A period of below-average temperatures affected much of the
contiguous United States, and several records were broken. An early trace of
snowfall was recorded in Arkansas. There were greater accumulations of snow
across parts of Oklahoma as well.
A quasi-permanent phenomenon referred to as the "polar vortex" may
have been partly responsible for the cold weather. Temperatures in much of the
United States dropped 15 to 35 °F (8.3 to 19 °C) below average by
November 19 following a southward "dip" of the polar vortex into the eastern
two-thirds of the country. The effects of this dip were widespread, bringing
about temperatures as low as 28 °F (-2 °C) in Pensacola,
Florida.
Buffalo, New York received several feet of snow from November
1721. During the 201415 winter season, Boston broke its all-time
official seasonal 107.6 inches (2.73 m) snowfall record from the winter of
199596, with a total snowfall record of 108.6 inches (2.76 m). Many
records for snowfall and temperature were broken for the month of February,
with every state east of the Mississippi River being colder than average some
for the entire winter.
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