Pre-Thanksgiving storm complex

A winter storm affected Northern New England shortly before U.S. Thanksgiving. Up to 6 in (15 cm) of snow fell in the state of Vermont, with New Hampshire and Maine also recording over 4 in (10 cm) of snow.^[4] The snowstorm resulted in 53 car crashes in New Hampshire,^[5] with one crash resulting in Interstate 93 shutting down near Littleton. Normal pre-Thanksgiving traffic was expected to be worsened due to the storm.^[6] The storm also resulted in 55 flight cancellations.^[7] Further south, heavy rain fell in the New York Metropolitan area, with some areas reporting over 3 in (76 mm).^[8] Daily rainfall records were broken on November 22 in Islip, Bridgeport and LaGuardia Airport.^[9]

Late November winter storm

A winter storm affected much of the Great Plains shortly after U.S. Thanksgiving. Three people were killed in fatal car crashes along Interstate 80 in Nebraska, where 14 crashes occurred and portions of the highway were shut down.^[10] The state of Wyoming also responded to 125 car crashes within a 48-hour period.^[11] Lander, Wyoming received their snowiest day since 1999 when 19 in (48 cm) of snow piled up.^[12] The second snowiest November day was realized in Topeka and Wichita.^[13] Interstate 135 was briefly shut down due to the snow, as was Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport.^[14] Further east, the city of Chicago recorded 1.8 in (4.6 cm) of snow on November 26.^[15] Further east, lake effect snow fell around Lake Erie, which resulted in a fatal car crash in Pennsylvania, a 20-vehicle pileup near Cleveland and Ontario Highway 403 shutting down. The highest snowfall total was 42.7 in (108 cm) in Highmarket, New York.^[16]

Christmas Day blizzard

On Christmas Day, an intensifying low pressure system developing into a blizzard struck the Upper Midwest, dropping more than 12–18 inches (30–46 cm) of snow. Spearfish, South Dakota recorded 14.6 inches (37 cm) of snow.^[17] Whiteout conditions and strong gusty winds were reported in states like Nebraska and North and South Dakota due to the storm.^[18] Blizzard warnings were issued for a large part of Nebraska and South Dakota as well as parts of northern Kansas. The system caused many accidents as a result, including jackknifed semis on eastbound Interstate 80 in Nebraska, forcing a portion of that road to close for several hours.^[18] Significant closures also occurred on Interstate 90 in South Dakota and Interstate 70 in Colorado.^[19][20] Badlands National Park was closed due to the blizzard. The storm also caused one fatality on icy roads in Kansas.^[21]

Early January nor'easter

A winter storm, that became a nor'easter, affected the Northeastern United States from January 6–7, 2024. Multiple locations in several states, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut recorded 1 foot (30 cm) of snow. 13,000 customers also lost power in Massachusetts.^[22] The storm also ended the longest stretch without measurable snow in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and the longest stretch without 1 in (2.5 cm) of snow in State College, Pennsylvania.^[23] Portions of the Massachusetts Turnpike closed due to snow.^[24] In addition, planned construction along the New York Thruway between Orange County and Ulster County was postponed by a week.^[25] Despite over 1 ft (30 cm) of snow in Port Jervis, New York, the record snow drought in New York City continued, as Central Park only picked up 0.2 in (0.51 cm) of snow.^[26] Boston measured 3.8 in (9.7 cm) during the snow event, with 5.6 in (14 cm) of snow in Providence, Rhode Island and 10.4 in (26 cm) of snow in Hartford, Connecticut.^[27]

January winter storms

From January 8–19, following a pattern change, four consecutive winter storms affected much of the country with rain, snow, blizzard conditions and flooding.

Mid-January cold wave

Freezing temperatures affected campaign events leading up to the Iowa Caucuses on January 15, and could affect turnout in the first contest in the 2024 presidential primaries and caucuses.^[60] In addition, the cold temperatures resulted in the 4th coldest NFL game on record between the Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins, with kickoff temperature being −4 °F (−20 °C).^[61] Fifteen people were hospitalized due to the cold temperatures during the game.^[62] Wind chills following the storm reached as low as −60 °F (−51 °C) in Montana, and wind chills were still −9 °F (−23 °C) as far south as Dallas on January 14.^[63] On January 13, Dillon, Montana reached an all time record low of −42 °F (−41 °C), while Bozeman, Montana recorded their second coldest temperature at −45 °F (−43 °C).^[64] That same day, Dickinson, North Dakota reached a −70 °F (−57 °C) wind chill, their coldest since the wind chill formula was updated in 2001, and a −33 °F (−36 °C) air temperature, a daily record and their coldest temperature since 1990.^[65] On January 16, Houston dropped to a daily record low of 19 °F (−7 °C).^[66] The cold wave and snow that the storm brought with it led to at least 55 fatalities.^[67]

Early February Canadian blizzard

A slow-moving significant blizzard affected much of Atlantic Canada from February 2–5, dumping 2–5 feet (61–152 cm; 24–60 in) of snow as the system stalled south of the Canadian Maritimes and Nova Scotia.^[68][69] A peak accumulation of 150 centimetres (59 in) was measured in the town of Sydney, Nova Scotia. Blizzard-like conditions occurred across the eastern portions of the region as the system slowly moved east, and schools were closed and many roadside services were suspended during the duration of the storm.^[70] Hundreds of 9-1-1 calls were made during the height of the blizzard, particularly in the regions with heavier snowfall and gusty winds.^[69]

Early February West Coast atmospheric rivers

A Pineapple Express storm hit the state from February 1 to February 2, 2024, before moving over the United States and settling over the I-25 corridor in Colorado, where heavy snow fell. Another one is expected to hit February 3rd and last until February 5th, with the National Weather Service calling it "potentially life-threatening." Other news sources estimated that Los Angeles could receive six-months' worth of rain in the 48-hour period, while the Sierra Nevada mountains are generally expected to get 1 to 3 ft (30 to 91 cm) of snow, with over 4 feet (120 cm) of snow expected in higher elevations, such as Mammoth Lakes, CA. Parts of the San Bernardino Mountains' foothills could receive 10 to 12 in (250 to 300 mm) of rain. ^[71]

Pre-Valentine's Day nor'easter

A weak area of low pressure developed along the Gulf Coast and trekked northeastwards throughout February 11–12 across the Southeast as the system as a whole continued eastward.^[72] At 09:00 UTC, the Weather Prediction Center deemed it necessary to begin issue storm summary bulletins for the winter storm.^[73] As the system became a nor'easter and moved offshore on February 13, rapid deepening – known also as "bombing out" – commenced overnight, with the central pressure falling from 991 mb (29.3 inHg) at 09:00 UTC on February 13 to 964 mb (28.5 inHg) at 03:00 UTC on February 14, a drop of 27 millibars (0.80 inHg) in 18 hours.^[74][75] As this process commenced during the early morning hours on February 13, precipitation rapidly switched from rain to heavy snowfall along much of the Mid-Atlantic, with rates approaching 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) per hour in the northwestern and northeastern portions of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, respectively, which led to the heaviest snowfall totals of the event in those areas.^[76] The nor'easter moved quickly, with precipitation and snowfall ending across the Mid-Atlantic and eventually New England by evening that day; consequently, the WPC terminated storm summary bulletins for the departing nor'easter at 03:00 UTC on February 14.^[77]

Many cities in the Mid-Atlantic, particularly New York City, were expected to receive the heaviest snowfall accumulation in at least two years due to the nor'easter,^[78] although the storm was notable for being difficult to predict in the aforementioned regions in the hours leading up to the event. Flights were cancelled or delayed across the Mid-Atlantic, and millions spanning from Pennsylvania to Massachusetts were placed under winter storm warnings. Over 175,000 people across the Northeast lost power, due to the heavy wet nature of the snow, and the nor'easter was responsible for at least one death so far as of February 13. Separately, the system dumped at least 1 foot (12 in; 30 cm) in parts of Texas and Oklahoma causing severe impacts in the region as well.

Mid-February Mid-Atlantic winter storm

A surprise major winter storm began affecting the Mid-Atlantic during the overnight hours of February 16–17. A fast-moving clipper system moved through the Midwest early on February 16, dropping 3–5 in (7.6–12.7 cm) of snow with isolated higher amounts near the cities of St. Louis, Missouri and Kansas City, resulting in Gateway Arch National Park closing at 2 p.m. on February 16.^[79] The winter storm moved eastwards into the Ohio Valley where similar accumulations were reported. The main event began later that day as the system approached the Mid-Atlantic states. Frontogenesis occurred spawning a very heavy snowband reminiscent of those in lake-effect snow, which pushed into the eastern regions of Pennsylvania, central New Jersey – including the town of New Brunswick – and the southern parts of Staten Island, New York and western Long Island, just south of New York City.^[80] Extreme snowfall rates of 4–5 in (10–13 cm) per hour occurred in this band, which the Mount Holly National Weather Service (NWS) office described as "serious snowfall rates" and by amateur meteorologists in the region as "historic".^[81]

The heaviest snow fell in Center Valley, Pennsylvania, with 13.8 in (35 cm), with 13 in (33 cm) of snow in Township, New Jersey, 12.1 in (31 cm) in Allentown and 9.9 in (25 cm) of snow in Coney Island, New York.^[82] Snowfall in New York City varied heavily, with 6.1 in (15 cm) of snow at John F. Kennedy International Airport and 2 in (5.1 cm) of snow in Central Park.^[83] 2.2 in (5.6 cm) of snow fell in Baltimore,^[84] and 3.5 in (8.9 cm) of snow fell in Philadelphia.^[85] The winter weather resulted in the National Park Service shutting down portions of George Washington Parkway.^[86]

Late February–early March blizzard

A major winter storm began to affect the Western United States on February 29, with blizzard conditions and several feet of snow expected in the mountainous regions of the state of California.^[87] Blizzard warnings were issued for a majority of the Sierra Mountains, including Lake Tahoe, California.^[88] The storm resulted in over 100 mi (160 km) of Interstate 80 shutting down, and Yosemite National Park was also briefly shut down.^[89][90] The blizzard brought very strong winds to the mountainous regions – a near-record-breaking wind gust of 190 mph (310 km/h) was reported at Palisades Tahoe at an elevation of 8,700 feet (2,700 m) late on March 1.^[91]

Late March winter storm

Heavy snow fell throughout the Northeastern United States on March 23, particularly in Northern New England and Upstate New York. The heaviest snow accumulation totaled 33.1 in (84 cm) in West Windsor, Vermont, with 29 in (74 cm) of snow in Penobscot, Maine, 28 in (71 cm) of snow in Albany, New Hampshire and 25.6 in (65 cm) of snow in Pawlet, New York.^[92] The snowstorm resulted in 360,000 power outages in the Northeast, with nearly 200,000 in Maine alone. Further south, record rainfall brought flooding to Philadelphia, and shut down portions of the Cross Island Parkway and Fifth Avenue in New York City.^[93][94] The Staten Island Railway was also closed due to the rain.^[95] Following the floods, temperatures dropped below freezing, leading to icy patches on roads in the New York metropolitan area.^[92]

Northern United States

Many regions, particularly the Upper Midwest, saw their warmest winter on record, which was coupled with below-average snowfall as well.^[96] Ice coverage across the Great Lakes was at a record low for the 2023–24 winter, due to a lack of persistent cold air.^{[citation needed]} The Michiana region recorded their 2nd warmest and 4th least snowy winter.^[97]

Canada

Several cities experienced one of their warmest winters on record, with little snowfall occurring on Christmas Day.^[98] Extreme temperature contrasts occurred in December 2023 and January 2024, with the latter being one of the warmest Decembers on record in Canada, and coldest January in decades across Alberta and British Columbia.^[99]