Review: January 19-20, 2002 snowstorm

For the most part, the winter of 2001/2002 was a bit of a dry winter. It had been mild just after Christmas and the New Year, and fears that Nantucket might not get any snow were beginning to come together. A low pressure area was in the Appalachians on the 19th, and steadily moved eastward. The 19th on Nantucket began as a clear day, it wasn’t until 2 PM that any clouds began to filter in. Gradually the sky went from a milky haze to all out overcast.

Snow began after dark, and grew in intensity. At this time, the wind also switched; until now, the wind was out of the east-southeast.  Most areas near and around Nantucket saw their snow end by 4:30 AM on the 20th.  5.5″ fell on the island. Wind was not a problem with this storm, however there was a peak wind gust of 26 mph, however unofficially there was a wind gust of 30 mph and this was recorded at Chicken Hill.

There was also a brief, and I mean brief period of rainfall. This rainfall did not melt the snow cover at all. By 10 AM, the sky was clear, and the storm was all but a distant memory.

snow contour map for SNE

radar image from the snowstorm

Stats:

Accumulation: 5.5″  Forecast: rain

Wind: 20 mph  Unofficial: 30

Review: March 16-17,2004 snowstorm

All right, this is my first actual storm review. Storm reviews will work like this:

1. Act like an unofficial “write up” of the event

2. Nostalgia trips

So here goes!

Review #1: Snowstorm, March 16-17,2004

At first glance, this snowstorm didn’t look like it was ever going to get its act together. Sure, we just had a weak noreaster that brought mainly rain to Nantucket and the cape, but we wanted something more substantial. On the 14th, it was hinted that there would be a late season snowstorm that would affect the cape and islands. On Monday, the storm that would bring us this little shot of snow, was still out in Missouri. Overnight, the storm made its way towards the mid Atlantic coast, and began to strengthen.

On the morning of the 16th, the day dawned to sunny skies. I went downstairs to turn on the television and on the morning news, the meteorologist at the time(Todd Gross) told everyone not to be deceived by the sunny skies, the snow was coming, and that it had run into dry air near the Cape Cod area. I had my breakfast, and went out for the morning. Luckily, I had my bulky old VHS video camcorder with me to tape any of the storm that would come.

Boy was I lucky. Around 11:30 that morning, the first clouds came by. These clouds were racing towards the island and the ocean. I stood on Straight Wharf, getting the shot of the clouds just racing in from the west. Luckily for me, the wind didn’t pick up until the precipitation arrived. I continued to get shots, and then went to lunch. Bad mistake, while I was eating, the storm started. I cussed myself out silently, and quickly paid my tab.

The snow was just beginning to really get some substance(i.e. accumulate), when it briefly changed over to freezing rain. The wind had begun to pick up, and stir the harbor. The time this occurred was around 3 PM. It changed back over to all snow after dark. All that night, I could hear the wind whipping out of the northeast.

The next day, was equally bad. The snow changed over to rain three times, each time, the snowpack was lowered just a bit. The snow fell off and on for the rest of the day.

Stats:

Accumulation: 3.5″ Forecast: 6″-Bust

Wind: NE @ 40 MPH* * Unofficial

Damage: None.

Storm at its peak on the 16th

Totals

Overall Grade: C-