The 2022–23 North American winter was an unusually warm winter for the east and an unusually cold winter for the west in North America, as it occurred across the continent from late 2022 to early 2023. The winter season in North America began at the winter solstice, which occurred on December 21, 2022, and it ended at the March equinox, which occurred on March 20, 2023. The first day of meteorological winter began on December 1 and unofficially ended on February 28; winter storms may still occur outside of these limits.
Seasonal forecasts
On October 20, 2022, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center released its outlook for the upcoming winter in the United States. Temperatures were favored to be below normal in the Pacific Northwest and Northern Plains, and above normal in the Southwestern United States, Southeastern United States and Northeastern United States. Temperatures were forecast to be above average in Hawaii and near average across most of Alaska. Precipitation was forecast to be above normal in the Pacific Northwest and Great Lakes region, and below normal in the Southwestern United States and Southeastern United States. Western Alaska was forecast to have above normal precipitation, as was Hawaii.
Seasonal summary
On October 17, a minor early-season cold-core low impacted the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, with some areas receiving of snow, and over 30,000 customers losing power. This resulted in the heaviest October snow on record for Marquette, Michigan across a two-day period. Over the next few days, cold air pushed south, breaking records in the Midwest and Deep South. For the first time in history, Tallahassee, Florida froze before Denver, Colorado. On November 4, a winter storm on the backend of a tornado outbreak led to a 100-car pileup in Denver forcing 6th Avenue to close. The crash led to 13 injuries, one of which was serious. In Amarillo, Texas, the temperature dropped to , allowing for rare early-season snowflakes. On November 9, a major winter storm struck North Dakota, leading to a pileup causing several injuries on Interstate 94. An intense lake-effect snowstorm produced massive snow accumulations, primarily situated in the Buffalo area, with the highest total of snowfall peaking in Orchard Park, New York. Prior to the Christmas holiday, another snowstorm occurred, which led to 106 deaths, 41 in the Buffalo area alone. On January 8, icy roads in Iowa led to a car crash, killing 2. Heavy snow resulted in Mesa Verde National Park being shut down for 3 days in mid-February.
Events
Early November blizzard
Starting late on November 9, a significant blizzard affected the Midwestern United States. The Storm Prediction Center issued a Mesoscale Discussion 1938 stating portions of North Dakota and Minnesota would have snowfall rates per hour for much of the day on November 10. On November 10, of ice was reported west-northwest of Westwood Colony, South Dakota. On Interstate 94 in North Dakota, a pileup of at least two dozen cars resulted in “numerous” injuries, but no fatalities. Between Fargo and Grand Forks, portions of Interstate 29 closed. of snow was reported in Ralph, South Dakota. In Bismarck, North Dakota, fell, making it the second snowiest day in Bismarck on record. The Winter Storm was unofficially named Winter Storm Alejandra by The Weather Channel.
Mid-November winter storm
An intense lake-effect snow storm produced massive snow accumulations in the Buffalo metropolitan area. In preparation for the storm, the NFL game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns game was moved to Detroit. In addition, New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for 11 counties in Upstate New York. On the New York Thruway west of Exit 46, the road closed on the afternoon of November 17. Multiple Amtrak stations such as Buffalo, Niagara Falls and Depew closed, and Eric County suspended all bus service. Hamburg recorded of snow by 8am on November 18. By 2:30pm, that amount increased to , with in Orchard Park. In Buffalo, from 8-9pm fell. Reed Timmer measured of snow at 9:30pm in Hamburg. Over 6,000 customers lost power. The same lake effect storm also hammered parts of Ohio with up to of snow in 12 hours. By the morning of November 19, Hamilton Park reported of snow. Orchard Park reached of snow, and of snow in 24 hours, which broke the record for the area. Buffalo International Airport reported by the end of the storm. Hamburg, New York eventually reported of snow, being the highest total from the storm. Heavy lake-effect snow also occurred in Watertown where of snow was reported. Snow was amplified partially due to very warm Lake Erie temperatures of .