2016–17 North American winter
The 2016–17 North American winter was quite warm across North America in general, due in part to a weak La Niña that was expected to influence weather conditions across the continent. Several notable events occurred during the season, including a potent winter storm that affected the East Coast of the United States in early January, the second-largest winter tornado outbreak on record later that month, and an unusually warm February. In addition, towards the end of the season, a large cyclonic storm system that caused a large tornado outbreak, flooding, and a potent blizzard occurred in the Heartland of the country. However, the most notable event of the winter was a powerful blizzard that impacted the Northeast and New England in mid-March, towards the end of the season.
| 2016–17 North American winter | |
|---|---|
A map of snowfall totals from a major blizzard that struck the Northeastern United States on March 14–17. | |
| Seasonal boundaries | |
| Meteorological winter | December 1 – February 28 |
| Astronomical winter | December 21 – March 20 |
| First event started | November 19, 2016 |
| Last event concluded | May 1, 2017 |
| Most notable event | |
| Name | March 2017 North American blizzard |
| • Duration | March 11–15, 2017 |
| • Lowest pressure | 974 mb (28.76 inHg) |
| • Fatalities | 16–19 fatalities |
| • Damage | Unknown |
| Seasonal statistics | |
| Total storms (RSI) (Cat. 1+) | 4 total |
| Major storms (RSI) (Cat. 3+) | 1 total |
| Maximum snowfall accumulation | 58 in (150 cm) at Bolton Valley, Vermont (March 11–15, 2017) |
| Total fatalities | 34-37 total |
| Total damage | Unknown |
| 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 2016 occurred on December 21, and ends at the March equinox, which in 2017 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. Winter is often defined by meteorologists to be the three calendar months with the lowest average temperatures. Since both definitions span the calendar year, it is possible to have a winter storm in two different years.