2012-2013 North American winter storm season

In 2012, the National Weather Service began the naming of North American winter storms for every year from that point. A winter storm is named when it is categorized as a "notable" winter storm that affected multiple areas.

Winter Storm Agnes
In late November, an extratropical cyclone developing off the northeast coast started to intensify, and it became a nor'easter on November 28th. As the strong cyclone approached New England, the NWC named it "Agnes", the first winter storm to ever be officially named. Agnes moved over Massachusetts on November 30th. Close to 1 and a half feet of snow fell all over the state, blocking roadways for at least 2 days. Nearly 1 foot of snow fell as far north as Nova Scotia, and around 6 inches fell as far south as Pennsylvania. Agnes began to dissipate as it continued to cause strong winds and more snow across the northeast until December 1st. Winter Storm Agnes was ranked as a category 1 "notable" storm.

Winter Storm Bert
A low pressure northwest of Georgia that was quickly moving east merged with another potent area of low pressure on December 19th. The new, large storm began to intensify as it slowly meandered north in the Atlantic. Snow bands began to form as the storm transitioned into a nor'easter. The NWC named the intensifying system "Bert". On December 21st, the large storm swept over New Jersey with winds gusting to 80 miles per hour as heavy snow fell and waves as high as 9 feet crashed onto the shoreline. A blizzard warning was issued across the entire northeast coast from Maine to as far south as the Carolinas. At least 1 inch of snow was reported as far southwest as Mississippi as Bert crashed into the east coast. More than 2'2 feet of snow fell in New England, with up to 3'4 feet falling in parts of Maine. Bert began to weaken over land, but it dumped heavy snow everywhere in its path, causing lake-effect snow on Lake Ontario and far eastern Lake Erie. The snowstorm eventually dissipated on December 24th, but holiday travel plans were interrupted and ruined across the northeast. Roads were blocked for days as far south as Virginia. Bert was ranked as a category 3 "major" storm.