Mid-January 2017 North American ice storm
TypeExtratropical cyclone
Winter storm
Ice storm
FormedJanuary 10, 2017
Areas affectedPacific Northwest, Midwestern United States, Great Plains
Part of the 2016–17 North American winter

The mid-January 2017 North American ice storm is a major and crippling ice storm that is impacting the Great Plains, Pacific Northwest, and American Midwest.[1]

Meteorological history

In mid-January, an unusual surge of atmospheric moisture surged into northwestern Mexico.[2] This moisture began to move into the High Plains and Central United States by early on January 13, and, with below-freezing temperatures at the surface in much of Oklahoma, northern Texas, and Kansas, freezing rain began to explode into existence.[3] The frozen precipitation continued to blossom as the day progressed. By early on January 14, in association with a kink in the jet stream which had already dropped southwards to allow cold air to funnel into the Upper 48 of the United States, an upper-level low developed to the west just offshore of the Baja California coastline.[4] The low began to inject the aforementioned moisture into the state of Texas and Oklahoma as it moved east-northeastwards across the Baja California peninsula and across the northern Gulf of California throughout the day on January 14. Meanwhile, icy conditions continued in much of the Central United States.

By early on January 15, a surface low developed east of the upper-low as it moved swiftly towards the United States–Mexico border. [5] The surface low, as a result of interaction with the incoming moisture, developed a squall line of thunderstorms along its cold front, as it and the upper-low emerged into the Southwestern United States.

Preparations and impact

Oregon

Snow covered car in Portland, Oregon

The storm impacted Portland, Oregon on January 10, 2017. Blizzard conditions caused Interstate 84 to close between Troutdale, Oregon and Hood River, Oregon.[6] Governor Kate Brown declared a state of emergency in Oregon, and the mayor Ted Wheeler declared a state of emergency for the city of Portland, Oregon on January 11.[7]

California

On January 13, 2017, the storm caused snowfall in the mountains near San Diego.[8]

Missouri

On January 13, 2017, the storm covered Missouri with freezing rain, causing hazardous driving conditions and scattered power outages. Lambert Airport canceled most of its flights due to the ice.[9] Missouri Governor Eric Greitens declared a state of emergency and called up the Missouri National Guard.[10] The Missouri Department of Transportation reported that it responded to about 100 crashes on January 13, 2017. A woman from Crystal City, Missouri died while driving in on an ice-covered bridge.[11] The start time of a National Football League divisional playoff game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers in Kansas City, Missouri on January 15 was changed from 12:05 p.m. CST to 7:20 p.m. CST due to the weather forecast.[12]

On January 14, two more traffic fatalities were attributed to the effects of the storm. One man from Ravenwood, Missouri slid off the road while another man died in a pileup.[13]

Oklahoma

On January 12, 2017, Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin declared a state of emergency. The next day, some schools and government offices were closed for the storm.[11] Many Oklahoma residents responded to these warnings by buying groceries and generators.[9] An accident in Weatherford, Oklahoma on January 14 left at least one person dead. Road conditions stranded several vehicles in Oologah, Oklahoma, and Interstate 40 was closed due to multiple accidents.[13]

Kansas

The Kansas National Guard helped stranded motorists and provided emergency transportation on January 13, 2017. On January 14, the storm caused a pileup of 20 vehicles, causing two injuries.[14]

Iowa

Iowans started preparing for an ice storm on January 14, 2017.[15]

See also

References

  1. ^ Chaney, Eric; Carr, Ada (January 13, 2017). "Missouri Woman Dies on Icy Interstate: Winter Storm Jupiter Knocks Out Power, Glazes Roads in Plains, Midwest". The Weather Channel. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
  2. ^ "WPC Surface Analysis". Weather Prediction Center. January 13, 2017. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  3. ^ "WPC Surface Analysis". Weather Prediction Center. January 13, 2017. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  4. ^ "WPC Surface Analysis". Weather Prediction Center. January 14, 2017. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  5. ^ "WPC Surface Analysis". Weather Prediction Center. January 15, 2017.
  6. ^ "Here we snow again: Another winter storm hits NW Oregon, SW Washington". KATU. January 10, 2017. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
  7. ^ "Governor Brown, Mayor Wheeler declare emergency after snow storm". KGW. January 12, 2017. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
  8. ^ "January Winter Storm Brings Snow to San Diego's Mountains". NBC 7 San Diego. January 13, 2017. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
  9. ^ a b "St. Louis' airport reports dozens of flights canceled as winter storm hits southern Plains". CBS News. January 13, 2017. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
  10. ^ Clancy, Sam (January 12, 2017). "Greitens declares state of emergency for winter storm". KSDK. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
  11. ^ a b "One dead as ice storm targets central United States". Reuters. January 13, 2017. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
  12. ^ Bergman, Jeremy (January 13, 2017). "Steelers-Chiefs start time changed due to forecast". NFL.com. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
  13. ^ a b Phillips, Ryan; Chaney, Eric; Carr, Ada (January 14, 2017). "Weather". The Weather Channel. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  14. ^ Helsel, Phil (January 15, 2017). "Four Dead in Ice Storm Wrecks; Kansas and Missouri Brace for Another Round". NBC News. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  15. ^ "Winter Storm Jupiter Has Iowans Preparing for Snow and Ice". WHOtv.com. January 14, 2017. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
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