December 15–17, 2020 nor'easter

The December 15–17, 2020 nor'easter was a powerful nor'easter that hammered the Northeastern United States and produced widespread swaths of over 1 foot (12 in) of snow in much of the region from December 15–17, 2020, ending a 1,000+ day high-impact snowstorm drought in much of the Mid-Atlantic and coastal New England regions. The system developed out of a weak area of low-pressure that first developed over the Central United States producing some snowfall before moving eastward, and by December 16, a new, dominant area of low pressure began to develop along the Southeast coast. This low steadily deepened as it moved along and impacted the Mid-Atlantic coastline, prompting several winter-related advisories and warnings for much of the Northeast.

December 15–17, 2020 nor'easter
Category 2 "Significant" (RSI: 5.58)
GOES-16 satellite image of the nor'easter off the New England coast at 15:56 UTC (10:56 a.m. EST) on December 17, with an eye-like feature
TypeExtratropical cyclone
Nor'easter
Winter storm
Ice storm
FormedDecember 14, 2020
DissipatedDecember 19, 2020
Lowest pressure985 mb (29.09 inHg)
Tornadoes confirmed2 on December 16
Max. rating1EF2 tornado
Duration of tornado outbreak21 hour, 26 minutes
Highest gust63 mph (101 km/h) in Mantoloking, New Jersey
Maximum snowfall or ice accretionSnow – 44 in (110 cm) near Newark Valley, New York
Ice – 0.60 in (1.5 cm) near Pipers Gap, Virginia
DamageUnknown
Power outages> 56,000
Casualties7 fatalities
Areas affectedSouthern Plains, Southeastern and Northeastern United States (primarily New England and Mid-Atlantic), Upland South, Atlantic Canada

1Most severe tornado damage; see Fujita scale
2Time from first tornado to last tornado

Multiple states that were expected to be impacted by the nor'easter, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia declared states of emergencies on December 15–16 in advance of the storm. New York and Boston declared a snow emergency the day of the storm as well. The nor'easter brought significant snowfall to metropolitan areas such as New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., which eclipsed the entire snowfall total from the previous winter season, as well as Boston and Portland that saw over a foot of snow from the storm. Tens of thousands lost power during the storm, and the storm caused high wind gusts along the Jersey Shore, in addition to rough surf and even storm surge in coastal Massachusetts. At least 5 people have been confirmed killed as a result from the storm. The system was unofficially named Winter Storm Gail by The Weather Channel.[1]

Meteorological history
Weather Prediction Center (WPC) graphic of the developing low of the nor'easter early on December 16

The nor'easter originated from a disorganized winter storm in the Southern Plains of the United States late on December 14. It became more widespread the next day as a low pressure system was created and it began to spread snow in Oklahoma and Kansas. The system slowly moved eastward across the Southern Plains throughout the day on December 15.[2] The next day, the system reached the Eastern United States and began spreading snow, ice, and rain.[1] The system then moved off the coast and developed strong winds and heavier precipitation, as the snow spread northward.[3] As the low-pressure system began to strengthen, the rain-snow line pushed northward as well.[4] The center of low pressure paralleled the coast as it peaked with minimum central pressure of 985 millibars (29.1 inHg), as it also developed an eye like feature off the New England coast.[3] A strong high-pressure system over Canada then steered the storm away from the coast, after it passed south of New England, and it raced off eastward into the Atlantic.[4][3]

Preparations
All warnings and advisories issued in the Northeastern United States due to the storm
 Winter Storm Warning
 Winter Storm Watch
 Winter Weather Advisory
 Coastal Flood Advisory
 Special Weather Statement

On December 14, Winter Storm Watches were placed into effect in a large swath from Virginia up through southern New England.[1] Early the next day, watches located from Virginia to Western New Jersey were updated to Winter Storm Warnings. Simultaneously, Winter Weather Advisories were issued for the southern end of the storm. Later Winter Storm Warnings were issued up through most of southern New England.[5]

Mid-Atlantic states

On December 16, Governor Ralph Northam of Virginia declared a state of emergency.[6]

300 snow plows were deployed to apply salt to many major roads and bridges due to expected snowfall.[7]

On December 15, Governor Tom Wolf declared a state of emergency for Pennsylvania.[8] 100 pieces of equipment to treat roads were also deployed at the beginning of the storm. In Philadelphia, classes that were already in virtual learning due to COVID-19 were instructed to continue with classes December 17.[9]

On December 16, the governor of New Jersey, Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency.[10] NJ Transit suspended bus and train travel beginning at 6:30 p.m. EST as a result of the degrading conditions.[11] The state also imposed travel restrictions across several interstates, including Interstates 78, 80 and 280.

In New York City, mayor Bill de Blasio announced that schools in the city would transition to online learning for the day of December 17, citing the snow.[12][7] Governor Andrew Cuomo declared states of emergency in 18 counties, all upstate.[13] The Thruway speed limits were reduced to 45 mph from upstate cities such as Syracuse, to areas to the south such as New York City.[13]

New England

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont ordered all large trucks off the state's highways beginning at 9:00 PM EST on December 16. The truck ban was lifted at 9:00 AM on December 18. The Connecticut Department of Transportation mobilized hundreds of snowplows to keep the state's roads open during the storm.

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker urged residents in his state to stay at home during the nor'easter. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation fully deployed its resources to clear the roads, including 3,800 pieces of snow-fighting equipment to be used on some 15,000 miles of roads. The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency's emergency operations center was activated.[14] Boston Mayor Marty Walsh declared a snow emergency in the city ahead of the storm. A parking ban was implemented and all school buildings were closed on December 16. City departments and some COVID-19 testing sites were also closed as a result of the storm.[15]

Impact
Observed snowfall accumulation from December 16–17 across the Eastern United States

Due to icy conditions on the roadways as well as heavy snow and sleet, the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine became more difficult.[8]

Southeast
See also: List of United States tornadoes from October to December 2020 § December 16 event

Severe weather from the warm sector of the storm was reported near Tampa Bay in Florida. Tornado warnings were issued in Hillsborough County and Pinellas County, Florida. A large and damaging tornado was confirmed in Pinellas County, though no causalties were reported.[16]

List of confirmed tornadoes – Wednesday, December 16, 2020[note 1]
EF# Location County / Parish State Start Coord. Time (UTC) Path length Max width Summary
EF2 NE of Seminole to SSW of Tampa International Airport Pinellas FL 27.8637°N 82.7524°W / 27.8637; -82.7524 (Seminole (Dec. 16, EF2)) 20:49-21:11 13.1 mi (21.1 km) 300 yd (270 m) Two buildings were destroyed, and five had major damage. At a boat storage facility, 2-ton boats were tossed, and the buildings they were housed in had major damage. As the tornado approached U.S. 19, damage became more spotty. Insulation from buildings collected along a fence near the St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport. The tornado crossed I-275 on the Howard Frankland Bridge. Video from social media showed the tornado bending a light pole.[17]
EF1 N of Plant City to Gibsonia Hillsborough, Polk FL 28.061°N 82.1662°W / 28.061; -82.1662 (Plant City (Dec. 16, EF1)) 21:53-22:15 12.9 mi (20.8 km) 250 yd (230 m) A home was damaged in North Lakeland, just north of Lake Gibson. Two small barns were destroyed. Video posted on social media of this tornado showed the tornado as a "wedge". Most damage was done to trees as the tornado's rotation stayed elevated for most of its path.[17]

Mid-Atlantic states
Snowfall accumulation in Essex County, New Jersey, on December 17, 2020

Virginia State Police responded to about 200 crashes and 125 disabled vehicles across the state. By 6:45 p.m. local time, Dominion Energy reported nearly 20,000 power outages, mainly across the Shenandoah Valley, western Piedmont. Appalachian Power reported roughly 3,000 outages in southwestern Virginia, and more than 6,800 customers were without power in the Rappahannock Electric Cooperative area. The National Weather Service received a report of up to six-tenths of an inch of freezing rain east of Galax and a half-inch in western Bedford County.[18]

Maryland State Police responded to 489 service calls on December 16 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. local time, including 161 crashes and 60 abandoned or disabled vehicles. The Baltimore Police Department responded to 88 calls for accidents around the city Wednesday since 12:00 p.m. local time.[19] There was a very wide range of snowfall, from one foot of snow in Sabillasville, to 0.7 inches of snow in Olney.[20] On the morning of December 17th, Spirit Airlines flight 696 skidded off the taxiway after landing at Baltimore-Washington Thurgood Marshall Airport due to snow and ice accumulations.[21]

Snowfall accumulation in Newark Valley, NY on December 17, 2020

As of late on December 16, power outages peaked around 14,000 in New Jersey, before decreasing by the following morning.[22] Strong gusty winds were reported as well, especially close to the Jersey Shore, where a peak gust of 62 mph (100 km/h) in Mantoloking was recorded late on December 16. At times, snowfall rates within the state averaged 2–3 inches (5.1–7.6 cm) an hour, particularly in the northern portion.[23] 11.4 inches (29 cm) of snow was recorded at Newark.[24]

In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the city recorded 6.3 inches (16 cm) of snow, the highest since 2018 and more then the entirety of the previous winter season.[25] The Pittsburgh area got 9.3 inches, the most since the 2010 storm. North of there got over a foot of snow.[26] The snowstorm caused a pickup truck to crash into a EMS truck in Collier TWP PA, in the Pittsburgh area. The crew cleared before the truck hit, according to footage.[27] Two people in Clinton County were killed in a multi-dozen car pileup on Interstate 80.[28]

The Binghamton, New York area saw a record-breaking 40 inches (102 cm) of snow, which caused severe travel headaches, as the system was predicted to bring only a maximum of 20 inches (51 cm) to the southern region of the state.[29] Ice accumulations of up to half an inch occurred in the Hudson Valley, and up to two-tenths of an inch of ice accumulated on Long Island.[30] State police responded to more than 600 accidents and disabled vehicles overnight stuck in snow and sleet as the storm passed over, resulting in two fatal accidents.[30] Amounts of 4–10 inches (10–25 cm) of snow and sleet fell on Long Island and the New York City area. The sleet made the cleanup efforts particularly difficult on Long Island due to its weight.[30][31] The snowfall totals from this storm in New York City were greater than the snow total from the previous winter, surpassing just 4.8 in. of snowfall.[32] Newark Valley saw 44 inches (110 cm) of snow, the maximum snowfall accumulation during the event.[33]

New England
A panoramic view of 14 inches (36 cm) of snow blanketing Lexington, MA on December 18, 2020

The greatest snow totals in the state of Connecticut were reported in Fairfield and Litchfield Counties in the western part of the state, where up to 15 inches (38 cm) of snow fell. Snow totals ranged between 6 inches along coastal southeastern Connecticut to over a foot over interior sections of central and eastern Connecticut.[34][35]

The greatest snowfall total in Massachusetts was in the town of Florida, where 24 inches (61 cm) of snow were recorded. Snowfall totals of at least 8 inches (20 cm) were recorded in most of the state, with the exception of Cape Cod. The heaviest snowfall was in the northwestern portion of Massachusetts.[36] Boston set a record one-day snowfall accumulation, where 12.7 inches (32 cm) of snow was recorded from the nor'easter.[36]

Nova Scotia

On December 17–18, as the nor'easter passed to the south of the province, winter weather caused various delays and closures, particularly in the Provincial capital, Halifax, where schools, government offices, recreational programs and public parks had delayed openings after 20 centimetres (7.9 in) of snow fell.[37] In Annapolis county and the South Shore, the snow was disruptive enough to close schools for the day.[38] A bus in Laurencetown drove off the road, although the student aboard and driver weren't injured. Many parents were worried about their children's safety, preferring they stay home for the day. According to local police, traffic was lighter than usual and very few collisions were reported as residents took the storm seriously.[37]

Snowfall totals
Highest observed snow totals from each affected state
State Town Amount
New York Newark Valley 44 inches (110 cm)
New Hampshire Croydon 44 inches (110 cm)
Pennsylvania Alba 43.3 inches (110 cm)
Vermont Landgrove 42 inches (110 cm)
Maine Acton 28 inches (71 cm)
Massachusetts Florida 24 inches (61 cm)
Connecticut Winsted 16.5 inches (42 cm)
Rhode Island Glocester 14 inches (36 cm)
New Jersey Highland Lakes 12.3 inches (31 cm)
Maryland Sabillasville 12 inches (30 cm)
West Virginia Hambleton 12 inches (30 cm)
Virginia Basye 11.5 inches (29 cm)
Ohio Bridgeport 7.5 inches (19 cm)
Delaware Talleyville 5.7 inches (14 cm)
Indiana Tipton 5 inches (13 cm)
District of Columbia Washington 2.3 inches (5.8 cm)
Sources:[39][40]

See also

Notes
  1. All dates are based on the local time zone where the tornado touched down; however, all times are in Coordinated Universal Time for consistency.

References
  1. "Winter Storm Gail to Slam Northeast With Heavy Snow, Potentially Including New York City, Philadelphia, Boston". The Weather Channel. December 14, 2020. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  2. "Winter Storm Gail Moving Into Northeast With Heavy Snow, Potentially Including New York City, Boston | The Weather Channel - Articles from The Weather Channel | weather.com". The Weather Channel.
  3. "Europe Weather Analysis on 2020-12-20". Free University of Berlin. 20 December 2020. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
  4. "Winter Storm Gail Maps Tracker: Forecast Snow, Alerts, Timing and More | The Weather Channel - Articles from The Weather Channel | weather.com". The Weather Channel.
  5. Klos, Karissa. "Nor'Easter to Bring Heavy Snow and Ice".
  6. Guerry, Colleen (December 16, 2020). "Gov. Northam declares State of Emergency due to winter weather". Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  7. "Winter Storm Gail: Two Killed in Pennsylvania Pileup; Hundreds of Crashes in Virginia, Maryland | The Weather Channel - Articles from The Weather Channel | weather.com". The Weather Channel.
  8. "Gov. Wolf Signs Winter Weather Emergency Proclamation, Advises State is Prepared for the Storm and Vaccine Distribution" (Press release). Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf. December 15, 2020. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  9. "Updates and preparations for this week's winter storm – December 15, 2020 | Department of Streets". City of Philadelphia.
  10. Arco, Matt (December 16, 2020). "N.J. declares a state of emergency ahead of major winter storm". NJ.com. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  11. "NJ Transit Shuts Down Buses, Trains As Snowstorm Hits". Long Valley, NJ Patch. December 16, 2020.
  12. Valente, Danielle. "Is school open tomorrow? NYC DOE reveals the Thursday plan". Time Out New York Kids. Retrieved 2020-12-20.
  13. "Governor Cuomo Declares State of Emergency in Eighteen Counties as Winter Storm Dumps Up to Two Feet of Snow in Much of New York". Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. December 17, 2020. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
  14. "Baker Urges Mass. Residents to Stay Home During Storm, Avoid 'Treacherous' Roads". Retrieved December 18, 2020.
  15. "Boston Declares Snow Emergency as Mass. Preps for Major Storm, Possible Outages". Retrieved December 18, 2020.
  16. "VIDEO: 25 structures damaged following severe weather in Pinellas Park". December 16, 2020.
  17. NWS Damage Survey for 12/16/2020 Tornado Event (Report). Iowa Environmental Mesonet. National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Tampa Bay/Ruskin, Florida. December 17, 2020. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  18. Times-Dispatch, JOHN BOYER Richmond. "UPDATE: Winter storm brings rain, ice, snow to Virginia; state police respond to about 200 crashes". Richmond Times-Dispatch.
  19. Leonard, Ben. "Maryland weather: Snow mixes with sleet and freezing rain, causing messy road conditions across Baltimore region". baltimoresun.com.
  20. "Here's how much snow fell in DC, Maryland and Virginia". wusa9.com. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
  21. says, William Spears (2020-12-17). "Spirit Airlines Plane Skids Off The Taxiway At BWI". Retrieved 2020-12-18.
  22. Goldman, Jeff (December 17, 2020). "N.J. weather: When will the snow stop? Major winter storm winds down early as bitter cold lingers. Latest updates". nj.
  23. NWS Mount Holly [@NWS_MountHolly] (2020-12-17). "We're seeing numerous 2-3 inch per hour rates across SE Pennsylvania and central New Jersey. We haven't seen snow rates like this in quite awhile. ❄️ #PAwx #NJwx" (Tweet). Retrieved 2020-12-20 – via Twitter.
  24. "Snowfall Reports from the Last 24 Hours". www.weather.gov. Retrieved 2020-12-20.
  25. Mark (December 17, 2020). "The history of Winter Storm Gail". usa-science-news.my-free.website. USA Science News. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  26. "Watch EMS Crew Scatter to Avoid Out-of-Control Truck - Videos from The Weather Channel | weather.com". The Weather Channel. Retrieved 2020-12-20.
  27. Staff, 6abc Digital (December 17, 2020). "Nor'easter brings heavy snow, wintry mix to Philadelphia region". 6abc Philadelphia.
  28. "Major Northeast snowstorm hits; leads to Pennsylvania, NYC car pileups, 2 deaths | Fox News". www.foxnews.com.
  29. "Binghamton slammed with more than 3 feet of snow during Winter Storm Gail". December 17, 2020.
  30. "Spotter Reports". December 17, 2020. Archived from the original on 2020-12-17.
  31. Service, NOAA's National Weather. "NWSChat - NOAA's National Weather Service". nwschat.weather.gov. Retrieved 2020-12-20.
  32. Taylor, Derrick Bryson; Hauser, Christine; Rio, Giulia McDonnell Nieto del; Tompkins, Lucy; Wright, Will; Fletcher, Heather; Shanahan, Ed; Vigdor, Neil; Moya, Maria Jimenez (2020-12-16). "Snowy Blast Causes Havoc on the Roads". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-12-20.
  33. Rice, Doyle. "Deadly winter storm brings nearly 4 feet of snow to some areas of the Northeast, and there's more to come". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2020-12-17.
  34. US Department of Commerce, NOAA. "National Weather Service Text Product Display". forecast.weather.gov.
  35. US Department of Commerce, NOAA. "National Weather Service Text Product Display". forecast.weather.gov.
  36. "Final Snowfall Totals For Massachusetts Towns: Patch PM". Boston, MA Patch. 2020-12-18. Retrieved 2020-12-20.
  37. "Many Nova Scotians spend the morning digging out after storm". Atlantic. 2020-12-18. Retrieved 2020-12-18.
  38. "Storm closures and cancellations: Dec. 18, 2020". HalifaxToday.ca. Retrieved 2020-12-18.
  39. NWS Eastern Region [@NWSEastern] (December 17, 2020). "Snow has finally ended. Updated snowfall reports and top amounts by state:" (Tweet). Retrieved December 20, 2020 – via Twitter.
  40. NWS Eastern Region [@NWSEastern] (December 17, 2020). "I ran out of space, so here are the other states and the District of Columbia:" (Tweet). Retrieved December 20, 2020 – via Twitter.
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