2020 Blizzard

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1. About
2. Blizzard Timeline and Weather Conditions
1. 2.1 January 10th
2. 2.2 January 11th - January 12th
3. 2.3 January 12th
4. 2.4 January 13th
3. Impacts
4. Additional Considerations
5. Response and Aftermath
1. 5.1 Salsola
2. 5.2 Casa di Cavalieri
3. 5.3 Mistfell Vale
4. 5.4 Del Cenere Gang
5. 5.5 New Caledonia
6. 5.6 Loners

In January 2020, a wicked blizzard strikes New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Happy New Year!?

1. About

That the foreboding autumn mist disappeared with the winter chill was quickly forgotten. Frosty breath replaced frosty fog, and light, routine, snowfall announced the change of seasons. Some weeks in December are clear, and some precipitation is freezing rain instead of snow. Still, nothing out of the ordinary. Nothing to be worried about...

2. Blizzard Timeline and Weather Conditions

2.1 January 10th

A freezing rain begins to fall as dawn breaks, coating surfaces in glaze ice amounting to >6.4 mm (0.25 in) of ice thickness.
Temperatures drop dramatically as night approaches and the freezing rain changes over into snow, covering the ice and creating exceedingly slippery surfaces.
Throughout the night and into the following day, an accumulation of 24 in (2', 61 cm) of snow falls at a steady rate.

2.2 January 11th - January 12th

The storm intensifies and snowfall becomes heavy, dumping accumulations of 5 to 10 cm (2 to 4 in) per hour throughout the day.
Sustained wind speeds begin to pick up to 56 kmh (35 mph), with violent gusts exceeding 80 kmh (50 mph).
As the wind blows the snow, dangerous whiteout conditions reduce visibility to less than 400 m (0.25 mi).
Waves swell and shorelines experience flooding as storm surges, generated by the low pressure storm and increased winds, occur along the coasts.
Eerily, flickers of lightning can occasionally be glimpsed through the thick snowfall, followed by rolling thunder, as thundersnow accompanies the blizzard.
Increased wind speeds and decreased visibility continue throughout the day and into the following morning.
As night falls, total accumulation averages around 67 in (5'7", 170 cm) with deeper snow at both higher and lower elevations, while middling elevation areas have less.

2.3 January 12th

By early morning, snowfall gradually becomes lighter and the sun even tries to shine through the thinning clouds.
Though calmer, winds continue to gust, picking up the freshly fallen snow and keeping visibility reduced. Blowing snow forms sizable drifts and dunes across the region.
As evening approaches, the winds finally begin to die down and a final dusting of light snow falls through the night.

2.4 January 13th

The storm dissipates early in the morning, allowing the sun to rise, unhindered, into a perfect blue sky and cast its light over what the blizzard has left in its wake.

3. Impacts

The varied terrain of the Maritime Provinces mean different areas see different kinds of damage, and some areas are hit harder by the blizzard than others.

Low-lying regions, including bogs, marshlands, and valleys will be especially dangerous to traverse during the blizzard. With fewer trees and other natural formations to block the excessive winds, reduced visibility and exposure to the elements can easily lead spell disaster.
With homes and buildings forming wall-like barriers, urban areas, including many Luperci settlements will see considerable drifts as the wind blows snow up against any expansive exterior surfaces. Snowpack and wind gusts will also see many buildings without sound structural integrity become damaged or collapse beneath the pressures of the storm. Any ancient human structures not adequately repaired by Luperci are likely to fall.
All coastal areas see a rise in dangerous waves and tides due to storm surges. Water from waves carried on the violent winds are likely to coat nearby surfaces, buildings, boats, and homes in thick, damaging ice. The impact will be especially troublesome in any coastal cities, including Halifax, St. John, Charlottetown, Amherst, and Bathurst.
Areas with an abundance of rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds, such as the Miramichi Watershed, the River of Fire, and southern Branta Stretch, can be deceptive and dangerous even after the blizzard clears as deep snow conceals any and all evidence of thin ice.
Heavily forested regions, while effective at helping to block violent winds and blowing snow, will also see considerable damage as heavy snowpack causes branches to break and whole trees to bend or fall.
With their higher elevations, mountains regions will have the least protection from the blizzard and are likely to see considerable accumulations of snowfall.

4. Additional Considerations

Ice could make the ground sharp, causing lacerations to skin and paw pads.
Canines and other animals can easily become disoriented and lost due to reduced visibility.
Digging out will be a difficult and extensive process, likely paralyzing travel for some time.
Stress and strain from snow removal could result in injuries or death.
Heavy snowpack atop tree branches and shelters can easily result in falling trees and cave-ins.
Food may become scarce if prey are hard to find or have perished in the storm.
Loss of livestock seems inevitable; even in modern times, farmers have experienced huge losses.

5. Response and Aftermath

5.1 Salsola

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5.2 Casa di Cavalieri

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5.3 Mistfell Vale

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5.4 Del Cenere Gang

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5.5 New Caledonia

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5.6 Loners

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Category: Plot