Winter Storm — Caledonia, Vermont

2024-04-03 to 2024-04-05 · Caledonia, Vermont

Event narrative

Heavy, wet snowfall totals of 10 to 15 inches were common with slightly lower amounts in the deepest valley with higher totals in the higher terrain. Some specific totals include; 20 inches in Waldon, 17 inches in Sutton, 16 inches in Stannard and Wheelock, 14 inches in West Burke, 12 inches in Groton, 10 inches in Danville with 9 inches in St. Johnsbury.

Wider weather episode

A major storm across the Great Lakes remained nearly stationary during the afternoon of April 3rd as a coastal low developed off the NJ-DE that eventually moved to near Cape Cod, MA by midday April 4th. In addition, a strong area of high pressure was located in Hudson Bay but was ridging/cresting toward northern New England and NY.

Windy conditions developed across VT during the afternoon hours of April 3rd and continued into the early morning hours of April 4th. The stronger winds were located across southern VT where some wind gusts exceeded 50-60 mph with approximately 13,000+ outages due to wind.

Mixed rain, sleet and snow developed in the afternoon and evening hours of April 3rd and then transitioned to a heavy wet snow overnight through midday on April 4th. Snowfall totals ranged from 2 to 6 inches along the immediate lakeshore with 6 to 10 inches within 3-5 miles in the Champlain valley. Other snowfall totals were 8 to 12 inches within the immediate Connecticut River Valley with 12 to 20+ inches elsewhere across the state.

Impacts were significant across the region with hundreds of motor vehicle accidents, numerous school closing and more than 35.000 power outages at it's peak due to snow weighted trees on powerlines.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1162071. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.