Winter Weather — Northern Saratoga, New York

2013-02-02 · Northern Saratoga, New York

Event narrative

Around 30 cars, including a tractor trailer, were involved in an accident on the Adirondack Northway (Interstate 87) due to a light accumulation of snow from a localized heavy snow shower.

Wider weather episode

A snow shower developed across central Saratoga County during the afternoon of Saturday, February 2nd, 2013. The snow shower developed as a result of moisture off Lake Ontario interacting with a weak area of low pressure moving across the region. While the snow shower was rather localized, it produced visibility of less than one-half mile for about a half-hour period. This allowed for about a half inch to inch of snow to accumulate between exits 15 and 16 on the Adirondack Northway (Interstate 87). This light accumulation of snow froze to the roadway, making the roadway rather slick. As a result, a chain of automobile accidents on the highway led to a 30 car pileup, including a tractor trailer. The Interstate was closed for several hours as a result of the accident and around 30 people reported minor injuries. No major injuries or deaths were reported.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 427516. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.