WeatherFanatics: Weekly Wrap Up: Cold, Snow and Ice Blasts the US

Friday, November 14, 2014

Weekly Wrap Up: Cold, Snow and Ice Blasts the US

By Michael Kuhne, AccuWeather.com Staff Writer

November 15,2014; 2:27AM,EST

Temperatures plunged by as much as 60 degrees Fahrenheit across the Rockies and Plains early this week, and the unrelenting cold has remained entrenched across these areas all week.
"This is exceptional cold," AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist Henry Margusity said. "It's the coldest air we've seen in decades during November."
Snow piled up early for residents in the Midwest and High Plains early in the week as a blast of arctic air brought chilling, blustery and icy conditions.
On Monday, Nov. 10, Minnesota State Police responded to 475 crashes statewide and over 700 vehicles that spun out of control and off roadways.
By Thursday, the northwestern United States saw wintry weather blast across the region, causing havoc for motorists from Portland, Oregon, to Boise, Idaho. The 1-84 corridor was one of the most impacted areas.

Cold, Snow and Ice Blasts US

Minnesota received some of the highest snow totals this week, causing severe travel problems across the state Monday night and Tuesday. On Monday, Nov. 10, Minnesota State Police responded to 475 crashes statewide and over 700 vehicles that spun out of control and off roadways.

One motorist died after sliding out of control on Highway 68 in Blue Earth County on Monday according to state police. Two died in a crash in Rice County just before 6 a.m. CST Tuesday when the driver lost control, crossing over the center of the road and hitting another car according to the state patrol.

Biggest Temperature Departures Across Central US This Week

Unusual Winterlike Storm Sweeps the Northwestern United States

A gripping, blustery and unusual storm battered portions of the Northwest during the middle of the week with snowy, icy conditions. The January-like storm slammed the region with an onslaught of fierce winds, disruptive snow and icy coatings to roadways and power lines.

From Portland, Oregon, to Boise, Idaho, a wintry mix of ice and snow created havoc for drivers as roads became slick. The 1-84 corridor was one of the most impacted areas.

Oregon State Police working the highway on Thursday urged drivers to avoid driving in such treacherous conditions. Idaho state police reported over 150 crashes with numerous slide-offs related to the early damaging storm. One Idaho woman was killed Thursday evening when her car slid off the road in Jerome County.

RELATED:
PHOTOS: Unusual Winterlike Storm Piles Snow, Ice Across Northwestern US
AccuWeather Winter Weather Center
WATCH: Semi Truck Crashes Into Squad Cars With Incredible Force on Snow-Covered Road

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