2016-17 United States winter storm season

The **2016-17 United States winter storm season** was the most violent season ever recorded in United States' history. The season began on November 1, 2016 and ended on April 30, 2017. Storms can form anytime between October and May, however, storms before November or after April are uncommon. However, Winter Storm Ursa lasted into May, which made Ursa the first off-season storm since Winter Storm Venus in 2015. The season became the latest starting season on record on November 17, when Argos formed nearly a month after the season's start. Long gaps occurred between storms like Leo-Maya (13 days), Quid-Reggie (13 days), Stella-Theseus (14 days), and Theseus-Ursa (26 days). The season is notable for having the most winter storms that had a maximum snowfall of above 25 inches, with 17. Four storms had a maximum snowfall of 60 inches, which was also a record.

## 2016-17 United States winter storm season

Tracks of the winter storms of the 2016-17 season.

## Some attributes

### First

**First storm formed:** November 17, 2016

### Second

**Last storm dissipated:** May 22, 2017 (record latest)

### Third

**Strongest storm:** Fortis - 960 millibars

## Seasonal predictions

On September 20, 2016, the Tornado Genius Meteorological Center (TGMC) issued a forecast of 23-25 named storms due to a La Nina forming in the Atlantic, which causes slightly more active winter seasons. Most agencies predicted an above average season. The TGMC later released a revised prediction when models showed a mild winter for much of the nation. The Weather Center of Buddhaland (WCB) released a prediction later, showing that an El Niño conditions would still linger throughout much of the United States. The Weather Channel (TWC) predicted that conditions would be dry in the Southern United States, but in the Midwest and Northeast, storms would be more common in the Great Lakes Region and in New England. The WCB revised their previous prediction after the formation of Winter Storm Argos, raising their prediction to a possibility of 24-26 named storms. On March 14, the TGMC revised their prediction for the season to have 22-23 named storms, with a possibility hat it would be the least active on record. On April 15, both the WCB and TGMC revised their predictions, both showing that 2016-17 would be the least active on record in the modern naming era (2012-present).

## Seasonal Snow Index (SSI)

Every year, the Season Snow Index is taken. It is the average of the top snowfall totals of each season. The 2016-17 season had an SSI of 41.35 inches of snow.

## Storms

### Winter Storm Argos

 **Peak Intensity** | 15 (in.), 992 mbar

Winter Storm Argos formed on November 17. Argos brought snow to the Northern Interior of the United States. Argos also caused a fatal accident in Minnesota that resulted in two fatalities. Argos also brought winds high as 78 mph in some parts of the Great Lakes Region. On the severe side of Argos, storms rattled the southern portion of Indiana. Accidents and slide offs from the snow forced closures on portions of Interstate 70 in the Colorado Rockies. Interstate 80 in Wyoming was also closed between Cheyenne and Laramie. The first snow of the season fell in the Salt Lake City metro area, with some enhancement by wind flow over the Great Salt Lake, slickening roads for the morning commute in some areas on November 17. At Salt Lake City International Airport, 0.3 inches of snow was measured. Denver also saw its first snow of the season, picking up 1.7" of snow. Argos lashed New England with extreme winds of 50+ mph. 10" of snow was also recorded in New York. At least 54.5" of snow fell in New York, making Argos one of the snowiest storms on record in New York. Argos also killed six people. Argos dissipated on November 22.

### Winter Storm Blanche

 **Peak Intensity** | 22 (in.), 974 mbar

Winter Storm Blanche formed on November 27. Snow totals of 24" were reported in the Sierra Mountains. On Blanche's warm side, heavy rain slowed travelers returning home from the Thanksgiving holiday, and authorities warned damaging winds could continue to cause problems in Southern California, according to the Associated Press. Snow began to fall on northern Utah early November 28, and parts of Salt Lake County received up to 2 inches by rush hour, the AP reported. In Ogden, up to 4 inches of snowfall was reported on the morning of November 28, the report added. In central Utah, Interstate 15 was closed near Scipio due to heavy snow, according to the Deseret News. The Utah Highway Patrol said traffic was stalled for hours on some snow-covered roads, the report added. More than a foot of snow fell from Blanche in Colorado's mountains, quickly escalating the risk of avalanches in some areas. The state's Department of Transportation closed Loveland Pass, citing the possibility of avalanches, according to the Denver Post. Later, I-70's eastbound lanes were closed in Glenwood Canyon because of crashes, the report added. Denver was expected to receive little to no snow from Blanche. A travel alert was issued for the central part North Dakota as Blanche began dumping an expected foot or more of snow on cities like Minot and Bismarck. The North Dakota Department of Transportation asked motorists to be careful on roadways that were likely to become slick and dangerous, and some schools started late on November 28, according to the AP. Many of the state's major roadways were covered in snow or ice, but none were closed, according to the DOT. A record low pressure of 974 millibars (28.77 inHg) was set in North Dakota. A top snow total of 62" was reported at Elk Mountain, Wyoming. Blanche dissipated on December 1.

### Winter Storm Caly

 **Peak Intensity** | 12 (in.), Unknown mbar

Winter Storm Caly formed on December 7. Nearly a foot of snow fell in the higher elevations, but in the more populated areas, snow covered roadways in areas that don't typically experience big snow totals. As a result, precautionary measures were taken by authorities; schools were closed and residents were urged to stay home. One person was killed in a car crash that was blamed on driving conditions made dangerous by Caly. More than an inch of snow, with a glaze of ice on top, was reported near downtown Portland. This caused some travel problems in and around the city. Ice coated overhead power wires along two light rail lines in Portland, disrupting service, transit service TriMet said on Twitter, as reported by the Associated Press. At least one bus line canceled service, while many others were running on snow routes. As winds gusted to 47 mph at the Portland airport, the National Weather Service relayed multiple reports of tree and power line damage in the metro area. According to the Oregonian, all schools in the Portland metro area canceled classes on December 9 due to Caly. The cancellation included all districts in Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington counties. A top snow total of 46.1" was recorded in Galena Summit, Idaho. Caly dissipated on December 12.

### Winter Storm Decima

 **Peak Intensity** | 13 (in.), Unknown mbar

Winter Storm Decima formed on December 13. Decima delivered an ice storm to parts of Oregon's Willamette Valley. Up to 0.88 inches of accumulated ice lead to widespread tree damage, downed power lines and even some trees down on homes in Eugene. Farther north, light snow lead to a mess on the roads for the second week in a row in the Portland, Oregon, metro area. Decima produced wind gusts of 60-121 mph in some typically wind-prone and high-elevation locations near the California and Nevada border. A semi-truck was blown over by the high winds near Washoe City, Nevada. A top snowfall total of 35.4" of snow was recorded in Ketchum, Idaho. A total of 15 fatalities resulted in crashes across several states due to ice. Decima dissipated on December 19.

### Winter Storm Europa

 **Peak Intensity** | 15 (in.), 983 mbar

Winter Storm Europa formed on December 22. Hundreds of miles of interstate were closed across the Dakotas on Christmas. The storm also caused widespread power outages in the Dakotas, Nebraska, and western Iowa. High winds were cited for hundreds of power outages in central and eastern portions of Nebraska, while two hundred and forty miles of interstate 94 remained closed, from the Montana border to Jamestown, North Dakota. US Highway 83 between Bismarck and Minot also remained closed by the North Dakota Transportation Department. In fact, much of the state was under a no travel advisory from the North Dakota Transportation Department. The city of Bismarck issued a snow emergency meaning all vehicles must be removed from designated snow emergency routes so the city can plow overnight. The South Dakota Department of Transportation closed more than 200 miles of Interstate 90 in both directions from the Wyoming border to Chamberlain, South Dakota. There was no word on when the stretch of interstate would reopen. The South Dakota Rural Electric Association was reporting that 10,231 customers were without power. Icy conditions in Aberdeen prompted the Brown County Sheriff's Office to issue a no travel advisory. The city is also under a weather service flash flood warning after rain and snow-melt flooded major intersections in the city. Icy conditions caused travel headaches for one NFL team as a big weekend of football got underway. The Minnesota Vikings' plane slid off a runway at Appleton International Airport in Wisconsin, but no injuries were reported from the incident and all of the plane's passengers were safely rescued by emergency personnel. Weather caused serious travel problems in Arizona. Parts of Interstate 40 and other highways in northern Arizona's high country were closed due to weather and multiple crashes. I-40 was closed in both directions on a 49-mile stretch between Ash Fork and Flagstaff. A crash involving two semi-trucks on I-40 impacted westbound traffic in Flagstaff, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. About 50 vehicles blocked I-17 north of State Route 179 when multiple vehicles slid off the roadway and several became stuck, according to the Arizona DOT. Parts of I-17 closed in both directions. There were also collisions and closures on State Routes 89, 89A, 87, 238 and 64. State Route 238 was closed between Gila Bend and Maricopa due to flooding from heavy rainfall. Part of the roadway remained closed overnight. In Indiana, a middle school teacher was killed in a car accident due to rain from Europa. He was pronounced dead at the scene on Christmas morning. A peak pressure of 983 millibars was measured in Europa on Christmas day. Europa dissipated on December 26.

### Winter Storm Fortis

 **Peak Intensity** | 12 (in.), 960 mbar

Winter Storm Fortis formed on December 28. Fortis rapidly intensified near the Northeast coast, bringing heavy snow and strong winds to much of New England. Snow began spreading across the Northeast, though along the Interstate 95 corridor south of Boston, rain was the main precipitation type. Fortis produced snow totals of a half foot or more in seven states: Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont. Incredible snowfall rates of 4 to 6 inches per hour were measured in parts of Maine, leading to snow totals of over two feet. Thundersnow was reported in parts of Connecticut, including Litchfield, as well as near Watertown, New York. More thundersnow reports came in later from all across eastern Massachusetts, including the Boston metro area, as well as southeast Maine in the Portland area. As if thundersnow weren't enough, a report of thunder graupel (snow pellets) came in from Oswego, New York, from a heavy lake-effect band. A southward plunge of the jet stream, or upper-level trough, intensified over the eastern half of the country. In response, an area of low pressure developed at the surface near the Northeast coast and has pushed into far eastern Canada. This low underwent "bombogenesis," a rapid strengthening within a period of only 24 hours. This system went from a central pressure of 1004 millibars at 1 p.m. December 29 to 976 millibars at 1 a.m. December 29, dropping 28 millibars in 12 hours. Fortis dissipated on December 30.

### Winter Storm Gregory

 **Peak Intensity** | 12 (in), Unknown mbar

Winter Storm Gregory formed on January 1. In the northern Plains, up to a foot of snow had piled up in Wilton, North Dakota. Fargo and Bismarck, North Dakota, had both seen more than a half foot of snow from Gregory. The National Weather Service posted various winter storm warnings and advisories in the northern Plains, Upper Midwest and northern New England. Gregory killed one person in Montana. Gregory dissipated on January 3.

### Winter Storm Helena

 **Peak Intensity** | 16 (in), 987 mbar

Winter Storm Helena formed on January 3. Winter Storm Helena dumped a mess of snow and some ice from the South to the East after dumping several feet of snow in the mountain West. Overall, the track of Helena was a bit farther north and west than originally expected in parts of the South and East. Therefore, areas expecting more snow ended up getting more sleet and ice in the Southeast, while more moderate snow totals crept closer to parts of the I-95 corridor in New York City and Philadelphia. Heavy snow made its way inland from the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast on the backside of Winter Storm Helena, bringing blizzard conditions to parts of eastern Virginia. Helena moved well east of Cape Cod, but brought heavy snow and gusty winds to the peninsula as it tracked off the Northeast seaboard. The heaviest totals were along the south shore of Massachusetts, where ocean-effect snowbands persisted into the early morning hours of January 8. Helena was the heaviest snowfall at Boston's Logan Airport in almost two years, since Winter Storm Neptune dumped over 16 inches of snow around Valentine's Day 2015. Light snow spread across parts of the southern Plains and Mid-South from the night of January 5 into January 6. A heavier swath of snow developed late on January 6, continuing into January 7 from the north Georgia mountains into western and northern North Carolina and southern Virginia. Mainly sleet or freezing rain fell south of that from parts of Louisiana and Mississippi into central Alabama into Georgia and parts of the Carolinas. Compounding the mess was a plunge of some of the coldest air of the season behind Helena into the affected areas of the Southeast. Lows the morning of January 8 dipped into the teens well into the Deep South, rendering salt relatively useless for treating areas of ice on roads. Helena dissipated on January 8.

### Winter Storm Iras

 **Peak Intensity** | 11 (in.), Unknown mbar

Winter Storm Iras formed on January 6. Up to an inch of ice was reported in Lane County, Oregon, which includes Eugene, Creswell and Goshen. Eugene, Oregon, also picked up 4.5 inches of snow. Freezing rain and snow impacted the Salt Lake City metro and Portland, as well. Cold air trapped in the valleys of western Colorado also resulted in freezing rain there on January 9. Around the Grand Junction area, near one quarter of an inch of ice accumulated, leading to ice-covered roads and sending cars into ditches. Additional snowfall-related road tie-ups occurred on Interstates 90 and 35 in southern Minnesota and Interstate 94 in western Wisconsin. Parts of upstate New York became coated in ice late January 10, including the city of Syracuse. Many area schools dismissed early to get students home safely before the sleet and freezing rain arrived. Iras also brought strong winds to the Great Lakes as low pressure intensified January 10. Erie, Pennsylvania, along the southeast shore of Lake Erie, gusted as high as 67 mph. The winds downed trees and power lines in parts of Ohio, Michigan and New York. More than 40,000 utility customers lost power in Upstate New York. Iras dissipated on January 11.

### Winter Storm Jupiter

 **Peak Intensity** | 44 (in.), 1006 mbar

Winter Storm Jupiter formed on January 11. A half inch of freezing rain was reported in Desloge, Missouri which is south of St. Louis. In addition, two deaths have been reported due to icy roads. Over 100 reports of freezing rain and ice accumulations had come in from Oklahoma to western Kentucky and southwest Indiana. Trees were downed and power outages reported in Springfield, Missouri, where about one-quarter inch of ice accumulation was observed by midday. Not far from Springfield, more than half of an inch of ice had accumulated in Aldrich, Missouri. Ice had already begun to accumulate on some surfaces in Carbondale, Illinois, Joplin, Missouri, and Tulsa, Oklahoma, among other locations. Tree damage was observed as far east as Carterville, Illinois. Some cloud-to-ground lightning strikes were detected along the Interstate 44 corridor of far northeast Oklahoma and southern Missouri. In Oklahoma, Governor Mary Fallin declared a state of emergency for all counties as residents prepare for the ice storm. Up to 15.5 inches of snow was measured in the Portland, Oregon, metro area, accompanied by thundersnow with rates of up to 4 inches per hour. According to the National Weather Service, Jupiter was the single biggest snowstorm for many in the metro area in almost 22 years, since a 12-inch snowstorm hammered the city two days before Valentine's Day, 1995. The weight of this snow downed trees, and numerous vehicles were abandoned on metro streets and freeways. Parts of the Sierra picked up almost 80 inches of snow. In Kingvale, California, almost 5 feet of snow fell in 24 hours. The combination of this dumping of snow and strong winds prompted closure of stretches of Interstate 80, U.S. 50 and California Highway 88 over the Sierra. According to the NWS in Sacramento, the last closure of this magnitude on Interstate 80 over Donner Summit was in March 2011. In fact, going back over a seven-day period, parts of the Sierra picked up an almost unfathomable 12 feet of snow, during what the NWS in Reno is calling the biggest Sierra snowstorm in six years, dating all the way back to the 2010-11 season. The pure volume of snow lead to several avalanches, including a controlled avalanche impacting about a dozen homes in Alpine Meadows, California. Residents of Crystal Bay and Incline Village were asked to shelter in place due to the avalanche threat. A small avalanche prompting closure of the only plowed road to Crater Lake National Park in southwest Oregon. Another avalanche also impacted a dozen homes in the Greater Lake Tahoe area. The town of Hill City, Idaho, picked up at least 26 inches of snow in 24 hours, with snow so deep, ski lift chairs were said to be dragging in the snow, according to a local media report to the NWS in Boise. An EF0 tornado touched down around midnight on January 11 near Arco Arena in Sacramento, downing trees and fences and twisting metal awnings. A record snowfall total for a named winter storm occurred near Encampment, Wyoming, where 94.5" of snow was recorded, shattering the previous record of 88" set by Winter Storm Bozeman in 2014. Jupiter dissipated on January 18.

### Winter Storm Kori

 **Peak Intensity** | 11 (in.), Unknown mbar

Winter Storm Kori formed on January 17. More than 3 inches of rain in the Sherpa Fire burn area west of Santa Barbara, California led to mudslides. Cabins and cars were washed away after heavy rainfall there. On the heels of a period of flooding and prolific snow last week, another deep plume of moisture known as an atmospheric river pushed ashore along the West Coast. Another powerful Pacific storm lurks behind Kori with more rain and mountain snow, including in southern California. Mammoth Mountain in California's southern Sierra Nevada had picked up 20 to 30 inches of snow from Kori. The ski resort said this winter storm has vaulted them to their snowiest January on record. A report of 2 inches of ice accumulation came in from North Bonneville, Washington, between Hood River and Portland, Oregon. The ice has reportedly broken lots of tree limbs in the area. A 2-inch ice measurement has also been reported near Snowden, Washington. Ahead of the first Pacific front of Winter Storm Kori, winds have gusted as high as 87 mph on the Yaquina Bay Bridge in Newport, Oregon. Kori dissipated on January 20.

### Winter Storm Leo

 **Peak Intensity** | 20 (in.), Unknown mbar

Winter Storm Leo formed on January 22. Leo dumped locally more than 10 inches of snow on parts of Nebraska, southern South Dakota, northern Iowa and southern Minnesota Jan. 24-25. A few spots in Nebraska saw 20 inches of snow. Thundersnow was reported from Leo in southeast Minnesota the night of Jan. 24, and near Madison, Wisconsin, the morning of Jan. 25. Jan. 22-23, Leo brought heavy snow, high winds and flooding rainfall to California. Icy roads created hazardous travel in parts of the Plains and upper Midwest Jan. 24-25. A band of heavy snow forced a closure on Highway 8 through the San Diego County Mountains the evening of Jan. 23. Blowing and drifting snow caused low visibility in the White Mountains of Arizona the evening of Jan. 23, causing some cars to slide off the road. The heavy snow and strong winds in the Sierra Nevada forced a closure of Interstate 80 the night of Jan. 22. More than two dozen mudslides and rockslides were reported in California on Jan. 22, including one that two vehicles became stuck in near Wrightwood. Also, some roads experienced flooding in the Golden State. Swift water rescues were reported near Crestline, Sun City, Pedley and Costa Mesa. In southern California, high winds downed some trees. Snowfall in the Sierra Nevada has piled up in feet. Parts of the Reno, Nevada, area saw more than a half foot of snow. Leo dissipated on January 25.

### Winter Storm Maya

 **Peak Intensity** | 16 (in.), Unknown mbar

Winter Storm Maya formed on February 5. Maya spread its mess of snow and ice into parts of the northern Plains, Great Lakes and Northeast, after dumping the heaviest snow in the Seattle metro in five years and burying parts of the far northern Rockies. SeaTac airport picked up 7.1 inches of snow from Maya, making it the heaviest two-day snowstorm there since Jan. 18-19, 2012. The storm reportedly knocked out power to tens of thousands of Puget Sound Energy customers. Officially, only a trace of snow was measured at the National Weather Service office in Portland, Oregon. However, parts of Oregon's coastal range picked up a foot of snow, and the Oregon coast picked up a rare significant snowfall. Blizzard conditions were observed near Glacier National Park in Montana, where snowdrifts up to 10 feet high were reported on U.S. 2. East Glacier National Park had seen up to 51 inches of snow. Maya dissipated on February 7.

### Winter Storm Niko

 **Peak Intensity** | 11 (in.), 973 mbar

Winter Storm Niko formed on February 7. Niko brought heavy snow, blizzard conditions and high winds to a swath of the Northeast. Niko's intense snowfall, following record highs the previous day, prompted thousands of flights cancellations and numerous schools closed from parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York into New England. After being classified as a named winter storm on Feb. 7, a stripe of snow blanketed parts of the central Plains and Ohio Valley, with generally light to moderate snow. Around 2 inches of snow had fallen in Omaha, Nebraska, and in parts of the Des Moines, Iowa, metro area during the morning of February 8. A stripe of northern Nebraska picked up heavier snow, led by 10 inches of snow in Ainsworth. 2.1 inches of snow was measured at Indianapolis International Airport. By that evening, Dayton, Ohio, had picked up 1 inch of snow. Niko quickly moved into the Northeast by early on Thursday, February 9. Its rapidly-intensifying low pressure system raced from the Delmarva peninsula northeastinto the Atlantic, well off the coast of Long Island and Cape Cod, but close enough to spread blizzard conditions inland. Niko underwent "bombogenesis", which is defined as a drop in central pressure of the surface low of at least 24 millibars in 24 hours or less, off the Eastern Seaboard when it's pressure dropped 29 millibars in 24 hours. Pressure fell from 1002 millibars (mbar) to 973 mbar from 7 P.M. February 8 to 7 P.M. February 9. Snowfall rates were extreme at times, ranging from 1 to 4 inches per hour. As Niko cranked up off the coast of the Mid-Atlantic, numerous reports of thundersnow were recieved from at least four states, including around Hartford, Connecticut, on New York's Long Island, in Rhode Island and in Massachusetts, including at the National Weather Service office in Boston. At least 19 locations in southern New England recorded blizzard conditions. Boston recorded blizzard conditions for more than four and a half hours. At one time, visbility at Logan Airport dropped to a mere 1/16 of a mile, a rarity in a winter storm. This was the first blizzard in Boston since January 27, 2015 (Winter Storm Juno), which lasted 9 hours. In Providence, blizzard conditions were recorded for more than five hours. Niko killed one person. Niko dissipated on February 9.

### Winter Storm Orson

 **Peak Intensity** | 13 (in.), 975 mbar

Winter Storm Orson formed on February 9. Orson blasted parts of upstate New York and New England with heavy snow February 12-13, and high winds from this intensifying storm triggered numerous power outages up and down the East Coast. This was the second round of heavy snow and high winds in less than a week for parts of New England, following on the heels of Winter Storm Niko. Orson officially met bombogenesis criterion, as pressure dropped the required 24 millibars in only 15 hours from late February 12 into the morning of February 13. More than a dozen locations in Maine tallied over 20 inches of snow, topped by a 36-inch total near Jonesboro, Maine. Parts of upstate New York, Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire saw a foot or more of snow. The wind lead to blowing and drifting of snow across the region. Boston-Logan Airport measured 3.7 inches of snow; however, totals well in excess of 6 inches occurred on the west and north sides of the metro area. White Plains, New York, clocked a wind gust to 72 mph on the morning of February 13, while New York's La Guardia Airport saw a gust to 61 mph. On the night of February 12, winds gusted to 66 mph at Reagan National Airport and 72 mph at Joint Base Andrews, just across the Potomac. The combination of heavy snow on trees plus strong winds downed trees and wires in parts of the Boston metro. Orson claimed two lives as it moved through the Northeast. Strong winds brought down numerous tree limbs across the Mid-Atlantic, including one that crashed through the windshield of Shannon Lee Martin's car near Mechanicsburg, Pennsyvlania. The branch struck him in the chest, breaking his ribs and lacerating his heart. A veteran was killed by a snowplow in the parking lot of a veterans' facility in Bedford, Massachusetts on February 12. The weight of the snow collapsed the roof of a bowling alley in Millinocket, Maine and caused travel disruptions both on the ground and in the air from Upstate New York to Maine. Orson dissipated on February 13.

### Winter Storm Pluto

 **Peak Intensity** | 11 (in.), Unknown mbar

Winter Storm Pluto formed on February 15. Pluto was a short-lived storm that crossed through New England from eastern Canada and then back into the Canadian maritimes. It was the third of a string of winter storms that brought heavy snow over a period of 10 days to northern New England including Maine, which received at least three feet of snow in those three storms —Niko, Orson and Pluto. At least one person died driving on snow-covered roads in Vermont and another person died in a four-car collision in Upstate New York, but it is unclear whether or not that collision was directly related to Pluto. So much snow fell in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont in early-mid February that snow shovels were becoming hard to find during this storm, even as residents were cautioned to clear snow from rooftops in fear that the weight of the snow might collapse structures. Pluto dissipated on February 16.

### Winter Storm Quid

 **Peak Intensity** | 14 (in.), Unknown mbar

Winter Storm Quid formed on February 22. Winter storm watches were issued for southern Minnesota (including Minneapolis), northwestern Wisconsin, northern and western Nebraska, southeastern Wyoming and the northern Colorado Rockies. Two people died in crashes on roads made dangerous by the winter storm. One death was reported in a collision involving two semis on Interstate 80 in Parleys Canyon, while the other occurred on I-15 south of Brigham City. Nearly 10 inches of snow fell overnight near Reno, according to the National Weather Service, and as the wintry precipitation covered roads, drivers experienced a rough commute in the morning hours, the AP said. More than two dozen crashes were reported along Interstate 80 and other roads around Reno, but Trooper Dan Gordon told the AP that no serious injuries were reported. In the mountains, where several feet of snow fell in just 24 hours, I-80 was closed over the top of the Sierra because of whiteout conditions. The interstate was reopened by the evening hours, but authorities told the AP that tire chains were still required on many mountain passes. Quid killed a total of four people in Utah due to vehicular accidents. Quid dissipated on February 25.

### Winter Storm Reggie

 **Peak Intensity** | 4 (in.), Unknown mbar

Winter Storm Reggie formed on March 9. Reggie was a quick moving winter storm that blanketed areas from Ohio to Maine in snowfall and caused temperatures to tumble well below freezing in the Northeast. Reggie ushered in a new pattern for the country with cooler temperatures becoming more common east of the Mississippi. Generally, from 2 to 5 inches of snow accumulated from just up the Hudson Valley in New York into Connecticut, Rhode Island and mainly southeast Massachusetts. Snow fell at the rate of 1 inch per hour at Newark-Liberty, JFK, and Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut. This produced a quick 2 inches of snow on the ground at JFK Airport and lead to ground stops at both LaGuardia and Newark-Liberty airports. A maximum snowfall of 9.5" was reported in Yostville, Pennsylvania. Reggie dissipated on March 10.

### Winter Storm Stella

 **Peak Intensity** | 114 (pts), 974 mbar

Winter Storm Stella formed on March 11. Up to 5 inches of snow was reported near Cave City, Arkansas, and 4 inches was measured in Paris, Tennessee. North Carolina and northern South Carolina saw snow from Stella. Most of the accumulations were on grassy and elevated surfaces. Stella brought up to 10 inches of snow to Watertown, South Dakota. St. James, Minnesota, picked up 9.5 inches while Waterloo, Iowa, received 8.8 inches. A blizzard warning was issued for New York City before Stella began its impact on the Northeast. Two people died in Wisconsin due to Winter Storm Stella. Chris Christie, Governor of New Jersey, declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm. Most schools were closed on March 14, while N.J. Transit ran on a weekend schedule. All bus service was suspended, the New York Times reports. Stella dissipated on March 17.

### Winter Storm Theseus

 **Peak Intensity** | 12 (in.), 994 mbar

Winter Storm Theseus formed on March 31. An area of low pressure intensified off the Northeast coast. This system had plenty of moisture associated with it from the western Atlantic, which helped to enhance the heavy rain and snow in the region. Enough cold air was in place over interior New England and portions of upstate New York, for snow and some sleet accumulation to occur. A top snowfall of 19" was recorded in Washington, New Hampshire. Nantucket reported a gust of 65 mph, and a wind gust of 62 mph was measured in East Falmouth, Massachusetts. Theseus happened exactly 20 years after the April Fools' Day Blizzard of 1997. Theseus dissipated on April 2.

### Winter Storm Ursa

 **Peak Intensity** | 14 (in.), Unknown mbar

Winter Storm Ursa formed on April 28. Jackson Hole, Wyoming, measured 21 to 23 inches of snow. The Denver area had seen 2-5 inches of snow, according to the National Weather Service. Snow was reported as far south as the northern Texas panhandle in Dalhart. 29" of snow was reported in Alta, Wyoming, making it one of the highest snowfalls on record for this late in the season. Ursa's snow totals appear to be similar to the May 3, 1978, snowstorm peak totals in the Oklahoma and northern Texas panhandles, and produced more snow in the city of Amarillo (2 inches) than the storm a few days later in the calendar 39 years ago did (0.5 inches). On April 29, snow brought down tree limbs and power lines in portions of southeastern Colorado, including the Pueblo area. Slushy accumulations from Ursa also occurred in the Upper Midwest as the storm began to wind down on May 1. Ursa dissipated on May 1.

### Winter Storm Valerie

 **Peak Intensity** | 13 (in.), Unknown mbar

Winter Storm Valerie formed on May 18, the latest recorded date on record. Valerie was an unusually strong late-spring snowstorm that dumped more than 40 inches of snow in parts of the Rockies, causing some tree damage and power outages, and prompting some road closures. The top amount from Valerie was 42 inches. 8.4 inches of that total fell in just under three hours in the afternoon hours of May 18. Estes Park, Colorado, reported anywhere from 25 to 36 inches of accumulation. Snow amounts in the Denver metro area ranged from just a trace officially at Denver International Airport to roughly 1 to 3 slushy inches in Thornton, Aurora and Ken Caryl inside 470, to nearly 5 inches with some minor tree damage in Arvada and Broomfield. Several thousand Xcel Energy customers in Boulder and Jefferson County, Colorado, had lost power as of late on the 18th. The snow forced at least a partial closure of much of the 350-mile stretch of Interstate 80 in southern Wyoming from west of Cheyenne to Evanston, according to the Wyoming DOT. Valerie dissipated on May 22.

## Storm names

Storm names were announced on October 18, 2016.

* Blanche
* Caly
* Decima
* Europa
* Fortis
* Gregory
* Helena
* Jupiter
* Kori
* Leo
* Maya
* Niko
* Orson
* Pluto
* Reggie
* Stella
* Theseus
* Ursa
* Valerie
* Wyatt *(unused)*
* Xavier *(unused)*
* Zeno *(unused)*