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The '''February 11–14, 2021 North American storm complex''' was a ], and ] in the ], which impacted the ], bringing light to moderate snow to that region before bringing more severe winter weather to the ] United States a few days later.<ref name="Tabitha">{{cite web|url=https://weather.com/safety/winter/news/2021-02-11-winter-storm-weekend-ice-snow-mid-atlantic-northeast|title=Winter Storm Tabitha to Arrive in the East this Weekend|website=weather.com|publisher=]|date=February 13, 2021|access-date=February 13, 2021}}</ref> With totals of more than {{convert|0.75|in|cm|abbr=on}} of ice, it was the worst ice storm for parts of ] in over 20 years. Some areas in ] saw as much as {{convert|1.5|in|cm|abbr=on}} of freezing rain accretion.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wric.com/weather/severe-weather/virginia-responds-to-worst-ice-storm-in-two-decades-its-all-hands-on-deck/|title=Virginia responds to worst ice storm in two decades: ‘It’s all hands on deck’|website=wric}}</ref> It was unofficially referred to as ''Winter Storm Tabitha'' by the Weather Channel. The '''February 11–14, 2021 North American storm complex''', also unofficially referred to as ''Winter Storm Tabitha'', was a ], and ] in the ], which impacted the ], bringing light to moderate snow to that region before bringing more severe winter weather to the ] United States a few days later.<ref name="Tabitha">{{cite web|url=https://weather.com/safety/winter/news/2021-02-11-winter-storm-weekend-ice-snow-mid-atlantic-northeast|title=Winter Storm Tabitha to Arrive in the East this Weekend|website=weather.com|publisher=]|date=February 13, 2021|access-date=February 13, 2021}}</ref> With totals of more than {{convert|0.75|in|cm|abbr=on}} of ice, it was the worst ice storm for parts of ] in over 20 years. Some areas in ] saw as much as {{convert|1.5|in|cm|abbr=on}} of freezing rain accretion.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wric.com/weather/severe-weather/virginia-responds-to-worst-ice-storm-in-two-decades-its-all-hands-on-deck/|title=Virginia responds to worst ice storm in two decades: ‘It’s all hands on deck’|website=wric}}</ref>


==Meteorological history== ==Meteorological history==

Revision as of 14:53, 18 March 2021

Not to be confused with February 13–17, 2021 North American winter storm. For other winter storms that also affected the continent in the same month, see February 2021 North American winter storm.
February 11–14, 2021 North American storm complex
GOES-16 satellite imagery of the winter storm on February 13, 2021
TypeExtratropical cyclone
Winter storm
Blizzard
Ice storm
FormedFebruary 11, 2021
DissipatedFebruary 15, 2021
Lowest pressure1010 mb (29.83 inHg)
Maximum snowfall
or ice accretion
Ice – 1.5 in (3.8 cm) in Canby, Oregon
Fatalities0 fatalities
Power outages> 480,000
Areas affectedNorthwestern 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, also unofficially referred to as Winter Storm Tabitha, was a winter storm, and ice storm in the Western United States, which impacted the Pacific Northwest, bringing light to moderate snow to that region before bringing more severe winter weather to the Northeastern United States a few days later. With totals of more than 0.75 in (1.9 cm) of ice, it was the worst ice storm for parts of Virginia in over 20 years. Some areas in Oregon saw as much as 1.5 in (3.8 cm) of freezing rain accretion.

Meteorological history

Strong east winds from a high pressure system brought 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.

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 6.1 inches of snowfall in Portland, Oregon on February 12 ties the airport monthly record of 6.1 inches set Feb 19, 1993. The event proved to be historic for the Portland metropolitan area in the month of February. The first ice storm warning ever issued for Richmond, Virginia was due to this storm.

See also

References

  1. "Winter Storm Tabitha to Arrive in the East this Weekend". weather.com. The Weather Company. February 13, 2021. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  2. "Virginia responds to worst ice storm in two decades: 'It's all hands on deck'". wric.
  3. "Winter storm brings inches of snow to Clark County". The Columbian.
  4. "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.
  5. Domingo, Ida (2021-02-15). "Thousands remain without power in Virginia after ice storm". WSET. Retrieved 2021-02-15.
  6. "Winter Storm Warnings: Widespread impacts in Portland, valley". Feb 13, 2021. Retrieved Feb 16, 2021.
  7. "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
18th–19th century
20th century
21st century
2000s
2010s
2020s
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