The great Northeast snowstorm of February 8-9, 2013 is over. The storm deposited some incredibly large amounts of white powder across much of Northeast during the past two days (Fig. 1), knocked out electric power to more than half a million customers and caused at least 10 fatalities.
Here are some of the largest storm snowfall totals (in inches) reported by state:
CONNECTICUT
Hamden-------------------------40.0
Milford---------------------------38.0
Clintonville----------------------37.0
Southwick-----------------------28.3
Worcester-----------------------28.0
Belmont--------------------------27.0
MAINE
Gorham--------------------------35.5
Berwick---------------------------32.0
Portland Jetport----------------31.9
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Seabrook 5W-------------------29.3
Goffstown------------------------28.0
Farmington 2 SSE-------------27.0
NEW JERSEY
Rivervale-------------------------15.0
Chatham-------------------------14.0
Hillsdale--------------------------14.0
NEW YORK
Upton------------------------------30.3
Commack-------------------------29.1
East Seyauket-------------------28.5
RHODE ISLAND
West Gloucester----------------25.7
Burrillville-------------------------25.0
Woonsocket 1.3 ESE----------24.4
While these amounts are impressive, there was a dramatic drop off in totals west of a Suffolk County, Long Island-western Connecticut- western Massachusetts line. For example, Staten Island only netted 6.4 inches of snow, while Central Park (New York City) received just below one foot.
According to Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow (COCORAHS) observers, Washington, DC, however, missed the snowstorm, while measurements in the Philadelphia area were generally in the one to two inch-range.
Winds were also an issue with this storm. The Cuttyhunk, MA area reported gusts to 83 miles per hour; while Westport, CT’s peak winds were clocked at 82 miles an hour. Snowdrifts were enormous, sometimes reaching heights of six to seven feet, almost completely encasing some garage and patio door openings.
Wind-driven waves caused some coastal erosion, destroyed some coastal property and sent huge waves over seawalls (Fig. 2) and onto coastal city streets. There was also some freezing spray reported along the coast of Massachusetts.
Power outages were significant, especially across Massachusetts. Matt Cappucci, a summer 2012 weather camper and future meteorologist, reported that almost the entire Cape Cod area was powerless during midday on Feb. 9.
So, with all the hype about the storm and its significant impacts, just how does the storm stand in climatological circles?
In terms of snowfall, this tied the sixth greatest amount for Boston, MA area according to the National Weather Service in Taunton, MA.
Here are the top ten events on record:
Feb. 17-18, 2003 -- 27.6 inches
Feb. 6-7, 1978 -- 27.1 inches
Feb. 24-27, 1969 -- 26.3 inches
Mar. 31-April 1, 1997 -- 25.4 inches
Jan. 22-23, 2005 -- 22.5 inches
Feb. 8-9, 2013 -- 21.4 inches
Jan. 20-21, 1978 -- 21.4 inches
Mar. 3-5, 1960 -- 19.8 inches
Feb. 16-17, 1958 -- 19.4 inches
Feb. 8-10, 1994 -- 18.7 inches
However, the best way to assess a storm goes beyond point comparisons. Instead, meteorologists look to the Northeast Regional Snow Index (RSI). This scale, similar to other scales used in weather and geology, allows one to compare and contrast significant events. The RSI incorporates regionally-appropriate values of snowfall and how these interact geographically with population centers.
Category 4 (crippling – 1978 and 2003) and 5 (extreme – 1993 and 1996) storm events should easily top the Feb. 2013 storm because these four events affected larger areas and more people with equally heavy snowfall.
For more information about the National and Regional Snow Indices, please read the paper by Squires et al. 2011.
Still, some people managed to find a reason to have fun in the snow (Fig. 3). That’s actually a good thing!
© 2013 H. Michael Mogil
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