Winter Storm — Wayne, Ohio

2004-12-22 to 2004-12-23 · Wayne, Ohio

Wider weather episode

A record setting winter storm affected northern Ohio on December 22nd and 23rd and dumped both heavy snow and freezing rain on Knox, Holmes, Wayne and Stark Counties. The impact and damage caused by this storm has been compared to the Blizzard of January 1978. Low pressure developed over eastern Texas early on the 22nd and then moved quickly northeast. The low eventually tracked across eastern Ohio during the morning hours of the 23rd after dumping nearly two feet of snow on portions of Ohio. The snow began around daybreak on the 22nd and then intensified during the afternoon. During the evening, warmer air spread into the area as the low approached from the southwest. This caused the snow to first mix with, and then change completely to freezing rain. Moderate to heavy freezing rain then continued through the early morning hours of the 23rd. The freezing rain lightened around daybreak and then changed back to light snow as colder air advected into the area behind the low. The precipitation finally tapered to flurries around midday on the 23rd. One half to as much as one inch of ice accumulated on area roads and power lines. Widespread power outages were reported especially in Knox, Holmes and southern Wayne Counties. It took over a week for power to be restored to all areas. Snow accumulations for the event ranged from 10 to 12 inches in northwestern Wayne County to 4 to 8 inches in Knox and southern Holmes Counties. Travel during this event was nearly impossible due to the ice accumulation and downed trees and power lines. Hundreds of accidents were reported. It took many days for road and power company crews to completely clean up after this event. Damage and clean up costs for this storm were historic with only the Blizzard of 1978 having more financial impact.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5429357. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.