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January 14–17, 2022 North American winter storm

Category 2 "Significant" (RSI/NOAA: 3.407)
The winter storm intensifying over the Southeastern United States late on January 16.
Type	Extratropical cyclone Winter storm Nor'easter Tornado outbreak
Formed	January 13, 2022
Dissipated	January 19, 2022
Highest gust	91 mph (146 km/h) near Wellfleet, MA
Lowest pressure	981 mb (28.97 inHg)
Tornadoes confirmed	7
Max. rating	EF2 tornado
Maximum snowfall or ice accretion	Snow – 27.5 in (70 cm) near Ashtabula, Ohio Ice – 0.18 in (4.6 mm) in Fort Lawn, South Carolina
Fatalities	3 deaths, 17 injuries (14 winter storm and 3 tornadic)
Damage	Unknown
Power outages	>375,000
Areas affected	Central Canada, Northwestern, Central, Southeastern, and Northeastern United States
Part of the 2021–22 North American winter and Tornadoes of 2022 Most severe tornado damage; see Enhanced Fujita scale

The January 14–17, 2022 North American winter storm was a large and powerful system that brought widespread impacts and wintry precipitation across large sections of eastern North America from January 14–17, 2022. Forming out of a shortwave trough on January 13, it first produced a swath of snowfall extending from the High Plains to the Midwestern United States. The storm eventually pivoted east and impacted much of the Southern United States from January 15–16 before shifting north into Central Canada, the Mid-Atlantic states, and the Northeastern United States. The system, named Winter Storm Izzy by The Weather Channel, was described as a "Saskatchewan Screamer".

Several states in the Southeast declared states of emergencies ahead of the storm, including as North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia. Snowfall totals of up to one foot (0.30 m) were observed across much of the affected areas in the High Plains and Central United States, with the storm bringing gusty winds and numerous power outages in its wake. The system also spawned seven tornadoes in Florida, one of which was an EF2 that resulted in three injuries. Ice storm conditions were observed in the Southeastern states, while snowfall amounts in excess of two feet (0.61 m) were reported across Northeast Ohio. Large areas of Southern Ontario received 33–55 centimetres (13–22 in) of snow, in some places at rates of over 10 centimetres (3.9 in) per hour, resulting in the closure of some highways in the Toronto and Ottawa areas, trapping of hundreds of buses in heavy snow, and closure of above-ground sections of the Toronto subway.

Meteorological history

A weak area of low pressure developed on January 13 in southwestern Canada along a stationary front from a weakening extratropical cyclone that was impacting the West Coast of the United States. From there, the system drifted southeastwards into the High Plains while delivering heavy snowfall and began moving more southwards through the states of Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri into the early morning hours of January 14. Later that day, at 21:00 UTC the Weather Prediction Center (WPC) began issuing periodic storm summary bulletins on the developing system, albeit with competing areas of low pressure. A stronger low began forming over southern Missouri on January 15, moving into Arkansas and began strengthening due to a strong upper-level low located nearby. Associated cold air in place over the aforementioned areas allowed snow to break out in areas further south, as the system began occluding – with a new low forming just offshore in the northern Gulf of Mexico before moving onshore – later that night as snowfall, ice and mixed precipitation spread eastward towards the Southeastern United States into the early morning hours of January 16. The winter storm began turning more northward later that day into the southern Appalachian Mountains as the two centers began merging.

Preparations

Canada

Prior to snowfall, totals were forecasted between 20–40 centimetres (7.9–15.7 in) across Southern Ontario. In response to that, winter storm watches and warnings were issued across a large swath of southern Ontario and southwestern Quebec. As the storm progressed, a rare blizzard warning was issued for much of the Greater Toronto Area and National Capital Region, now forecasting up to 60 centimetres (24 in) of snow. This was the first blizzard warning for Toronto since 1978. Winter storm and snowfall warnings were expanded in to parts of central and southwestern Ontario. Ahead of the storm, many school districts cancelled in-person classes for January 17 and 18.

United States

Winter storm watches and warnings were issued across a large swath of the Central and Eastern United States, along with ice storm warnings for several areas in North Carolina and South Carolina due to the potential for ice accumulations. However, in New York City, it was expected to bring rain and strong winds. Amtrak cancelled several trains in advance of the storm.

Southeast

Georgia, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina all declared a state of emergency in preparation for the winter storm.

Impacts

Canada

Ontario

The storm brought heavy snow across much of southern Ontario, with snow accumulations of up to 50 centimetres (20 in) in St. Catharines, 48 centimetres (19 in) in Ottawa (second largest snowstorm on record), 55 centimetres (22 in) of snow in Toronto (the third largest snowfall since 1937), 41 centimetres (16 in) in Hamilton, and 32 centimetres (13 in) in Kitchener-Waterloo. In hard hit areas, snow fell at a rate of over 10 centimetres (3.9 in) per hour during the morning of January 17, which along with winds created blizzard conditions.

The storm prompted the closure of several freeways in order to remove stranded automobiles and to facilitate plowing, including the Gardiner Expressway, the Don Valley Parkway, and sections of Highway 7, Highway 401, and Highway 416. Many cities' transit systems were unable to provide service. 504 Toronto Transit Commission and 150 OC Transpo buses were trapped in snow. Numerous school boards throughout the Province were shut. The storm temporarily shut down Toronto Pearson International Airport, and forced the cancelation of all flights at Ottawa International Airport.

United States

High Plains and Midwest

The storm dropped 11 inches (28 cm) of snow in Laurens, Iowa and 14.3 inches (36 cm) in Des Moines. There were also 78 car crashes reported, which caused 14 injures.

Heavy snow was recorded across eastern Ohio, where 15 inches (38 cm) fell at Cleveland and 13.6 inches (35 cm) at Akron-Canton. Parts of Ashtabula County reported 27.5 inches (70 cm) of snow.

Southeast

The Nashville Fire Department in Davidson County, Tennessee, opened a shelter from the cold weather on January 15.

Snow fell in mostly the northern and central part of Alabama with only a trace recorded in most areas. York recorded 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) while Livingston recorded 2.0 inches (5.1 cm).

In Georgia, approximately 100,000 customers were without power at the height of the storm on January 16.

In North Carolina, parts of U.S. Route 276 were closed due to icing. The city of Charlotte opened a shelter for those who sought warmth from the cold. The North Carolina Highway Patrol responded to approximately 200 collisions by noon of January 16. A car crash also killed 2 people in Raleigh, North Carolina.

A state of emergency was declared in Virginia due to the storm.

Florida

The warm side of the storm caused severe thunderstorms, high winds, and several tornadoes in Florida. An EF2 tornado touched down in Iona, damaging numerous homes and causing three injuries. Around 7,000 homes lost power in the state. Some parts of the Panhandle saw flurries while in areas in northern Escambia County saw light accumulation, the first snow accumulation observed in the state since a winter storm in 2018.

Northeast

Buffalo received 19.2 inches (49 cm) of snow while areas to the east of Buffalo, such as Medina (22 inches) and Batavia (17 inches) received similar amounts, while Rochester further east received 11.5 inches (29 cm) inches of snow. Snow was reported falling at as much as 4.6 inches (12 cm) per hour in the early hours of January 17 in Buffalo. Schools in the Buffalo area were closed both January 17 and 18 due to the storm. Albany, New York, received 4 inches (10 cm) of snow while mountain areas to its west and east received between 10 inches (25 cm) and 14 inches (36 cm). New York City received less than 1 inch (2.5 cm) of snow after which it received rain and experienced wind gusts approaching 60 miles per hour (97 km/h), prompting a severe thunderstorm warning to be issued.

In Pennsylvania, over 6 inches (15 cm) of snow fell in Pittsburgh, and snow in Philadelphia was reported. A few collisions were reported, likely related to the effects of the winter storm.

Winter storm watches were issued in Manchester, Vermont, as well as in Saxtons River. Snow was reported in the Burlington area. Over 1,700 flights were canceled in the state alone. While the winter storm was over Vermont, over 7.3 inches (19 cm) of snow fell in the state and one person was killed in a car crash just outside of Montpelier.

In Connecticut, travel flights were cancelled and snow and ice was reported in the northwestern areas of the state. In Pittsfield, Massachusetts, a Snow emergency was issued. At the height of the storm, nearly 12,000 CMP and Versant customers in Maine were without power.

See also

• Weather of 2022
• February 2014 nor'easter
• February 2015 Southeastern United States winter storm
• February 13–17, 2021 North American winter storm

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External links

• Archive of Storm Summaries from the Weather Prediction Center

v t e Winter storms of the 2021–22 North American winter
Summary Events
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Category Portal

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• 2021–22 North American winter