Blizzard — Northeast Aroostook, Maine

2013-02-17 to 2013-02-18 · Northeast Aroostook, Maine

Event narrative

Storm total snow accumulations ranged from 2 to 4 inches...along with blizzard conditions. Whiteout conditions contributed to a fatal traffic accident (M22VE) near Presque Isle during the morning of the 18th. The accident involved a pickup truck...an SUV...a snow plow and a logging truck. In addition to the fatality...another individual sustained life threatening injuries in the accident.

Wider weather episode

Rapidly intensifying low pressure tracked from the southeast coast to a location southeast of Cape Cod during the night of the 16th. The low further intensified while tracking to Nova Scotia during the 17th. Blizzard conditions developed through the afternoon and evening hours of the 17th.

Storm total snow accumulations during the blizzard generally ranged from 2 to 4 inches across northern areas...with 4 to 6 inches Downeast. This was in addition to 4 to 7 inches of snow which had fallen across the region within the previous 12 hours from another storm. Wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph were common across the region...with occasional gusts to around 55 mph...producing extensive blowing and drifting snow along with whiteout conditions. The tight pressure gradient between the intense low across Newfoundland and high pressure to the west kept strong gusty winds across the region into the 18th. Blizzard conditions diminished through the morning hours of the 18th...though gusty winds produced areas of blowing snow across eastern areas into the afternoon hours.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 435755. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.