern Rockies on the 27th.
• Heavy Snow in Kansas, January 27 to 28, 200127 eventsSnow began falling around noon in the far southwest corner and spread northeast during the day. The snow continued into the pre-dawn hours on the 28th. More than four inches fell in all areas.
• Winter Storm and Heavy Snow in Texas, January 27 to 28, 200120 eventsA strong storm system in the upper atmosphere moved eastward across the southern Rockies and into the Texas panhandle.
• Heavy Snow in Oklahoma, January 27 to 28, 20013 eventsA strong storm system in the upper atmosphere moved eastward across the southern Rockies and into the Oklahoma panhandle. Heavy snow fell across the Oklahoma panhandle with amounts ranging from ten to twelve inches.
• Winter Storm in West Virginia, January 27, 20012 eventsA winter storm moving across the area brought between 3 and 6 inches of snow to Preston County, and between 6 and 8 inches to Tucker County. The higher accumulation totals were found over the ridgetops of both counties.
• Winter Storm in Maryland, January 27, 20011 eventA winter storm moving across the area brought between 4 and 6 inches of snow to western Maryland. The higher accumulation totals were found over the ridgetops of Garrett County. Winds gusting to around 50 MPH compounded the problem, making travel difficult across the area.
• Blizzard and High Wind in Alaska, January 27 to 28, 200168 kt wind · 4 eventsA North Pacific low moved across the Aleutians near Adak Saturday morning, at 962 millibars.
• Winter Storm in New Mexico, January 27 to 28, 20012 deaths · 9 eventsA slow-moving winter storm howled into northern and central New Mexico with gusty winds, heavy snow which closed state highways and many rural roads and contributed to two deaths from exposure. Tribal police found one body just north of Gallup and another near Bluewater.
• Winter Storm in Kansas, January 27 to 28, 200113 eventsA strong storm system moved out of the southwest and across the central high plains the evening of the 27th before exiting the region on the morning of the 28th. Numerous weekend events were either cancelled or postponed due to the heavy snowfall.
• Winter Storm in Nebraska, January 27 to 28, 20013 eventsA strong storm system moved out of the southwest and across the central high plains the evening of the 27th before exiting the region on the morning of the 28th. Numerous weekend events were either cancelled or postponed due to the heavy snowfall.
• Winter Storm in Colorado, January 27 to 28, 20013 eventsA strong storm system moved out of the southwest and across the central high plains the evening of the 27th before exiting the region on the morning of the 28th. Numerous weekend events were either cancelled or postponed due to the heavy snowfall.
• Ice Storm and Heavy Snow in Kansas, January 27 to 29, 200118 eventsA large and very potent winter storm lifting northeast from the 4-corners region affected Kansas from the night of the 27th thru the early morning of the 29th. The storm buried much of central Kansas with heavy snow as accumulations ranged from 6 to 14 inches.
• Winter Storm in Kansas, January 27 to 29, 200123 eventsLow pressure over the Plains region spread a wintry mix of precipitation across the area. A band of snow with amounts of 6 inches and more extended from near Belleville and Minneapolis east to the Hiawatha area. Ten inches of snow was measured at Kackley.
• Heavy Snow in Colorado, January 28 to 29, 20012 eventsHeavy snow fell across portions of the Urban Corridor. The heaviest snowfall occurred from just south of Denver to around Castle Rock.
• Winter Storm in Missouri, January 28 to 29, 200137 eventsA storm system brought a mixed bag of wintry precipitation to northern Missouri on January 28th and 29th. The precipitation started as snow but quickly became freezing rain during the morning hours, mainly south of a line from St. Joseph to Fayette.
• Winter Storm in Kansas, January 28, 20017 eventsA storm system moved across northeast Kansas on January 28th and 29th, bringing a wintry mix of precipitation. Light snow began early on the 28th, changing quickly to freezing rain. Snow accumulations ranged up to an inch with ice accumulations reaching 1/4 to 1/2 inch.
• Winter Storm in Nebraska, January 28, 20015 eventsSnow, locally heavy, and freezing rain moved into extreme southeast Nebraska and southwest Iowa early Sunday morning, 1/28/01, and continued into the afternoon hours.
• Winter Storm in Iowa, January 28, 20012 eventsSee the narrative for southeast Nebraska for the same time period.
• Ice Storm in Missouri, January 28, 20014 eventsPeriods of freezing rain developed over portions of southwest and west central Missouri during the early morning hours, then spread northeast across central Missouri. Ice accumulated up to one quarter of an inch on area roadways, power lines and trees.
• Winter Storm in Kansas, January 28, 20014 eventsThe first piece of energy from a larger storm system in the Rockies dumped 3 to 5 inches of snow on parts of north-central Kansas early on January 28.
• Ice Storm in Kansas, January 28, 20012 eventsPeriods of freezing rain developed over portions of southeast Kansas during the early morning hours. Around one quarter of an inch of ice accumulated on trees, but no major traffic problems were reported.
• Heavy Snow in New Mexico, January 28, 20011 eventFrom 6 to 10 inches of snow fell in the Cloudcroft area, with isolated amounts of over a foot.
• Ice Storm and Winter Storm in Oklahoma, January 28, 200125 eventsA winter storm provided an average of 4 to 7 inches of snow across portions of northwest Oklahoma during the morning and afternoon of the 28th, from near Arnett in Ellis County northeastward to just west of Alva in Woods County.
• Ice Storm in Iowa, January 28 to 29, 200121 eventsA strong storm system moved northeast out of Texas on Sunday, January 28th, into Missouri on Monday the 29th, and then into central Iowa Monday evening. The low pulled abundant warm, moist air northward, which overrode colder air in place near the surface.
• Ice Storm in Illinois, January 28 to 29, 200113 eventsA strong storm system moved northeast out of Texas on Sunday, January 28th, into Missouri on Monday the 29th, and then into central Iowa Monday evening. The low pulled abundant warm, moist air northward, which overrode colder air in place near the surface.
• Ice Storm in Missouri, January 28 to 29, 20012 eventsA strong storm system moved northeast out of Texas on Sunday, January 28th, into Missouri on Monday the 29th, and then into central Iowa Monday evening. The low pulled abundant warm, moist air northward, which overrode colder air in place near the surface.
• Ice Storm in Illinois, January 28 to 29, 20011 eventFulton County ESDA officials reported power lines down due to heavy accumulations of ice in northern parts of the county.
• Winter Storm in Nebraska, January 28 to 29, 200113 eventsAlthough the southern parts of this area received a period of light snow from the storm that hit extreme Southeast Nebraska earlier Sunday, this event didn't begin until late Sunday evening.
• Winter Storm in Iowa, January 28 to 29, 20014 eventsSee the narrative for eastern Nebraska for the same time period.
• Winter Weather in Michigan, January 29, 20014 eventsA strong low pressure system developed over the central plains, pushing warm air north toward the Great Lakes. Freezing rain broke out across far southeast Michigan early in the morning, and accumulated up to two-tenths of an inch.
• Winter Storm and High Wind in Nebraska, January 29 to 30, 200123 eventsA surface low pressure system lifted Northeast across Kansas into Iowa during the period of January 29th through the 30th. The springlike storm deepened rapidly while over Iowa with moisture wrapped well to the West across Western and North Central Nebraska.
• Ice Storm in Iowa, January 29, 2001$225,000 · 9 eventsA strong low pressure system formed over the southwest U.S. and moved northeast into Iowa. Though there was not a great deal of cold air in the environment, there was a shallow layer of sub-freezing air over Iowa.
• Winter Storm in South Dakota, January 29 to 30, 20016 eventsAround sunrise snow began over Tripp County Jan 29. By noon the area of snow covered much of south central South Dakota. Periods of heavy snow occurred during the evening hours of Jan 29.
• Winter Storm in Nebraska, January 29 to 30, 200112 eventsHeavy snow moved into northeast Nebraska Monday morning 1/29/01 and continued until a little past midnight Tuesday morning. The snow was preceded by a period of freezing drizzle.
• Blizzard in South Dakota, January 29 to 30, 2001$120,000 · 9 events10 to 20 inches of snowfall combined with winds gusting to around 45 mph to produce widespread blizzard conditions. Visibilities were often near zero, and roads were blocked by the falling and drifting snow.
• Winter Storm in Nebraska, January 29 to 30, 200123 eventsA large winter storm battered south-central Nebraska with heavy snow and strong winds. New snowfall of 5 to 13 inches was reported.This particular storm began during the morning hours of January 29th and continued through the afternoon of the 30th.
• Winter Storm in South Dakota, January 29 to 30, 200115 eventsA period of freezing rain was followed by snow which accumulated from 5 to 14 inches. Winds gusting up to 40 mph caused blowing and drifting snow, reducing visibilities to a quarter mile or less at times in open areas. Travel became difficult and in some places impossible.
• Winter Storm in Iowa, January 29 to 30, 200111 eventsFreezing rain produced ice storm conditions in some areas, with scattered reports of tree and power line damage. The freezing rain was followed by 2 to 5 inches of snow, along with strong winds producing areas of blowing and drifting snow.
• Winter Storm in Kansas, January 29 to 30, 20013 eventsThe final part of a large winter storm moved across north-central Kansas on January 29th and 30th. While the heaviest snow fell to the north in Nebraska, another round of 3 to 5 inches of snow blanketed north-central Kansas.
• Winter Storm in Nebraska, January 29 to 30, 20012 eventsA period of freezing rain was followed by 4 to 8 inches of snow. Winds gusted to around 40 mph, causing blowing and drifting snow, reducing visibilities to a quarter mile or less at times in open areas. Travel became difficult, and some roads were closed to travel.
• Heavy Snow in Utah, January 29 to 30, 20012 eventsAnother storm brought more snow to Utah's Ski Resorts, with the heaviest snow across the south again. Brian Head reported 23 inches of fresh powder. Up north, Snowbird received 14 inches, Alta 11 inches, and Brighton picked up 6 inches.
• Winter Storm in Minnesota, January 29 to 30, 2001$80,000 · 8 eventsFreezing rain produced ice storm conditions in some areas, with scattered reports of tree and power line damage. The freezing rain was followed by 3 to 7 inches of snow, along with winds gusting to 40 mph which caused blowing and drifting snow.
• Ice Storm in Iowa, January 29, 20011 eventFreezing rain produced ice accumulations of 1/4 to 1/2 inch, which caused slippery conditions for motorists and pedestrians. In spite of the ice, only a few automobile accidents were reported, none of which were serious.
• Ice Storm in Minnesota, January 29 to 30, 20017 eventsFreezing rain produced ice accumulations of 1/4 to 1/2 inch, prompting schools and several businesses to close. Only a few automobile accidents were reported due to icy roads and there were no serious injuries.
• Ice Storm in Wisconsin, January 29 to 30, 20015 eventsFreezing rain created a glaze of ice 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick, especially on sidewalks and secondary roads. Only a few automobile accidents were reported, none of which were serious.
• Winter Storm in South Dakota, January 29 to 30, 200116 eventsWidespread freezing rain, accumulating from 1/8 to 1/2 inch, changed over to snow late in the evening of the 29th. The snow accumulated from 6 to 12 inches over much of central and northeast South Dakota.
• Winter Storm in Minnesota, January 29 to 30, 20012 eventsFreezing rain, accumulating from 1/4 to 1/2 inch, changed over to snow late in the evening of the 29th. The snow became heavy and accumulated from 8 to 12 inches across Big Stone and Traverse counties.
• Ice Storm in Wisconsin, January 29 to 30, 200111 eventsStrong southerly flow ahead of a surface low pressure system pulled warm and moist air northward from the Gulf of Mexico. A significant band of precipitation moved through Wisconsin from south to north.
• Winter Storm in Minnesota, January 29 to 30, 200142 eventsA powerfull storm system in western Missouri tracked north into Iowa by late in the evening on the 29th. It then headed east into central Illinois by late afternoon on the 30th. A widespread area of sleet, snow, and or freezing rain occurred across all of southern Minnesota.
• Winter Storm in Wisconsin, January 29 to 30, 20019 eventsA powerful storm system in western Missouri tracked north into Iowa by late in the evening on the 29th. It then headed east into central Illinois by late afternoon on the 30th. A widespread area of freezing rain, sleet and or snow fell across all of West central Wisconsin.
• Blizzard in Kansas, January 29 to 30, 20018 eventsA low pressure system across the lower Missouri River Valley in combination with a high pressure system across the central Rocky Mountains produced high winds and blowing snow late on the 29th into the 30th of January.
• Blizzard in Colorado, January 29 to 30, 20013 eventsA low pressure system across the lower Missouri River Valley in combination with a high pressure system across the central Rocky Mountains produced high winds and blowing snow late on the 29th into the 30th of January.
• Blizzard in Nebraska, January 29 to 30, 20012 eventsA low pressure system across the lower Missouri River Valley in combination with a high pressure system across the central Rocky Mountains produced high winds and blowing snow late on the 29th into the 30th of January.
• Heavy Snow in Alaska, January 29 to 30, 20011 event10 inches of new snow reported by the Homer contract observer very early Tuesday at the airport. Total liquid content was .55 at the Homer airport ASOS.
• Ice Storm in Wisconsin, January 29 to 30, 20018 eventsFreezing rain resulted in 1/4 to 1/2 inch of ice on exposed surfaces. The ice was followed by 1 to 4 inches of snow, making driving very treacherous. Most schools were closed on January 30th.
• Ice Storm in Minnesota, January 29 to 30, 20017 eventsFreezing rain resulted in 1/4 to 1/2 inch of ice on exposed surfaces. The ice was followed by 1 to 4 inches of snow, making driving very treacherous. Most schools were closed on January 30th.
• Winter Storm in Minnesota, January 29 to 30, 20017 eventsA vertically stacked low pressure system moved from the Four Corners region into northwest Iowa, wrapping precipitation into extreme southeast North Dakota and west central Minnesota. The precipitation started out as freezing rain and changed over to snow.
• Heavy Snow in Alaska, January 30 to 31, 20012 eventsIsolated pockets of cold air were maintained by drainage winds from British Columbia in both the Chilkat River Valley (near Haines) and the Portland Canal area (near Hyder), and the overrunning of warm maritime air caused locally heavy snow to occur.
• Winter Storm in North Dakota, January 29 to 30, 20011 eventA vertically stacked low pressure system moved from the Four Corners region into northwest Iowa, wrapping precipitation into extreme southeast North Dakota and west central Minnesota. The precipitation started out as freezing rain and changed over to snow.
• Winter Weather in Pennsylvania, January 30, 20017 eventsCold air remained in place near the ground as a warm front was approaching Eastern Pennsylvania during the early morning of the 30th. Temperatures above the ground were warm enough for precipitation to fall as rain.
• Winter Weather in New Jersey, January 30, 20015 eventsCold air remained in place near the ground as a warm front was approaching New Jersey during the early morning of the 30th. Temperatures above the ground were warm enough for precipitation to fall as rain.
• Winter Weather in Connecticut, January 30, 20013 eventsFreezing rain resulted in several accidents throughout Hartford, Tolland, and Windham Counties.
• Winter Weather in Rhode Island, January 30, 20012 eventsFreezing rain resulted in dozens of minor accidents in northwest Providence and Western Kent Counties.
• Winter Weather in Massachusetts, January 30, 200110 eventsFreezing rain resulted in dozens of minor accidents throughout central and western Massachusetts.
• Winter Weather in New Hampshire, January 30, 20012 eventsFreezing rain resulted in dozens of minor accidents throughout Cheshire and Hillsborough Counties.
• Heavy Snow and Winter Weather in New Hampshire, January 30 to 31, 200112 eventsThe circulation around a large area of low pressure developing over the upper Mississippi valley brought a mixture of precipitation to the state. In the northern mountains where the precipitation was mostly in the form of snow, 3 to 5 inches of snow accumulated.
• Winter Weather in New York, January 30, 2001$7,000 · 7 eventsA large sprawling area of low pressure over the Great Lakes region spread moisture across the area. The low level temperatures were at or below freezing. Thus there was a mixture of light freezing rain, snow and sleet.
• Heavy Snow and Winter Weather in Maine, January 30 to 31, 200118 eventsThe circulation around a large area of low pressure developing over the upper Mississippi valley brought a mixture of precipitation to the state. In the mountains where the precipitation was mostly in the form of snow, 4 to 7 inches of snow accumulated.
• Winter Weather in Vermont, January 30, 2001$7,000 · 7 eventsA large sprawling area of low pressure over the Great Lakes region spread moisture across the area. The low level temperatures were at or below freezing. Thus there was a mixture of light freezing rain, snow and sleet.
• Winter Weather in Vermont, January 30, 2001$4,000 · 4 eventsA large sprawling area of low pressure over the Great Lakes region spread moisture across the area. The low level temperatures were at or below freezing. Thus there was a mixture of light freezing rain, snow and sleet. Roads were reported as slippery by Vermont State Police.
• Winter Storm in Maine, January 30 to 31, 20014 eventsLow pressure tracking eastward across the Great Lakes transferred energy to a secondary low whichdeveloped and intensified along the Maine coast during the 30th. The low then tracked to the maritime provinces during the early morning hours of the 31st.
• Blizzard in Colorado, January 30 to 31, 20016 eventsA ground blizzard made travel across the northeastern plains of Colorado impossible as whiteout conditions developed. Wind gusts in excess of 60 mph caused extensive blowing and drifting snow, up to 12 feet in depth. Interstate 70, from Limon to the Kansas stateline, U.S.
• Winter Weather in Vermont, January 31, 2001$8,000 · 8 eventsAn area of low pressure moved from the Great Lakes region along a frontal boundary through northern New England Wednesday afternoon and evening, January 31. Snowfall was generally 3 to 6 inches with slippery roads reported.
• Winter Weather in New York, January 31, 2001$8,000 · 8 eventsAn area of low pressure moved from the Great Lakes region along a frontal boundary through northern New York Wednesday afternoon, January 31. Snowfall was generally 3 to 5 inches with slippery roads reported.
• Heavy Snow in Maine, January 31, 200117 eventsLow pressure moving east from the Great Lakes brought a moderate snowfall to the state. The snow fell only a day after a mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain caused numerous accidents and treacherous conditions.
• Heavy Snow in New Hampshire, January 31, 20019 eventsLow pressure moving east from the Great Lakes brought a moderate snowfall to the state. The snow fell only a day after a mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain caused numerous accidents and treacherous conditions.
• Heavy Snow and High Wind in Alaska, February 1, 2001$49,000 · 64 kt wind · 3 eventsA weakening low moved into western Prince William Sound late Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Gusty east winds preceded the low. Strong pressure rises accompanied the weakening low.
• Winter Storm in Maine, February 1, 20013 eventsLow pressure tracking along the Maine coast produced 6 to 8 inches of snow across extremeDowneast Maine from the afternoon of January 31st through the early morning hours of February 1st.
• Heavy Snow in Michigan, February 1 to 2, 20014 eventsA low pressure center and its attendant cold front moving across the northern Great Lakes brought significant snow to the Lake Effect Snowbelt of northwest Upper Michigan.

The snowstorm of December 28, 2000 to January 1, 2001The snowstorm of February 6 to 10, 2001Snow nowEvery winter storm filed

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