SEVERE WINTER
STORM Score: 165SEVERE WINTER
STORM Score: 165
Ice Storm: Rain that freezes on impact. Commonly referred to as freezing rain, an ice coating at least one-fourth inch in thickness is heavy enough to damage trees, overhead wires and similar objects. It also produces widespread power outages.
Sleet Storm: Frozen rain drops (Ice Pellets): ice that bounces when hitting the ground or other objects. It does not stick to objects, but in accumulated depths of two inches or more it will produce driving conditions that are hazardous.
Heavy Snow Storm: A snowfall of 6 inches or more within 12 to 24 hours. This snowfall extensively disrupts transportation systems and public safety department response.
Blizzard: Considerable falling or blowing snow, winds of at least 35 miles per hour, these conditions last several hours
Severe Blizzard: Considerable falling or blowing snow, winds of at least 45 miles per hour, and temperatures of 10 degrees Fahrenheit or lower for several hours.
Winter precipitation usually occurs as snow. Because of Poland's proximity to the coast, freezing rain and wet snow does occur. The average annual snowfall ranges from 80 to 90 inches per season.
The town is at high risk from the effects of "Northeasters" characterized by low temperatures, strong winds, and heavy snowfalls of 15 to 30 inches.
In addition, Ice Storms can occur that cause extensive damage to trees and the electrical infrastructure.
Severe winter storms come in various forms, from heavy snow to ice storms. However, no one living in Central Maine during January 1998 will ever forget the Ice Storm of 1998.
The storm began on January 7, 1998 as a light rain which froze to almost every exposed surface. Ice began to accumulate over the next two days, and built up to as much as 3 inches in some areas.
Damage from the weight of ice caused thousands of trees to fall, taking power lines with them. Because of this, the power was out in Poland for a minimum of one week, with some areas of the town without power for as much as three weeks. During this event, the Emergency Operations Center was fully activated, and was in operation 24 hours per day during the first week and a half. In addition, the Emergency Shelter was opened, and staffed from the 7th through the 19th.
Below are severe winter storms that have affected the area. With the exception of the Ice Storm of 1998, the others were snow storms with at least 15" of snowfall.
|
February 17-18, 1952 |
January 10-11, 1987 |
December 18-18, 1991 |
|
February 17, 1955 |
January 22-23, 1987 |
February 4-5, 1992 |
|
February 19-20, 1960 |
March 1-3, 1987 |
February 28-29, 1992 |
|
January 23-24, 1966 |
November 25-26, 1987 |
March 21, 1992 |
|
January 30, 1966 |
December 15-16, 1987 |
Jan. 31-Feb. 1, 1993 |
|
February 23, 1967 |
January 8-9, 1988 |
February 16-17, 1993 |
|
February 10, 1969 |
January 25, 1988 |
February 21-22, 1993 |
|
February 24-26, 1969 |
February 12-13, 1988 |
March 5-6, 1993 |
|
January 10, 1977 |
December 2-3, 1989 |
March 13-14, 1993 |
|
April 7, 1982 |
January 29-30, 1990 |
March 5-6, 1994 |
|
March 13-14, 1984 |
December 3-4. 1990 |
February 4-5, 1995 |
|
November 21, 1986 |
January 11-12, 1991 | |
|
January 1-2, 1987 |
March 23-24, 1991 |
March 31, 2001 |
|
|
|
|
December through April presents a threat to Poland for severe winter storms. January and February provide the highest incidence of occurrence.
Onset of a severe winter storm is gradual allowing accurate prediction and forewarning.
A severe winter storm may last from several hours to several days.
A severe winter storm will affect a large geographical area, encompassing many municipalities. Many days may transpire before transportation can be restored to normal.
Copyright 2002, Wayne Cotterly
