A winter storm, unofficially named Winter Storm Skylar by The Weather Channel,[5] brought widespread blizzard conditions across the Northeastern United States, particularly New England in mid-March 2018. First impacting the Midwestern and Southern United States on March 11–12, causing travel impacts and producing high snowfall totals, the winter storm then moved into the Northeastern United States and became a nor'easter, producing blizzard conditions and heavy snowfall across portions of the interior Northeast on March 13–15. Heavy snow fell in Massachusetts, where most of the state received at least one foot of snow; the storm brought the heaviest March snow on record in Boston and Worcester.[5] Over two feet of snow were reported in portions of Massachusetts, peaking at 31 inches (79 cm) in Wilmington.[6] Heavy snow also fell in Rhode Island, where the snowfall peaked at 25.1 inches (64 cm) in Foster.[5]
A storm surge of 3 feet (0.91 m) was reported on Nantucket while a 2.8 feet (0.85 m) storm surge was recorded in Boston.[5] Over a foot of snow was reported in portions of New Hampshire,[5] with Deerfield receiving almost 29 inches (74 cm) and Middleton reporting 28 inches (71 cm). The winter storm moved into Canada, causing additional power outages and producing snowfall totals of over 10 inches (25 cm) in some locations.[7] Of the four nor'easters that impacted the Northeast in March, this nor'easter was the strongest in terms of minimum pressure, at least 968 millibars (28.6 inHg).[5] The heaviest snow fell in southern Vermont, with Woodford receiving 50 inches (130 cm) of snow.[8]
Meteorological history
A surface observation map depicting the nor'easter off the coast of the Northeastern United States on March 13
On March 10, a disturbance was located across portions of the Great Plains, bringing snowfall.[5] The next day, a low-pressure area in the Mid-Mississippi River valley brought additional snowfall across portions of the region, and then moved into the Appalachian Mountains.[5] A separate, more dominant area of low-pressure also developed offshore of the Mid-Atlantic coastline, which then moved northeast on March 13.[9]Rapid deepening then commenced overnight, with its central pressure dropping to at least 968 millibars (28.6 inHg),[a] and a separate upper-level low trekked into areas near the New York/Pennsylvania border, causing heavy snowfall to occur across portions of the Northeastern United States, mostly focused along the New England portion of the coast.[9]
As it strengthened, this also caused blizzard conditions across portions of the region, including areas in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and causing high snow accumulations.[9] A low-level convergence zone, combined with strong upper-level lift, continued snowfall across the same region in the evening hours of March 13, some heavy at times.[9] The next day, snowfall was limited to areas downstream of lakes and in higher elevations as the upper-level low moved into New England, and by March 15, the moisture became limited as upper-level low pressure area moved into Canada.[9] The system dissipated soon thereafter.
Preparations and impact
Midwestern United States
In Perry County, Indiana, trees and power lines were down as 5 inches (13 cm) of snow fell.[10] Snow fell as far north as Huntingburg, Indiana, where 1.7 inches (4.3 cm) of snow was recorded, and the heaviest snow in Indiana fell near Leopold, with 6 inches (15 cm).[5][10] Several states across the Midwest also received snowfall, with the heaviest snowfall across the states being 6 inches (15 cm) in Herald, Illinois, 5 inches (13 cm) near Wright City, Missouri, 4.5 inches (11 cm) near Centerville, Iowa, and 3.5 inches (8.9 cm) in Hiram, Ohio.[5] Damage totaled $60,000 across the Midwest, including $30,000 each in Illinois and Indiana.[3][4]
Southern United States
Damages in the southern United States totaled $125,000 (2018 USD).[2]
Winter weather advisories were in effect for central portions of the state.[15] Sleet and freezing rain mixed with snow, causing hazardous road conditions and sleet accumulations.[15] Across the state, 40 school districts had early dismissals, delayed openings, or were closed.[16][17] The highest snowfall total in the state occurred at Mount Mitchell State Park, where 9 inches (23 cm) of snow fell.[5] A 69 miles per hour (111 km/h) wind gust was recorded at Jennettes Pier, while a 65 miles per hour (105 km/h) wind gust occurred at Oregon Inlet Coast Guard Station.[18] The mixed precipitation also impacted roads, which resulted in one death.[19]
Elsewhere
Across the Nashville metropolitan area in Tennessee, mixed precipitation fell, with rain changing to snow, which led to snow accumulations around 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) across northern portions of the metropolitan area.[5] The highest snow accumulation in Tennessee was in Roan Mountain, which recorded 7 inches (18 cm).[5]
Northeastern United States
Damages in the northeastern United States totaled $544,000 (2018 USD).[1]
Numerous school districts closed schools,[34] including in Hartford, and state offices were also closed.[35][36] American Airlines suspended flights and operations in New Haven.[30] Parking bans were also issued, and a winter storm warning was issued for the entire state.[34][37] At Bradley International Airport, 75 percent of all flights on March 13 were cancelled.[34] There were nearly 1,800 power outages, and 77 car accidents occurred across the state, including two injuries, and Massachusetts State Police responded to 810 service calls.[34][38] The heaviest snowfall fell in Scotland, which recorded 26 inches (66 cm) of snow,[39] while Oakdale received 23 inches (58 cm) of snow.[40]
Elsewhere
Several schools across Rhode Island closed, including Chariho Regional School District and schools in Providence.[41][36] Most of the state received at least 12 inches (30 cm) of snow as blizzard conditions occurred.[42]Scituate recorded the highest snowfall total in Rhode Island, with 22 inches (56 cm).[12][42] A 64 miles per hour (103 km/h) wind gust occurred in Newport.[12]
Blizzard conditions occurred across portions of Maine, including in Portland, where schools were closed.[36] Over a foot of snow was reported in portions of the state,[5] and American Airlines suspended all flights out of Portland.[30]
Canada
As the low-pressure area associated with the winter storm moved into eastern portions of the country,[45] more than 5,500 power outages occurred in New Brunswick, and 45 centimetres (18 in) of snow fell in Miramichi, New Brunswick.[7][46] Several locations across New Brunswick received more than 10 inches (25 cm).[7]
Notes
^Sources conflict on this. The National Weather Service Albany, New York states that the pressure of the low dropped to 968 millibars,[9] however The Weather Channel's source states that it dropped to 966 millibars.[5]