The 2023–24 North American winter was the warmest winter on record for most of the contiguous United States, with below-average snowfall primarily in the Upper Midwest and parts of the Northeastern United States. However, some areas, especially in the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York saw considerably more snow than the previous winter. Notable winter events were also more prevalent across the eastern half of the country this winter, including a series of winter storms in mid-January that brought snow from the South to Northeast states, a period of very cold temperatures across much of the continent in mid-to-late January, and a disruptive nor'easter that affected much of the Mid-Atlantic in mid-February. Additional events included in other places included a record-breaking blizzard that struck Canada and atmospheric river events in California, both in the month of February. Two storms were rated on the Regional Snowfall Index (RSI), although none attained a "Major" rating (Category 3+) on the scale. A strong El Niño was expected to influence the winter weather patterns across the continent. The winter weather-related events this season led to an estimated US$10 billion in damages, and an estimated 106 fatalities, much of it occurring in the month of January.
While there is no well-agreed-upon date used to indicate the start of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, there are two definitions of winter which may be used. Based on the astronomical definition, winter begins at the winter solstice, which in 2023 occurred on December 21, and ends at the March equinox, which in 2024 occurred on March 19. Based on the meteorological definition, the first day of winter is December 1 and the last day February 29. Both definitions involve a period of approximately three months, with some variability. Winter is often defined by meteorologists to be the three calendar months with the lowest average temperatures. Since both definitions span the calendar year, it is possible to have a winter storm spanning two different years.
Seasonal forecasts
On October 19, 2023, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center released its U.S. Winter Outlook. The temperature and precipitation outlooks reflected the likelihood of an El Niño pattern that was already in place during most of the winter. The forecast called for warmer than average temperatures across much of the northern United States, as well as the East Coast, with near-average temperatures in the central United States. The forecast also called for drier than average conditions across the northern United States, and wetter than average conditions in much of the southern United States. Earlier on October 4, 2023, AccuWeather released their winter prediction. They called for an El Niño; their forecast called for the Southeastern United States and California to be wetter than average, some of which could form severe weather outbreaks. The Midwestern United States was predicted to have higher temperatures and drier conditions than average. AccuWeather noted that cities like Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh were expected to have more snowfall than the previous winter. The predictions for the West Coast were that storms will occur commonly in the winter.AccuWeather's 2023-2024 US winter forecast, AccuWeather, October 4, 2023
Seasonal summary
Events
Late November winter storm
A winter storm affected much of the Great Plains shortly after U.S. Thanksgiving. Three people were killed in fatal car crashes along Interstate 80 in Nebraska, where 14 crashes occurred and portions of the highway were shut down.NSP INVESTIGATING MULTIPLE FATALITY CRASHES, Nebraska State Patrol, November 25, 2023 The state of Wyoming also responded to 125 car crashes within a 48-hour period.Deadly Winter Storm Treks East On Busy Thanksgiving Travel Weekend, The Weather Channel, November 26, 2023 Lander, Wyoming received their snowiest day since 1999 when of snow piled up.Winter Storm Cait leaves more than 2million people stranded as it pummels the Great Plains, Daily Express, November 24, 2023 The second snowiest November day was realized in Topeka and Wichita.Deadly winter storm slows post-Thanksgiving travel in Midwest, Great Lakes, Fox Weather, November 26, 2023 Interstate 135 was briefly shut down due to the snow, as was Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport.Storm Events Database, NOAA Further east, the city of Chicago recorded of snow on November 26.Sunday’s Snowfall Total in Chicago, All 1.8 Inches of It, Beat the Odds, WTTW News, November 27, 2023 Further east, lake effect snow fell around Lake Erie, which resulted in a fatal car crash in Pennsylvania, a 20-vehicle pileup near Cleveland and Ontario Highway 403 shutting down. The highest snowfall total was in Highmarket, New York.Lake-effect snowstorm turns deadly in Pennsylvania after dumping more than 3.5 feet of snow in New York, Fox News, November 28, 2023
Mid December nor'easter
A stationary front was draped over the Gulf of Mexico and Florida Keys, connected to a cold front extending from the northwestern Bahamas to the area southeast of Bermuda, around December 15. A surface trough was also formed in the southwestern Gulf. By 1205 UTC on December 16, a 1013 millibar low-pressure system had developed in the western Gulf. The low was forecast to deepen in the Gulf as it developed gale-force winds, eventually to a maximum of 45 knots, before moving into Florida by December 17, while a cold front connected to the low would exit the Gulf by early December 17."Tropical Weather Discussion: NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 1205 UTC Sat Dec 16 2023". National Hurricane Center. 2013-12-16. Retrieved 2024-11-10. Two high-pressure systems, one a 1033 mb system over the mid-Atlantic states, and the other being the 1029 mb Bermuda High, would form a gradient with the low-pressure system, which had deepened in intensity to 1009 mb by 1805 UTC, that'd result in high, often gale-force, winds over the seas near Florida."Tropical Weather Discussion: NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 1805 UTC Sat Dec 16 2023". National Hurricane Center. 2013-12-16. Retrieved 2024-11-10. The low deepened further, at 1004 mb by 0605 UTC on December 17th, and being 999 mb by 1205 UTC."Tropical Weather Discussion: NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 1805 1205 UTC Sun Dec 17 2023". National Hurricane Center. 2013-12-17. Retrieved 2024-11-10. The areas north of the system's warm front were the sites of intense convection, and thus hours of heavy rainfall, at times reaching rates of 0.75 inches per hour, resulting in flash flooding in some areas and rain accumulations of anywhere from two to four inches.
The system had moved ashore Florida by 1805 UTC, then over Jacksonville, Florida, as a 996 mb low, with its warm front running from the low to around the southeastern Bahamas."Tropical Weather Discussion: NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 1805 UTC Sun Dec 17 2023". National Hurricane Center. 2013-12-17. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
Christmas Day blizzard
On Christmas Day, an intensifying low pressure system developing into a blizzard struck the Upper Midwest, dropping more than of snow. Spearfish, South Dakota recorded of snow. Whiteout conditions and strong gusty winds were reported in states like Nebraska and North and South Dakota due to the storm. Blizzard warnings were issued for a large part of Nebraska and South Dakota as well as parts of northern Kansas. The system caused many accidents as a result, including jackknifed semis on eastbound Interstate 80 in Nebraska, forcing a portion of that road to close for several hours. Significant closures also occurred on Interstate 90 in South Dakota and Interstate 70 in Colorado.I-90 in South Dakota closed due to blizzard conditions, Fox 9 South Dakota, December 26, 2023Interstate 70 eastbound closes Tuesday afternoon on Colorado's Eastern Plains amid blizzard conditions, CBS Colorado, December 26, 2023 Badlands National Park was closed due to the blizzard. The storm also caused one fatality on icy roads in Kansas.Ice storms and blizzards pummel the central US a day after Christmas, ABC News, December 26, 2023
Early January nor'easter
A winter storm, that became a nor'easter, affected the Northeastern United States from January 6–7, 2024. Multiple locations in several states, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut recorded of snow. 13,000 customers also lost power in Massachusetts.Winter Weather Live Updates: Airport Delays Hit Boston; NY Drivers Told To Stay Home, Weather Underground, January 7, 2024 The storm also ended the longest stretch without measurable snow in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and the longest stretch without of snow in State College, Pennsylvania.It has been 346 days since the last widespread snowfall in Central PA (January 25, 2023). Today's snowfall should end the following record-breaking snow droughts:📍State College: longest stretch without 1"📍Harrisburg: longest stretch without 0.1" #PAwx, NWS State College, Twitter, January 7, 2024 Portions of the Massachusetts Turnpike closed due to snow.Nor'easter slams Northeast with a foot of snow, flash freeze could lead to dangerous travel in New England, Fox Weather, January 7, 2024 In addition, planned construction along the New York Thruway between Orange County and Ulster County was postponed by a week.TRAVEL ALERT: NORTHBOUND THRUWAY (I-87) BETWEEN ORANGE AND ULSTER COUNTIES TO FULLY CLOSE TO ALL TRAFFIC SATURDAY NIGHT, JAN. 13, 2024, FOR AT LEAST 12 HOURS TO FACILITATE OVERPASS REMOVAL, New York Thruway Authority, January 10, 2024 Despite over of snow in Port Jervis, New York, the record snow drought in New York City continued, as Central Park only picked up of snow.HOW MUCH SNOW FELL IN NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY, AND CONNECTICUT, ABC7NY, January 7, 2024 Boston measured during the snow event, with of snow in Providence, Rhode Island and of snow in Hartford, Connecticut.Winter Storm Ember Brought Snow, Rain, Gusty Winds From West To Northeast (RECAP), The Weather Channel, January 8, 2024 Areas more north and inland of Boston, however, saw significantly higher snowfall totals from the storm, such as in Worcester, in Fitchburg, in Newburyport, and in Groveland. Coastal New Hampshire and Maine received similar totals, with measured in both Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and Portland, Maine.NOWData Boston, MassachusettsNOWData Gray/Portland, Maine In total, 702 flights were cancelled due to the storm, with 1122 delays.US weather: Over 700 flights cancelled, more than 1,100 delayed. Check flight cancellation policy, compensation, US News, January 7, 2024
January winter storms From January 8–19, following a pattern change, four consecutive winter storms affected much of the country with rain, snow, blizzard conditions and flooding.
First storm (January 8–10)