2008 Woodie Awards
Lake effect snow, Valentine's Day Nor'easter bury Potsdam
Alicia Anderson
Issue date: 2/19/07 Section: News
What happened to all of the snow in November and December? No matter why it stayed away then, it is certainly here now!
In the last two weeks, lake effect and Nor'easter snowstorms have dumped snow all across New York State, especially in Oswego, Lewis, and Oneida counties. According to the National Weather Service, about six feet of snow has accumulated in the area between Watertown and Syracuse. Lewis and Oneida Counties have accumulated between four and six feet of the fluffy white stuff. This snowfall has all occurred since February 3.
On top of the lake effect accumulation was the Valentine's Day Nor'easter, which buried not only New York State but the rest of the Northeast as well last Wednesday. Some places saw as much as three feet of snow in that one day, including parts of Vermont, New York, and even Pennsylvania.
Potsdam itself saw an accumulation of about a foot of snow. For the first time in thirty-six years, at 3:00 p.m. on February 14, Clarkson University closed its campus.
According to A Clarkson Mosaic, Clarkson's campus last closed due to weather conditions on March 4, 1971, and did not open again until the 6th. Prior to this, the campus had not had a snow day since 1947. This was also a two-day closing which delayed registration and the first day of classes and was the worst storm to hit Potsdam since 1900. The snow was so bad that it stalled a train that left on Sunday night for Potsdam, which did not reach its destination until early Wednesday morning, after being stuck in Watertown for a few days.
Currently there is no end in sight for snow accumulations. Residents can expect to see more snow before temperatures warm up for good. This week in Potsdam, there is a seventy percent chance of snow on Tuesday, a thirty percent chance on Wednesday, and a forty percent chance on Thursday according to The Weather Channel.
Besides seeing more snow in the area in the coming week, there's a new danger for people in the Northeast: avalanches. For anyone who is planning on going into the Adirondacks or the Green Mountains in Vermont, there is an avalanche watch due to the snow accumulations on Valentine's Day. Avalanche danger increases during and immediately after a major snowfall, so take precautions like traveling with a buddy and bringing safety equipment if you plan to visit those areas.
In the last two weeks, lake effect and Nor'easter snowstorms have dumped snow all across New York State, especially in Oswego, Lewis, and Oneida counties. According to the National Weather Service, about six feet of snow has accumulated in the area between Watertown and Syracuse. Lewis and Oneida Counties have accumulated between four and six feet of the fluffy white stuff. This snowfall has all occurred since February 3.
On top of the lake effect accumulation was the Valentine's Day Nor'easter, which buried not only New York State but the rest of the Northeast as well last Wednesday. Some places saw as much as three feet of snow in that one day, including parts of Vermont, New York, and even Pennsylvania.
Potsdam itself saw an accumulation of about a foot of snow. For the first time in thirty-six years, at 3:00 p.m. on February 14, Clarkson University closed its campus.
According to A Clarkson Mosaic, Clarkson's campus last closed due to weather conditions on March 4, 1971, and did not open again until the 6th. Prior to this, the campus had not had a snow day since 1947. This was also a two-day closing which delayed registration and the first day of classes and was the worst storm to hit Potsdam since 1900. The snow was so bad that it stalled a train that left on Sunday night for Potsdam, which did not reach its destination until early Wednesday morning, after being stuck in Watertown for a few days.
Currently there is no end in sight for snow accumulations. Residents can expect to see more snow before temperatures warm up for good. This week in Potsdam, there is a seventy percent chance of snow on Tuesday, a thirty percent chance on Wednesday, and a forty percent chance on Thursday according to The Weather Channel.
Besides seeing more snow in the area in the coming week, there's a new danger for people in the Northeast: avalanches. For anyone who is planning on going into the Adirondacks or the Green Mountains in Vermont, there is an avalanche watch due to the snow accumulations on Valentine's Day. Avalanche danger increases during and immediately after a major snowfall, so take precautions like traveling with a buddy and bringing safety equipment if you plan to visit those areas.
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