New York’s Worst Storms
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.
FEBRUARY, MARCH 1717 Four consecutive storms, together called “The Great Snow of 1717,” left much of New England covered in 3 to 4 feet of snow, according to accounts. Some snow drifts reached nearly 2 1/2 stories high.
JANUARY 1772 “The Washington and Jefferson Snowstorm” trapped both founding fathers in their homes in Mount Vernon and Monticello. About 3 feet of snow fell in New England.
DECEMBER 1811 An incredibly destructive storm attacked New York and Long Island, laying waste to much of the city’s ships and ports.
MARCH 1888 The infamous “Blizzard of 1888” brought the city to its knees, crippling transportation and killing hundreds. Snowdrifts were said to be two stories high at some locations in the city.
DECEMBER 1947 In the days right after the winter holidays, a surprise snowstorm brought 26.4 inches of snow to the city – the most snow ever until this weekend’s history making storm.
FEBRUARY 1969 What could have been the heaviest snowstorm ever faded into a rainstorm at the last moment. About 20 inches of snow accumulated in the storm.
FEBRUARY 1977 New York was hit hard by this storm, but the city of Buffalo was shut down for an entire week. About 28 people died from the weather. Hundreds of cars were stranded on highways.
MARCH 1996 This so-called “Blizzard of the Century” attacked a broad swath of the country, from Alabama to Massachusetts. Snow fell at record rates – in some places more than an inch an hour.
