2021 Central Artemian snowstorm
| Type |
Extratropical cyclone Winter storm Blizzard Ice storm Flood |
|---|---|
| Formed | 20 February 2021 |
| Dissipated | 4 March 2021 |
| Lowest pressure | 902 mb (26.64 inHg) |
| Lowest temperature | -36°C |
| Highest winds | |
| Maximum snowfall or ice accretion | 101 inches (257 cm) in Klimtburg, Seratof |
| Damage | Unknown |
| Power outages | 20 million + |
| Casualties | 17 confirmed |
| Areas affected |
 Samotkhe  Seratof  Svenskt  Velselexo |
The 2021 Central Artemian snowstorm, also known as the 100 Years' storm and the White Death, was a major winter storm and blizzard that affected much of south-central Artemia. The storm formed on February 20, made landfall on February 26, and dissipated on March 4.
The 2021 Central Artemian snowstorm resulted in climatologically abnormal levels of snow and ice accumulation in south-central Artemia. Large metropolitan areas such as Seso saw as much as 28-32 inches (71-82 cm) of snowfall between February 26 and March 4. Azxara saw as much as 42 inches (106 cm) of snow between the same period, the worst snowfall the city has ever recorded. The record for the most snowfall was located in Klimtburg, Seratof, which saw snow accumulation of 101 inches.
The storm caused several countries to issue states of emergency. Seratof declared its own states of emergency after Azxara and much of Seratof Country saw record-breaking snowfall on February 26.
The storm is regarded as one of the worst of its kind to have impacted south-central Artemia in recorded history. The storm resulted in more than 20 million power outages across the region. The storm was particularly disastrous in Seratof. The entire infrastructure system in Azxara and its suburbs collapsed, and millions in Seratof Country were left without electricity. Klimtburg was totally inaccessible as all roads leading to it were covered in snow or avalanche. Many schools in south-central Artemia also closed, along with many other businesses and factories. The storm caused the deaths of at least 14 people: thirteen in Seratof and one in Velselexo.
Public utilities were fully restored by March 2021.
Meteorological history[edit | edit source]
On February 20 2021, an extratropical cyclone developed in the Eurybian Sea, sending strong winds northward towards the coastal nations along the south-central coast of Artemia, namely Seratof and Velselexo. The storm encountered a mass originating from Gardarike, which caused a major snowstorm to develop.
On February 26, the storm made landfall in south-central Artemia, causing snow to accumulate in regions along the southern coasts of Velselexo. The storm continued inland and later caused snow to accumulate in Seratof starting on February 27. As the storm moved northward through the region, the storm increased in size and resulted in heavier snowfall in the interior of Seratof, Svenskt, and Samotkhe.
As the storm moved over the Sarte Mountains and into Gardarike, it began to reduce in size. It dissipated on March 4.
Preparations and impact[edit | edit source]
Samotkhe[edit | edit source]
Seratof[edit | edit source]
Seratofian meteorologists, while working closely with regional partners during the storm's initial onset, also predicted the storm's potential as one of the largest and most catastrophic storm south-central Artemia will experience. The Seratofian Meteorological Council was notified by regional counterparts on the 23rd of February, and urged the government to issue storm and weather warnings as early as possible.
Even though the SMC had notified the government in the early hours of the 24th of February, PM Abrams Önavedi decided to observe the storm's formation first as well as look into other nations' responses in determining a state of emergency. PM Önavedi ordered the ministry of information to release a severe weather warning, however no storm warning. Upon heavy snowfall in the island of Sobruza on the 26th, PM Önavedi declared a local disaster emergency on the island, instructing all associated ministries and officials to intervene.
Help was too late when it arrived as the island, only experiencing snowfall very occasionally, was crippled by at least 10 inches (25 cm) of snow in most areas, with some locales and municipality experiencing more. A severe power outage and utilities shortage was observed as the local plants did not have any measures or contingency plans to cope with the massive amounts of snow and precipitation.
The storm continued to move northwards and gained momentum and strength as it collided with a cold mass from Gardarike. Azxara recieved 36 inches (91 cm) of snow on the 27th alone, setting a record for most snow falling in a 24 hour period in the city. Upon making record-breaking snowfall in the capital and its surrounding areas, PM Önavedi instantly declared a state of national emergency. The southern power grid was crippled, and more than 15 million people were left without electricity after various structures supporting the grid malfunctioned due to the immense stress of the snow and cold temperatures. The Seratofian army was also directed to facilitate aid and national relief.
Meteorologists have warned the federal government that the storm will only get worse as it heads north to colder and denser masses, and residents of Heltia and the northern region of Venimalands should brace themselves for even stronger storms and harsher precipitation. The central plain of Seratof recieved anywhere from 50 to 60 (127 to 152 cm) inches of snow in accumulation between the 28th and the 4th of March, burying many towns and roads under the snow.
On the 1st of March, the storm continued to drive north into the heartlands of Venimaland, continuing to gain momentum and mass from the cold mass that was already present in the region. Although the cities and towns in the north were already accustomed and prepared for moderate snow, the current snowstorm still manage to overwhelm local authorities. The city of Klimtburg, located in a valley some 1,200 meters above sea level, was especially hit the worst, with local measurements citing 98 inches (250 cm) of snow falling into the city on the 1st of March alone, breaking all records for snowfall in a single-day period in Seratof, and one of the worst snowfalls in a single day anywhere in Anterra excluding the mountains.
PM Önavedi declared a state of national mourning and remembrance to all the victims and possessions lost to the snowstorm, and ordered all flags both domestically and abroad to be flown at half-mast. Rescue workers continued to search for potential survivors trapped under the thick layers of snow, and continued to provide aid to those in need and most fragile. Several international humanitarian agencies, such as the Germanic Knights Order in Alvakalia and XXX arrived in Seratof on the 3rd of March to facilitate aid coming from those nations and other donators, easing the Seratofian rescue and search authority.
Seratof was especially hit the worst by the snowstorm, as the path of the storm coincided with most of the Seratofian lands. As of March 2021, damages are still being calculated, although some analysts predict the total cost of the snowstorm to be in the tens of billions. Virtually all schools and businesses remain closed as of the 7th of March 2021, and until further notice, all border crossings and entry into Seratof.
Many have comment on the extremely slow response on behalf of the federal government, pinning it to PM Önavedi who was deemed to have "stalled" the preparations for the snowstorm by delaying the declaration of a national emergency, causing many to underestimate the snow storm. The initial publication of a weather warning and not a storm warning was believed to have made most of the Seratofian public unwary of the impending snow storm, and had the storm warnings been declared earlier, the number of deaths could have been mitigated.