SWEEPING WINTER STORMS CONFIRM RETURN TO COLDER WINTER

December 14, 2000 — In October, NOAA forecasters warned that the winter of 2000-2001 would be colder than the past three years of relatively mild winters. Last week brought confirmation of this forecast, as Arctic cold swept through the Midwest and Southern Plains, bringing record low temperatures, snow and ice that paralyzed transportation and caused eight deaths. High winds, snow and ice raked the Northeastern United States, while the Mid-Atlantic region escaped with just a day of sleet and freezing rain. (Click image to see more photos of ice storm in Arkansas courtesy NOAA's National Weather Service Forecast Office in Little Rock, Ark.)

The stormy week began with an Arctic blast that moved from Canada into the United States on Dec. 9, bringing sub-zero wind chill temperatures to the Midwest and heavy snow that forced the shut-down of Chicago's O'Hare Airport on Monday, Dec, 11. At the same time the blizzard dumped a record one-day December snowfall of 14.5 inches at Chicago's Midway Airport. Tuesday, Dec. 12 was a day of record-breaking low temperatures in Casper, Wyo., Eau Claire, Wis., Alexandria, Minn., Rapid City and Aberdeen, S.D. So far this winter, Grand Rapids, Mich., has accumulated 54.2 inches of snow—more than fell on that city in the entire winter of 1999-2000.

This same storm brought winds up to 60 miles per hour to New York and New Jersey, causing partial building collapses and downed scaffolding, resulting in seven injuries. Trees and power lines were downed in North Carolina, Virginia, Ohio, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey, New York and Vermont.

Meanwhile, a cold front moved into the Southern Plains, where it mixed with a band of precipitation moving northeast, creating a dangerous mixture of snow, sleet and freezing rain in northern Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas, and snow and serious wind chill in New Mexico, Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle. Northeast Oklahoma had up to 10 inches of snow, while central Oklahoma experienced up to 2 inches of sleet. Nearly 289,000 individuals were without power in Texas, and full restoration of power is expected to take seven days. Power outages in Arkansas affected 250,000 people, and complete restoration of power is anticipated to take until Dec. 19. With accumulations of ½ to 1 1/4 inches in the south-central region, this is considered the largest ice storm in Arkansas since 1994. Northern Louisiana received up to ½ inch of ice accumulation, which brought down a great many trees and power lines, so that 200,000 people are without power. Many areas are also experiencing water shortages as a result of power loss.

This second major winter storm system moved up the eastern United States Dec. 14th, causing NOAA's National Weather Service to issue winter storm warnings and advisories for the Appalachians, Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and New England. The Mid-Atlantic region experienced sleet and freezing rain, although timely weather forecasts enabled public officials to be prepared and traffic problems were minimal. The storm brought a wintry mix of rain, sleet, ice and snow to New England, however.

Retired Brig. Gen. Jack Kelly, director of NOAA's National Weather Service, warned, "Because we are expecting variable and sometimes severe weather conditions this year, it is particularly important that people pay attention to weather forecasts and be prepared." He recommended using NOAA Weather Radio as a means of staying alert to severe weather conditions.

"A NOAA Weather Radio could save your life some day," said Kelly. "When you may only have minutes to react, NOAA Weather Radio gives you confidence to take the appropriate action when severe weather or other hazards are at hand."

Relevant Web Sites
The following National Weather Service Web sites are available to provide up-to-the-minute winter weather information.

Current winter storm watches, warnings and temperatures across the United States

National forecasts that extend from three to 14 days in advance

Winter weather safety and preparedness tips to handle snow, ice, wind and bitter cold temperatures

Map showing the expected extent of the Arctic air over the United States

NOAA's Weather Page — includes latest satellite images and weather maps

NOAA's National Weather Service Office of Climate, Water, and Weather Services

NOAA's National Weather Service's Hydrometeorological Prediction Center

NOAA ISSUES NATION'S OFFICIAL WINTER OUTLOOK

NOAA Weather Radio

Media Contacts:
Curtis Carey or Susan Weaver, NOAA's National Weather Service, (301) 713-0622

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