Cold wave of January 1977
| File:1-19-1977 weather map.jpg
A weather map on January 19, 1977 showing the high pressure system impacting Florida
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| Type | Cold wave and snowfall |
|---|---|
| Formed | January 16, 1977 |
| Dissipated | January 21, 1977 |
| Maximum snowfall or ice accretion | 2 inches (51 mm) along Interstate 4 between Tampa and Orlando |
| Damage | $2 billion (1977 US$) |
| Areas affected | Florida, The Bahamas |
The Cold wave of January 1977 produced the only known snowfall in the Miami area of Florida and The Bahamas. It occurred following the passage of a strong cold front, in combination with a high pressure area situated over the Mississippi River Valley. As a result, cold air spewed across Florida, causing both snowfall and record low temperatures. Most notably, the weather system brought snow as far south as Homestead on January 19. Although other portions of the state have since experienced snowfall, it has not snowed in South Florida since. Additionally, snow was reported in Freeport on Grand Bahama. Damage was most significant to agriculture, as major losses occurred to Citrus fruits and tender vegetables. Statewide, agricultural damage from the cold wave totaled to $350 million (1977 USD), and losses overall totaled to $2 billion (1977 USD). One fatality occurred due to an automobile accident in Central Florida, which was related to the cold wave.
Contents
Meteorological history
Beginning on January 16, a strong arctic cold front began crossing the state of Florida. Two days later, another cold front crossed Florida,[1] while a strong arctic high pressure system over the Mississippi River Valley also began pushing cold air into Florida. Simultaneously, an upper-level trough associated with the second cold front contained a band of clouds and precipitation. As a result, the cold wave brought both snowfall and abnormally cold temperatures across the entire state of Florida. It is unknown when the cold wave dissipated, though the associated cold air began to subside on January 21.[2]
Impact
Florida
It is noted that while the January 18–19 cold front was crossing Florida, every weather recording station in North and Central Florida recorded at least a trace of snow. Further south, 0.2 inches (0.51 cm) of snow fell at both Tampa and Plant City, though 2 inches (5.1 cm) was reported east of Tampa along Interstate 4. West Palm Beach reported its first snowfall starting at 1010 UTC (5:10 a.m. EST) on January 19, and lasted less than two hours, ending at 1200 UTC (7 a.m. EST). Simultaneously, snow flurries began falling in Broward and Dade counties; it was the first time snow had ever been observed at Miami.[3] At Homestead, snow fell at the Homestead Air Force Base,[1] and is regarded as the southernmost location of snowfall in the Contiguous United States.[4] Prior to this event, the southern most snow record was in Fort Myers in February 1899.[3] Florida radio stations played Christmas carols as a result of the snowfall.[1][5] Additionally, snow was reported at Freeport, Bahamas on Grand Bahama, making the only known snowfall in the history of The Bahamas.[2][6]
Across the state, record low temperatures were reported. For much of the state, temperatures remained below freezing for 10–14 hours, and at or less than 28 °F (−2 °C) for at least four hours.[2] In Pensacola, a temperature of 10 °F (−12 °C) was recorded,[7] and was later surpassed by a mere 5 °F (−15 °C) during the Winter 1985 Arctic outbreak. A record low temperature of 20 °F (−7 °C) was reported in Orlando. Few other records were broken in North and Central Florida. In the Tampa Bay Area, temperatures hovered around the upper 20 °F (−7 °C)'s.[7] South of Tampa, record temperatures included: 20 °F (−7 °C) in Devils Garden, 28 °F (−2 °C) in Fort Lauderdale, 19 °F (−7 °C) in LaBelle, 32 °F (0 °C) in Miami Beach, and 27 °F (−3 °C) in West Palm Beach. Other cold, but not record-breaking temperatures, included: 24 °F (−4 °C) in Belle Glade, 28 °F (−2 °C) in Hollywood, 23 °F (−5 °C) at the Homestead Agricultural Center, 24 °F (−4 °C) in Immokalee, 31 °F (−1 °C) at the Miami International Airport, 25 °F (−4 °C) in Moore Haven, 26 °F (−3 °C) in Naples, and 25 °F (−4 °C) in North Miami Beach.[2] Additionally, temperatures in the 40 °F (4 °C)'s were reported in the Florida Keys.[7]
In combination with snow and abnormally low temperatures, a severe freeze ensued, causing extensive damage, especially to agriculture. The USDA reported the following crop losses: 35% to citrus, at least 95% to vegetables, between 50–75% of commercial flowers, 50% to permanent pasture lands, and 40% to sugar cane. Crop damage totaled to $350 million (1977 USD),[7] while at least $100 million (1977 USD) of that figure occurred in Dade County alone. Around 150,000 migrant workers were reported to have been rendered unemployed as a result of the freeze's effect on Florida agriculture, with the citrus industry being described as "nearly wiped out".[1] In order to prevent water pipes from freezing, nurseries and farms ran sprinklers all night. However, some water began flowing onto roadways, and with freezing temperatures, caused ice to form on roads in western Dade County.[2] Overall, the cold wave caused up to $2 billion (1977 USD) in damage.[7] Several traffic accidents occurred due to snowfall and ice. Most notably, there was a 10 car pileup in Tampa, and another accident killed a man near Auburndale when his car skidded along snow and crashed into a truck.[5] Due to significant losses related to the freezing temperatures, then-President Jimmy Carter, who was inaugurated on January 20,[1] designated 35 counties in Florida as disaster areas.[2]
The South
Areas of the eastern United States outside of Florida were also affected by the cold wave. In Georgia, the temperature fell to 1 °F (−17 °C) in Atlanta on January 17. Overall, the mean low temperature in the city during the month of January was 21 °F (−6 °C), well below the average of 34 °F (1 °C).[8]
In Tennessee, the Public Service Commission estimating that approximately 100,000 people would be forced to miss a day of work due to closures, while nearly 2,000 people in southern West Virginia were left without heat as a result of interruption of natural gas service.[5]
Every day of January 1977 was below average in Raleigh, North Carolina, and the city experienced its coldest winter on record, with January being 14.4 degrees below average. The temperature stayed below freezing from the night of January 16 until January 20, and the temperature fell below zero Fahrenheit for one of the few times in the city's history.[9]
Midwest
January 1977 is the coldest month on record in the state of Ohio, with an average temperature of 11.9 degrees. Snowfall was above average throughout the month and the all-time record low of -25 °F was set in Cincinnati. Some parts of northern Ohio stayed below freezing for the entire month.[10]
See also
References
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