April 2019 North American blizzard
Category 3 "Major" (RSI/NOAA: 8.507)
Water vapor satellite image of the storm April 10.
Type
FormedApril 10, 2019
DissipatedApril 14, 2019
Highest gust107 mph (172 km/h) at Pueblo West, Colorado
Lowest pressure982 mb (29.00 inHg)
Maximum snowfall
or ice accretion		30.0 inches (63.5 centimeters) of snow in Wallace, South Dakota
Fatalities0
Power outages139,000+
Areas affected

The April 2019 North American blizzard[1][2] was a historic blizzard that occurred in the month of April in the Great Plains and the Midwest. As strong winds and heavy snowfall were anticipated to produce widespread reductions in visibility, a blizzard warning was issued from northeastern Colorado to southwestern Minnesota, including several large cities. Denver, Cheyenne, Mitchell and Kearney were all included.[3][4] Winds gusted as high as 107 mph (172 km/h) at Pueblo West and more than 30 inches (76 centimeters) of snow fell in Wallace, South Dakota.[5]

Meteorological history

The storm developed over the Pacific Northwest on April 9, hitting the Rockies with intense snowfall April 10. Afterwards, the area of low pressure tracked into the Northern Plains, spreading blizzard conditions from Northeastern Colorado up into Minnesota. Soon afterward, the winter storm bombed out and became a powerful bomb cyclone, reaching its peak intensity early on April 11.[6] As the blizzard approached the Great Lakes region, the storm started weakening and most winter weather-related warnings previously issued by the National Weather Service were discontinued on April 12.[7]

Impacts

California

Before the storm reached Colorado, and developed into a powerful Colorado low, strong winds cut power to 50,000 in Los Angeles.

Nevada

The same powerful winds that affected California kicked up dust storms in Nevada.

Colorado

Heavy snowfall, accompanied by lightning and thunder in some localities, dumped up to 30 inches (75 centimetres) of snow in the Rocky Mountains. Meanwhile, official blizzard conditions occurred in the Northeast quadrant of the state.[8] Portions of I-70 closed as messy roads caused car accidents. A baseball game at Coors Field between the Colorado Rockies and Atlanta Braves was postponed.[9] A soccer game between the Seattle Sounders and Colorado Rapids was also postponed.[10]

New Mexico

Wind gusts exceeding hurricane-force (74 mph, 119 km/h) affected the state April 10th as the storm's large circulation passed to the north. Officials were on high alert for brush fires because of these hot, dry winds.[11]

Wyoming

Cheyenne was put under a blizzard warning in anticipation of widespread reduced visibility as a result of high winds and heavy snowfall. Many of Laramie County's offices had to be closed. According to the Laramie County School District administrator, Mary Quast, the schools would have an early release, and status regarding the re-opening of the district would be communicated by six in the morning on the 11th.[12]

Gillette, on the other side of the state, reported 6 inches of snow while Wheeler reported 16 inches.[3]

Nebraska

Interstate 80 was closed in parts of the Nebraska panhandle as roads became unpassable.[3]

South Dakota

As many parts of the state were under blizzard warning or winter storm warning, concerns were growing for the potential of flooding following the storm due to snowmelt. The storm may have caused several hundred million dollars in damage. Up to 30 inches fell in eastern South Dakota. [13]

Minnesota

Nearly 25 inches (62.5 centimetres) fell in the southwestern part of the state. Near Madison, there was ice accretion of half an inch, which accumulated in southern Minnesota and winds frequently gusted in excess of 40 miles per hour (64 km/h).[14] The combination of high winds and significant icing resulted in over 89,000+ power outages across the Midwest, mostly in Minnesota. Another MLB game was postponed, this time between the Minnesota Twins and Texas Rangers.[15]

Illinois

A baseball game between the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Angels was postponed.[16]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Amanda Woods (April 10, 2019). "'Historic' Winter Storm Wesley Threatens 200M in the Midwest". New York Post. Retrieved May 18, 2019.
  2. ↑ John Bacon; Doyle Rice (April 11, 2019). "Relentless 'bomb cyclone' blizzard blasts central US with heavy snow, howling winds". USA Today. Retrieved May 18, 2019.
  3. 1 2 3 Dave Quinn (April 11, 2019). "Blizzard Dumps 23 Inches of Snow on Midwest & Plains Just Days After Temps Hit Nearly 80 Degrees". People Magazine. Retrieved May 18, 2019.
  4. ↑ "Winter Storm Wesley Prompts Blizzard Warnings in the Plains and Upper Midwest, Including Denver". The Weather Channel. Retrieved 2019-04-10.
  5. ↑ "Winter Storm Wesley Prompts Blizzard Warnings in the Plains and Upper Midwest". The Weather Channel. Retrieved 2019-04-11.
  6. ↑ Blake Nicholson (April 11, 2019). "'Bomb cyclone' snow, wind impacts Midwest, Great Lakes". Associated Press. Retrieved May 18, 2019.
  7. ↑ "Winter Storm Wesley Hammering the Upper Midwest With Heavy Snow, Gusty Winds, Blizzard Conditions". The Weather Channel. Retrieved 2019-04-12.
  8. ↑ "'Historic springtime snowstorm' wallops Rockies, north-central US as it intensifies". www.accuweather.com. Archived from the original on 2019-04-10. Retrieved 2019-04-10.
  9. ↑ BRAVES-ROCKIES GAME POSTPONED DUE TO WEATHER, Fox Sports, April 10, 2019
  10. ↑ Colorado Rapids vs Seattle Sounders FC postponed due to inclement weather, ColoradoRapids.com, April 10, 2019
  11. ↑ "High winds threaten more damage, power outages and brush fires in southwestern US - AccuWeather.com". m.accuweather.com. Archived from the original on 2019-04-11. Retrieved 2019-04-11.
  12. ↑ Steve Knight (April 11, 2019). "Laramie County shuts down as snowstorm hits". WyomingTribuneEagle. Retrieved May 18, 2019.
  13. ↑ "Winter Storm Wesley Impacts: Schools Closed, Flights Canceled, Interstates Shut Down". The Weather Channel. Retrieved 2019-04-10.
  14. ↑ "What we know about the winter storm heading to Minnesota". St. Cloud Times. Retrieved 2019-04-10.
  15. ↑ Twins postpone Tigers series opener due to wintry weather, MPR News, April 11, 2019
  16. ↑ Cubs, Angels postponed, makeup date TBD, BleedCubbie, April 14, 2019
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