December 17–22, 2012 North American blizzard
The December 17–22, 2012 North American blizzard was a winter storm that affected the Midwestern and Eastern United States. Forming on December 17, the winter storm moved across the midwest, forcing schools to close throughout the region. Numerous warnings and advisories had been posted by the National Weather Service for many states, including Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Both O'Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport in Chicago, Illinois canceled most departures and arrivals. According to flight tracking website FlightStats.com, more than 1,000 flights were canceled across the region. More than 130,000 customers were without power across the west and midwest.
Category 2 "Significant" (RSI/NOAA: 3.349) | |
The blizzard over the Upper Midwest on December 20 | |
| Type | Extratropical cyclone Winter storm Nor'easter Blizzard |
|---|---|
| Formed | December 13, 2012 |
| Dissipated | December 29, 2012 |
| Highest gust | 50 mph (80 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 971 mb (28.67 inHg) |
| Maximum snowfall or ice accretion | 15.2 inches (0.39 m) in Madison, Wisconsin (preliminary) |
| Fatalities | At least 6 |
| Damage | Unknown |
| Power outages | 196,600 |
| Areas affected | Alaska Contiguous United States Western Canada Eastern Canada Bermuda Southern Greenland Iceland |
Part of the 2012–13 North American winter | |
In addition to snow, strong thunderstorms and possible tornadoes went across the Southern United States. A multiple-car pileup on Interstate 35 in Fort Dodge, Iowa killed two people, according to the Iowa State Patrol. American Airlines, American Eagle Airlines, and Southwest Airlines collectively canceled a total of 573 flights in the midwest. Greyhound Lines also canceled service in Chicago, Minneapolis, and Indianapolis.
The storm moved east towards the Northeast and New England. Winter storm and blizzard warnings were issued from north New York to western Pennsylvania.