The Severe Winter of 1981-1982 in Illinois

Hilberg, Steven D.; Vinzani, Peter G.; Changnon, Stanley A., Jr.

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/77807 Copy

Description

Title

The Severe Winter of 1981-1982 in Illinois

Author(s)

• Hilberg, Steven D.
• Vinzani, Peter G.
• Changnon, Stanley A., Jr.

Issue Date

1983

Keyword(s)

• Glaze
• heavy snow
• ice
• Illinois
• midwestern snowstorm
• severe winter storm
• snow cover
• storm damage
• synoptic analysis
• upper level circulation

Abstract

The winter of 1981-1982 was Illinois' fourth severe winter in six years and the second most severe on record. Eighteen severe winter storms equalled the record number set in the winter of 1977-1978. The winter was unusually long, lasting from late November through early April. This report examines the climatology of the winter in regard to storm characteristics, snowfall, and temperature and contains a general synoptic analysis of each storm. Mean upper atmospheric circulation patterns of this and three previous severe winters are compared. Impacts of the severe storms and the winter in general are discussed in terms of transportation, utilities, public health, government, agriculture, and the environment. The winter of 1981-1982 had the greatest impact in central and southern Illinois. Up to 20 inches of snow and blizzard-like conditions in south central Illinois during the storm of 29-31 January led to it being classified as the most damaging of the winter. The storms and cold of the winter were responsible for 34 deaths and at least 550 injuries statewide. Transportation and energy usage and costs were most affected by the winter weather. Serious agricultural damage resulted from the severe cold, and both the snow and cold had detrimental effects on wildlife.

Publisher

Illinois State Water Survey

Series/Report Name or Number

Report of Investigation (Illinois State Water Survey) RI-104

Type of Resource

text

Language

en

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/77807

Copyright and License Information

Copyright, University of Illinois Board of Trustees. All rights reserved. This document is a product of the Illinois State Water Survey, and has been selected and made available by the Illinois State Water Survey and the University Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It is intended for research and educational use, and proper attribution is requested.

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