High Wind — Western Rutland, Vermont

2025-02-16 · Western Rutland, Vermont

Event narrative

Numerous wind gusts in excess of 45 mph and several above 55 mph were recorded and combined with freshly fallen snow and light ice coating on trees led to some scattered power outages.

Wider weather episode

Low pressure developed in the lower Mississippi River Valley on the evening of February 15th (Saturday) and then moved northeast across the Ohio River Valley midday on February 16th (Sunday)and into the Gulf of Maine during the evening hours.

A large pressure gradient led to strong southeast winds on the front end of the storm with cold and equally strong northwest winds after storm passage into Newfoundland.

Snow overspread the region late Saturday afternoon, snowing heavy at times during Sunday before ending Sunday night. Some sleet mixed in at times Sunday across northern and central area with a complete changeover to sleet and freezing rain with some ice accumulations in southern areas before changing back to snow during the afternoon and evening.

Scattered power outages were reported on February 17th due to strong winds in excess of 50 mph in northeast VT and in southern VT where it combined with some lightly ice laden trees.

Combination of strong winds in excess of 40 mph and deep snow led to a 100 foot barn collapse in the town of Williamstown. The end result was the barn was a total loss and at least 6 cows had died.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1227573. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.