Review: March 4-6,2001 snow “Bust”

Often times, we all have painful memories, like when a loved one has died, or even when we move. In the meteorological community, we all have a painful memory: March 2001. From a Nantucket perspective, the storm was decent. On the 4th, which could be considered the first day of the storm; snow began to fall after dark. Winds at this point, still had not picked up. After Midnight, the snow which had been falling ,switched over to a light freezing rain.

Something was not right: The temperature, which had been rising steadily from freezing to the low 40’s throughout the day. Another factor, the wind had been increasing out of the East-northeast. The rain continued throughout the day on the 5th. Meanwhile on the mainland, places such as Durham,NH were receiving a screaming blizzard.  The rain, had backed off leaving a nasty raw day in place.

The rain was not done however. It picked up just before 10 AM on the 6th. Any hope for snow, had been dashed with the falling of rain. The wind had now become a factor. The low pressure itself was offshore by about 100 miles, and this caused wind gusts to be in the 40’s. Sustained, the winds were in the low 20’s. The next day, the low pressure system kicked out of the area, and became the offshore fishing grounds’ problem.

The problem with this storm, was that it was overforecast. Originally amounts of up to 3 feet were predicted for the region, this was not going t0 verify, because the storm moved too fast.

map depicting snowfall totals

Stats:

Accumulation: 0″  Forecast: 5″-Bust

Winds: 40 mph  Unofficial: 42 mph

Damage: only pride

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: December 5-6 Snowstorm

This was the first major snowstorm of the 2002/2003 winter. The snow began just after 11 AM on the 5th. The snow kept falling during the afternoon hours, and ended, just before 8 PM. After an hours lull, rain began to fall, and it melted most of the snow pack away. The wind was not a factor with this storm, and in fact there were no major wind gusts.

On the other hand, 6.5 inches of white powder fell on the island. School was canceled for the day. After the snow stopped, the temperature rose to 36 degrees. Snow removal was aided by rain. The next day was very rainy, and most of the snow pack was gone; also the next day the temperature rose to 37 degrees. It was a somewhat disappointing snowstorm, but not as bad as some storms have been in the past.

SNE snowfall maps

peak of storm

Stats:

Accumulation: 6.5″  Forecast: 6″

Wind: 15 mph unofficial: 11 mph

Damage: none

Review: March 6, 2003 snowstorm

On the 5th, the National Weather Service predicted up to 10″ of snow; the same day, was wet and mild. A southwesterly wind kept temperatures above freezing. That wet weather ended by the early evening. The night was calm, and nothing of note happened… Until the next morning. Around 8:30 AM, the snow began, it was light at first, but then it began to intensify. The snow itself stuck really quick, turning streets into bumper cart arenas. Roads were sanded and salted but the snow kept coming down, making work hard and slow.

Throughout the day, it kept slacking and at the same time strengthening. The wind was out of the northeast, sustained at 35 mph. There was no damage along the waterfront to speak of, and any flooding, was in the creeks. School was canceled. and, as usual sledding places were filled to the brim.

The snow ended a little bit after 8 PM on the 6th. Overall, it was a good haul of snow. At Chicken Hill, we managed to receive 9″, while the airport recorded 8.5″ Our highest wind  gust was 39 mph.

SNE totals

storm at peak

Stats:

Accumulation: 8.5″  Forecast: 10″

Wind: 35 mph Unofficial: 39 mph

Damage: none

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-