Last updated October 15, 2021
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Northeast Blizzard March 2017

United States

Winter Storm Stella hit the Northeastern United States beginning late on Monday, March 13, bringing up to 42 inches of snow,[1] snowfall rates up to 7 inches in one hour,[1] hurricane force winds,[2] and coastal flooding.[3] The snowstorm was a classic nor'easter but has multiple climate connections that helped to amplify its impact.

Elevated sea levels may have amplified and extended the reach of Stella's storm surge. A warmer atmosphere can hold more water vapor when saturated, increasing blizzard risk as storms like Stella can collect and dump that moisture as extreme snowfall, sleet and rainfall. Before the storm, sea surface temperatures were record warm in the Atlantic Gulf Stream, pumping more heat energy and moisture into the storm, further increasing the risk of blizzard. 

The amplification of these physical mechanisms can be seen in the long-term trends. Between 1961 and 2010, there have been twice as many extreme regional snowstorms in the US compared to 1900 to 1960. In New York City, 6 of the 10 all-time biggest snowstorms on record have occurred since 2000. An extreme event driven by natural variability and amplified by climate change is consistent with what science projects for a warming world.

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NYC during the blizzard