2013–14 North American winter
The 2013–14 North American winter was one of the most significant for the United States, due in part to the breakdown of the polar vortex in November 2013, which allowed very cold air to travel down into the United States, leading to an extended period of very cold temperatures. The pattern continued mostly uninterrupted throughout the winter and numerous significant winter storms affected the Eastern United States, with the most notable one being a powerful winter storm that dumped ice and snow in the Southeastern United States and the Northeastern United States in mid-February. Most of the cold weather abated by the end of March, though a few winter storms did affect the Western United States towards the end of the winter.
| 2013–14 North American winter | |
|---|---|
A temperature map of the frigid conditions in the United States on January 2–4, 2014 | |
| Seasonal boundaries | |
| Meteorological winter | December 1 – February 28 |
| Astronomical winter | December 21 – March 20 |
| First event started | October 3, 2013 |
| Last event concluded | May 13, 2014 |
| Most notable event | |
| Name | February 2014 nor'easter |
| • Duration | February 11–24, 2014 |
| • Lowest pressure | 968 mb (28.59 inHg) |
| • Fatalities | 22 total |
| • Damage | >$750 million (2014 USD) |
| Seasonal statistics | |
| Total storms (RSI) (Cat. 1+) | 10 total (record high, tied with 2010–11 and 2014–15) |
| Major storms (RSI) (Cat. 3+) | 2 total |
| Maximum snowfall accumulation | 58 in (150 cm) in Lead, South Dakota (October 3–7, 2013) |
| Total fatalities | 134 total |
| Total damage | >$5.119–5.315 billion (2014 USD) |
| Related articles | |
While there is no well-agreed-upon date used to indicate the start of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, there are two definitions of winter which may be used. Based on the astronomical definition, winter begins at the winter solstice, which in 2013 occurred on December 21, and ends at the March equinox, which in 2014 occurred on March 20. Based on the meteorological definition, the first day of winter is December 1 and the last day February 28. Both definitions involve a period of approximately three months, with some variability.