Late March 2016 North American blizzard

At the start of spring 2016, a major winter storm moved through the High Plains and Midwest, bringing blizzard conditions with snowfall of up to 12–18 inches (30–46 cm) and strong winds as well. Snowstorms like this are typical in these areas at this time of year. The system also brought with it a severe weather threat as well. As it moved to the east, a crippling ice storm scenario was developing as well.

Late March 2016 North American blizzard
NOAA satellite image of the winter storm moving across the Midwest on March 23.
TypeExtratropical cyclone
Winter storm
Ice storm
Blizzard
FormedMarch 21, 2016 (2016-03-21)
DissipatedMarch 26, 2016 (2016-03-26)[1]
Lowest pressure989 mb (29.21 inHg)
Maximum snowfall or ice accretion32.5 in (83 cm) near Kittredge, Colorado
Power outages200,000+
Casualties2 fatalities
Areas affectedHigh Plains, Central United States, New England

Meteorological history
WPC forecast for the movement of the low pressure responsible for the winter storm on March 23.

On March 21, an area of low pressure moved ashore on the West Coast, with a limited amount of moisture available. Because of this precipitation was originally isolated. As it moved westward on March 22 it started to intensify and as such snowfall began to become widespread. The storm also began to transition into an extratropical cyclone, achieving a peak of 989 millibars (29.2 inHg) two times on March 23.[2] Blizzard warnings were issued for areas around Denver due to the strong winds accompanying the system along with snowfall. Parts of Interstate 80 were shut down due to the extreme winter weather conditions[3] Ahead of its cold front, thunderstorms began to fire up, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a tornado watch. A squall line later developed out of this as more storms began to fire up and move eastwards, with the severe weather threat shifting more to the east towards the East Coast.[4]

The massive system continued to trek to the east, as it began to push more into Canada, rather than the United States. An icing threat was also imminent as well. Some areas in Michigan recorded up to 0.5–0.75 inches (13–19 mm) of ice on March 24.[3] Part of Ontario were also impacted with significant freezing rain leading to significant ice accretion, the hardest hit area was that of Fergus, Ontario where there was roughly 1.4 inches (35 mm) of ice accretion. More ice accumulations were possible in New England, where freezing rain advisories were put into effect through March 25. The storm then started to rapidly weaken as it continued to move to the east, moved offshore late on March 25, then finally dissipated on March 26 while situated off Saint Pierre and Miquelon,[1] however, its remaining cold front lingered across the South while transitioning into a stationary front, which flared up thunderstorm activity for the Easter weekend.

Impact

Snowfall totals

The following list below are snowfall totals at or above 12 inches (30 cm).

Source:[5]

Amount City/location State
32.5 inches (83 cm)KittredgeCO
21 inches (53 cm)Near CheyenneWY
18 inches (46 cm)TowerMI
17 inches (43 cm)NNE of Sioux CityIA
16 inches (41 cm)Sierra at Tahoe Ski ResortCA
16 inches (41 cm)Near WakefieldNE
15 inches (38 cm)Sugarbowl Ski AreaCA
14.3 inches (36 cm)Dakota DunesSD
14.1 inches (36 cm)CheyenneWY
13.2 inches (34 cm)Near PrincetonWI
13 inches (33 cm)West of Red LodgeMO
12 inches (30 cm)Apple ValleyMN
12 inches (30 cm)GoodviewMN
12 inches (30 cm)SavageMN
12 inches (30 cm)WabashaMN

References
  1. "WPC Surface Analysis Archive".
  2. "WPC Surface Analysis Archive".
  3. "Winter Storm Selene a High Plains Blizzard; Heavy Snow Spreading to Upper Midwest (FORECAST)". March 23, 2016. Retrieved March 23, 2016.
  4. "Tornado Watch Issued as Severe Thunderstorms Target South, Ohio Valley Into Thursday Night (FORECAST)". March 24, 2016. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
  5. "Winter Storm Selene Spreads Snow, Ice Through Northern New England After Hammering High Plains, Upper Midwest (FORECAST)". weather.com. March 25, 2016. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
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