North American ice storm of January 1961
Encyclopedia
The North American ice storm of January 1961 was a massive ice storm
that struck areas of northern Idaho
in the United States
on January 1-3, 1961. The storm set a record for thickest recorded ice accumulation from a single storm in the United States, at 8 inches.
The storm's swath covered areas from Grangeville
, in north central Idaho, to the Canadian border. According to the National Weather Service, a combination of dense fog, sub-freezing temperatures and occasional freezing rain led to the heavy ice accretions. Catastrophic damage to trees and utilities resulted, resulting in widespread power outages.
Prior to this storm, previous records of between 4 and 6 inches of ice were recorded in New York
and Texas
.
Ice storm
An ice storm is a type of winter storm characterized by freezing rain, also known as a glaze event or in some parts of the United States as a silver thaw. The U.S. National Weather Service defines an ice storm as a storm which results in the accumulation of at least of ice on exposed surfaces...
that struck areas of northern Idaho
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
on January 1-3, 1961. The storm set a record for thickest recorded ice accumulation from a single storm in the United States, at 8 inches.
The storm's swath covered areas from Grangeville
Grangeville, Idaho
Grangeville is the largest city in and the county seat of Idaho County, Idaho, United States, in the west central part of the state. It had a population of 3,141 at the 2010 census.- Culture :...
, in north central Idaho, to the Canadian border. According to the National Weather Service, a combination of dense fog, sub-freezing temperatures and occasional freezing rain led to the heavy ice accretions. Catastrophic damage to trees and utilities resulted, resulting in widespread power outages.
Prior to this storm, previous records of between 4 and 6 inches of ice were recorded in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
.