High Wind — Western Chittenden, Vermont

2024-01-10 · Western Chittenden, Vermont

Event narrative

Several reports of 50-55 mph but greater tree damage outside of that area for estimated wind gusts in excess of 60 mph. Numerous power outages as well. NWS Burlington office at Burlington Int'l airport recorded a wind gust of 69 mph, it's 4th highest measured wind gust in history. another unofficial report in Hinesburg reported 83 mph and there was more tree damage in that vicinity then there was with the 69 mph at the airport.

Wider weather episode

A powerful winter storm entered the Pacific NW on January 6th and then traversed the southern Plains on January 8th before moving into the Great Lakes on January 9th-10th. Central pressure fell to 972mb across the eastern Great Lakes during the early morning hours of January 10th, meanwhile a 1026mb area of high pressure was across eastern Quebec/Nova Scotia.

This creating a > 50mb pressure gradient between both systems which created a strong southeast low-level jet of 85-100 mph across much of the northeast including NY and VT.

Downsloping southeast winds gusted to over 60 mph in some locations across VT that resulted in downed tree limbs, powerlines and approximately 80,000 power outages that resulted in more than $1. million in damages. Several inches of wet snow started the event with localized more than 6 inches across the higher terrain of the Green Mountains and neighboring communities.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1147118. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.