THC Science

February 1983 North American blizzard
	The low-pressure area causing blizzard conditions across portions of the Northeast on February 12
Meteorological history
Formed	February 9, 1983
Exited land	February 12, 1983
Category 4 "Crippling" winter storm
	Regional Snowfall Index: 14.78 (NOAA)
Lowest pressure	<1002 mbar (hPa); <29.59 inHg
Maximum snowfall or ice accretion	35 in (89 cm) in Glen Cary, West Virginia
Tornado outbreak
Tornadoes	12
Maximum rating	F3 tornado
Duration	February 9–10, 1983
Highest winds	76 mph (122 km/h) (highest convective wind)
Largest hail	3 in (7.6 cm)
Overall effects
Fatalities	46
Injuries	10
Areas affected	Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern United States, and New England
	Part of the 1982–83 North American winter

A blizzard in February 1983, nicknamed the "Megalopolitan Blizzard", impacted the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, and New England regions of the United States. First developing as a low-pressure area on February 9 while a El Niño event ensued, the low then moved eastward across the Gulf of Mexico. While the low progressed across the Gulf, several tornadoes associated with the system touched down across Texas, Louisiana, and Florida, ultimately resulting in ten injuries. The low then emerged over the Atlantic Ocean near the Georgia–South Carolina border, later developing and intensifying into a cyclone as it moved parallel along the East Coast of the United States. The cyclone then moved northward while producing blizzard conditions and heavy snowfall across portions of the Mid-Atlantic on February 11, including across Maryland and northern Virginia. Continuing to intensify and moving northward, the cyclone then brought heavy snow and blizzard conditions to parts of the Northeast and New England. Overall, the blizzard caused 46 deaths and set multiple weather records in terms of snowfall.^[2]^[3]

Meteorological synopsis

In 1982 and 1983, a strong El Niño occurred, including on the dates during the blizzard's occurrence, which led to above-average temperatures across the northern United States and a cooler and wetter weather pattern across the South.^[4]^[5] On February 9, a low-pressure area formed, centered over eastern Texas and along the Texas-Gulf of Mexico coastline.^[6]^[7] It then progressed eastward across the Gulf the next day before moving across the Southeastern United States and emerging in the Atlantic Ocean off the Georgia-Florida coast.^[6]^[7] The low-pressure system then intensified and fully developed into a cyclone as it approached Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.^[6]^[7] As the cyclone moved northward along the East Coast of the United States, snow fell across the Mid-Atlantic beginning on February 11, with some areas experiencing blizzard conditions.^[1]^[8] The cyclone then produced snow and blizzard conditions across portions of the Northeastern United States and New England regions, continuing to intensify as its pressure dropped to 1003 millibars by February 12.^[7]^[1]^[9] The low's pressure continued to drop on that day while reaching portions of southern New England,^[6] before tracking offshore northward off the New England coast.^[10] The blizzard was nicknamed the "Megalopolitan Blizzard" after the system hit numerous metropolitan areas along the East Coast of the United States with 30–75 centimeters (12–30 in) of snow.^[11]^[12]

Preparations and impact

Mid-Atlantic

In preparation of the blizzard in Virginia, Eastern Mennonite University and James Madison University were closed, with the latter cancelling its classes for the first time since the Ash Wednesday Storm of 1962.^[13] At Richmond International Airport in Richmond, 17.7 inches (45 cm) of snow fell, which is the third-highest snow accumulation in the city.^[14]^[15] Daily snowfall records were set in Lynchburg and Roanoke, where 14.6 inches (37 cm) and 18.4 inches (47 cm) of snow fell in 24 hours, respectively.^[16]^[17] The heaviest snow fell in Woodstock, where 32 inches (81 cm) of snow accumulated.^[13] The cyclone caused the SS Marine Electric, a merchant ship, to capsize, killing 31 of the 34 onboard and prompting an investigation into the incident and the ship's design itself prior to the sinking by the United States Coast Guard's board of inquiry.^[18]^[19] As a result of the sinking, the Coast Guard's inspection procedures were modified and new additions and requirements were introduced to the maritime law enforcement's marine safety guideline.^[19]

In Maryland, 22.8 inches (58 cm) of snow fell in Baltimore, which was the second-highest snowfall after the Knickerbocker storm in 1922.^[8] Some areas in Frederick and Montgomery counties in Maryland had their heaviest snowfall on record.^[20] In Washington, D.C., 16.4 inches (42 cm) of snow fell, closing Baltimore/Washington International Airport, Dulles International Airport, and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and shutting down the Washington Metro.^[20]^[21] Numerous vehicle accidents occurred in West Virginia, as there were more than 34,000 homes without power across Charleston and Pineville.^[22] The highest snow accumulation from the blizzard fell in Glen Cary, West Virginia, where 35 inches (89 cm) of snow accumulated.^[1] In Windsor Locks, West Virginia, a record 19 inches (48 cm) of snow fell in 12 hours.^[23]

Northeastern United States

In Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the snow prompted firefighters and emergency management to sleep in the fire department's halls to prepare for emergencies.^[24] On February 11, the heavy snowfall also cancelled Ronald and Nancy Reagan's trip to Camp David, in which George Shultz was invited for dinner and marked the beginning of the end of the Cold War.^[25]^[26] The blizzard also produced 21 inches (53 cm) in Springfield, Massachusetts, the third-highest snowfall total there since 1905 as of 2013,^[27] and resulted in thousands of people being stranded at an Aerosmith concert.^[28]^[29] The concert itself was delayed by more than an hour after the band's lead singer Steven Tyler arrived late because of the blizzard.^[29] The blizzard produced the same snowfall total in Springfield, Massachusetts at Bradley International Airport in Hartford, Connecticut, which is recorded as the fourth-highest snowfall total there as of 2015.^[30] Hundreds of vehicles were abandoned on the Staten Island Expressway as heavy snowfall rates occurred and up to 22 inches (56 cm) of snow fell.^[9]^[31] In Central Park, 17.6 inches (45 cm) of snow fell, which is the thirteenth-highest snowfall accumulation there since 1869 as of 2021.^[32]^[33] Twenty-four-hour snowfall records were set in Allentown, Harrisburg, and Philadelphia, with all three cities receiving more than 20 inches (51 cm) of snow.^[1]^[23] In Allentown and Bethlehem, 5 inches (13 cm) of snow fell in one hour.^[34] At Harrisburg International Airport, 25 inches (64 cm) of snow fell, which is the second-highest snow accumulation across the Susquehanna Valley.^[11] Lightning also occurred during the blizzard in some areas across the Northeast.^[35]

Several airports were closed as a result of near-zero visibility caused by the heavy snowfall, including LaGuardia Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, and John F. Kennedy International Airport across the New York metropolitan area, as well as Philadelphia International Airport in Philadelphia.^[36] Multiple departing flights from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport were cancelled, and the Pennsylvania State Police noted that Interstate 80 "closed itself".^[37] Businesses and schools across Pennsylvania were closed, and Interstate 95 in Philadelphia was closed.^[22] A snow emergency was declared in New York City, as well as a state of emergency for several areas in New Jersey, including Trenton.^[22]

Tornado outbreak

Confirmed tornadoes by Fujita rating
FU	F0	F1	F2	F3	F4	F5	Total
0	3	5	3	1	0	0	12

Color/symbol key
Color / symbol	Description
†	Data from Grazulis 1990/1993/2001b
¶	Data from a local National Weather Service office
※	Data from the 1983 Storm Data publication
‡	Data from the NCEI database
♯	Maximum width of tornado
±	Tornado was rated below F2 intensity by Grazulis but a specific rating is unavailable.

Prior to 1990, there is a likely undercount of tornadoes, particularly E/F0–1, with reports of weaker tornadoes becoming more common as population increased. A sharp increase in the annual average E/F0–1 count by approximately 200 tornadoes was noted upon the implementation of NEXRAD Doppler weather radar in 1990–1991.^[38]^{[note 1]} 1974 marked the first year where significant tornado (E/F2+) counts became homogenous with contemporary values, attributed to the consistent implementation of Fujita scale assessments.^[42]^{[note 2]} Numerous discrepancies on the details of tornadoes in this outbreak exist between sources. The total count of tornadoes and ratings differs from various agencies accordingly. The list below documents information from the most contemporary official sources alongside assessments from tornado historian Thomas P. Grazulis.

February 9 event

List of confirmed tornadoes — Wednesday, February 9, 1983^{[note 3]}
F#	Location	County / Parish	State	Start Coord.^{[note 4]}	Time (UTC)	Path length	Width^{[note 5]}	Damage^{[note 6]}
F1	New Waverly	Walker	TX	30°32′N 95°30′W / 30.53°N 95.50°W / 30.53; -95.50 (New Waverly (Feb. 9, F0))	18:30–?	2 mi (3.2 km)	40 yd (37 m)	Damage^{[note 6]}	$250,000
F1	A hay-filled barn was uplifted, bits of which were thrown 200 yd (180 m).^[52]^[53]
F2±	Southwestern Houston	Harris	TX	29°39′N 95°27′W / 29.65°N 95.45°W / 29.65; -95.45 (Houston #1 (Feb. 9, F2))	19:30–?	1.5 mi (2.4 km)	50 yd (46 m)	$250,000
F2±	A carport was damaged, along with four warehouses, three of which were unroofed. Three injuries were reported.^[54]^[52]^[55]
F1	Pasadena※	Harris	TX	29°42′N 95°02′W / 29.70°N 95.03°W / 29.70; -95.03 (Pasadena (Feb. 9, F1))	19:50–?	1 mi (1.6 km)	20 yd (18 m)	$250,000
F1	A few trailers, fences, roofs, traffic lights, and a utility pole were damaged.^[52]^[56]
F1	Northern Houston※	Harris	TX	29°42′N 95°16′W / 29.70°N 95.27°W / 29.70; -95.27 (Houston #2 (Feb. 9, F1))	20:10–?	1 mi (1.6 km)	20 yd (18 m)	$25,000
F1	This tornado flattened a carport and damaged a garage.^[52]^[57]
F0	Western Huntsville	Walker	TX	30°43′N 95°37′W / 30.72°N 95.62°W / 30.72; -95.62 (Huntsville (Feb. 9, F0))	20:15–?	0.5 mi (0.80 km)	20 yd (18 m)	Unknown
F0	A tornado developed over agricultural land, doing no known structural damage.^[52]^[58]
F1	Coldspring	San Jacinto	TX	30°36′N 95°07′W / 30.60°N 95.12°W / 30.60; -95.12 (Coldspring (Feb. 9, F1))	20:20–?	0.5 mi (0.80 km)	30 yd (27 m)	$250,000
F1	This tornado caused fallen utility poles and trees to land on a house. Billboards were shredded as well, and the tornado also traversed Texas State Highway 156.^[52]^[59]
F2±	N of Manvel to near Pearland※	Brazoria	TX	29°29′N 95°21′W / 29.48°N 95.35°W / 29.48; -95.35 (Manvel (Feb. 9, F2))	20:25–?	8 mi (13 km)	50 yd (46 m)	$25,000
F2±	Trees and a few carports were torn apart.^[54]^[52]^[60]
F2†	SE of Eunice	Acadia	LA	30°26′N 92°20′W / 30.43°N 92.33°W / 30.43; -92.33 (Eunice (Feb. 9, F2))	23:30–?	3 mi (4.8 km)	150 yd (140 m)	$250,000
F2†	This tornado affected the Richard–Hundley area, almost leveling a small home.^[54]^[61]^[62]
F3	E of Church Point to NNE of Courtableau	Acadia, St. Landry	LA	30°24′N 92°11′W / 30.40°N 92.18°W / 30.40; -92.18 (Church Point (Feb. 9, F3))	23:45–?	21 mi (34 km)	150 yd (140 m)	$2,500,000※
F3	This was a multiple-vortex tornado. A church, a grain elevator, and at least seven homes were demolished. Seven people were injured.^[63]^[61]^[64]^[65]^[66]

February 10 event

List of confirmed tornadoes — Thursday, February 10, 1983^{[note 3]}
F#	Location	County / Parish	State	Start Coord.^{[note 4]}	Time (UTC)	Path length	Width^{[note 5]}	Damage^{[note 6]}
F0	Southwestern Miami	Dade	FL	25°39′N 80°26′W / 25.65°N 80.43°W / 25.65; -80.43 (Southwestern Miami (Feb. 10, F0))	21:45–?	0.5 mi (0.80 km)	20 yd (18 m)	Damage^{[note 6]}	$30
F0	This tornado caused window damage, felled trees, and downed power lines.^[67]^[68]
F0	Western Hollywood※	Broward	FL	26°08′N 80°08′W / 26.13°N 80.13°W / 26.13; -80.13 (Hollywood (Feb. 10, F0))	22:00–?	0.5 mi (0.80 km)	20 yd (18 m)	$25,000
F0	Coincident with golf ball-sized hail, this tornado damaged roofing and trees.^[67]^[69]
F1	West Palm Beach※	Palm Beach	FL	26°41′N 80°08′W / 26.68°N 80.13°W / 26.68; -80.13 (West Palm Beach (Feb. 10, F1))	22:42–?	2 mi (3.2 km)	40 yd (37 m)	$2,500
F1	Power lines, fencing, and screened pool enclosures were knocked down. Trees were felled as well.^[67]^[70]

Notes

^ Historically, the number of tornadoes globally and in the United States was and is likely underrepresented: research by Grazulis on annual tornado activity suggests that, as of 2001, only 53% of yearly U.S. tornadoes were officially recorded. Documentation of tornadoes outside the United States was historically less exhaustive, owing to the lack of monitors in many nations and, in some cases, to internal political controls on public information.^[39] Most countries only recorded tornadoes that produced severe damage or loss of life.^[40] Significant low biases in U.S. tornado counts likely occurred through the early 1990s, when advanced NEXRAD was first installed and the National Weather Service began comprehensively verifying tornado occurrences.^[41]
^ The Fujita scale was devised under the aegis of scientist T. Theodore Fujita in the early 1970s. Prior to the advent of the scale in 1971, tornadoes in the United States were officially unrated.^[43]^[44] Tornado ratings were retroactively applied to events prior to the formal adoption of the F-scale by the National Weather Service.^[45] While the Fujita scale has been superseded by the Enhanced Fujita scale in the U.S. since February 1, 2007,^[46] Canada used the old scale until April 1, 2013;^[47] nations elsewhere, like the United Kingdom, apply other classifications such as the TORRO scale.^[48]
^ ^a ^b All dates are based on the local time zone where the tornado touched down; however, all times are in Coordinated Universal Time for consistency.
^ ^a ^b All starting coordinates are based on the NCEI database and may not reflect contemporary analyses
^ ^a ^b The listed width values are primarily the average/mean width of the tornadoes, with those having known maximum widths denoted by ♯. From 1952 to 1994, reports largely list mean width whereas contemporary years list maximum width.^[49] Values provided by Grazulis are the average width, with estimates being rounded down (i.e. 0.5 mi (0.80 km) is rounded down from 880 yards to 800 yards.^[50]^[51]
^ ^a ^b The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Storm Data publication does not list exact damage totals for every event, instead giving damage categories. As such, damage for individual tornadoes is not comprehensive.

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Smith, Christopher (February 11, 2021). "On This Day in 1983: Megapolitan Blizzard". WeatherBug. Archived from the original on February 1, 2024. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
^ McFadden, Robert D. (February 13, 1983). "20-inch snowfall paralyzes much of Mid-Atlantic area; 25 die in sinking off Virginia". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on February 1, 2024. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
^ "Blizzard of 1983 buries New York region with as many as 2 feet of snow". WABC-TV. February 12, 2020. Archived from the original on February 1, 2024. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
^ Williams, Jack (June 12, 2015). "How the super El Nino of 1982–83 kept itself a secret". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on April 11, 2021. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
^ Schwartz, Glenn (January 16, 2016). "'Hurricane' Schwartz: The blizzard explained". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on February 8, 2024. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d US Department of Commerce, NOAA. "Summary of the February 10 – 12th Nor'easter". National Weather Service Charleston, West Virginia. Archived from the original on February 1, 2024. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Chang, Simon; Brehme, Katherine; Madala, Rangarao; Sashegyi, Keith (August 1, 1989). "A Numerical Study of the East Coast Snowstorm of 10–12 February 1983". American Meteorological Society. 117 (8): 1768–1778. doi:10.1175/1520-0493(1989)117<1768:ANSOTE>2.0.CO;2. ISSN 1520-0493. Archived from the original on 1 February 2024. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
^ ^a ^b Brandt, Ed (February 8, 1993). "The famed Blizzard of '83 buried the Baltimore area in almost 2 feet of snow". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on February 1, 2024. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
^ ^a ^b D'Anna, Eddie (February 11, 2015). "A look back: 32 years ago this week, 'Blizzard of 1983' dropped 22 inches of snow, left cars abandoned on SIE". Staten Island Advance. Archived from the original on June 25, 2022. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
^ "Top Snow Storms". National Weather Service Charleston, West Virginia. Archived from the original on March 20, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
^ ^a ^b "Record snow: Remembering 1983's Megapolitan Blizzard". WGAL. February 9, 2024. Archived from the original on February 10, 2024. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
^ Gedzelman, Stanley David; Rosenbaum, Jeffrey Marc; Lawrence, James R. (June 15, 1989). "The Megalopolitan Snowstorm of 11–12 February 1983: Isotopic Composition of the Snow". Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences. 46 (12): 1637–1649. doi:10.1175/1520-0469(1989)046<1637:TMSOFI>2.0.CO;2. ISSN 0022-4928. Archived from the original on 8 March 2024. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
^ ^a ^b Beddoes, Benjamin (February 10, 2023). "A look back at the area's biggest February snowstorm". WHSV-TV. Archived from the original on February 1, 2024. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
^ Wise, Megan (December 7, 2023). "Top 5 biggest winter storms in Richmond's modern climate history". WWBT. Archived from the original on February 1, 2024. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
^ Martz, Michael (August 12, 2022). "IG: Virginia failed to prepare for unexpected with snow that crippled I-95". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Archived from the original on February 1, 2024. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
^ "Here are DC's 15 worst winter storms of all time". WUSA (TV). September 26, 2018. Archived from the original on June 30, 2022. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
^ Milenky, Elissa; Hayden, Betty (January 8, 1996). "Near-blizzard blankets VA.: Roanoke's 24-hour record falls". Virginia Tech Library. The Roanoke Times. Archived from the original on February 1, 2024. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
^ Thomas, Mike; Colucci, John (January 2, 2023). "A timeline of the snowiest blizzards in DC, Maryland and Virginia history". WTTG. Archived from the original on February 1, 2024. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
^ ^a ^b Zilnicki, Corinne (August 27, 2023). "40 Years Later: The Loss of the Marine Electric". The Maritime Executive. Archived from the original on September 23, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
^ ^a ^b Evans, Brooke (January 19, 2016). "The 10 Worst Winter Storms in DC History". NBC4 Washington. Archived from the original on January 17, 2024. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
^ Weil, Martin (February 11, 2023). "Saturday, warmer than average, was anniversary of a huge storm". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on March 19, 2023. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
^ ^a ^b ^c Coder, Tim (February 11, 1983). "A blizzard crippled the East Coast with nearly 2..." United Press International. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
^ ^a ^b "This Day in Weather History: February 11th". National Weather Service Aberdeen, South Dakota. Archived from the original on July 5, 2022. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
^ "Lancaster That Was: Winter's worst dropped two feet of snow on the county in 1983". Lancaster Online. January 11, 2015. Archived from the original on February 8, 2024. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
^ Taubman, Philip (January 6, 2023). "'I Protect Ronnie From Himself': How Nancy Reagan Used a Snowstorm to Help Thaw the Cold War". Politico. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
^ Tumulty, Karen (April 1, 2021). "How Nancy Reagan helped end the Cold War". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on November 18, 2022. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
^ "Historic western Massachusetts winter storms: Top 10 snowfall totals recorded since 1905". Masslive. February 8, 2013. Archived from the original on February 8, 2024. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
^ Jensen, Tim (February 13, 2023). "40 Years Ago: New England's Worst Blizzard And An Awful Rock Concert". Patch Media. Archived from the original on February 17, 2024. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
^ ^a ^b Lightstone, Helayne (February 13, 1983). "Concertgoers stranded". The Sunday Republican. p. 11. Archived from the original on March 17, 2024. Retrieved March 18, 2024 – via GenealogyBank.
^ Saulmon, Greg (January 27, 2015). "11 historic snow totals from Western Massachusetts winter storms". Masslive. Archived from the original on February 8, 2024. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
^ Zaffarano, Steve (February 10, 2020). "Blizzard of 1983: Crippling 22-inch 'Megalopolitan' storm; cars abandoned on the SIE". Staten Island Advance. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
^ "Biggest Snowstorms (One Foot or More) at Central Park (1869 to Present)" (PDF). National Weather Service. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 15, 2024. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
^ "Throwback Thursday: The Blizzard of '83". West Side Rag. December 28, 2017. Archived from the original on August 8, 2020. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
^ Gelber, Ben (2002). The Pennsylvania Weather Book. Rutgers University Press. p. 62. ISBN 9780813530567. Archived from the original on 2024-03-08. Retrieved 2024-02-10.
^ Dolce, Chris; Erdman, Jonathan (January 14, 2020). "Major Northeast Snowstorms Have a Distinct Seasonal Peak, And It Begins Now". Wunderground. Archived from the original on February 23, 2024. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
^ McFadden, Robert D. (February 12, 1983). "East hit hard by worst storm of winter". The New York Times. Archived from the original on February 8, 2024. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
^ "A Winter To Remember During The Winter Of 1982–83, El Nino Sent Warm, Moist Air Through The Northeastern United States. Temperatures Were Unusually Mild, But The Winter Was Eventful – 59.2 Inches Of Snow Fell In The Wilkes-barre Area". Times Leader. January 2, 1995. Archived from the original on February 17, 2024. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
^ Agee and Childs 2014, p. 1496.
^ Grazulis 2001a, pp. 251–4.
^ Edwards, Roger (March 5, 2015). "The Online Tornado FAQ (by Roger Edwards, SPC)". Storm Prediction Center: Frequently Asked Questions about Tornadoes. Storm Prediction Center. Archived from the original on March 2, 2012. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
^ Cook & Schaefer 2008, p. 3135.
^ Agee and Childs 2014, pp. 1497, 1503.
^ Grazulis 1993, p. 141.
^ Grazulis 2001a, p. 131.
^ Edwards et al. 2013, p. 641–642.
^ Edwards, Roger (March 5, 2015). "Enhanced F Scale for Tornado Damage". The Online Tornado FAQ (by Roger Edwards, SPC). Storm Prediction Center. Archived from the original on July 9, 2011. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
^ "Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF-Scale)". Environment and Climate Change Canada. Environment and Climate Change Canada. June 6, 2013. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
^ "The International Tornado Intensity Scale". Tornado and Storm Research Organisation. Tornado and Storm Research Organisation. 2016. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
^ Agee and Childs 2014, p. 1494.
^ Brooks 2004, p. 310.
^ Grazulis 1990, p. ix.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Storm Data 1983, p. 22.
^ Storm Data Publication 1983, #10141190
^ ^a ^b ^c Grazulis 1993, p. 1245.
^ Storm Data Publication 1983, #10141192
^ Storm Data Publication 1983, #10141193
^ Storm Data Publication 1983, #10141194
^ Storm Data Publication 1983, #10141195
^ Storm Data Publication 1983, #10141196
^ Storm Data Publication 1983, #10141197
^ ^a ^b Storm Data 1983, p. 18.
^ Storm Data Publication 1983, #10042881
^ Grazulis 1993, p. 1246.
^ Storm Data Publication 1983, #10042882
^ Storm Data Publication 1983, #10042883
^ Storm Data Publication 1983, #10042884
^ ^a ^b ^c Storm Data 1983, p. 16.
^ Storm Data Publication 1983, #10000881
^ Storm Data Publication 1983, #10000882
^ Storm Data Publication 1983, #10000886

Sources

Agee, Ernest M.; Childs, Samuel (June 1, 2014). "Adjustments in Tornado Counts, F-Scale Intensity, and Path Width for Assessing Significant Tornado Destruction". Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology. 53 (6). American Meteorological Society: 1494–1505. doi:10.1175/JAMC-D-13-0235.1.
Brooks, Harold E. (April 2004). "On the Relationship of Tornado Path Length and Width to Intensity". Weather and Forecasting. 19 (2): 310–19. Bibcode:2004WtFor..19..310B. doi:10.1175/1520-0434(2004)019<0310:OTROTP>2.0.CO;2.
Cook, A. R.; Schaefer, J. T. (August 2008). "The Relation of El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) to Winter Tornado Outbreaks". Monthly Weather Review. 136 (8): 3121–3137. Bibcode:2008MWRv..136.3121C. doi:10.1175/2007MWR2171.1.
Edwards, Roger; LaDue, James G.; Ferree, John T.; Scharfenberg, Kevin; Maier, Chris; Coulbourne, William L. (May 1, 2013). "Tornado Intensity Estimation: Past, Present, and Future". Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society. 94 (5). American Meteorological Society: 641–653. doi:10.1175/BAMS-D-11-00006.1.
Grazulis, Thomas P. (May 1984). Violent Tornado Climatography, 1880–1982. OSTI (Technical report). NUREG. Washington, D.C.: Nuclear Regulatory Commission. OSTI 7099491. CR-3670.
- — (November 1990). Significant Tornadoes 1880–1989. Vol. 2. St. Johnsbury, Vermont: The Tornado Project of Environmental Films. ISBN 1-879362-02-3.
- — (July 1993). Significant Tornadoes 1680–1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events. St. Johnsbury, Vermont: The Tornado Project of Environmental Films. ISBN 1-879362-03-1.
- — (2001a). The Tornado: Nature's Ultimate Windstorm. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press. ISBN 978-0-8061-3538-0.
- — (2001b). F5-F6 Tornadoes. St. Johnsbury, Vermont: The Tornado Project of Environmental Films.
National Weather Service (February 1983). Storm Data Publication (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information – via Storm Events Database.
National Weather Service (February 1983). "Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena". Storm Data. 25 (2). Asheville, North Carolina: National Climatic Data Center.

[Count-42] Historically, the number of tornadoes globally and in the United States was and is likely underrepresented: research by Grazulis on annual tornado activity suggests that, as of 2001, only 53% of yearly U.S. tornadoes were officially recorded. Documentation of tornadoes outside the United States was historically less exhaustive, owing to the lack of monitors in many nations and, in some cases, to internal political controls on public information.^[39] Most countries only recorded tornadoes that produced severe damage or loss of life.^[40] Significant low biases in U.S. tornado counts likely occurred through the early 1990s, when advanced NEXRAD was first installed and the National Weather Service began comprehensively verifying tornado occurrences.^[41]

[Fujita-50] The Fujita scale was devised under the aegis of scientist T. Theodore Fujita in the early 1970s. Prior to the advent of the scale in 1971, tornadoes in the United States were officially unrated.^[43]^[44] Tornado ratings were retroactively applied to events prior to the formal adoption of the F-scale by the National Weather Service.^[45] While the Fujita scale has been superseded by the Enhanced Fujita scale in the U.S. since February 1, 2007,^[46] Canada used the old scale until April 1, 2013;^[47] nations elsewhere, like the United Kingdom, apply other classifications such as the TORRO scale.^[48]

[Date/Time-51] All dates are based on the local time zone where the tornado touched down; however, all times are in Coordinated Universal Time for consistency.

[Coord-52] All starting coordinates are based on the NCEI database and may not reflect contemporary analyses

[Width-56] The listed width values are primarily the average/mean width of the tornadoes, with those having known maximum widths denoted by ♯. From 1952 to 1994, reports largely list mean width whereas contemporary years list maximum width.^[49] Values provided by Grazulis are the average width, with estimates being rounded down (i.e. 0.5 mi (0.80 km) is rounded down from 880 yards to 800 yards.^[50]^[51]

[NCEI-57] The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Storm Data publication does not list exact damage totals for every event, instead giving damage categories. As such, damage for individual tornadoes is not comprehensive.

[:3-1] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Smith, Christopher (February 11, 2021). "On This Day in 1983: Megapolitan Blizzard". WeatherBug. Archived from the original on February 1, 2024. Retrieved February 1, 2024.

[2] McFadden, Robert D. (February 13, 1983). "20-inch snowfall paralyzes much of Mid-Atlantic area; 25 die in sinking off Virginia". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on February 1, 2024. Retrieved February 1, 2024.

[3] "Blizzard of 1983 buries New York region with as many as 2 feet of snow". WABC-TV. February 12, 2020. Archived from the original on February 1, 2024. Retrieved February 1, 2024.

[4] Williams, Jack (June 12, 2015). "How the super El Nino of 1982–83 kept itself a secret". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on April 11, 2021. Retrieved February 8, 2024.

[5] Schwartz, Glenn (January 16, 2016). "'Hurricane' Schwartz: The blizzard explained". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on February 8, 2024. Retrieved February 8, 2024.

[:0-6] US Department of Commerce, NOAA. "Summary of the February 10 – 12th Nor'easter". National Weather Service Charleston, West Virginia. Archived from the original on February 1, 2024. Retrieved February 1, 2024.

[:1-7] Chang, Simon; Brehme, Katherine; Madala, Rangarao; Sashegyi, Keith (August 1, 1989). "A Numerical Study of the East Coast Snowstorm of 10–12 February 1983". American Meteorological Society. 117 (8): 1768–1778. doi:10.1175/1520-0493(1989)117<1768:ANSOTE>2.0.CO;2. ISSN 1520-0493. Archived from the original on 1 February 2024. Retrieved 1 February 2024.

[:8-8] Brandt, Ed (February 8, 1993). "The famed Blizzard of '83 buried the Baltimore area in almost 2 feet of snow". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on February 1, 2024. Retrieved February 1, 2024.

[:9-9] D'Anna, Eddie (February 11, 2015). "A look back: 32 years ago this week, 'Blizzard of 1983' dropped 22 inches of snow, left cars abandoned on SIE". Staten Island Advance. Archived from the original on June 25, 2022. Retrieved February 9, 2024.

[10] "Top Snow Storms". National Weather Service Charleston, West Virginia. Archived from the original on March 20, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2024.

[:6-11] "Record snow: Remembering 1983's Megapolitan Blizzard". WGAL. February 9, 2024. Archived from the original on February 10, 2024. Retrieved February 9, 2024.

[12] Gedzelman, Stanley David; Rosenbaum, Jeffrey Marc; Lawrence, James R. (June 15, 1989). "The Megalopolitan Snowstorm of 11–12 February 1983: Isotopic Composition of the Snow". Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences. 46 (12): 1637–1649. doi:10.1175/1520-0469(1989)046<1637:TMSOFI>2.0.CO;2. ISSN 0022-4928. Archived from the original on 8 March 2024. Retrieved 9 February 2024.

[:2-13] Beddoes, Benjamin (February 10, 2023). "A look back at the area's biggest February snowstorm". WHSV-TV. Archived from the original on February 1, 2024. Retrieved February 1, 2024.

[14] Wise, Megan (December 7, 2023). "Top 5 biggest winter storms in Richmond's modern climate history". WWBT. Archived from the original on February 1, 2024. Retrieved February 1, 2024.

[15] Martz, Michael (August 12, 2022). "IG: Virginia failed to prepare for unexpected with snow that crippled I-95". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Archived from the original on February 1, 2024. Retrieved February 1, 2024.

[16] "Here are DC's 15 worst winter storms of all time". WUSA (TV). September 26, 2018. Archived from the original on June 30, 2022. Retrieved February 1, 2024.

[17] Milenky, Elissa; Hayden, Betty (January 8, 1996). "Near-blizzard blankets VA.: Roanoke's 24-hour record falls". Virginia Tech Library. The Roanoke Times. Archived from the original on February 1, 2024. Retrieved February 1, 2024.

[18] Thomas, Mike; Colucci, John (January 2, 2023). "A timeline of the snowiest blizzards in DC, Maryland and Virginia history". WTTG. Archived from the original on February 1, 2024. Retrieved February 1, 2024.

[:11-19] Zilnicki, Corinne (August 27, 2023). "40 Years Later: The Loss of the Marine Electric". The Maritime Executive. Archived from the original on September 23, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2024.

[:4-20] Evans, Brooke (January 19, 2016). "The 10 Worst Winter Storms in DC History". NBC4 Washington. Archived from the original on January 17, 2024. Retrieved February 9, 2024.

[21] Weil, Martin (February 11, 2023). "Saturday, warmer than average, was anniversary of a huge storm". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on March 19, 2023. Retrieved February 8, 2024.

[:5-22] Coder, Tim (February 11, 1983). "A blizzard crippled the East Coast with nearly 2..." United Press International. Retrieved February 9, 2024.

[:7-23] "This Day in Weather History: February 11th". National Weather Service Aberdeen, South Dakota. Archived from the original on July 5, 2022. Retrieved February 9, 2024.

[24] "Lancaster That Was: Winter's worst dropped two feet of snow on the county in 1983". Lancaster Online. January 11, 2015. Archived from the original on February 8, 2024. Retrieved February 8, 2024.

[25] Taubman, Philip (January 6, 2023). "'I Protect Ronnie From Himself': How Nancy Reagan Used a Snowstorm to Help Thaw the Cold War". Politico. Retrieved February 8, 2024.

[26] Tumulty, Karen (April 1, 2021). "How Nancy Reagan helped end the Cold War". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on November 18, 2022. Retrieved February 8, 2024.

[27] "Historic western Massachusetts winter storms: Top 10 snowfall totals recorded since 1905". Masslive. February 8, 2013. Archived from the original on February 8, 2024. Retrieved February 8, 2024.

[28] Jensen, Tim (February 13, 2023). "40 Years Ago: New England's Worst Blizzard And An Awful Rock Concert". Patch Media. Archived from the original on February 17, 2024. Retrieved February 9, 2024.

[:10-29] Lightstone, Helayne (February 13, 1983). "Concertgoers stranded". The Sunday Republican. p. 11. Archived from the original on March 17, 2024. Retrieved March 18, 2024 – via GenealogyBank.

[30] Saulmon, Greg (January 27, 2015). "11 historic snow totals from Western Massachusetts winter storms". Masslive. Archived from the original on February 8, 2024. Retrieved February 8, 2024.

[31] Zaffarano, Steve (February 10, 2020). "Blizzard of 1983: Crippling 22-inch 'Megalopolitan' storm; cars abandoned on the SIE". Staten Island Advance. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2024.

[32] "Biggest Snowstorms (One Foot or More) at Central Park (1869 to Present)" (PDF). National Weather Service. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 15, 2024. Retrieved February 9, 2024.

[33] "Throwback Thursday: The Blizzard of '83". West Side Rag. December 28, 2017. Archived from the original on August 8, 2020. Retrieved February 9, 2024.

[34] Gelber, Ben (2002). The Pennsylvania Weather Book. Rutgers University Press. p. 62. ISBN 9780813530567. Archived from the original on 2024-03-08. Retrieved 2024-02-10.

[35] Dolce, Chris; Erdman, Jonathan (January 14, 2020). "Major Northeast Snowstorms Have a Distinct Seasonal Peak, And It Begins Now". Wunderground. Archived from the original on February 23, 2024. Retrieved February 9, 2024.

[36] McFadden, Robert D. (February 12, 1983). "East hit hard by worst storm of winter". The New York Times. Archived from the original on February 8, 2024. Retrieved February 8, 2024.

[37] "A Winter To Remember During The Winter Of 1982–83, El Nino Sent Warm, Moist Air Through The Northeastern United States. Temperatures Were Unusually Mild, But The Winter Was Eventful – 59.2 Inches Of Snow Fell In The Wilkes-barre Area". Times Leader. January 2, 1995. Archived from the original on February 17, 2024. Retrieved February 9, 2024.

[FOOTNOTEAgee_and_Childs20141496-38] Agee and Childs 2014, p. 1496.

[FOOTNOTEGrazulis2001a[httpsarchiveorgdetailstornadonaturesul0000grazpage251_251]–[httpsarchiveorgdetailstornadonaturesul0000grazpage254_4]-39] Grazulis 2001a, pp. 251–4.

[TornadoClimaFAQ-40] Edwards, Roger (March 5, 2015). "The Online Tornado FAQ (by Roger Edwards, SPC)". Storm Prediction Center: Frequently Asked Questions about Tornadoes. Storm Prediction Center. Archived from the original on March 2, 2012. Retrieved February 25, 2016.

[FOOTNOTECookSchaefer20083135-41] Cook & Schaefer 2008, p. 3135.

[FOOTNOTEAgee_and_Childs20141497,_1503-43] Agee and Childs 2014, pp. 1497, 1503.

[FOOTNOTEGrazulis1993141-44] Grazulis 1993, p. 141.

[FOOTNOTEGrazulis2001a[httpsarchiveorgdetailstornadonaturesul0000grazpage131_131]-45] Grazulis 2001a, p. 131.

[FOOTNOTEEdwards_et_al.2013641–642-46] Edwards et al. 2013, p. 641–642.

[EFscale-47] Edwards, Roger (March 5, 2015). "Enhanced F Scale for Tornado Damage". The Online Tornado FAQ (by Roger Edwards, SPC). Storm Prediction Center. Archived from the original on July 9, 2011. Retrieved February 25, 2016.

[FscaleCanada-48] "Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF-Scale)". Environment and Climate Change Canada. Environment and Climate Change Canada. June 6, 2013. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2016.

[TORROscale-49] "The International Tornado Intensity Scale". Tornado and Storm Research Organisation. Tornado and Storm Research Organisation. 2016. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2016.

[FOOTNOTEAgee_and_Childs20141494-53] Agee and Childs 2014, p. 1494.

[FOOTNOTEBrooks2004310-54] Brooks 2004, p. 310.

[FOOTNOTEGrazulis1990ix-55] Grazulis 1990, p. ix.

[FOOTNOTEStorm_Data198322-58] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Storm Data 1983, p. 22.

[NCEINewWaverly-59] Storm Data Publication 1983, #10141190

[FOOTNOTEGrazulis19931245-60] Grazulis 1993, p. 1245.

[NCEIHouston1-61] Storm Data Publication 1983, #10141192

[NCEIPasadena-62] Storm Data Publication 1983, #10141193

[NCEIHouston2-63] Storm Data Publication 1983, #10141194

[NCEIHuntsville-64] Storm Data Publication 1983, #10141195

[NCEIColdspring-65] Storm Data Publication 1983, #10141196

[NCEIManvel-66] Storm Data Publication 1983, #10141197

[FOOTNOTEStorm_Data198318-67] Storm Data 1983, p. 18.

[NCEIEunice-68] Storm Data Publication 1983, #10042881

[FOOTNOTEGrazulis19931246-69] Grazulis 1993, p. 1246.

[NCEIChurchPoint1-70] Storm Data Publication 1983, #10042882

[NCEIChurchPoint2-71] Storm Data Publication 1983, #10042883

[NCEIChurchPoint3-72] Storm Data Publication 1983, #10042884

[FOOTNOTEStorm_Data198316-73] Storm Data 1983, p. 16.

[NCEISWMiami-74] Storm Data Publication 1983, #10000881

[NCEIHollywood-75] Storm Data Publication 1983, #10000882

[NCEIWPB-76] Storm Data Publication 1983, #10000886

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 === Mid-Atlantic ===
 [[File:Marine Electric.jpg|thumb|The [[SS Marine Electric]] pictured before its sinking. The cyclone caused the merchant ship to submerge on February 12, causing at least 31 deaths.]]
-In preparation of the blizzard in [[Virginia]], [[Eastern Mennonite University]] and [[James Madison University]] were closed, with the latter cancelling its classes for the first time since the [[Ash Wednesday Storm of 1962]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Beddoes |first=Benjamin |date=February 10, 2023 |title=A look back at the area’s biggest February snowstorm |url=https://www.whsv.com/2023/02/10/look-back-areas-biggest-february-snowstorm/ |access-date=February 1, 2024 |website=[[WHSV-TV]] |language=en |archive-date=February 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240201033004/https://www.whsv.com/2023/02/10/look-back-areas-biggest-february-snowstorm/ |url-status=live }}</ref> At [[Richmond International Airport]] in [[Richmond, Virginia|Richmond]], {{Convert|17.7|in|cm}} of snow fell, which is the third-highest snow accumulation in the city.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wise |first=Megan |date=December 7, 2023 |title=Top 5 biggest winter storms in Richmond’s modern climate history |url=https://www.12onyourside.com/2023/12/07/top-5-biggest-winter-storms-richmonds-modern-climate-history/ |access-date=February 1, 2024 |website=[[WWBT]] |language=en |archive-date=February 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240201033004/https://www.12onyourside.com/2023/12/07/top-5-biggest-winter-storms-richmonds-modern-climate-history/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Martz |first=Michael |date=August 12, 2022 |title=IG: Virginia failed to prepare for unexpected with snow that crippled I-95 |url=https://richmond.com/news/state-and-regional/ig-virginia-failed-to-prepare-for-unexpected-with-snow-that-crippled-i-95/article_91e21255-0363-5908-acfa-640d29921fbf.html |access-date=February 1, 2024 |website=[[Richmond Times-Dispatch]] |language=en |archive-date=February 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240201175851/https://richmond.com/news/state-and-regional/ig-virginia-failed-to-prepare-for-unexpected-with-snow-that-crippled-i-95/article_91e21255-0363-5908-acfa-640d29921fbf.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Daily snowfall records were set in [[Lynchburg, Virginia|Lynchburg]] and [[Roanoke, Virginia|Roanoke]], where {{Convert|14.6|in|cm}} and {{Convert|18.4|in|cm}} of snow fell in 24 hours, respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 26, 2018 |title=Here are DC's 15 worst winter storms of all time |url=https://www.wusa9.com/article/weather/weather-blog/here-are-dcs-15-worst-winter-storms-of-all-time/65-598322161 |access-date=February 1, 2024 |website=[[WUSA (TV)]] |language=en-US |archive-date=June 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630161238/https://www.wusa9.com/article/weather/weather-blog/here-are-dcs-15-worst-winter-storms-of-all-time/65-598322161 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Milenky |first=Elissa |last2=Hayden |first2=Betty |date=January 8, 1996 |title=Near-blizzard blankets VA.: Roanoke's 24-hour record falls |url=https://scholar.lib.vt.edu/VA-news/ROA-Times/issues/1996/rt9601/960108/01080029.htm |access-date=February 1, 2024 |website=Virginia Tech Library |place=[[The Roanoke Times]] |archive-date=February 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240201182419/https://scholar.lib.vt.edu/VA-news/ROA-Times/issues/1996/rt9601/960108/01080029.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The heaviest snow fell in [[Woodstock, Virginia|Woodstock]], where {{Convert|32|in|cm}} of snow accumulated.<ref name=":2" /> The cyclone caused the [[SS Marine Electric]], a merchant ship, to capsize, killing 31 of the 34 onboard and prompting an investigation into the incident and the ship's design itself prior to the sinking by the [[United States Coast Guard]]'s board of inquiry.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Mike |last2=Colucci |first2=John |date=January 2, 2023 |title=A timeline of the snowiest blizzards in DC, Maryland and Virginia history |url=https://www.fox5dc.com/weather/a-timeline-of-the-snowiest-blizzards-in-dc-maryland-and-virginia-history-snow-2016-2003-1996-blizzard |access-date=February 1, 2024 |website=[[WTTG]] |language=en-US |archive-date=February 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240201161807/https://www.fox5dc.com/weather/a-timeline-of-the-snowiest-blizzards-in-dc-maryland-and-virginia-history-snow-2016-2003-1996-blizzard |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":11">{{Cite web |last=Zilnicki |first=Corinne |date=August 27, 2023 |title=40 Years Later: The Loss of the Marine Electric |url=https://maritime-executive.com/editorials/marine-electric-the-wreck-that-changed-the-coast-guard-forever |access-date=March 18, 2024 |website=The Maritime Executive |language=en}}</ref> As a result of the sinking, the Coast Guard's inspection procedures were modified and new additions and requirements were introduced to the maritime law enforcement's marine safety guideline.<ref name=":11" />
+In preparation of the blizzard in [[Virginia]], [[Eastern Mennonite University]] and [[James Madison University]] were closed, with the latter cancelling its classes for the first time since the [[Ash Wednesday Storm of 1962]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Beddoes |first=Benjamin |date=February 10, 2023 |title=A look back at the area’s biggest February snowstorm |url=https://www.whsv.com/2023/02/10/look-back-areas-biggest-february-snowstorm/ |access-date=February 1, 2024 |website=[[WHSV-TV]] |language=en |archive-date=February 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240201033004/https://www.whsv.com/2023/02/10/look-back-areas-biggest-february-snowstorm/ |url-status=live }}</ref> At [[Richmond International Airport]] in [[Richmond, Virginia|Richmond]], {{Convert|17.7|in|cm}} of snow fell, which is the third-highest snow accumulation in the city.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wise |first=Megan |date=December 7, 2023 |title=Top 5 biggest winter storms in Richmond’s modern climate history |url=https://www.12onyourside.com/2023/12/07/top-5-biggest-winter-storms-richmonds-modern-climate-history/ |access-date=February 1, 2024 |website=[[WWBT]] |language=en |archive-date=February 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240201033004/https://www.12onyourside.com/2023/12/07/top-5-biggest-winter-storms-richmonds-modern-climate-history/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Martz |first=Michael |date=August 12, 2022 |title=IG: Virginia failed to prepare for unexpected with snow that crippled I-95 |url=https://richmond.com/news/state-and-regional/ig-virginia-failed-to-prepare-for-unexpected-with-snow-that-crippled-i-95/article_91e21255-0363-5908-acfa-640d29921fbf.html |access-date=February 1, 2024 |website=[[Richmond Times-Dispatch]] |language=en |archive-date=February 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240201175851/https://richmond.com/news/state-and-regional/ig-virginia-failed-to-prepare-for-unexpected-with-snow-that-crippled-i-95/article_91e21255-0363-5908-acfa-640d29921fbf.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Daily snowfall records were set in [[Lynchburg, Virginia|Lynchburg]] and [[Roanoke, Virginia|Roanoke]], where {{Convert|14.6|in|cm}} and {{Convert|18.4|in|cm}} of snow fell in 24 hours, respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 26, 2018 |title=Here are DC's 15 worst winter storms of all time |url=https://www.wusa9.com/article/weather/weather-blog/here-are-dcs-15-worst-winter-storms-of-all-time/65-598322161 |access-date=February 1, 2024 |website=[[WUSA (TV)]] |language=en-US |archive-date=June 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630161238/https://www.wusa9.com/article/weather/weather-blog/here-are-dcs-15-worst-winter-storms-of-all-time/65-598322161 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Milenky |first=Elissa |last2=Hayden |first2=Betty |date=January 8, 1996 |title=Near-blizzard blankets VA.: Roanoke's 24-hour record falls |url=https://scholar.lib.vt.edu/VA-news/ROA-Times/issues/1996/rt9601/960108/01080029.htm |access-date=February 1, 2024 |website=Virginia Tech Library |place=[[The Roanoke Times]] |archive-date=February 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240201182419/https://scholar.lib.vt.edu/VA-news/ROA-Times/issues/1996/rt9601/960108/01080029.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The heaviest snow fell in [[Woodstock, Virginia|Woodstock]], where {{Convert|32|in|cm}} of snow accumulated.<ref name=":2" /> The cyclone caused the [[SS Marine Electric]], a merchant ship, to capsize, killing 31 of the 34 onboard and prompting an investigation into the incident and the ship's design itself prior to the sinking by the [[United States Coast Guard]]'s board of inquiry.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Mike |last2=Colucci |first2=John |date=January 2, 2023 |title=A timeline of the snowiest blizzards in DC, Maryland and Virginia history |url=https://www.fox5dc.com/weather/a-timeline-of-the-snowiest-blizzards-in-dc-maryland-and-virginia-history-snow-2016-2003-1996-blizzard |access-date=February 1, 2024 |website=[[WTTG]] |language=en-US |archive-date=February 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240201161807/https://www.fox5dc.com/weather/a-timeline-of-the-snowiest-blizzards-in-dc-maryland-and-virginia-history-snow-2016-2003-1996-blizzard |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":11">{{Cite web |last=Zilnicki |first=Corinne |date=August 27, 2023 |title=40 Years Later: The Loss of the Marine Electric |url=https://maritime-executive.com/editorials/marine-electric-the-wreck-that-changed-the-coast-guard-forever |access-date=March 18, 2024 |website=The Maritime Executive |language=en |archive-date=September 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923033845/https://maritime-executive.com/editorials/marine-electric-the-wreck-that-changed-the-coast-guard-forever |url-status=live }}</ref> As a result of the sinking, the Coast Guard's inspection procedures were modified and new additions and requirements were introduced to the maritime law enforcement's marine safety guideline.<ref name=":11" />
 In [[Maryland]], {{Convert|22.8|in|cm}} of snow fell in [[Baltimore]], which was the second-highest snowfall after the [[Knickerbocker storm]] in 1922.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=Brandt |first=Ed |date=February 8, 1993 |title=The famed Blizzard of ’83 buried the Baltimore area in almost 2 feet of snow |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1993/02/08/the-famed-blizzard-of-83-buried-the-baltimore-area-in-almost-2-feet-of-snow/ |access-date=February 1, 2024 |website=[[The Baltimore Sun]] |language=en-US |archive-date=February 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240201182418/https://www.baltimoresun.com/1993/02/08/the-famed-blizzard-of-83-buried-the-baltimore-area-in-almost-2-feet-of-snow/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Some areas in [[Frederick County, Maryland|Frederick]] and [[Montgomery County, Maryland|Montgomery]] counties in Maryland had their heaviest snowfall on record.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Evans |first=Brooke |date=January 19, 2016 |title=The 10 Worst Winter Storms in DC History |url=https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/ten-worst-storms-in-dc-history/60569/ |access-date=February 9, 2024 |website=[[NBC4 Washington]] |language=en-US |archive-date=January 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117042406/https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/ten-worst-storms-in-dc-history/60569/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In Washington, D.C., {{Convert|16.4|in|cm}} of snow fell, closing [[Baltimore/Washington International Airport]], [[Dulles International Airport]], and [[Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport]] and shutting down the [[Washington Metro]].<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Weil |first=Martin |date=February 11, 2023 |title=Saturday, warmer than average, was anniversary of a huge storm |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/02/11/washintgon-warm-blizzard-historic-anniversary/ |access-date=February 8, 2024 |work=[[The Washington Post]] |archive-date=March 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319182658/https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/02/11/washintgon-warm-blizzard-historic-anniversary/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Numerous vehicle accidents occurred in [[West Virginia]], as there were more than 34,000 homes without power across [[Charleston, West Virginia|Charleston]] and [[Pineville, West Virginia|Pineville]].<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Coder |first=Tim |date=February 11, 1983 |title=A blizzard crippled the East Coast with nearly 2... |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1983/02/11/A-blizzard-crippled-the-East-Coast-with-nearly-2/8310413787600/ |access-date=February 9, 2024 |website=[[United Press International]] |language=en}}</ref> The highest snow accumulation from the blizzard fell in [[Glen Cary, West Virginia|Glen Cary]], West Virginia, where {{Convert|35|in|cm}} of snow accumulated.<ref name=":3" /> In [[Windsor Locks, West Virginia|Windsor Locks]], West Virginia, a record {{Convert|19|in|cm}} of snow fell in 12 hours.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |title=This Day in Weather History: February 11th |url=https://www.weather.gov/abr/This_Day_in_Weather_History_Feb_11 |access-date=February 9, 2024 |website=National Weather Service Aberdeen, South Dakota |language=EN-US |archive-date=July 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705063031/https://www.weather.gov/abr/This_Day_in_Weather_History_Feb_11 |url-status=live }}</ref>
@@ Line 47: / Line 47: @@
 === Northeastern United States ===
 [[File: February 1983 nor'easter NESIS map.jpg|thumb|Snowfall totals across the [[Mid-Atlantic (region)|Mid-Atlantic]] and Northeastern United States from the blizzard]]
-In [[Lancaster, Pennsylvania]], the snow prompted firefighters and emergency management to sleep in the fire department's halls to prepare for emergencies.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 11, 2015 |title=Lancaster That Was: Winter's worst dropped two feet of snow on the county in 1983 |url=https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/lancaster-that-was-winters-worst-dropped-two-feet-of-snow-on-the-county-in-1983/article_c4f014fa-95b5-11e4-9646-efc2442b89e8.html |access-date=February 8, 2024 |website=[[Lancaster Online]] |language=en |archive-date=February 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240208173814/https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/lancaster-that-was-winters-worst-dropped-two-feet-of-snow-on-the-county-in-1983/article_c4f014fa-95b5-11e4-9646-efc2442b89e8.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On February 11, the heavy snowfall also cancelled [[Ronald Reagan|Ronald]] and [[Nancy Reagan]]'s trip to [[Camp David]], in which [[George Shultz]] was invited for dinner and marked the beginning of the end of the [[Cold War]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Taubman |first=Philip |date=January 6, 2023 |title=‘I Protect Ronnie From Himself’: How Nancy Reagan Used a Snowstorm to Help Thaw the Cold War |url=https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/01/06/george-shultz-nancy-reagan-cold-war-00076583 |access-date=February 8, 2024 |website=[[Politico]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Tumulty |first=Karen |date=April 1, 2021 |title=How Nancy Reagan helped end the Cold War |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/04/01/nancy-reagan-ronald-cold-war/ |access-date=February 8, 2024 |work=[[The Washington Post]] |archive-date=November 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221118041543/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/04/01/nancy-reagan-ronald-cold-war/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The blizzard also produced {{Convert|21|in|cm}} in [[Springfield, Massachusetts]], the third-highest snowfall total there since 1905 as of 2013,<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 8, 2013 |title=Historic western Massachusetts winter storms: Top 10 snowfall totals recorded since 1905 |url=https://www.masslive.com/news/2013/02/historic_winter_storm_top_10_s.html |access-date=February 8, 2024 |website=[[Masslive]] |language=en |archive-date=February 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240208192229/https://www.masslive.com/news/2013/02/historic_winter_storm_top_10_s.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and resulted in thousands of people being stranded at an [[Aerosmith]] concert.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jensen |first=Tim |date=February 13, 2023 |title=40 Years Ago: New England's Worst Blizzard And An Awful Rock Concert |url=https://patch.com/connecticut/enfield/40-years-ago-new-englands-worst-blizzard-awful-rock-concert |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240217003740/https://patch.com/connecticut/enfield/40-years-ago-new-englands-worst-blizzard-awful-rock-concert |archive-date=February 17, 2024 |access-date=February 9, 2024 |website=[[Patch Media]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":10">{{Cite news |last=Lightstone |first=Helayne |date=February 13, 1983 |title=Concertgoers stranded |url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/concertgoers-stranded/clpeacgkwlizsrfygvfqitrgdkfzikod_ip-10-166-46-125_1710660338284 |access-date=March 18, 2024 |work=The Sunday Republican |pages=11 |via=[[GenealogyBank]]}}</ref> The concert itself was delayed by more than an hour after the band's lead singer [[Steven Tyler]] arrived late because of the blizzard.<ref name=":10" /> The blizzard produced the same snowfall total in Springfield, Massachusetts at [[Bradley International Airport]] in [[Hartford, Connecticut]], which is recorded as the fourth-highest snowfall total there as of 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Saulmon |first=Greg |date=January 27, 2015 |title=11 historic snow totals from Western Massachusetts winter storms |url=https://www.masslive.com/news/2015/01/top_western_massachusetts_snow.html |access-date=February 8, 2024 |website=[[Masslive]] |language=en |archive-date=February 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240208192229/https://www.masslive.com/news/2015/01/top_western_massachusetts_snow.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Hundreds of vehicles were abandoned on the [[Staten Island Expressway]] as heavy snowfall rates occurred and up to {{Convert|22|in|cm}} of snow fell.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |last=D'Anna |first=Eddie |date=February 11, 2015 |title=A look back: 32 years ago this week, 'Blizzard of 1983' dropped 22 inches of snow, left cars abandoned on SIE |url=https://www.silive.com/news/2015/02/a_look_back_32_years_ago_this.html |access-date=February 9, 2024 |website=[[Staten Island Advance]] |language=en |archive-date=June 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625231016/https://www.silive.com/news/2015/02/a_look_back_32_years_ago_this.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Zaffarano |first=Steve |date=February 10, 2020 |title=Blizzard of 1983: Crippling 22-inch ‘Megalopolitan’ storm; cars abandoned on the SIE |url=https://www.silive.com/news/j66j-2020/02/90067567955199/blizzard-of-1983-crippling-22inch-megalopolitan-storm-cars-abandoned-on-the-sie-.html |access-date=February 9, 2024 |website=[[Staten Island Advance]] |language=en |archive-date=March 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331062727/https://www.silive.com/news/j66j-2020/02/90067567955199/blizzard-of-1983-crippling-22inch-megalopolitan-storm-cars-abandoned-on-the-sie-.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In [[Central Park]], {{Convert|17.6|in|cm}} of snow fell, which is the thirteenth-highest snowfall accumulation there since 1869 as of 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Biggest Snowstorms (One Foot or More) at Central Park (1869 to Present) |url=https://www.weather.gov/media/okx/Climate/CentralPark/BiggestSnowstorms.pdf |access-date=February 9, 2024 |website=[[National Weather Service]] |archive-date=February 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240215103734/https://www.weather.gov/media/okx/Climate/CentralPark/BiggestSnowstorms.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=December 28, 2017 |title=Throwback Thursday: The Blizzard of ’83 |url=https://www.westsiderag.com/2017/12/28/throwback-thursday-the-blizzard-of-83-2 |access-date=February 9, 2024 |website=West Side Rag |language=en-US |archive-date=August 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808235909/https://www.westsiderag.com/2017/12/28/throwback-thursday-the-blizzard-of-83-2 |url-status=live }}</ref> Twenty-four-hour snowfall records were set in [[Allentown, Pennsylvania|Allentown]], [[Harrisburg, Pennsylvania|Harrisburg]], and [[Philadelphia]], with all three cities receiving more than {{Convert|20|in|cm}} of snow.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":7" /> In Allentown and [[Bethlehem, Pennsylvania|Bethlehem]], {{Convert|5|in|cm}} of snow fell in one hour.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gelber |first=Ben |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Pennsylvania_Weather_Book/34RKv9fMFo4C?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=february+1983+blizzard&pg=PP84&printsec=frontcover |title=The Pennsylvania Weather Book |publisher=[[Rutgers University Press]] |year=2002 |isbn=9780813530567 |page=62 |language= |access-date=2024-02-10 |archive-date=2024-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308171814/https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Pennsylvania_Weather_Book/34RKv9fMFo4C?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=february+1983+blizzard&pg=PP84&printsec=frontcover |url-status=live }}</ref> At [[Harrisburg International Airport]], {{Convert|25|in|cm}} of snow fell, which is the second-highest snow accumulation across the [[Susquehanna Valley]].<ref name=":6" /> Lightning also occurred during the blizzard in some areas across the Northeast.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dolce |first=Chris |last2=Erdman |first2=Jonathan |date=January 14, 2020 |title=Major Northeast Snowstorms Have a Distinct Seasonal Peak, And It Begins Now |url=https://www.wunderground.com/article/storms/winter/news/northeast-winter-storms-january-february-peak |access-date=February 9, 2024 |website=[[Wunderground]] |language=en |archive-date=February 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240223180821/https://www.wunderground.com/article/storms/winter/news/northeast-winter-storms-january-february-peak |url-status=live }}</ref>
+In [[Lancaster, Pennsylvania]], the snow prompted firefighters and emergency management to sleep in the fire department's halls to prepare for emergencies.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 11, 2015 |title=Lancaster That Was: Winter's worst dropped two feet of snow on the county in 1983 |url=https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/lancaster-that-was-winters-worst-dropped-two-feet-of-snow-on-the-county-in-1983/article_c4f014fa-95b5-11e4-9646-efc2442b89e8.html |access-date=February 8, 2024 |website=[[Lancaster Online]] |language=en |archive-date=February 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240208173814/https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/lancaster-that-was-winters-worst-dropped-two-feet-of-snow-on-the-county-in-1983/article_c4f014fa-95b5-11e4-9646-efc2442b89e8.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On February 11, the heavy snowfall also cancelled [[Ronald Reagan|Ronald]] and [[Nancy Reagan]]'s trip to [[Camp David]], in which [[George Shultz]] was invited for dinner and marked the beginning of the end of the [[Cold War]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Taubman |first=Philip |date=January 6, 2023 |title=‘I Protect Ronnie From Himself’: How Nancy Reagan Used a Snowstorm to Help Thaw the Cold War |url=https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/01/06/george-shultz-nancy-reagan-cold-war-00076583 |access-date=February 8, 2024 |website=[[Politico]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Tumulty |first=Karen |date=April 1, 2021 |title=How Nancy Reagan helped end the Cold War |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/04/01/nancy-reagan-ronald-cold-war/ |access-date=February 8, 2024 |work=[[The Washington Post]] |archive-date=November 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221118041543/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/04/01/nancy-reagan-ronald-cold-war/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The blizzard also produced {{Convert|21|in|cm}} in [[Springfield, Massachusetts]], the third-highest snowfall total there since 1905 as of 2013,<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 8, 2013 |title=Historic western Massachusetts winter storms: Top 10 snowfall totals recorded since 1905 |url=https://www.masslive.com/news/2013/02/historic_winter_storm_top_10_s.html |access-date=February 8, 2024 |website=[[Masslive]] |language=en |archive-date=February 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240208192229/https://www.masslive.com/news/2013/02/historic_winter_storm_top_10_s.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and resulted in thousands of people being stranded at an [[Aerosmith]] concert.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jensen |first=Tim |date=February 13, 2023 |title=40 Years Ago: New England's Worst Blizzard And An Awful Rock Concert |url=https://patch.com/connecticut/enfield/40-years-ago-new-englands-worst-blizzard-awful-rock-concert |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240217003740/https://patch.com/connecticut/enfield/40-years-ago-new-englands-worst-blizzard-awful-rock-concert |archive-date=February 17, 2024 |access-date=February 9, 2024 |website=[[Patch Media]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":10">{{Cite news |last=Lightstone |first=Helayne |date=February 13, 1983 |title=Concertgoers stranded |url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/concertgoers-stranded/clpeacgkwlizsrfygvfqitrgdkfzikod_ip-10-166-46-125_1710660338284 |access-date=March 18, 2024 |work=The Sunday Republican |pages=11 |via=[[GenealogyBank]] |archive-date=March 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240317073310/https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/concertgoers-stranded/clpeacgkwlizsrfygvfqitrgdkfzikod_ip-10-166-46-125_1710660338284 |url-status=live }}</ref> The concert itself was delayed by more than an hour after the band's lead singer [[Steven Tyler]] arrived late because of the blizzard.<ref name=":10" /> The blizzard produced the same snowfall total in Springfield, Massachusetts at [[Bradley International Airport]] in [[Hartford, Connecticut]], which is recorded as the fourth-highest snowfall total there as of 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Saulmon |first=Greg |date=January 27, 2015 |title=11 historic snow totals from Western Massachusetts winter storms |url=https://www.masslive.com/news/2015/01/top_western_massachusetts_snow.html |access-date=February 8, 2024 |website=[[Masslive]] |language=en |archive-date=February 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240208192229/https://www.masslive.com/news/2015/01/top_western_massachusetts_snow.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Hundreds of vehicles were abandoned on the [[Staten Island Expressway]] as heavy snowfall rates occurred and up to {{Convert|22|in|cm}} of snow fell.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |last=D'Anna |first=Eddie |date=February 11, 2015 |title=A look back: 32 years ago this week, 'Blizzard of 1983' dropped 22 inches of snow, left cars abandoned on SIE |url=https://www.silive.com/news/2015/02/a_look_back_32_years_ago_this.html |access-date=February 9, 2024 |website=[[Staten Island Advance]] |language=en |archive-date=June 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625231016/https://www.silive.com/news/2015/02/a_look_back_32_years_ago_this.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Zaffarano |first=Steve |date=February 10, 2020 |title=Blizzard of 1983: Crippling 22-inch ‘Megalopolitan’ storm; cars abandoned on the SIE |url=https://www.silive.com/news/j66j-2020/02/90067567955199/blizzard-of-1983-crippling-22inch-megalopolitan-storm-cars-abandoned-on-the-sie-.html |access-date=February 9, 2024 |website=[[Staten Island Advance]] |language=en |archive-date=March 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331062727/https://www.silive.com/news/j66j-2020/02/90067567955199/blizzard-of-1983-crippling-22inch-megalopolitan-storm-cars-abandoned-on-the-sie-.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In [[Central Park]], {{Convert|17.6|in|cm}} of snow fell, which is the thirteenth-highest snowfall accumulation there since 1869 as of 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Biggest Snowstorms (One Foot or More) at Central Park (1869 to Present) |url=https://www.weather.gov/media/okx/Climate/CentralPark/BiggestSnowstorms.pdf |access-date=February 9, 2024 |website=[[National Weather Service]] |archive-date=February 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240215103734/https://www.weather.gov/media/okx/Climate/CentralPark/BiggestSnowstorms.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=December 28, 2017 |title=Throwback Thursday: The Blizzard of ’83 |url=https://www.westsiderag.com/2017/12/28/throwback-thursday-the-blizzard-of-83-2 |access-date=February 9, 2024 |website=West Side Rag |language=en-US |archive-date=August 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808235909/https://www.westsiderag.com/2017/12/28/throwback-thursday-the-blizzard-of-83-2 |url-status=live }}</ref> Twenty-four-hour snowfall records were set in [[Allentown, Pennsylvania|Allentown]], [[Harrisburg, Pennsylvania|Harrisburg]], and [[Philadelphia]], with all three cities receiving more than {{Convert|20|in|cm}} of snow.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":7" /> In Allentown and [[Bethlehem, Pennsylvania|Bethlehem]], {{Convert|5|in|cm}} of snow fell in one hour.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gelber |first=Ben |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Pennsylvania_Weather_Book/34RKv9fMFo4C?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=february+1983+blizzard&pg=PP84&printsec=frontcover |title=The Pennsylvania Weather Book |publisher=[[Rutgers University Press]] |year=2002 |isbn=9780813530567 |page=62 |language= |access-date=2024-02-10 |archive-date=2024-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308171814/https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Pennsylvania_Weather_Book/34RKv9fMFo4C?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=february+1983+blizzard&pg=PP84&printsec=frontcover |url-status=live }}</ref> At [[Harrisburg International Airport]], {{Convert|25|in|cm}} of snow fell, which is the second-highest snow accumulation across the [[Susquehanna Valley]].<ref name=":6" /> Lightning also occurred during the blizzard in some areas across the Northeast.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dolce |first=Chris |last2=Erdman |first2=Jonathan |date=January 14, 2020 |title=Major Northeast Snowstorms Have a Distinct Seasonal Peak, And It Begins Now |url=https://www.wunderground.com/article/storms/winter/news/northeast-winter-storms-january-february-peak |access-date=February 9, 2024 |website=[[Wunderground]] |language=en |archive-date=February 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240223180821/https://www.wunderground.com/article/storms/winter/news/northeast-winter-storms-january-february-peak |url-status=live }}</ref>
 Several airports were closed as a result of near-zero visibility caused by the heavy snowfall, including [[LaGuardia Airport]], [[Newark Liberty International Airport]], and [[John F. Kennedy International Airport]] across the [[New York metropolitan area]], as well as [[Philadelphia International Airport]] in [[Philadelphia]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=McFadden |first=Robert D. |date=February 12, 1983 |title=East hit hard by worst storm of winter |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/02/12/nyregion/east-hit-hard-by-worst-storm-of-winter.html |access-date=February 8, 2024 |work=[[The New York Times]] |archive-date=February 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240208185942/https://www.nytimes.com/1983/02/12/nyregion/east-hit-hard-by-worst-storm-of-winter.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Multiple departing flights from [[Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport]] were cancelled, and the [[Pennsylvania State Police]] noted that [[Interstate 80 in Pennsylvania|Interstate 80]] "closed itself".<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 2, 1995 |title=A Winter To Remember During The Winter Of 1982–83, El Nino Sent Warm, Moist Air Through The Northeastern United States. Temperatures Were Unusually Mild, But The Winter Was Eventful – 59.2 Inches Of Snow Fell In The Wilkes-barre Area. |url=https://www.timesleader.com/archive/862558/a-winter-to-remember-during-the-winter-of-1982-83-el-nino-sent-warm-moist-air-through-the-northeastern-united-states-temperatures-were-unusually-mild-but-the-winter-was-eventful-59-2-inches |access-date=February 9, 2024 |website=[[Times Leader]] |language=en-US |archive-date=February 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240217003740/https://www.timesleader.com/archive/862558/a-winter-to-remember-during-the-winter-of-1982-83-el-nino-sent-warm-moist-air-through-the-northeastern-united-states-temperatures-were-unusually-mild-but-the-winter-was-eventful-59-2-inches |url-status=live }}</ref> Businesses and schools across [[Pennsylvania]] were closed, and [[Interstate 95 in Pennsylvania|Interstate 95]] in Philadelphia was closed.<ref name=":5" /> A snow emergency was declared in New York City, as well as a state of emergency for several areas in [[New Jersey]], including [[Trenton, New Jersey|Trenton]].<ref name=":5" />

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