The American winter can be a beautiful and awe-inspiring season, but it can also be harsh and unforgiving. In the winter of 2020, the United States experienced a range of extreme weather conditions, with temperatures and snowfall varying depending on the region. Here are some numbers that illustrate some of the key aspects of the American winter story:
- According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the average temperature across the contiguous United States during the winter of 2020 was 36.5°F, which is 2.4°F above the 20th-century average.- Despite this overall trend, specific regions experienced colder than average temperatures. For example, parts of New England set records for cold temperatures in February.- The winter of 2020 saw several significant winter storms, including Winter Storm Ezekiel, which brought heavy snowfall and blizzard conditions to parts of the Midwest and Northeast in late November and early December.- In total, Winter Storm Ezekiel caused an estimated $2 billion in damages, with some areas seeing more than 30 inches of snow.- The winter of 2020 also saw a number of other significant weather events, including a polar vortex that brought cold air and snow to the Midwest and Northeast in January, and a series of powerful tornadoes that struck the southern United States in early March.- Despite the challenges of the American winter, many people enjoy the season and all of the outdoor activities it offers, from skiing and snowboarding to ice skating and ice fishing.