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February 11–14, 2021 North American storm complex

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Revision as of 11:49, 20 February 2021 by MarioProtIV (talk | contribs)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff) For other winter storms that also affected the continent in the same month, see February 2021 North American winter storm.
A request that this article title be changed to Winter Storm Tabitha is under discussion. Please do not move this article until the discussion is closed.
February 11–14, 2021 North American storm complex
TypeExtratropical cyclone
Winter storm
Blizzard
Ice storm
FormedFebruary 11, 2021
DissipatedFebruary 15, 2021
Lowest pressure1010 mb (29.83 inHg)
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 0.50 inch of ice, it was the worst ice storm for parts of Virginia in over 20 years.

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.

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

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 Warnings: Widespread impacts in Portland, valley". Feb 13, 2021. Retrieved Feb 16, 2021.
  5. "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.
  6. Domingo, Ida (2021-02-15). "Thousands remain without power in Virginia after ice storm". WSET. Retrieved 2021-02-15.
  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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