Centennial Honors College
Western Illinois University
Undergraduate Research Day 2014
Poster Presentation
2011 Groundhog Day Blizzard
Jeff Draughan
Faculty Mentor: Jongnam Choi
Geography
This study examines a Midwest blizzard on January 31 - February 2, 2014, known as
the "Groundhogs Day Blizzard". This study shows why and how this storm developed
into such a big and powerful blizzard and how this storm is different from other winter
storms that are not as strong. Integrated Data Viewer (IDV) is used to acquire, analyze,
and display surface maps, upper air conditions, and radar/satellite imageries. Archived
data from the NCEP/NCAR Reanalysis Project website and the NOAA Comprehensive
Large Array-Data Stewardship System (CLASS) were used. This project compares
atmospheric conditions during the "Groundhog Day Blizzard" and those of an average
snowstorm. The preliminary results show that the Groundhogs day blizzard formed from
the phasing of an Alberta Clipper from the northwest and a low pressure system from
the pacific. Findings from this study are useful because winter storms are very
disruptive in terms of travel and a better understanding of what makes one stronger
than another is beneficial to make a better forecast on future snowstorms.