10 Year Anniversary

[KeenerWx]

I'm sure most of us in the Midwest remember the December 2000 snow blitz. I'm surprised nobody made a topic about it yet. Anyway, the epic adventure started on December 7, 2000 with a Clipper dropping 2-4" across Northern Indiana.

It was followed 4 days later by a Panhandle Hook, which dropped a large swath of 6"+ across Northern Indiana. It was at this point when Blizzard Warnings were issued a cross the area. I remember watching the weather channel and seeing the "Blizzard Warning". At 10 years old, I was more than ecstatic.

Just two days after that, December 13, another storm tracked through the area, dropping a good 6-8" across the area.

In a period of a week, most of Northern Indiana had picked up between 12 and 20" of snow. What made this especially exciting was that it came in rounds, so there was continual excitement for over a week straight. As a kid, this was the perfect storm. Rural roads were shut down, and school was out for about a week.

Another two "bonuses" came just a few days later.

Dec 17

Dec 19

Pretty much an epic month, but the ensuing winter months weren't all that exciting. Would be nice to experience this again, although it's probably going to be a long time before that happens. Still, a good one for the memories. Feel free to share anything relating to this epic week/month for the Midwest.

Maps courtesy of IWX..found on following webpages

Dec 11

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/iwx/program_areas/events/2000/12_11_00_snow/index.php

Dec 13

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/iwx/program_areas/events/2000/12_13_00_snow/index.php

Dec 17

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/iwx/program_areas/events/2000/12_17_00_snow/index.php

Dec 18/19

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/iwx/program_areas/events/2000/12_19_00_snow/index.php

[Chicago WX]

Good thread Keener, I had thought about making a thread about it too. I have some things to add, but probably later tonight. Definitely one of my favorite single winter months ever.

[snowstormcanuck]

I used to have a whole file full of graphics from the Dec 11-12, 2000 storm. Unfortunately, this is the only one I could find (the rest may have been destroyed/lost when I upgraded my computer in 2003).

As far as months as a whole go, Dec 2000 ranks high up there. Probably only behind Jan 1999, Feb 2008, and maybe Dec 2008.

[michsnowfreak]

Dec 2000 was the harshest Dec on record at DTW in terms of a combination of cold + snow. It was the 3rd coldest (19.0F) and 3rd snowiest (25.1") at DTW. Had 29.9" imby. Was just snowing constantly it seemed. This was the month that started out a decade filled with what one could describe as "old-fashioned" winters (meaning the publics perception of what winter used to be) after the mild winters of the 1990s. Of course it was even harsher in the lake belts. And even though winter SUCKED after Jan 1st with very little snowfall, the snowcover stayed around thru mid-Feb, and December single-handedly left the winter of 2000-01 in peoples minds as a harsh one.

Pics I took...

Dec 12, 2000...after snow/ice storm

Dec 14, 2000 deep snow

Dec 21, 2000...BITTER cold settles in

Dec 31, 2000 more snow

[Hoosier]

Craziest month I've ever experienced. The 10 day stretch in February 2007 is my favorite, but as far as a 3-4 week stretch, December 2000 wins.

[Chicago WX]

10 years ago today, storm #2 dropped 7.0" back home after 9.5" two days prior with the storm on the 11th.

[snowstormcanuck]

10 years ago today, storm #2 dropped 7.0" back home after 9.5" two days prior with the storm on the 11th.

IIRC, the models trended late and hard north with storm #2.

[Harry]

Wish i could have been here for what stands as the snowiest December and snowiest month of any at this location. Almost a seasons worth of snow that December with over 50" for the month.

KBTL..

2000-12-01	38.0	25.0	0	0	
2000-12-02	32.0	18.0	0	0	
2000-12-03	36.0	9.0	0	0	
2000-12-04	32.0	18.0	0.005	0.3	
2000-12-05	35.0	11.0	0.05	2.3	
2000-12-06	22.0	12.0	0.01	0.6	
2000-12-07	22.0	16.0	0.17	3.5	
2000-12-08	28.0	20.0	0.01	0.3	
2000-12-09	29.0	16.0	0	0	
2000-12-10	34.0	22.0	0.005	0.005	
2000-12-11	32.0	19.0	0.71	6.5	
2000-12-12	27.0	10.0	0.49	4.6	
2000-12-13	20.0	-3.0	0.2	3.3	
2000-12-14	30.0	15.0	0.09	2.7	
2000-12-15	25.0	18.0	0.03	0.1	
2000-12-16	39.0	24.0	0.1	0.5	
2000-12-17	33.0	12.0	0.67	9.7	
2000-12-18	13.0	0.0	0.005	0.5	
2000-12-19	21.0	5.0	0.12	2	
2000-12-20	23.0	5.0	0.01	0.8	
2000-12-21	21.0	0.0	0.02	2.2	
2000-12-22	12.0	-8.0	0.04	2.8	
2000-12-23	18.0	0.0	0.02	0.6	
2000-12-24	25.0	5.0	0.02	1	
2000-12-25	22.0	8.0	9999	0.005	
2000-12-26	23.0	6.0	0	0	
2000-12-27	21.0	10.0	0.05	1.2	
2000-12-28	16.0	-10.0	0	0	
2000-12-29	23.0	2.0	0.3	4.6	
2000-12-30	27.0	12.0	0.42	2.4	
2000-12-31	31.0	12.0	0	0	

Station right up the road. Gull Lake

2000-12-01	37.0	29.0	0	0	
2000-12-02	32.0	18.0	0	0	
2000-12-03	36.0	10.0	0	0	
2000-12-04	37.0	22.0	0	0	
2000-12-05	32.0	16.0	0.08	2	
2000-12-06	21.0	12.0	0.02	0.2	
2000-12-07	23.0	15.0	0.22	3.8	
2000-12-08	28.0	21.0	0.07	1.3	
2000-12-09	28.0	18.0	0	0	
2000-12-10	35.0	21.0	0	0	
2000-12-11	37.0	19.0	0.61	8.3	
2000-12-12	28.0	15.0	0.58	3	
2000-12-13	23.0	-3.0	0.11	1	
2000-12-14	30.0	14.0	0.39	7.5	
2000-12-15	28.0	19.0	0	0	
2000-12-16	38.0	22.0	0.17	0	
2000-12-17	38.0	21.0	0.67	10	
2000-12-18	22.0	1.0	0.06	2.5	
2000-12-19	21.0	7.0	0.18	2.7	
2000-12-20	23.0	2.0	0.02	0.5	
2000-12-21	17.0	11.0	0.16	3.9	
2000-12-22	14.0	-7.0	0.04	2.5	
2000-12-23	16.0	-1.0	0	0	
2000-12-24	25.0	14.0	0.06	3	
2000-12-25	23.0	9.0	0	0	
2000-12-26	21.0	5.0	0	0	
2000-12-27	25.0	17.0	0.08	1.5	
2000-12-28	18.0	-12.0	0	0	
2000-12-29	21.0	3.0	0.24	3.5	
2000-12-30	29.0	16.0	0.12	2	
2000-12-31	31.0	11.0	0	0	

The big winner in SW MI.. Bloomingdale with 80"

2000-12-01	39.0	25.0	0	0	
2000-12-02	36.0	15.0	0	0	
2000-12-03	34.0	10.0	0	0	
2000-12-04	36.0	18.0	0	0	
2000-12-05	37.0	18.0	0.02	9999	
2000-12-06	22.0	14.0	0.08	5	
2000-12-07	24.0	14.0	0.19	7	
2000-12-08	27.0	19.0	0.17	4	
2000-12-09	31.0	19.0	0.01	1	
2000-12-10	32.0	20.0	0	0	
2000-12-11	36.0	23.0	0	0	
2000-12-12	28.0	18.0	0.9	12	
2000-12-13	22.0	-8.0	0.11	3	
2000-12-14	18.0	-2.0	0.44	6	
2000-12-15	36.0	12.0	0	0	
2000-12-16	34.0	17.0	0.09	0	
2000-12-17	38.0	21.0	0	0	
2000-12-18	24.0	1.0	0.19	5	
2000-12-19	11.0	3.0	0.13	3	
2000-12-20	26.0	2.0	0.05	2	
2000-12-21	21.0	10.0	0.09	2	
2000-12-22	22.0	-5.0	0.15	6	
2000-12-23	23.0	0.0	0.12	6	
2000-12-24	17.0	5.0	0.5	6	
2000-12-25	22.0	15.0	0.05	2	
2000-12-26	21.0	9.0	0.02	1	
2000-12-27	26.0	12.0	0.03	1	
2000-12-28	28.0	-7.0	0.08	3	
2000-12-29	21.0	-3.0	0	0	
2000-12-30	22.0	8.0	0.26	5	
2000-12-31	28.0	8.0	0	0	

[Chicago WX]

IIRC, the models trended late and hard north with storm #2.

Yep I remember that. It's kind of funny, but this was the month where I was introduced to weather models. I suppose that also makes it such a special month to me (or a curse ).

[Chicago WX]

December 2000 snow totals and their all time December ranks (top 10 only).

Akron-Canton OH: 20.3" (4th)

Chicago IL ORD: 30.9" (3rd)

Chicago IL MDW: 41.3" (1st)

Des Moines IA: 26.9" (2nd, but was 1st and then surpassed in 2009 with 28.2")

Detroit MI: 25.1" (3rd)

Dubuque IA: 37.6" (1st)

Flint MI: 35.3" (1st)

Fort Wayne IN: 17.2" (3rd)

Grand Rapids MI: 59.2" (1st)

Green Bay WI: 28.9" (2nd, was 1st and then surpassed in 2008 with 45.6")

Indianapolis IN: 16.3" (3rd)

Kansas City MO: 11.8" (7th)

La Crosse WI: 25.5" (4th)

Lincoln IL: 19.5" (2nd)

Madison WI: 35.0" (2nd, but was 1st and then surpassed in 2008 with 40.4")

Mansfield OH: 22.1" (4th)

Marquette MI: 89.5" (1st)

Milwaukee WI: 49.5" (1st)

Minneapolis MN: 30.2: (2nd)

Moline IL: 32.9" (1st)

Peoria IL: 21.0" (2nd)

Rochester MN: 35.3" (1st)

Rockford IL: 30.1" (1st)

Saginaw MI: 39.3" (1st)

St. Louis MO: 15.9" (2nd)

Sioux City IA: 18.0" (6th)

South Bend IN: 44.6" (1st)

Springfield MO: 18.1" (2nd)

Toledo OH: 26.0" (1st)

Waterloo IA: 34.0" (1st)

[Chicago WX]

December 2000 temperatures and their all time December ranks (top 10 only).

Akron-Canton OH: 20.5º (2nd)

Chicago IL ORD: 16.0º (2nd)

Cincinnati OH: 25.2º (2nd)

Cleveland OH: 22.3º (4th)

Columbus OH: 22.8º (3rd)

Des Moines IA: 11.6º (2nd)

Detroit MI: 19.2º (3rd)

Flint MI: 16.6º (2nd)

Fort Wayne IN: 17.4º (2nd)

Indianapolis IN: 19.8º (3rd)

Joplin MO: 25.0º (2nd)

Kansas City MO: 21.3º (2nd)

Lincoln IL: 16.9º (2nd)

Louisville KY: 25.1º (1st)

Mansfield: 19.7º (2nd)

Milwaukee WI: 16.6º (5th)

Minneapolis MN: 7.6º (2nd)

Peoria IL: 16.1º (3rd)

Rockford IL: 12.5º (1st)

Saginaw MI: 17.2º (2nd)

St. Louis MO: 21.6º (2nd)

South Bend IN: 17.1º (1st)

Springfield IL: 17.3º (2nd)

Springfield MO: 23.5º (2nd)

Toledo OH: 18.3º (2nd)

[Roy]

I recall that winter as a middle school kid in Kansas. It was wonderful....for one month at least. I still haven't had a month like it (especially since moving to Midland, TX desert USA).

We had three good snows, and the temperatures were cold enough it didn't melt, virtually unheard of for us. Pretty incredible.

Last winter actually wasn't bad here in Midland.....got several "okay" snows of a couple inches. This year? Shaping up to be one real suckfest with La Nina. We haven't had measurable precip of any kind since Sept. 25.

[snowstormcanuck]

3 years ago today was pretty good.

[Hoosier]

3 years ago today was pretty good.

indeed

[Chicago WX]

3 years ago today was pretty good.

Very good.

indeed

And shush you, no more reminders of me missing the best part of that storm.

[Ottawa Blizzard]

Interestingly, I was reading through some old Ottawa newspapers on microfilm from February 1993 and people were commenting that winter how the winters were snowy and cold compared to the "balmy 80s". 1992-93, 1993-94 and 1995-96 were three amazing winters in Ontario. February 1993 was amazing in Ottawa. 36cm on February 13th, another 25 cm on February 22, followed by 40 cm during the superstorm. This was followed by the amazing winter of 1993-94.

[snowstormcanuck]

Very good.

And shush you, no more reminders of me missing the best part of that storm.

drunk/passed out?

[snowstormcanuck]

Interestingly, I was reading through some old Ottawa newspapers on microfilm from February 1993 and people were commenting that winter how the winters were snowy and cold compared to the "balmy 80s". 1992-93, 1993-94 and 1995-96 were three amazing winters in Ontario. February 1993 was amazing in Ottawa. 36cm on February 13th, another 25 cm on February 22, followed by 40 cm during the superstorm. This was followed by the amazing winter of 1993-94.

The 2000s were on pace to be better than the 1990s and then last year happened. Haven't crunched the numbers, but at least here in Toronto, it's probably pretty close at best.

[Chicago WX]

drunk/passed out?

Well I did go to the company Christmas party that night. But no, I just didn't have enough energy to stay up for that one, plus it looked like we were going to fall shy of projected totals. So I went to bed and wa la, 1"/hr rates overnight. Hoosier said it was pretty awesome.

[snowstormcanuck]

Well I did go to the company Christmas party that night. But no, I just didn't have enough energy to stay up for that one, plus it looked like we were going to fall shy of projected totals. So I went to bed and wa la, 1"/hr rates overnight. Hoosier said it was pretty awesome.

Wow, with me, even if I'm thinking something's a bust and decide to go to bed, I'll still wake up every 2-3 hours to make sure. Oh well, it was probably a pretty sweet sight in the morning.

[Hoosier]

Well I did go to the company Christmas party that night. But no, I just didn't have enough energy to stay up for that one, plus it looked like we were going to fall shy of projected totals. So I went to bed and wa la, 1"/hr rates overnight. Hoosier said it was pretty awesome.

It was ripping pretty good around this time

SPECI KLAF 160716Z AUTO 36016KT 1/4SM FZFG VV002 M04/M06 A2951 RMK AO2 SNEMM P0002 PWINO FZRANO $