PORTLAND, Maine — A wave of frigid temperatures swept back into the Upper Midwest on Thursday following a storm that moved along the East Coast, bringing harsh conditions to New England, which included strong winds that caused power outages and a significant amount of rain that melted away snow and affected local ski resorts.
Early Thursday, the Upper Midwest experienced unseasonably severe cold, particularly in regions of North Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, where wind chills plummeted dangerously below zero degrees Fahrenheit (?17.8 degrees Celsius). Reports indicated an extremely low temperature of ?27 degrees Fahrenheit (?32.7 degrees Celsius) in a location southwest of Inger, Minnesota. Meanwhile, neighboring states like South Dakota, Nebraska, and Iowa recorded wind chills in the single digits in the morning hours.
In Chicago, wind gusts exceeding 40 mph (64 kph) compounded the low temperature of 4°F (?15.5°C) at O’Hare International Airport, resulting in a biting wind chill of ?28°F (?33.3°C). To provide relief, city officials opened more than two dozen community and senior centers as warming shelters and advised residents to minimize outdoor activities.
Freezing spray warnings were also in effect for Lake Superior and Lake Michigan due to the perilous combination of subzero temperatures and strong winds, which led to ice accumulation of up to an inch per hour on various vessels.
The storm on Wednesday was fueled by an atmospheric river channeling moisture from the tropics, resulting in significant rainfall. Portland, Maine, reported a record-breaking 2.33 inches (5.92 centimeters) of rain on Wednesday, surpassing its previous record of 2.01 inches (5.1 centimeters) set in 1887.
Utility teams were on the front lines addressing widespread power outages after the peak winds that hit overnight from Wednesday to Thursday, leading to nearly 90,000 customers across Maine losing power, as reported by various sources tracking outages.
A deepening low-pressure system was the culprit behind the fierce winds experienced throughout the region, with some areas in Maine facing gusts over 50 mph (80 kph), according to a forecaster from the National Weather Service. There were concerns over ‘bombogenesis,’ or the formation of a “bomb cyclone,” characterized by rapid intensification over a short period; however, forecasters concluded that the storm did not quite meet this definition.
Jen Roberts, co-owner of Onion River Outdoors in Montpelier, Vermont, shared her disappointment over a recent five-day snowfall that had encouraged skier visits but was now washed away by the rain, highlighting the unpredictable weather patterns of the area. “But you know, this is New England,” she remarked, reflecting on the region’s weather tendencies.
With the holidays approaching, many ski resort operators expressed frustration over the unpredictable weather. “We don’t say the ‘r-word’ around here. It’s a forbidden word,” explained Jamie Cobbett, Waterville Valley Resort’s marketing director, after the area experienced significant rainfall. “We’re getting some moist wet weather today. We’ll put the mountain back together.”
Despite the soggy conditions, skier Marcus Caston remained upbeat, stating, “The conditions are actually pretty good. The rain is making the snow nice and soft. It’s super fun,” as he enjoyed skiing at Vermont’s Sugarbush.
Fortunately, as Thursday progressed, temperatures more suitable for making snow returned to the New England region.
The impact of the erratic weather was not confined to New England. Early snowfall was recorded around Lake Superior and Lake Michigan, with heavy lake-effect snow anticipated through Thursday in parts of Michigan.
Forecasts warned those in northern New York, particularly east of Lake Ontario, to prepare for accumulations of 2 to 3 feet (0.6 to 0.9 meters) of lake-effect snow, accompanied by wind gusts reaching up to 45 mph (72 kph), with potential “near whiteout conditions at times.” Early closures of schools and libraries were announced as the relentless wind buried areas in fresh snow.
In the Buffalo, New York region, heavy lake-effect snow returned, leading to significant accumulation and challenging driving conditions. As a precaution, some small towns imposed driving bans, and the Buffalo Bills NFL team canceled practice due to the weather. Forecasts suggested that areas around Buffalo and Watertown could receive up to three feet (nearly one meter) of snow by Friday, a follow-up to recent similar weather events.
In response to the impending heavy snowfall from Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, New York’s Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for several counties on Wednesday.
Throughout New England, the storm brought a mixed bag of conditions, beginning with freezing rain that transitioned to substantial rainfall, with temperatures rising above 50°F (10°C) in places such as Portland.
Boston college student Alex Hobbs expressed her concerns about the weather potentially disrupting her upcoming travel plans to San Francisco, hoping that heavy wind and rain wouldn’t cause delays. “I’m a little worried about getting delays with heavy wind and rain, possibly snow,” she remarked on Wednesday.
