The February 1995 nor'easter was a significant nor'easter that impacted the Mid-Atlantic and New England regions of the United States around the beginning of the month.[1] It was the only major nor'easter of the 1994–1995 winter.[2]
Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression
The initial low pressure area tracked eastward from the southern Great Plains on February 2. Gradually intensifying, it was situated over eastern Kentucky by 0000 UTC on February 4. As the system entered West Virginia, a secondary low began to develop over South Carolina. The new low quickly deepened, and absorbed the primary low over West Virginia into its expanding and strengthening circulation. It continued to rapidly mature as it moved northward from eastern Maryland,[2] and it hugged the coast as it moved northeastward towards southern New England.[3]
The cyclone reached a strength of 980 millibars while located south of Long Island. It crossed eastern New England and reached its peak intensity, with a minimum barometric pressure of 962 mb and sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h), over eastern Maine.[4] Prior to the nor'easter, an area of high pressure drifted southeastward from north of the Great Lakes, producing sufficient cold air to support snow throughout the Northeast. However, as the storm intensified, precipitation near the coast, including the major cities of Philadelphia, New York, and Boston, changed to rain. Due to the lack of a strong anticyclone at the surface, winds in association with the system were minimal until after the storm abated.[2] Behind the nor'easter, high winds, sufficient to bring down trees and powerlines, occurred.[5]
In Pennsylvania, the heaviest snow fell in Bucks County. Throughout the state, the number of traffic accidents was minimized due to the storm's arrival on a weekend. Three died of cardiac arrest after shoveling snow, and more than 100 people were hospitalized for chest pain. Several dozen more were injured after slipping and falling on ice, and 53 residents sustained snowblower-related injuries.[7] At least 18 people were injured in nearby New Jersey, where the maximum snow accumulation was reported to be 16 inches (41 cm) in Princeton.[8] Along the coast, minor to moderate coastal flooding occurred, along with some beach erosion. Some areas lost power for several hours due to downed power lines caused by fallen tree branches.[9] The cyclone also produced heavy snow and coastal flooding in New York.[10]
^"Rank: 10 | 5 February 1995 | Score: 134.15". Lyndon State College. Retrieved January 6, 2010.
^ abcdeKocin and Uccellini, p. 590
^"February 04–6 Observed Liquid Precipitation". Lyndon State College. Retrieved January 6, 2010.
^Atlantic High Seas Forecast February 5, 1995 (Report). Iowa Environmental Mesonet. February 5, 1995. Retrieved June 5, 2020. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
^"Event Record Details for New York: High Winds". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved January 5, 2010.[permanent dead link]
^"Event Record Details for Vermont: Heavy Snow". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved January 5, 2010.[permanent dead link]
^"Event Record Details for Pennsylvania: Heavy Snow". National Climatic Data Center. Archived from the original on May 28, 2010. Retrieved January 5, 2010.
^"Event Record Details for New Jersey: Heavy Snow". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved January 5, 2010.[dead link]
^"Event Record Details for New Jersey: Coastal Flooding". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved January 5, 2010.[dead link]
^"Event Record Details for New York: Coastal Flooding". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved January 5, 2010.[dead link]
Paul J. Kocin and Louis W. Uccellini (2004). Northeast Snowstorms. American Meteorological Society. ISBN 1-878220-64-0.
Tropical cyclone
Subtropical cyclone
Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression
