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Revision as of 23:04, 15 February 2021
Type | Extratropical cyclone Winter storm Blizzard Ice storm |
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Formed | February 11, 2021 |
Dissipated | February 15, 2021 |
Lowest pressure | 1010 mb (29.83 inHg) |
Power outages | > 480,000 |
Areas affected | Northwestern United States, Central United States, Mid-Atlantic states, Northeastern United States |
Part of the 2020–21 North American winter |
The February 11–14, 2021 North American storm complex was a winter storm, and ice storm in the Western United States, which impacted the Pacific Northwest, bringing heavy snow and ice accumulation to that region before the Northeastern United States within a few days. It was unofficially named Winter Storm Tabitha by The Weather Channel.
Meteorological history
Strong east winds from a high pressure system bough cold air from Canada into Washington and Oregon. These winds blowing from the east through the Columbia River Gorge produced well below freezing temperatures in the Portland metropolitan area on President's Day weekend and the days prior. Simultaneously, two systems from the Pacific Ocean were expected to result in snow and freezing rain in the Portland area due to the aforementioned influx of cold, arctic air. The first system arrived on Thursday afternoon, producing snow accumulation in the Olympia, Washington area. In Portland, temperatures were not cold enough to result in much more than a dusting from light snow flurries. Overnight, the second system of moisture arrived and produced steady snow and freezing rain in the Portland area throughout Friday and into Saturday early morning. By Saturday daybreak, Clark County, Washington had received from 7-12 inches of snow.
According to Portland National Weather Service, The 6.1 inches of snowfall at the Portland NWS office Feb 12 ties the airport Feb daily record of 6.1 inches set Feb 19, 1993.
The event proved to be historic for the Portland area in the month of February.
Impact
The storm brought light to moderate snow and freezing rain to the Pacific Northwest, which would be compounded by another storm a few days later. The energy from this storm would cause an ice storm of the Mid-Atlantic with the worst affected state being Virginia. 480,000 customers were left without power due to downed trees and power poles.
The first ice storm warning ever issued for Richmond, Virginia was due to this storm.
See also
- January 31 – February 2, 2011 North American blizzard
- February 2013 North American blizzard
- March 2013 nor'easter
- December 2014 North American storm complex
- January 2016 United States blizzard
- January 31 – February 3, 2021 nor'easter
- February 2021 North American ice storm
References
- "Winter Storm Tabitha to Arrive in the East this Weekend". weather.com. The Weather Company. February 13, 2021. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
- "Winter storm brings inches of snow to Clark County". The Columbian.
- https://www.koin.com/weather/winter-storm-warnings-widespread-impacts-portland-willamette-valley/#:~:text=According%20to%20Portland%20National%20Weather,set%20Feb%2019%2C%201993%E2%80%9D.
- "Winter Storm Exiting Northeast With Snow and Ice | The Weather Channel - Articles from The Weather Channel | weather.com". The Weather Channel. Retrieved 2021-02-15.
- Domingo, Ida (2021-02-15). "Thousands remain without power in Virginia after ice storm". WSET. Retrieved 2021-02-15.
- "ICE STORM WARNING: First of its kind for the Richmond area". 8News. 2021-02-12. Retrieved 2021-02-15.
External links
Major snow and ice events in the United States | |||||||
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20th century |
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21st century |
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Related |