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2009 North American Christmas blizzard

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Not to be confused with December 2009 North American blizzard.

2009 Christmas Blizzard
Category 5 "Extreme" (RSI/NOAA: 19.62)
Satellite image of the storm on Christmas Eve.
TypeExtratropical cyclone
Blizzard
Winter storm
FormedDecember 22, 2009
DissipatedDecember 28, 2009
Lowest pressure985 millibars (985 hPa)[1]
Tornadoes
confirmed		28
Max. rating1EF3 tornado
Maximum snowfall
or ice accretion		40.0 inches (102 cm) (Lead, South Dakota)[1]
Fatalities21[2]
Areas affectedMidwest, Great Plains, Parts of Ontario, Eastern Seaboard

1Most severe tornado damage; see Fujita scale

The 2009 North American Christmas blizzard was a powerful winter storm and severe weather event that affected the Midwestern United States, Great Plains, Southeastern United States, the Eastern Seaboard, and parts of Ontario. The storm began to develop on December 22 before intensifying to produce extreme winds and precipitation by the morning of December 24.[3] The storm's rapid development made it difficult for forecasters to predict.[3] The blizzard was reported to have claimed at least 21 lives, and disrupted air travel during the Christmas travel season.[4] In the Southeastern and Central United States, an outbreak of 28 tornadoes occurred between December 23–24.[5][6] The storm, a Category 5 "Extreme" one on the Regional Snowfall Index scale, was the first winter weather event to rank as such since the North American blizzard of 1996.

Impact

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Snowfall

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Snowfall varied across the United States. South Dakota likely received the most, with 30.8 inches (78 cm).[1] In Minnesota, 26 inches (66 cm) was received near Pequaywan Lake on the state's North Shore.[7] Parts of Texas recorded snowfall as high as 9 inches (23 cm) in Post.[1] Snowfall in Nebraska caused six deaths.[8] In Oklahoma, a state of emergency was declared after blizzard conditions killed 3 people and dropped 19 inches (48 cm) of snow.[8] Iowa saw high snowfall as well.[9]

The storm was so intense that it wrapped warm air around the north and west side of it and cold air and snow blew in from the south. Rochester, Minnesota, in the northern half of the storm, saw rain with temperatures in the mid 30s Fahrenheit (~2°C) while snow was falling just to the west in a 1,300-mile (2,100 km) band stretching from Canada south to at least Dallas, Texas, giving that region its first "White Christmas" since 1929.[10] I-29 was completely closed in North and South Dakota, and then in stretches into Missouri.[11][12] Will Rogers World Airport was also shut down.[13]

Rain

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Heavy rain in parts of the Midwest prompted the National Weather Service to issue Flood Warnings for many areas. The maximum rainfall amount recorded was 6.89 inches (17.5 cm) in Little Rock, Arkansas.[1] Freezing rain fell across Iowa and Illinois, affecting travel to and from O'Hare International Airport.[1] The Chicago area saw as much as ten inches of snow following the freezing rain and sleet.[14]

Tornado outbreak

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Several houses were destroyed near Lafayette, Louisiana, possibly by a tornado. Near Longview, Texas an EF2 tornado left a path of destruction nearly one mile long.[15] Another tornado near Lufkin, Texas produced EF3 damage and caused two injuries.[16]

Confirmed tornadoes

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Confirmed tornadoes by Enhanced Fujita rating
EFU EF0 EF1 EF2 EF3 EF4 EF5 Total
0 15 7 5 1 0 0 28
December 23 event
[edit]
List of confirmed tornadoes – Wednesday, December 23, 2009[note 1]
EF# Location County / Parish State Start Coord. Time (UTC) Path length Max width Damage Summary
EF0 NE of Jacksonville Cherokee TX 32°00′25″N 95°10′48″W / 32.0069°N 95.18°W / 32.0069; -95.18 (Jacksonville (Dec. 23, EF0)) 20:35-20:40 2.28 miles (3.67 km) 50 yards (46 m) Unknown Damage was limited to a few trees.[17]
EF0 NE of New Summerfield Cherokee TX 32°06′18″N 95°01′34″W / 32.1051°N 95.026°W / 32.1051; -95.026 (New Summerfield (Dec. 23, EF0)) 21:04-21:06 2.79 miles (4.49 km) 50 yards (46 m) $0 Damage was limited to a few trees.[18]
EF2 Longview Gregg TX 32°29′31″N 94°41′24″W / 32.4919°N 94.69°W / 32.4919; -94.69 (Longview (Dec. 23, EF2)) 22:39-22:56 7.03 miles (11.31 km) 200 yards (180 m) $1,000,000 Numerous industrial buildings, including a FedEx building, were heavily damaged. Several houses were also damaged and significant tree damage along its path.[19]
EF1 SE of Avinger Cass TX 32°53′19″N 94°30′14″W / 32.8887°N 94.5039°W / 32.8887; -94.5039 (Avinger (Dec. 23, EF1)) 23:51-23:52 0.12 miles (0.19 km) 50 yards (46 m) $0 A brief tornado in a wooded area damaged numerous trees and tree branches.[20]
EF0 NNE of Recklaw Rusk TX 31°58′41″N 94°56′51″W / 31.978°N 94.9474°W / 31.978; -94.9474 (Recklaw (Dec. 23, EF0)) 01:16-01:17 0.11 miles (0.18 km) 150 yards (140 m) $0 A brief tornado snapped a few trees.[21]
EF3 Lufkin Angelina TX 31°18′50″N 94°42′55″W / 31.3139°N 94.7152°W / 31.3139; -94.7152 (Lufkin (Dec. 23, EF3)) 03:56-04:07 4.06 miles (6.53 km) 300 yards (270 m) $10,000,000 Three buildings were destroyed, including a welding shop and a funeral home. Many houses sustained significant roof damage and tree damage was widespread, including in a park. Several 18-wheelers were also thrown. Two people were injured.[22]
EF1 SE of Atlanta Cass (TX), Miller (AR) TX, AR 33°02′17″N 94°03′44″W / 33.038°N 94.0623°W / 33.038; -94.0623 (Atlanta (Dec. 23, EF1)) 04:10-04:18 4.79 miles (7.71 km) 150 yards (140 m) $100 One house sustained minor roof damage, and many trees and limbs were damaged.[23][24]
EF1 SE of Garrison Nacogdoches TX 31°46′46″N 94°29′27″W / 31.7794°N 94.4908°W / 31.7794; -94.4908 (Garrison (Dec. 23, EF1)) 04:37-04:38 0.49 miles (0.79 km) 50 yards (46 m) $1,000 Several trees were snapped and a small storage building was destroyed.[25]
EF2 SW of Carthage Shelby, Panola TX 31°56′N 94°23′W / 31.93°N 94.38°W / 31.93; -94.38 (Carthage (Dec. 23, EF2)) 05:26-05:49 10.13 miles (16.30 km) 200 yards (180 m) $250,000 Many houses were damaged, including roof and shingle damage. A barn and two mobile homes were destroyed.[26][27]
December 24 event
[edit]
List of confirmed tornadoes – Thursday, December 24, 2009[note 1]
EF# Location County / Parish State Start Coord. Time (UTC) Path length Max width Damage Summary
EF0 E of Pineland Sabine TX 31°15′40″N 93°57′23″W / 31.261°N 93.9564°W / 31.261; -93.9564 (Pineland (Dec. 24, EF0)) 08:10-08:12 1.28 miles (2.06 km) 100 yards (91 m) $1,000 Numerous trees and a few power lines were snapped.[28]
EF0 S of Pleasant Hill Sabine LA 31°44′45″N 93°30′25″W / 31.7458°N 93.507°W / 31.7458; -93.507 (Pleasant Hill (Dec. 24, EF0)) 09:24-09:26 1.19 miles (1.92 km) 75 yards (69 m) $0 Several pecan trees were uprooted.[29]
EF0 E of Fairmont Sabine TX 31°12′30″N 93°43′44″W / 31.2082°N 93.729°W / 31.2082; -93.729 (Fairmont (Dec. 24, EF0)) 09:28-09:29 0.29 miles (0.47 km) 50 yards (46 m) $1,000 A brief tornado inflicted damage to trees and power lines along Toledo Bend Reservoir.[30]
EF0 N of Many Sabine LA 31°35′03″N 93°29′58″W / 31.5842°N 93.4995°W / 31.5842; -93.4995 (Many (Dec. 24, EF0)) 10:21-10:25 2.67 miles (4.30 km) 75 yards (69 m) $0 Numerous large pine trees were uprooted.[31]
EF0 SW of Martin Red River LA 32°01′48″N 93°14′02″W / 32.0301°N 93.234°W / 32.0301; -93.234 (Martin (Dec. 24, EF0)) 11:36-11:39 2.76 miles (4.44 km) 50 yards (46 m) $0 A few large trees were downed.[32]
EF2 Whiteville St. Landry, Avoyelles LA 30°46′13″N 92°09′12″W / 30.7703°N 92.1534°W / 30.7703; -92.1534 (Whiteville (Dec. 24, EF2)) 13:25-13:37 9.37 miles (15.08 km) 50 yards (46 m) $510,000 A small church on cinder blocks was destroyed. A rice silo was thrown into a bayou and two tractor-trailers were also damaged.[33][34]
EF2 N of Crowley Acadia LA 30°14′N 92°24′W / 30.24°N 92.4°W / 30.24; -92.4 (Crowley (Dec. 24, EF2)) 13:27-13:39 6.64 miles (10.69 km) 100 yards (91 m) $4,000,000 At least 30 houses were damaged, primarily in a single subdivision that was especially hard hit where four houses were heavily damaged. The worst damage was a house that completely lost its roof. Four people were injured.[35]
EF0 E of Evergreen Avoyelles LA 30°54′51″N 92°05′53″W / 30.9143°N 92.0981°W / 30.9143; -92.0981 (Evergreen (Dec. 24, EF0)) 13:37-13:45 4.96 miles (7.98 km) 25 yards (23 m) $5,000 Several trees were damaged.[36]
EF0 W of Branch Acadia LA 30°20′39″N 92°22′31″W / 30.3442°N 92.3752°W / 30.3442; -92.3752 (Branch (Dec. 24, EF0)) 13:40-13:45 2.08 miles (3.35 km) 25 yards (23 m) $3,000 A small outbuilding was destroyed and a few trees were blown down.[37]
EF0 Richard (1st tornado) Acadia LA 30°23′N 92°21′W / 30.38°N 92.35°W / 30.38; -92.35 (Richard (Dec. 24, EF0)) 13:46-13:49 2.92 miles (4.70 km) 25 yards (23 m) $5,000 Several trees were blown down, and a mobile home and barn were damaged.[38]
EF1 Richard (2nd tornado) Acadia LA 30°21′53″N 92°30′18″W / 30.3647°N 92.505°W / 30.3647; -92.505 (Richard (Dec. 24, EF1)) 13:50-13:55 1.72 miles (2.77 km) 25 yards (23 m) $20,000 A house and a church were damaged in town. Many trees were also damaged.[39]
EF1 N of Iota Acadia LA 30°25′26″N 92°19′20″W / 30.4239°N 92.3223°W / 30.4239; -92.3223 (Iota (Dec. 24, EF1)) 13:50-13:52 1.53 miles (2.46 km) 25 yards (23 m) $20,000 A barn was destroyed, and two mobile homes lost their roofs.[40]
EF0 W of Savoy Acadia, St. Landry LA 30°28′N 92°19′W / 30.47°N 92.31°W / 30.47; -92.31 (Savoy (Dec. 24, EF0)) 13:53-13:56 2.71 miles (4.36 km) 25 yards (23 m) $7,000 A barn was damaged, along with many trees.[41][42]
EF2 Gueydan Vermilion LA 29°59′N 92°32′W / 29.98°N 92.53°W / 29.98; -92.53 (Gueydan (Dec. 24, EF2)) 13:57-14:03 5.58 miles (8.98 km) 50 yards (46 m) $1,000,000 Two structures were destroyed, a mobile home which rolled and an outbuilding which was thrown into a water tower, and over 50 others were damaged, some of them heavily.[43]
EF0 S of Chataignier St. Landry, Evangeline LA 30°31′04″N 92°18′34″W / 30.5178°N 92.3095°W / 30.5178; -92.3095 (Chataignier (Dec. 24, EF0)) 13:58-14:02 2.07 miles (3.33 km) 25 yards (23 m) $5,000 An outbuilding was damaged by the tornado.[44][45]
EF0 NW of Long Bridge Avoyelles LA 31°02′15″N 92°02′39″W / 31.0376°N 92.0443°W / 31.0376; -92.0443 (Long Bridge (Dec. 24, EF0)) 13:59-14:00 0.26 miles (0.42 km) 10 yards (9.1 m) $3,000 A mobile home was heavily damaged by the brief tornado.[46]
EF1 SSE of Morse Acadia LA 30°04′40″N 92°29′02″W / 30.0778°N 92.484°W / 30.0778; -92.484 (Gueydan (Dec. 24, EF1)) 14:05-14:09 3.11 miles (5.01 km) 25 yards (23 m) $50,000 A tornado quickly touched down after the first Gueydan tornado dissipated. Three houses and an entire farm were damaged.[47]
EF1 W of Farmerville Union LA 32°46′N 92°32′W / 32.77°N 92.54°W / 32.77; -92.54 (Farmerville (Dec. 24, EF1)) 14:20-14:26 5.96 miles (9.59 km) 150 yards (140 m) $100,000 Two houses were damaged on the shores of Lake Darbonne. Many trees were snapped or knocked down.[48]
EF0 E of Vancleave Jackson MS 30°38′33″N 88°48′39″W / 30.6426°N 88.8108°W / 30.6426; -88.8108 (Vancleave (Dec. 24, EF0)) 21:50-21:53 0.3 miles (0.48 km) 20 yards (18 m) $2,000 A brief tornado damaged a few trees.[49]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ a b All dates are based on the local time zone where the tornado touched down; however, all times are in Coordinated Universal Time for consistency.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "Storm Summary Number 06 For Christmas 2009 Blizzard". HPC. December 24, 2009. Archived from the original on December 9, 2009. Retrieved December 25, 2009.
  2. ^ "Midwest US states face fresh blizzards". BBC. December 26, 2009. Archived from the original on December 27, 2009. Retrieved December 26, 2009.
  3. ^ a b "A Review of the December 24, 2009 Christmas Eve Blizzard". National Weather Service, Norman OK. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
  4. ^ "Deadly winter storm arrives in US Midwest". BBC News. December 24, 2009. Archived from the original on December 25, 2009. Retrieved December 24, 2009.
  5. ^ "091223's Storm Report (1200 UTC – 1159 UTC)". Storm Prediction Center. December 23, 2009. Archived from the original on January 15, 2010. Retrieved December 25, 2009.
  6. ^ "Today's Storm Reports (1200 UTC – 1159 UTC)". Storm Prediction Center. December 24, 2009. Archived from the original on December 28, 2009. Retrieved December 25, 2009.
  7. ^ "Christmas Snowstorm and Blizzard of 2009". Archived from the original on June 25, 2010. Retrieved 2009-12-28.
  8. ^ a b "U.S. storm turns deadly before Christmas". United Press International (UPI). Retrieved December 25, 2009.
  9. ^ "Iowa Environmental Mesonet". Iowa State University. December 24, 2009. Retrieved December 25, 2009.
  10. ^ "White Christmas Across South Central US". NASA MODIS Website. December 29, 2009. Retrieved January 8, 2010.
  11. ^ Liz Robbins (December 25, 2009). "Huge Storm Hobbles Middle of Nation". New York Times. Retrieved January 8, 2010.
  12. ^ "White Out Christmas, Best To Stay In". WOWT. December 25, 2009. Archived from the original on December 28, 2009. Retrieved January 8, 2010.
  13. ^ Winter storm forces interstates, turnpikes closed in Oklahoma, CNN, December 24, 2009
  14. ^ Another 1 to 3 inches of snow expected Archived December 30, 2009, at the Wayback Machine, Chicago Sun Times, December 27, 2009
  15. ^ Demarest, Janis. "Aerial tour of tornado damaged areas". KLTV. Associated Press. Archived from the original on February 22, 2012. Retrieved December 25, 2009.
  16. ^ Parker, Bill. "Public Information Statement, NWS Shreveport". Retrieved December 25, 2009.
  17. ^ "Texas Event Report: EF0 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. National Weather Service Office in Shreveport, Louisiana. 2010. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
  18. ^ "Texas Event Report: EF0 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. National Weather Service Office in Shreveport, Louisiana. 2010. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
  19. ^ "Texas Event Report: EF2 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. National Weather Service Office in Shreveport, Louisiana. 2010. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
  20. ^ "Texas Event Report: EF1 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. National Weather Service Office in Shreveport, Louisiana. 2010. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
  21. ^ "Texas Event Report: EF0 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. National Weather Service Office in Shreveport, Louisiana. 2010. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
  22. ^ "Texas Event Report: EF3 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. National Weather Service Office in Shreveport, Louisiana. 2010. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
  23. ^ "Texas Event Report: EF1 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. National Weather Service Office in Shreveport, Louisiana. 2010. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
  24. ^ "Arkansas Event Report: EF1 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. National Weather Service Office in Shreveport, Louisiana. 2010. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
  25. ^ "Texas Event Report: EF1 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. National Weather Service Office in Shreveport, Louisiana. 2010. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
  26. ^ "Texas Event Report: EF2 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. National Weather Service Office in Shreveport, Louisiana. 2010. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
  27. ^ "Texas Event Report: EF2 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. National Weather Service Office in Shreveport, Louisiana. 2010. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
  28. ^ "Texas Event Report: EF0 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. National Weather Service Office in Shreveport, Louisiana. 2010. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
  29. ^ "Louisiana Event Report: EF0 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. National Weather Service Office in Shreveport, Louisiana. 2010. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
  30. ^ "Texas Event Report: EF0 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. National Weather Service Office in Shreveport, Louisiana. 2010. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
  31. ^ "Louisiana Event Report: EF0 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. National Weather Service Office in Shreveport, Louisiana. 2010. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
  32. ^ "Louisiana Event Report: EF0 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. National Weather Service Office in Shreveport, Louisiana. 2010. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
  33. ^ "Louisiana Event Report: EF2 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. National Weather Service Office in Lake Charles, Louisiana. 2010. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
  34. ^ "Louisiana Event Report: EF0 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. National Weather Service Office in Lake Charles, Louisiana. 2010. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
  35. ^ "Louisiana Event Report: EF2 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. National Weather Service Office in Lake Charles, Louisiana. 2010. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
  36. ^ "Louisiana Event Report: EF0 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. National Weather Service Office in Lake Charles, Louisiana. 2010. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
  37. ^ "Louisiana Event Report: EF0 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. National Weather Service Office in Lake Charles, Louisiana. 2010. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
  38. ^ "Louisiana Event Report: EF0 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. National Weather Service Office in Lake Charles, Louisiana. 2010. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
  39. ^ "Louisiana Event Report: EF1 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. National Weather Service Office in Lake Charles, Louisiana. 2010. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
  40. ^ "Louisiana Event Report: EF1 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. National Weather Service Office in Lake Charles, Louisiana. 2010. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
  41. ^ "Louisiana Event Report: EF0 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. National Weather Service Office in Lake Charles, Louisiana. 2010. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
  42. ^ "Louisiana Event Report: EF0 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. National Weather Service Office in Lake Charles, Louisiana. 2010. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
  43. ^ "Louisiana Event Report: EF2 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. National Weather Service Office in Lake Charles, Louisiana. 2010. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
  44. ^ "Louisiana Event Report: EF0 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. National Weather Service Office in Lake Charles, Louisiana. 2010. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
  45. ^ "Louisiana Event Report: EF0 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. National Weather Service Office in Lake Charles, Louisiana. 2010. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
  46. ^ "Louisiana Event Report: EF0 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. National Weather Service Office in Lake Charles, Louisiana. 2010. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
  47. ^ "Louisiana Event Report: EF1 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. National Weather Service Office in Lake Charles, Louisiana. 2010. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
  48. ^ "Louisiana Event Report: EF1 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. National Weather Service Office in Shreveport, Louisiana. 2010. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
  49. ^ "Mississippi Event Report: EF0 Tornado". National Climatic Data Center. National Weather Service Office in New Orleans, Louisiana. 2010. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
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