The snowstorm of March 22 to 26, 1996

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

455

Deaths

7

Injuries

13

Damage

$665,000

Episodes

42

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.

• Cold in North Carolina, March 20 to 21, 19964 eventsVery cold air continued to surge into the northern mountains creating near blizzard conditions.
• Heavy Snow in North Carolina, March 20 to 21, 19964 eventsA second burst of heavy snow fell in the northern mountains as very cold air continued to surge in. Several more inches of snow fell along with the wind creating near blizzard conditions at times.
• Winter Storm in Utah, March 22 to 24, 19962 eventsAnother winter storm swept across bringing snow to the mountains, but rain mixed with snow to the valleys. From 11-34 inches of snow fell in the northern mountains, with the Alta Ski Resort receiving the most once again. In the southern mountains, 10-15" fell.
• Winter Storm in Montana, March 22 to 24, 19961 eventThree to six inches of snow fell over portions of northeast Montana. The heaviest snow was reported in Garfield and Phillips counties. Strong winds to 40 miles an hour in combination with the snow reduced visibilities causing travel problems.
• Heavy Snow in Montana, March 23 to 25, 19961 eventHeavy Snow fell over parts of southeast Montana. Miles City in Custer County received 9 inches of snow. Ekalaka in Carter County, and Baker in Fallon County each received 6 inches of snow. Broadus in Powder River County also reported 6 inches of snow.
• Winter Storm in North Dakota, March 23 to 25, 199636 eventsAn early spring snow storm moved up out of the 4-corners region of the country to bring another round of severe winter weather to the northern plains.
• Heavy Snow in Wisconsin, March 23 to 25, 19968 eventsAn intense early spring storm moved from the central plains toward Lake Superior, spreading heavy snow across northwest Wisconsin. Amounts of a foot to a foot and a half were common from Wascott and Spooner east to Saxon, Glidden, and Phillips.
• Blizzard in Nebraska, March 23 to 24, 19968 eventsSnow and strong winds combined to produce blizzard conditions in the west part of the Nebraska panhandle. Visibilities were near zero and wind chill temperatures as low as 45 degrees below zero.three to six inches of snow were common with the event.
• Blizzard in South Dakota, March 23 to 24, 199621 eventsA blizzard brought snow, wind, and freezing rain to western South Dakota. Freezing rain Saturday evening caused a series of accidents on interstate 90. By early Sunday morning six to nine inches of snow and winds 20 to 40 mph caused whiteout conditions, closing Interstat 90.
• Blizzard in North Dakota, March 23 to 24, 199617 eventsA gusty north wind and heavy snowfall combined to produce visibilities near zero at times. A peak wind gust of 46 mph was reported at the airport in Fargo. Snowfall totals generally ranged from 6 to 10 inches while wind chills dropped to 30 to 50 below zero.
• Blizzard in North Dakota, March 23 to 24, 199617 eventsA gusty north wind and heavy snowfall combined to produce visibilities to near zero at times. A peak wind gust of 46 mph was reported at the airport at Fargo. Snowfall totals generally ranged from 6 to 10 inches while wind chills dropped to 30 to 50 below zero.
• Blizzard in Minnesota, March 23 to 24, 199615 eventsA gusty north wind and heavy snowfall combined to produce near zero visibility. A peak wind gust of 46 mph was reported at the NWS office in Fargo. Snowfall totals ranged from 6 to 10 inches while wind chills dropped to 30 to 50 below zero.
• Heavy Snow in Minnesota, March 23 to 25, 199641 eventsA major winter storm moved from Kansas to southeast Wisconsin during the period. Thunderstorms deposited bursts of heavy snow across the area late 3/23 into the morning of 3/24. Heavy snow redeveloped during the early afternoon of 3/24 across the area along with strong winds.
• Winter Storm in Wisconsin, March 23 to 25, 19969 eventsA powerful storm brought two waves of winter weather to North Central and Northeast Wisconsin over a 38 hour period. Warm air advection associated with this system brought between 3 and 9 inches of snow to the area between 1100 pm on the 23rd and 900 am on the 24th.
• Heavy Snow in Wisconsin, March 23 to 24, 19962 eventsResidents of north-central Wisconsin were hit by a late March snowstorm. Thunder and lightning accompanied the snow, resulting in snowfall rates of 1 to 3 inches an hour at times. Total accumulations of 4 to 8 inches were common across the area.
• Heavy Snow in Wisconsin, March 24 to 25, 19969 eventsA major Spring storm moved from Kansas to southeast Wisconsin depositing heavy snowfall over all of northwest Wisconsin. Snowfall amounts of 8 to 15 inches were common. Both Rice Lake and Chetek in Barron county reported 17 inches of snow.
• Winter Storm in Nebraska, March 24 to 25, 19963 deaths · 17 eventsAn intense spring storm system brought near blizzard conditions to the area. Snow was widespread across the area with accumulations of 2 to 5 inches common. Strong gusty winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts into the 50s blew and drifted snow impeding travel across the area.
• Blizzard in South Dakota, March 24, 199616 eventsOn the morning of the 24th, north winds of 30 to 40 mph, gusting to 50 mph, combined with the falling snow and the previous day's snowfall to create blizzard conditions until the evening of the 24th.
• Heavy Snow in Minnesota, March 24 to 25, 19966 eventsAn intense early spring storm moved from the central plains toward Lake Superior, spreading heavy snow across parts of northeast Minnesota. Amounts of 6 to 8 inches were common from the Brainerd area, east to the Wisconsin border and north to Duluth.
• Blizzard in Kansas, March 24, 19968 eventsStrong winds, cold temperatures, and snow created blizzard conditions with visibility frequently below 1/4 mile. There were several traffic accidents with minor injuries. Major roads were closed for several hours.
• Blizzard in Nebraska, March 24, 19963 eventsStrong winds, cold temperatures, and snow caused visibility to fall below 1/4 mile for several hours. Traffic accidents with minor injuries occurred. Actual snow amounts were only 3 inches or less but drifts to three feet were common.
• Blizzard in Colorado, March 24 to 25, 19963 eventsAs the storm moved into the Northeast Plains the winds intensified.High winds gusting between 45 and 55 mph combined with cold temperatures to create dangerous wind chills from 20 to 35 degrees below zero.
• Blizzard in Colorado, March 24, 19962 eventsStrong winds, cold temperatures, and snow created visibility less than 1/4 mile for several hours. There were traffic accidents with minor injuries. Major roadways were closed. Although actual snow amounts were 3 inches or less, drifts to 3 feet were common.
• Blizzard in South Dakota, March 24, 19966 eventsOn the morning of the 24th, north winds of 30 to 40 mph, gusting to 55 mph, combined with the falling snow and the previous day's snowfall to create blizzard conditions into the late evening of the 24th. Travel was extremely difficult.
• Blizzard in South Dakota, March 24 to 25, 19961 death · 8 injured · $400,000 · 28 eventsSnow accumulating 3 to 8 inches was accompanied by winds over 50 mph at times, producing widespread whiteout conditions. Numerous vehicles slid into ditches and many people were stranded in vehicles.
• Blizzard in Minnesota, March 24 to 25, 19961 death · $120,000 · 8 events3 to 6 inches of snow combined with winds gusting over 50 mph to produce widespread whiteout conditions. The drifting...slippery conditions...and low visibility contributed to people stranded in vehicles and several accidents.
• Blizzard in Nebraska, March 24 to 25, 1996$20,000 · 2 eventsSnow accumulating 3 to 6 inches was accompanied by winds gusting over 60 mph. The snow was preceeded by freezing rain. Several accidents were reported and some people in vehicles were stranded. Wind chills were as low as 40 below zero.
• Blizzard in Minnesota, March 24 to 25, 19969 eventsSnowfall of 4 to 8 inches combined with frequent winds over 40 mph to produce frequent whiteout conditions for a prolonged period. Worthington reported a wind gust to 68 mph.
• Blizzard in Minnesota, March 24 to 25, 19962 eventsIn the early afternoon of the 24th, north winds of 30 to 40 mph, gusting to 55 mph, combined with the falling snow and the previous day's snowfall to create blizzard conditions into the early morning of the the 25th. Travel was extremely difficult and was not recommended.
• Blizzard in Iowa, March 24 to 25, 19963 injured · $125,000 · 11 eventsSnow, preceeded by freezing rain, accumulated 3 to 6 inches and was accompanied by winds over 60 mph. Several accidents occurred, mostly due to the slippery conditions near the start of the storm. Many people in vehicles were stranded.
• Blizzard in Nebraska, March 24 to 25, 199624 eventsA major winter storm moved through the area producing blizzard conditions. Snowfalls averaged between 6 and 8 inches. This snow was blown around by winds of 40 to 60 mph. This caused considerable drifting of the snow. Some drifts were over 10 feet high.
• Winter Storm in Michigan, March 24 to 25, 19961 death · 2 injured · 1 eventLow pressure moved northeast across Iowa during the evening of the 24th and over Wisconsin during the early morning of the 25th. The low then crossed Northern Lake Michigan and reached Sault Ste. Marie around 11 am EST on the 25th.
• Blizzard in Nebraska, March 24 to 25, 199639 eventsAn intense spring storm system brought beneficial rains to the area, but also a blizzard. During the afternoon and evening of the 24th, rain changed to freezing rain and then snow.
• Blizzard in Kansas, March 24 to 25, 19966 eventsA major winter storm moved across the area producing blizzard conditions across the region. Snowfalls averaged 4 to 8 inches with winds gusting from 40 to 50 mph. This caused considerable drifting of the snow along with near zero visibilities.
• Winter Weather in Kansas, March 24, 19962 eventsblowing snow reduced visibility to near zero at times. several accidents were reported from people venturing out onto highways.
• Blizzard in Iowa, March 24 to 25, 19968 eventsAn intense spring storm system brought beneficial rains to the area, but also a blizzard. rain changed to freezing rain, and then light snow during the evening of the 24th.
• Heavy Snow in Wisconsin, March 24 to 25, 19964 eventsAnother late March snowstorm hit parts of west-central and north-central Wisconsin. The snow began Sunday evening and continued through Monday morning, producing 4 to 8 inches of accumulation.
• Blizzard in Iowa, March 24 to 25, 199641 eventsThe storm system that brought the severe weather to Iowa earlier in the afternoon tracked across central Iowa before heading to the east. A very strong pressure gradient developed behind the low as Arctic air plunged south into the state.
• Blizzard in Iowa, March 25, 19961 death · 1 eventA 35 year old woman died in the blizzard west of Algona. She left Algona by car and became stuck in the snow. In an attempt to find help, she froze to death about 2 1/2 miles west of town.
• Winter Storm in Michigan, March 25 to 26, 19967 eventsHigh winds with gusts to 45 mph caused power outages in Ottawa County and caused roof damage to a library and restaurant in Clarksville (Kent Co.). Further south, the winds combined with locally heavy snows of up to 6 inches to disrupt travel.
• Winter Weather in Texas, March 26 to 27, 19961 eventSeveral upper level disturbances that moved across the area resulted in overrunning conditions in North Texas. Freezing rain and sleet occurred north of a Graham to Eastland to San Saba line causing roads to become slippery. Several accidents resulted in a few indirect injuries.
• Heavy Snow in Oregon, March 27 to 28, 19965 eventsA pacific storm pumped moisture over Oregon as a cold front slowly moved across the state. Heavy snow fell over the Cascades, northeastern mountains, and central Oregon.

The snowstorm of March 3 to 9, 1996The snowstorm of April 9 to 11, 1996Snow nowEvery winter storm filed

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