The 2011 Groundhog
Day Blizzard
Katherine Isabella
English & Economics
College of Arts and
Sciences
What Is a Blizzard?
Weather Related Blizzards vs. Dairy Queen Blizzards
• Conditions occur
• High in sugar, fat,
3+ hours:
carbohydrates,
• Wind speed
and deliciousness
greater than 35
• Filled with candy,
mph
cookies, or fruit
• Visibility not
•
Sold
in
a
small,
greater than 1/4th a
medium, or large
mile
Where Blizzards Occur
How Blizzards Form
How Blizzards Form
Groundhog Day Blizzard (2011)
Before the Storm
• Well forecast
• Many cities had already used up their snow
removal budget
• Super Bowl travel warnings
• State of emergencies issued
Groundhog Day Blizzard
(2011)
• Snow
o Snow Drifts
• Winds
• Cold
Temperatures
• Hail
• Lightning
Where the Storm Hit
Chicago & the Blizzard
• City brought to
a standstill
• Up to 2 feet of
snow
• Peak wind of
70 mph
• Snow stayed
on ground for
16 days after
storm
Pictures from the Blizzard
Records Set by the
Blizzard
• Chicago,
Illinois
• Rockford,
Illinois
• Tulsa,
Oklahoma
The High Cost of the
Groundhog Day Blizzard
• 36 people lost
their lives
• $1.8 - 4 billion in
losses
• Problems with:
o
o
o
o
o
o
Power outages
Abandoned cars
Snow removal
Low visibility
Stressed roofs
Flight
cancellations
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Losses by State
Illinois - $400 million
Indiana - $157 million
Iowa - $70 million
Kentucky - $96 million
Maryland - $184 million
Massachusetts - $265 million
Michigan - $251 million
Minnesota - $167 million
Missouri - $162 million
New Jersey - $289 million
New York - $700 million
Ohio - $300 million
Pennsylvania - $370 million
Utah - $66 million
Virginia - $260 million
Wisconsin - $149 million
Benefits of the Storm
• Deep
South
• Southern
Plains
• West
Moisture
For Southern
Plains
Broke
up fog
Much
needed rain
Did the Groundhog See Its Shadow?
• Punxsutawney Phil
did not see his
shadow!
• Early spring
predicted
To Summarize…
• Blizzards are no joke!
o Mostly happen in northern plains of
the U.S., but can happen wherever
there is wind and snow
o Have the power to shut down cities
o Can lead to loss of life and massive
profit losses
Questions?
Works Cited
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http://worldofnovelty.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/saasdf.jpg
http://eatdrinkbite.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/banner_midnighttruffle.jpg
http://assets-s3.usmagazine.com/uploads/assets/article_photos/elsa-let-it-go-inline.jpg
http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/anniversary-of-the-groundhog-d/60974
https://www.jigsawexplorer.com/puzzles/subjects/baby-groundhog-368x300.jpg
http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/habitat/climate/blizzard.htm
http://www.weather.com/encyclopedia/winter/types.html
http://boonstoon.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/front-yard-trees-in-blizzard-12-26-2010-6-4830.jpg
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/02/AR2011020203650.html
http://www.accuweather.com/en/features/trend/blizzard-one-of-the-most-commo-1/58712
http://w1.weather.gov/glossary/index.php?letter=b
http://www.weather.com/blog/weather/8_10972.html
http://www.windows2universe.org/earth/Atmosphere/blizzard.html
http://www.weathertrends360.com/Blog/Post/Blizzard-Alley-Meet-Tornado-Alley-777
http://industryedge.nationalhardwareshow.com/2013/10/is-your-business-ready-for-winterweather
Works Cited
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http://imgarcade.com/1/blizzards-forming/
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/groundhog-day-storm-more-snow-for-much-of-us-31-012011/
http://www.accuweather.com/en/outdoor-articles/outdoor-living/pictures-of-chicagogroundhog/60976
http://www.weather.com/outlook/weather-news/news/articles/Slideshow-monsterstorm_2011-02-01
http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/groundhog-day-storm-may-affect-1/45062
http://www.noaa.gov/extreme2011/blizzard.html
http://www.mlive.com/business/index.ssf/2011/02/what_was_cost_of_groundhog_day.html
http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/x/shredded-money-4206255.jpg
http://blogs.mprnews.org/updraft/2011/02/chicago_blizzard_mega_storm_ra/