The Great Blizzard of 1899

The Snow King of 1899

The Great Blizzard of 1899 ravaged the east coast from February 11 through February 14 and is documented as the worst and coldest winter storm America has ever seen until 1985. The Snow King has caused some of the lowest recorded temperatures and highest recorded snowfall for some states.

Historical Events and Significance

Sources

The blizzard struck Florida first and proceeded north from there. It ravaged the entire east coast and greatly affected nearby areas. Even Cuba was affected by the blizzard with the extreme cold destroying its crops. The heavy snowfall cut off railroads/trains affecting transportation, communication, and trade to a degree. The snow also cut off roads and hindered mail. The blizzard actually helped America in a way. The freezing cold froze the mosquitoes holding yellow fever, stopping a minor epidemic from spreading. The blizzard also created a small economic boom as the services of skilled builders were in demand. This blizzard was great and terrible that Americans named it The Snow King.

http://www.emmitsburg.net/archive_list/articles/history/stories/blizzards.htm

http://www.srh.weather.gov/images/bro/research/pdf/Great_Arctic_Outbreak_1899.pdf

http://blogs.britannica.com/2009/02/february-1899-the-worst-cold-snap-in-north-american-history/

The Snow King

(The Great Blizzard of 1899)

Record Temperatures of 1899

New Jersey: 0 F

Florida: -2 F

Georgia: -12 F

Kentucky: -33 F

Louisiana: -16 F

Montana: -61 F

Nebraska: -47 F

North Carolina: -2 F

Ohio: -39 F

Pennsylvania: -40 F

Missouri: -26 F

South Carolina: -11 F

Arkansas: -24 F

Tennessee: -20 F

Texas: -8 F

Virginia: -29 F

West Virginia: -35 F

Washington D.C.: -15 F

Pennsylvania. -22 F

Preston Whitlock

Period 6

April 11 2015

Meteorological Events

The storm originated as several anticyclones of polar origin that developed into 3 smaller winter storms, and a large cold air mass that developed into a massive anticyclone that became a giant blizzard. The anticyclones affected the western United States before heading east, dropping temperatures all across America. While the western U.S was experiencing cold temperatures, the Atlantic and Gulf states were unseasonably mild. 3 low pressure center formed between February 5 and February 10. These pressure systems formed 3 winter storms that affected the Atlantic states and the east coast. Multiple cold fronts followed after the 3 storms with a massive anticyclone following that. Several low pressure centers formed as the anticyclone moved towards the east coast followed by a few high pressure centers. After the storm passed, temperatures rose above normal for the states affected by the storm. The Blizzard of 1899 is unusual and unique in the fact that it brought extremely cold temperatures, fast blowing artic winds, and record snowfall to a large area. Also unusual and remarkable is the fact that The Weather Bureau was able to predict the terrible blizzard ahead of time, saving lives, buildings, livestock, and goods.

Impact on Meteorology

The biggest impact the blizzard had was that it gave something for Meteorologists to compare to. Whenever a terrible winter storm occurs in America, Meteorologists can compare it to The Snow King of 1899. The Weather Bureau also gained popularity and recognition for its ability to predict the blizzard ahead of time.