Massachusetts Pileup: 65 Cars Crash on Icy Roads

December 1,2013

 

 

 

 

 

AP Photo/Massachusetts State Police

WORCESTER, Mass. — Freezing rain was blamed for highway pileups that sent dozens of people to the hospital Sunday morning in central and northern Massachusetts.
Massachusetts State Police say a crash involving 65 cars and three tractor-trailers closed Interstate 290 in Worcester at about 7 a.m. About 35 to 40 people were taken to local hospitals. Two were seriously injured.
Both directions of the highway were reopened by 11:45 a.m., authorities said.
Sergeant Stephen Marsh compared the road to a sheet of ice.
(MORE: Winter Storm Cleon Ahead)
"It was like if you went skating with your kids. It was that bad," he told The Boston Globe.
A State Police car was rear-ended and the trooper was forced to hurriedly return to her cruiser to avoid cars sliding toward her.
The National Weather Service issued a freezing rain advisory through 11 a.m. Sunday for much of western and central Massachusetts, northeast Connecticut and northwest Rhode Island. Police advised motorists returning home from the Thanksgiving holiday to wait until state highway crews treated the roads.
Michael Verseckes, a spokesman for the state Department of Transportation, said crews treated roads Sunday morning but the road conditions deteriorated quickly.
"It came up suddenly and quickly and the number of crews we had just wasn't enough," he told The Telegram & Gazette.
Temperatures are forecast to rise into the 40s on Monday, keeping roads free of ice.

MORE: 50 States Biggest Snow Days

7 / 50

Georgia: 19.3 inches

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Cedartown, a 60 mile drive to the northwest of Atlanta, recorded 19.3 inches of snow on March 3, 1942. Above: Snow covers I-20 in Atlanta after a snowstorm in early January 2011. Credit: Jessica McGowan/Getty Images

National Weather Summary for December 1,2013 from weatherunderground.com

Weather Underground midday recap for Sunday,December 1,2013

Rain and snow persisted for the Northwestern corner of the nation on Sunday, while areas of scattered snow showers moved into the northern Plains and Upper Midwest, as well as the Northeast. A low pressure system moved across British Columbia and pushed a frontal boundary eastward across the Intermountain West and northern Rockies. This system kicked up heavy rain showers with high elevation snow showers for the Cascades and the northern Rockies. The leading edge of this system brought scattered snow showers to the Dakotas, which moved into Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin throughout the day. Meacham, Oregon reported a midday total of 1.05 inches of rain. Strong winds accompanied this system with gusts over 40 mph from the Pacific Northwest into the Dakotas.

Meanwhile in the East, a low pressure system moved over the Great Lakes and created scattered snow showers across the Great Lakes and eastward into Maine and Nova Scota. To the south, a cold front stretched down the East Coast and into Florida, which kicked up some rain showers from the coast of the Carolinas into southern Florida. Vero Beach, Florida reported a midday total of 1.15 inches of rain on Sunday while Fort Lauderdale, Florida reported a midday total of 0.84 inches of rain

This Date in Weather History for December 1,2013 from weatherforyou.com

Weather History
For Sunday,December 1,2013

 

 

 

1831 - The coldest December of record in the northeastern U.S. commenced. Temperatures in New York City averaged 22 degrees, with just four days above freezing, and at Burlington VT the temperature never did get above freezing. The Erie Canal was closed the first day of December, and remained closed the entire month. (David Ludlum)

1896 - The temperature at Kipp, MT, rose 30 degrees in just seven minutes, and 80 degrees in a matter of a few hours. A thirty-inch snow cover was melted in half a day. (The Weather Channel)

1913 - A six day front range snowstorm began. It produced a record total of 46 inches at Denver CO. (David Ludlum)

1985 - A storm produced more than six inches of snow from the Northern and Central Plains to parts of Michigan, with 36.4 inches reported at Marquette MI. Many roads were blocked by snow. A family was stranded for 25 hours south of Colome SD. Drifts twelve feet high were reported in north central Nebraska. (The Weather Channel)

1987 - A powerful storm hit the northwestern U.S. Winds gusted to 80 mph at Cape Disappointment WA, and reached 94 mph at Cape Blanco OR. Thunderstorms in western Washington State produced wind gusts to 60 mph, and dime size hail at Hoquiam. Stevens Pass, in the Cascade Mountains of Washington, received seven inches of snow during the morning hours. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1988 - Squalls in the Great Lakes Region produced up to a foot of snow in Ashtabula County OH, up to ten inches in Erie County PA, and up to a foot of snow in western New York State. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)

1989 - Heavy snow blanketed the mountains of New Mexico, with 12 inches reported at the Angel Fire Ski Basin. Strong northerly winds ushering cold air into the north central U.S. gusted to 55 mph at Devils Lake ND. Low pressure over the Gulf of Alaska produced wind gusts to 69 mph at Kodiak Island. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)

2002 - Heavy lake effect snow fell downwind of the U.S. Great Lakes. Buffalo, New York reported 16 inches of snow, with thundersnow reported late in the afternoon. While the eastern U.S. experienced much colder than normal temperatures on December 1, much of Alaska was basking in above average warmth. Many daily temperature records were set across this region through the beginning of the month.

2007 - During December 1-3, a powerful storm with hurricane force winds struck the Northwest U.S. The storm brought heavy rain and wind gusts over 100 mph, with the highest reading being 129 mph at Bay City, OR. The strong winds brought power lines down, and the heavy rain caused widespread flooding and triggered landslides (BBC News). According to reports, 8 fatalities were attributed to the storm and about 37,000 homes and businesses were left without power in Washington, Oregon, and northern California. President Bush declared a federal disaster in several counties in Washington and Oregon to provide recovery assistance (Associated Press).

Find more events on other dates

National Temperature and Rainfall Extremes for December 1,2013 from accuweather.com

As of 11PM,EST/8PM,PST

Daily U.S. Extremes

past 24 hours

	Extreme	Location
High	87°	Lake Forest, CA
Low	-9°	Alamosa, CO
Precip	2.58"	West Palm Beach, FL

Today's Worst Weather for December 1,2013 from accuweather.com

Silver Star Mountain,Washington: Heavy,windswept rain

4 Die in NYC Train Derailment

By Brian Edwards, Meteorologist

December 1,2013; 9:26PM,EST

 

 

 

Injured people are tended to by first responders near the site of the derailment of a Metro-North passenger train in the Bronx borough of New York, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013. The train derailed on a curved section of track in the Bronx on Sunday morning, coming to rest just inches from the water and causing multiple fatalities and dozens of injuries, authorities said. Metropolitan Transportation Authority police said the train derailed near the Spuyten Duyvil station. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)
Federal investigators have started their probe into what caused a Metro-North passenger train in the Bronx to derail Sunday, killing four people and injuring more than 60 others.
The derailment occurred around 7:20 a.m. near the Spuyten Duyvil station. The train, comprised of seven passenger cars and a diesel locomotive, was on its way to Grand Central Station from Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
More than 100 firefighters responded to the scene. Eleven of the injured were reported in critical condition, officials said.
Specialists in the areas of track, signals, mechanical systems, operations, human performance, survival factors and recorders are in New York, Board Member Earl Weener of the National Transportation Safety Board said during a press conference late Sunday afternoon.
The NTSB investigates every civil aviation accident and significant railroad, marine and pipeline accidents in the United States. It issues probable causes and makes recommendations to prevent future accidents.
The cars were being pushed from the rear by the locomotive at the time of the derailment, Weener said. It was unclear whether the train's configuration played a factor in the incident, he said.
Investigators did retrieve event recorders from one of the cars and the locomotive. The data were not analyzed as of late Sunday afternoon, Weener said.
The Hudson and Harlem rivers both run adjacent to this region of track, but the Metropolitan Transportation Authority said none of the cars entered the waters.
There were about 120 passengers onboard, the MTA said.
It is not known whether speed was a factor, Weener said.
The curve where the train derailed has a 30 mph speed limit, he said. Two sections of track ahead of the curve have speed limits of 75 and 70 mph, respectively.
As a result of the derailment, the MTA suspended its Hudson Line service between Tarrytown and Grand Central and provided bus service for those wanting to travel in-and-out of Grand Central. The authority also set up a family center for those directly affected by the derailment, the MTA said on its Metro-North Railroad Facebook page.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo advised commuters to expect a long commute for at least Monday as a result of the derailment. The MTA announced that it would provide shuttle bus service on Monday.
The weather at the time of the derailment was partly sunny in New York City's Central Park with a temperature of 38 degrees and light winds.
It does not appear that weather played a factor in the derailment.
The NTSB will on scene for a week to 10 days. Part of the investigation will include interviewing the train crew, Weener said.
Stay tuned to AccuWeather.com or our Breaking Weather Twitter Account for more information.
AccuWeather.com Staff Writer Mark Leberfinger contributed content to this story.
A police officer stands guard at the scene of a Metro-North passenger train derailment in the Bronx borough of New York Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013. The train derailed on a curved section of track in the Bronx on Sunday morning, coming to rest just inches from the water and causing multiple fatalities and dozens of injuries, authorities said. Metropolitan Transportation Authority police said the train derailed near the Spuyten Duyvil station. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Powerful Northern European Storm Expected Later This Week

By Erik Pindrock, Meteorologist

December 1,2013; 9:14PM,EST

 

 

After a relatively benign start to the week across the U.K. and most of the rest of northern Europe, the weather pattern is expected to take a very stormy turn by the middle and end of the week.
A powerful storm system will begin to organize near southern Greenland on Tuesday and then race eastward threatening Scotland, Scandinavia and northern mainland Europe with storm-force winds, rain and snow from later Wednesday through Friday.
The upcoming storm will take a more northern track than the severe wind storm which struck the southern U.K. and northern Europe in late October of this year; however, some of the same areas over northern Europe that saw damaging winds from the October storm could be in line for winds that exceed gale-force during the latter part of the week.
The above graphic, prepared by an AccuWeather.com meteorologist using Google Maps, shows the expected track of the low pressure from Wednesday night through Thursday night of this week. The strongest winds are likely to occur near and to the south of the low track.
Winds in excess of 100 kph are likely in some communities near and south of the track of the storm beginning late Wednesday and continuing through Thursday across Scotland.
As the low pressure shifts eastward through the North Sea, winds over of 100 kph are expected across portions of the Netherlands, northern Germany, Denmark and Scandinavia beginning on Thursday and continuing in some areas through Friday.
If the storm achieves its full potential, scattered power outages as well as some wind damage are likely in the regions that experience the strongest winds.
Photo, courtesy of The Associated Press, shows a temporary marquee over turned by heavy wind in Aabenraa, southern Jutland Denmark on Monday, Oct. 28, 2013. A major storm swept Denmark with winds peaking at up to 200 kph (approximately 125 mph).
The October wind storm produced an estimated minimum central pressure of 965 mb across the North Sea. Some indications suggest that the storm expected later this week could approach that minimum pressure.
In addition to the high wind potential, rain as well as much colder air and snow will accompany the storm through the U.K. and northern Europe. Even portions of central and eastern Europe could feel the effects of a much chillier air mass in the wake of the storm by Friday and into next weekend.

 

Snow Chances Increase This Week in Minneapolis

By Jillian MacMath, AccuWeather.com Staff Writer

December 1,2013; 9:07PM,EST

 

 

A snowy pattern will set up across the Upper Midwest this week and bring occasional snow to Minneapolis.
One to 3 inches of snow are possible late Monday through Tuesday night, with a potential for heavy snow accumulation north of Minneapolis.
RELATED:
Minneapolis Weekend Forecast
AccuWeather.com Winter Weather Center
Minneapolis Radar
Temperatures will rise into the high 30s on Monday and Tuesday, accompanied by mostly cloudy skies.

After the midweek system exits the area, frigid air will pour into the area.
Highs on Thursday will be in the teens, followed by highs on Friday and Saturday in the single digits. Low temperatures late week are expected to be below zero.
The last time temperatures in Minneapolis fell to below zero in December was in 2010.

On Social Media

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Dan DePodwin

WxDepo

Reports from @NYDailyNews and @nbcnightlynews that 4 people are dead in train derailment. Thinking/praying for all involved.

13h

AccuWeather.com Videos

Breaking Weather: Big Cooldown on the Way

Arctic air will push through the Pacific Northwest early this week.

 

More Snowy Chances Coming to Cleveland

By Mark Leberfinger, AccuWeather.com Staff Writer

December 1,2013; 9:01PM,EST

 

 

There could be some snow across the Cleveland area late this week.
Temperatures will slowly rise through mid-week with a chance of showers Monday night through Wednesday, but a big change is coming Wednesday. The high will be in the low 50s but the nighttime low will tumble into the upper 20s.
RELATED:
Cleveland Radar
Cleveland Weekend Forecast
AccuWeather.com Winter Weather Center
A chance of show is possible Thursday night into Friday. It will be much colder with highs in the low 30s and lows in the upper teens.

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Erik Pindrock

E_Pinny

Early look at the weather for next weekend's Nittany Valley Half Marathon is cold & dry. Temps struggling to get out of the 20s.

 

 

A Milder Trend in Philadelphia into Monday

By Alex Sosnowski, Expert Senior Meteorologist

December 1,2013; 8:50PM,EST

 

 

Major storms will stay away, and temperatures will remain close to average around Philadelphia through Monday.
Good travel weather is in store around Philadelphia, compared to last Tuesday and Wednesday.
Temperatures are forecast to approach the 50-degree mark on Monday. After RealFeel® temperatures in the teens and 20s, it will feel much warmer for some folks spending considerable time outdoors.

Winds are forecast to be light on Monday, which the first day of deer season in Pennsylvania.
Monday night into Tuesday, a storm system strengthening offshore may kick up the winds a bit, especially at the New Jersey and Delaware beaches.
RELATED:
Detailed Philadelphia Forecast
Forecast Weather Maps
Philadelphia Interactive Radar

 

 

Late-Week Snow Possible for Detroit

By Mark Leberfinger, AccuWeather.com Staff Writer

December 1,2013; 8:50PM,EST

 

 

There could be some snow across the Detroit area late this week.
Temperatures will slowly rise through mid-week with a chance of showers Monday night through Wednesday, but a big change is coming Wednesday. The high will be in the low 50s but will tumble into the upper 30s.
RELATED:
Detroit Weather Forecast
AccuWeather Winter Weather Center
Detroit Interactive Radar
A chance of show is possible Thursday night into Friday. It will be much colder with highs in the low 30s and lows in the upper teens.

On Social Media

AccuWeather Updates

Dan DePodwin

WxDepo

Reports from @NYDailyNews and @nbcnightlynews that 4 people are dead in train derailment. Thinking/praying for all involved.

13h

AccuWeather.com Videos

Breaking Weather: Big Cooldown on the Way

Arctic air will push through the Pacific Northwest early this week

 

Late-Week Wintry Mix Possible for Dallas

By Mark Leberfinger, AccuWeather.com Staff Writer

December 1,2013; 8:44PM,EST

 

 

Very changeable weather could be the rule this week with possible record heat and then a wintry mix of precipitation.
Tuesday's high temperature is expected to take a run into the mid-70s ahead of an arctic high and frontal boundary at late week.
The temperature starts to drop Wednesday but the bottom will fall out on Friday.
RELATED
Detailed Dallas Forecast
Eastern Texas Interactive Radar
Forecast Temperature Maps
There is still a great deal of uncertainty, but the boundary associated with the arctic high could hang up in the Deep South and Mississippi Valley, back into Texas.
Friday's high is expected to struggle in the mid-30s with a chance of morning sleet and freezing rain and afternoon rain and drizzle. More of the same is possible Saturday.

 

Rainy Weather Returns to Seattle, Wet Snowflakes Monday

By Brian Edwards, Meteorologist

December 1,2013; 8:42PM,EST

 

 

After a week and a half stretch of dry weather, a plume of moisture continues to bring more rain into the Seattle area.
Travelers returning from holiday activities who are planning on crossing through Snoqualmie or Stevens Pass on Sunday should allow for extra time as rain will be falling heavily.
Fog and rain will lead to reduced visibilities which can cause travel problems. Localized flooding is possible, especially in the foothills and mountains as upwards of 3-6 inches of rain falls.

In Seattle, the rain will be somewhat lighter, with about 1-2 inches expected through Sunday evening.
Colder air will filter in behind the rain, causing a changeover to snow to occur in the Cascades Sunday night.
There can even be some wet snowflakes in parts of the city Monday, especially in the evening. No accumulation is expected in Seattle, but temperatures will be falling into the 30s for the remainder of the week.
Highs Tuesday through Friday will likely hover around the 35-degree mark with lows each night in the mid-20s.
Another chance for snow is possible for Friday with a high of 33 and a low tumbling to 19.

On Social Media

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Dan DePodwin

WxDepo

Pouring rain in Lihue, HI. Flash flood warning in effect for Kauai.

13h

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Breaking Weather: Big Cooldown on the Way

Arctic air will push through the Pacific Northwest early this week.

Dan DePodwin

WxDepo

If indeed cars are in water, water temps probably in mid to upper 40s. Very chilly. 47.5F at Kings Point, although that is north of Queens

 

Milder Weather Coming to Harrisburg

By Alex Sosnowski, Expert Senior Meteorologist

December 1,2013; 8:36PM,EST

 

 

Major storms will stay away, and temperatures will trend back to near average around Harrisburg, Pa., this week.
Good travel weather is in store around Harrisburg, compared to last week. Temperatures are forecast to reach well into the 40s Monday and even into the 50s Tuesday through Friday.
RELATED:
Harrisburg Weather
AccuWeather Winter Weather Center
Pennsylvania Weather Radar
A chance of rain is possible Thursday night into Friday; it will otherwise be dry for the week.

On Social Media

AccuWeather Updates

AccuWeather.com Videos

Breaking Weather: Big Cooldown on the Way

Arctic air will push through the Pacific Northwest early this week.

Dan DePodwin

WxDepo

If indeed cars are in water, water temps probably in mid to upper 40s. Very chilly. 47.5F at Kings Point, although that is north of Queens

 

Dangerous Arctic Cold Headed for Plains, Intermountain West

By Brian Edwards, Meteorologist

December 1,2013; 8:32PM,EST

 

 

A storm currently producing flooding rains and heavy snow in the Pacific Northwest will eject into the Plains early this week allowing arctic air to spill southward from Canada.
Temperatures by Wednesday and Thursday won't rise above zero in parts of North Dakota and Montana while overnight lows approach 30 F below zero. This cold outbreak will mark the coldest weather of the season for much of the western two-thirds of the nation.
Not only will extreme cold spill into the Plains and parts of the West, but a fresh snowpack will develop after the aforementioned storm moves through the Plains.
RELATED
Forecast Temperature Maps
Winter Weather Center
Northwest: Winter Storm Followed by Brutal Cold
Snowfall amounts through Monday night will approach a foot in parts of the northern Rockies while a swath of 3- to 6-inch accumulations build along the U.S./Canada border.
Additionally, a round of heavier snow is likely for Montana, the Dakotas and Minnesota on Tuesday. Cities such as Fargo, N.D., International Falls, Minn., and Duluth, Minn. could receive in excess of 6 additional inches of snow Tuesday and Tuesday night.

Travel will become extremely difficult over the next few days along interstates 94, 15, 90 and 29. Severe blowing and drifting of the snow will develop areawide Monday night and continue through right through the end of the week.
Behind the snow, Arctic air will push southward, first into the northern Rockies on Tuesday, then into the northern Plains on Wednesday.

High temperatures by Wednesday will hover around zero degrees from Great Falls, Mont., through Billings, Mont., and Dickinson, N.D.
Temperatures will stay in the single digits over an even larger zone from Bozeman, Mont., through Fargo, N.D.
Add in a gusty, northerly wind and that will send AccuWeather RealFeel temperatures to nearly 40 F below zero in some cases both Wednesday and Thursday.
Not only will the daytimes be brutally cold, but the nighttimes will be even worse. AccuWeather.com meteorologists are expecting overnight lows both Wednesday night and Thursday night to fall to between 20 below zero F and 30 below zero F across much of Montana and North Dakota.
Subzero nighttime lows will be found across an even bigger corridor from Idaho through Minnesota.
AccuWeather.com meteorologists urge residents of the northern Rockies and northern Plains to take the proper cold weather precautions.
Have a flashlight and extra batteries available as well as an emergency heat source and extra blankets in your home.
If you have to travel, carry a winter storm survival kid and always make sure your gas tank is near full.
Move cattle to sheltered areas and make sure to bring any pets inside for the duration of the cold.
AccuWeather.com will have more information on the impending cold and snow over the coming days.

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Erik Pindrock

E_Pinny

Early look at the weather for next weekend's Nittany Valley Half Marathon is cold & dry. Temps struggling to get out of the 20s.

10h

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Dangerous Travel Conditions in Massachusetts

Freezing rain caused a series of crashes in Worcester along I-290 Sunday morning.