December 2010 North American blizzard

Satellite image of the blizzard on December 27.

The December 2010 North American blizzard was a historic blizzard that hit the northeaster part of North America in late December 2010. The blizzard produced heavy snow and strong winds. Over 20 inches (51 cm) of snow on parts of New York City. An area south of Elizabeth City, New Jersey had the most snow fall. It had 36 in (91 cm) of snow. Elizabeth City itself got 31 in (79 cm) of snow.

History

The storm that caused the snowfall started as drizzle in California. It grew into a rainstorm. As it moved northeast, it turned into a blizzard. On 26 December 2010, the blizzard reached New York City. The blizzard caused a large amount of snow and strong winds. It also caused thundersnow, where thunder and lightning happen while snow is falling. It moved away from the city on December 27th. On December 28th, the blizzard moved out over the Atlantic Ocean.

Impacts

New Jersey

New Jersey got a large amount of snow. There was also rain in the area of Cape May. Elizabeth City got 31 in (79 cm) of snow. An area south of Elizabeth City had the most snow fall. It had 36 in (91 cm) of snow.[1] The blizzard produced heavy snow and strong winds there. That was a historic blizzard for the area.

New York

New York City received a large amount of snow and had high winds. About 20 in (51 cm) of snow fell on the city. Places east of the city, for example eastern Long Island, saw some rain from the storm. The blizzard did not affect far north of New York City. Albany got less than 1 in (2.5 cm) of snow from the blizzard.[1]

Connecticut

Connecticut did have snowfall, but it was not an unusual amount for that state. Between from 8 to 20 in (20–51 cm) of snow fell in Connecticut. Hartford had only 8 in (20 cm) of snow. New Haven, the closest area in Connecticut to New York City, saw about 20 in (51 cm) of snow.[1]

Massachusetts

Massachusetts saw between 2 to 8 in (5.1–20.3 cm) of snow. This is not an unusual amount for the area.[1]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "National Weather Service Hydrometeorological Prediction Center Storm Summary Message". National Weather Service. December 28, 2010. Retrieved December 28, 2010.