| Extreme Blizzard (TGMC) | |
 Ferus at peak intensity while over the Central and Northern Plains. | |
| Formed | December 24, 2021 |
| Dissipated | December 28, 2021 |
| Peak Gusts | 73 mph |
| Top Snowfall | 76" |
| Pressure | 984 millibars |
| Total damages | $750 million (2021 USD) |
| Total fatalities | 0 direct, 22 indirect |
| Areas affected | Sierra Nevadas, Rockies, Great Plains, South, Great Lakes, Northeast |
| Part of the 2021-22 United States winter storm season | |
Winter Storm Ferus was a very strong winter storm that trekked across the United States around Christmas in 2021. The storm was the strongest of the season in terms of top snowfall. It produced a top snowfall of 76", brought high winds in excess of 70 mph, and also some ice accretions were reported. Ferus was the worst winter storm in the Plains since Winter Storm Lucian in the 2018-19 season.
Meteorological history[]
A large extratropical cyclone moved into the United States through Oregon, taking a path that followed the jet stream through the US. The system produced traces of snow in the Sierra Nevadas, with small ice accretions involved. As the system moved north, it expanded and became a named winter storm, where very high snowfall totals were reported through December 24 and 25. On the back of the system, tornadoes were being reported. The pressure on the system deepened to 984 millibars on December 26, while over the Great Plains. Snowfall totals of around 15-20 inches with blizzard conditions were reported in the region. In the state of Oklahoma, both tornadoes and snow was reported in different regions of the state. The system swept through the Great Lakes on December 27, bringing snowfall totals of over 1 foot, and very high winds. On December 28, the system moved into Canada where the pressure deepened to 968 millibars, moving off to Greenland.
Confirmed tornadoes[]
| Confirmed Total |
Confirmed EF0 |
Confirmed EF1 |
Confirmed EF2 |
Confirmed EF3 |
Confirmed EF4 |
Confirmed EF5 |
| 7 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
December 25 event[]
| List of confirmed tornadoes - December 25, 2021 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | ||||||
| EF0 | Floydada | 1944-1946 | A weak tornado touched down in Floydada, where houses sustained minor siding and gutter damage. A few trees were uprooted. Floydada High School also sustained minor damage, with busted windows due to debris battering the building. | |||
December 26 event[]
| List of confirmed tornadoes - December 26, 2021 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma | ||||||
| EF1 | S of Marlow | 1317-1320 | Another weak tornado destroyed outbuildings, uprooted trees, and damaged homes. | |||
| EF3 | N of Alma to Tatmus | 1500-1511 | A very high-end EF3 tornado tracked through Central Oklahoma, completely destroying 2 homes in the countryside before striking Ratliff City. In Ratliff City, dozens of frame homes damaged or destroyed in the area. Several of the homes were swept away with only the subflooring left behind. A motor home was also lofted 30 ft (10 yd) and overturned. Additional trees were snapped or uprooted as the tornado left Ratliff City. As the tornado neared Tatums, at least 20 homes, barns, and outbuildings were significantly damaged. When the tornado did finally enter the town of Tatums, it had weakened into a rope tornado and lifted. In Tatums, the strongest damage caused was to a home that sustained significant damage to its roof, and was pushed slightly off of its cinder block foundation. This was the strongest tornado of the outbreak. | |||
| EF0 | E of Katie | 1533-1534 | ||||
| EF0 | SW of Hennepin | 1549-1550 | A brief tornado uprooted trees. | |||
| EF1 | W of Springer | 1905-1907 | Numerous trees were uprooted, along with few destroyed outbuildings. | |||
| EF2 | S of Idabel | 2301-2311 | A high-end EF2 tornado touched down, heavily damaging numerous homes and trees. Power poles were snapped, homes had their roofs completely removed, and mobile homes were completely destroyed. | |||