January 20–22, 2014 North American blizzard
The January 20–22, 2014 North American blizzard was a disruptive but powerful system that affected across much of the Mid-Atlantic states and New England, bringing near-or-at blizzard conditions to many and heavy snow accumulations in late January 2014. Originating on January 19 as an Alberta clipper in Canada, the system moved east into the Ohio Valley, dropping light snowfall before moving offshore the East Coast of the United States and soonafter strengthening into a powerful winter storm on January 21. The winter storm brought widespread gusty winds and snowfall totals of over 1 foot (12 in) to populated cities, before winding down and moving away from the coast the following day.
Satellite image of the developing system responsible for the blizzard affecting the Mid-Atlantic states on January 21, 2014 | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | January 19, 2014 |
| Dissipated | January 24, 2014 |
| Category 1 "Notable" winter storm | |
| Regional Snowfall Index: 1.29 (NOAA) | |
| Lowest pressure | 962 mbar (hPa); 28.41 inHg |
| Maximum snowfall or ice accretion | 18.3 in (46 cm) in Norwell, Massachusetts |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 1 |
| Damage | Unknown |
| Areas affected | Midwestern and Northeastern United States, Atlantic Canada |
| Power outages | >6,800 |
Part of the 2013–14 North American winter | |
Near-blizzard conditions occurred up and down the Interstate 95 corridor, with blizzard warnings issued for southeastern New England. The system, which was not well-forecast in advance and was stronger then anticipated by many, also struck at or near rush hour, which created hazardous conditions and impacts from Washington D.C. to Boston, Massachusetts. States of emergencies were declared in the states of New Jersey, Maryland and more due to the blizzard, which also caused thousands of flights nationwide to be either cancelled or delayed. At least one death was confirmed due to the storm, in Maryland.