April 2016 North American storm complex

April 2016 North American storm complex
The large upper-level low and accompanying cold front draped across the Central United States on April 18
TypeCold-core low
Winter storm
Blizzard
Flood
FormedApril 15, 2016 (2016-04-15)[2]
DissipatedApril 23, 2016 (2016-04-23)[1]
Lowest pressure1006 mb (29.71 inHg)
Maximum snowfall
or ice accretion
Snow – 51.3 in (130 cm) near Pinecliffe, Colorado[2]
Rainfall – Near 20 in (51 cm) around the Houston, Texas areas[3]
Fatalities8 confirmed[4]
Damage$2.7 billion
Power outages147,000[2]
Areas affectedTexas (especially the city of Houston), Western United States (Rocky Mountains)

The April 2016 North American storm complex was a major storm system that resulted from an upper-level low in the United States stalling and producing record-breaking rain in and around Houston, Texas, resulting in severe flooding, as well as a major snowstorm in the Rocky Mountains.[5] There were more than 17 inches of rain in one day in parts of the city, and up to 4 inches of rain per hour that morning at George Bush Intercontinental Airport. It is described as the wettest April in the city on record.[6]

As the most widespread flood event there since Tropical Storm Allison in 2001, it caused a state of emergency to be declared in nine counties.[7]

  1. ^ "WPC Surface Analysis Archive". Weather Prediction Center. Retrieved 2016-05-15.
  2. ^ a b c "Winter Storm Vexo, Major April Snowstorm, Pounds the Rockies, High Plains (RECAP)". The Weather Channel. April 17, 2016. Retrieved April 20, 2016.
  3. ^ "Dangerous Flood Threat Ongoing in Texas; Water Rescues Reported Near Houston (FORECAST)". The Weather Channel. April 17, 2016. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
  4. ^ "8 confirmed deaths after flooding across Houston area". click2houston. 21 April 2016. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  5. ^ Michael Pearson and Melissa Gray (April 18, 2016). "Houston flooding: At least 5 dead - CNN.com". CNN. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
  6. ^ "Nearly 900 Rescued as Severe Flooding Strikes Houston". KTIC Radio. Archived from the original on April 19, 2016. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
  7. ^ ABC News (2016-04-19). "In Houston Nearly 900 Are Rescued as Severe Flooding Sweeps Through City". ABC News. Retrieved April 19, 2016.