The January 31 – February 2, 2015 North American blizzard was a major winter storm that plowed through the majority of the United States, dumping as much as of new snowfall across a path from Iowa to New England, as well as blizzard conditions in early February 2015. It came less than a week after another crippling blizzard which impacted the Northeast with 2–3 feet of snow. It was the first of many intense winter storms to occur in the nation during the month of February, partly in due to an ongoing cold wave that was beginning to take shape shortly after the storm subsided.

Ahead of the storm, residents mainly in the Midwest prepared for potential whiteout or even blizzard conditions. The storm dropped as much as in the city of Chicago, Illinois, making it their fifth heaviest snowstorm on record. Up to 15 people were killed by the blizzard, and it knocked out power for hundreds of thousands of people.

Meteorological history

On January 30, an upper-level low moved ashore into California. Pumping some moisture from the Pacific Ocean, it began to produce snow in the high mountainous terrains of New Mexico and Arizona. It began to dive southwards into Mexico late on January 31, and at the same time, a trough dived southwards into the United States. A surface area of low pressure developed as a result of this along an arctic front that was moving through the High Plains. Early on February 1, the winter storm began to move eastwards on a near 1,900-mile long path. Snowfall bands began to set up with rates of up to per hour and strong winds, leading to blizzard conditions. The cities around the Chicago and Detroit areas were among the locations that got slammed the hardest by the blizzard. As the blizzard continued to move eastwards, winds continued to increase which resulted in higher snow drifts in some locations. The Northeast was its next target. Late on February 1, snow began to spread into parts of New York City and parts of New England. The snow continued to gradually move eastwards until it had reached the southwestern parts of New England overnight. By now the area of low pressure had reached central Pennsylvania, with its warm front passing through New York City. Because of this, snowfall totals had a sharp cutoff of about . Instead, NYC picked up about and some freezing rain. As the area of low pressure moved off the coast early on February 2, it began to rapidly intensify, with warm air being thrown into coastal front, and stronger winds which resulted in blizzard conditions, heavier snowfall totals and snowfall rates of about per hour. As it continued to move to the east, the snow began to gradually taper off as snowbands pulled away, the system continued to intensify before peaking at late on February 3, and dissipating a day later.

Preparations and impact

Midwest The majority of impacts were felt in the Midwest, especially in and around the areas around Chicago. On February 1, a blizzard warning was issued for the region. Several school closings were announced across most of the Midwest due to predicted snowfall accumulations of more than a foot. Chicago received up to , making it the fifth heaviest snowstorm to strike the city on record. Detroit received , which made this the third heaviest snowstorm in the city.6 years ago: Metro Detroit gets 3rd-largest snowstorm on record at 16.7 inches, WXYZ, February 2, 2021

The same day, Springfield Governor Rauner activated the State Incident Response Center. The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that they would have approximately 1,700 snow trucks ready to plow snowfall on roadways and 3,700 employees on standby for help. Many deaths occurred.

Northeast The Northeastern United States experienced the storm on February 2. In New York City, the 7 train was completely shut down for hours due to ice on the train near Queensboro Plaza.7 Train Suspended for Hours Because of Ice on Third Rail, MTA Says , DNAInfo, February 2, 2015 In addition, Interstate 95 was shut down near the intersection with Interstate 287. Two fatalities occurred due to the storm in New York, due to the crash which resulted in the highway closure.The Midwest and Northeast dig out from latest winter storm and record snowfall, CNN, February 3, 2015Overnight Flash Freeze Brings Concern After Tri-State Area Is Hit With Snow, Ice, CBS New York, February 2, 2015 Another fatality occurred in Massachusetts.Northeast gets its 2nd major workday snowstorm in a week, Press Telegram, February 2, 2015 The heavy snow resulted in the New England Patriots delaying their Super Bowl XLIX victory parade by a day.Patriots Super Bowl Victory Parade Postponed Until Wednesday, WBUR, February 3, 2015

Southern Ontario of snow were reported across Southern Ontario. Many schools were closed across the region. In Toronto, more than 200 flights were cancelled or delayed at Toronto Pearson International Airport, and dozens more at Billy Bishop Airport.

Snowfall reports This is a list of the largest snowfall reports by state impacted by the storm.

Maine near Ellsworth

New Hampshire near Bow

Vermont in Woodford

Massachusetts in Lunenburg

Rhode Island in West Glocester

Connecticut in Weston

New York in Webster

New Jersey in West Milford

Pennsylvania in Cranesville

Maryland in Oakland

Ohio near Waterville

Michigan in Kalamazoo

Ontario in Windsor

Indiana near Plymouth

Wisconsin near Pleasant Prairie

Illinois near Lincolnshire

Iowa near Polk City

Missouri near Hurdland

Minnesota in Albert Lea

Nebraska in Pender

South Dakota in Yankton

Kansas in Corning

Colorado near Louisville

New Mexico near Los Alamos

Utah in East Willow Creek

See also February 2016 North American winter storm December 17–22, 2012 North American blizzard January 31 – February 2, 2011 North American blizzard January 31 – February 3, 2021 nor'easter

References