The weekend snowstorm over the north-eastern part of the United States was not only the first major snowfall of the season but was record-breaking in its intensity for a December storm in some areas. It affected a very wide area of a dozen states and was unusual for how long it lasted.

The depth of snow was quite remarkable by UK standards. Western parts of Maine, in the far northeast, saw the most with a metre (3 feet) and even New York had 48 cm (19 inches). Strong winds were an additional problem with high seas and flooding along some coastal districts. At least eleven deaths were attributed to the weather.

Power supplies were cut off to many thousands of households and travel was of course severely disrupted. Hundreds of flights from New York's LaGuardia airport were cancelled because the snow was falling too heavily for the clearing equipment to keep up with. Nearby Boston in Massachusetts saw more than 45 cm (18 inches). This is the biggest snowfall there in the month of December for 28 years.

The reason snowstorms in this region can be so severe is down to the extreme contrast in temperature between the very cold air over the continental land mass and very warm, moist air coming in off the sea. The warm water of the Gulf Stream lies just off the eastern seaboard.

This temperature contrast helps to develop intense low pressure systems. The dense, cold air pushes underneath the warm, forcing it to rise and this is what produces the cloud and snow.

Although the storm system was heading away to the northeast across Newfoundland on Sunday, many schools were expected to remain closed on Monday. No doubt many children will enjoy some excellent sledging conditions.

Weather News from the last five days:
07/12/2003
06/12/2003
05/12/2003
04/12/2003
03/12/2003

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