Winter Storm Jonas

For those that lived in the northeast in January 2016 that blizzard is something they will never forget. A shortwave trough had formed over the Pacific Northwest and combined with low pressure systems over Texas and another over North Carolina producing a blizzard of historical proportions. A third of the nation was paralyzed as eleven states and Washington DC entered into a state of emergency. The storm was given the name Winter Storm Jonas but many who experienced it called it Snowzilla.

An Alberta Clipper stretching south into Georgia had passed through on January 20 at the evening rush catching many in the northeastern US unprepared. While only about an inch of snow fell many roads were not treated resulting in huge traffic jams as black ice formed. Cars were abandoned on the roads, crashes skyrocketed and major highways were closed. Caught unprepared, many elected leaders vowed to do better the next time. They wouldn’t have long to wait.

The shortwave trough came ashore on January 19 and gained strength as it moved into the Great Plains. A weak low pressure system was spawned over Texas on January 21 and this began to gain in intensity triggering strong thunderstorms and even tornadoes in the Gulf States. The next day a new low pressure system formed over the Carolinas and began to merge with the other. Meteorologists expected snow to hit the northeast, maybe about a foot at most and nothing that couldn’t be handled, but this new storm was forming rapidly and gaining strength. Forecasts were upped, quickly and considerably.

A state of emergency was declared in eleven states and Washington DC anticipating a massive snowfall from this new storm. Weather advisories stretched as far west as Kansas and as far south as Alabama and Georgia for freezing rain. On January 21 hundreds of flights were canceled and by January 23 most northeast airports suspended service stranding 100,000 passengers and causing a ripple that affected Europe. Residents were advised to remain in their homes and the National Guard was mobilized. Some mass transit systems were shut down entirely.

In the evening of January 22 the snow began falling. The storm brought 3-5 foot surges to coastal towns in New Jersey and Delaware prompting evacuations. Thousands were caught without power as the snow and ice brought down power lines. Snowfall totals varied. Little Rock, Arkansas broke its daily record with 7.2 inches. Jamestown, Tennessee received 14 inches. Mount Mitchell, the highest point of the eastern seaboard got 33 inches. North Potomac, Maryland got 38 inches as did Greencastle, Pennsylvania and Gainesboro, Virginia. Glengary, West Virginia got 42 inches, the most of any location in the storm.

All-time records were set. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania set its all-time record with 30.2 inches. Philadelphia set its one-day record at 19 inches. In Central Park in New York City its all-time record was eclipsed with 27.5 inches. In Maryland, BWI broke its record at 29.2 inches. Even more southern cities broke records. Bowling Green, Kentucky broke its daily record at 12 inches, as did Asheville, North Carolina at 10.6 inches. Richmond, Virginia broke its daily record with 5.3 inches Down I-64 Norfolk broke its daily record with 1.2 inches.

The storm moved out on January 24 crossing the Atlantic and even hitting the British Isles. While the storm only brought rain and wind, gusts were forecasted to reach up to 70 mph. Many cities struggled to deal with the cleanup of this historic storm. Linemen all over the east went to work restoring power to the 631,000 people who lost it. 55 people died. The economic impact was estimated to be up to 3 billion dollars. It would take time for people to be able to get back to work and to resume their normal lives as they shoveled thousands of tons of snow to get them and their loved ones dug out.

Michael B. Stoner Inc. was out working to make sure our customers’ properties were cleared and ready to re-open for business. Our fleet of trucks and our skilled drivers made sure the process went as smoothly and efficiently as possible and our customers were some of the first that were ready to open their doors for business. While this storm may have been a blizzard of historic proportions and we may not see anything like it for some time do you really want to take the chance? Trust the best to get the snow removed from your business so you can get back to doing what you do! Trust Michael B. Stoner Inc. We serve the I-81 corridor in Central Pennsylvania from Chambersburg, Carlisle, Mechanicsburg, Hershey, Middletown and Harrisburg. We have 30 years of experience in snow and ice removal and are available 24/7 to take care of your snow or ice removal needs.