When I was a youngster back in 1888, a great snow hit New England. We had to walk to school back then in knee deep snow. It was uphill, both ways! How many times have you heard that one? Seriously, the Blizzard of 1888 was nothing short of vicious, and to this day it remains the benchmark by which all other great snowstorms are measured. Snowfall was crippling, exceeding 50 inches in some locations. The storm generated winds to near-hurricane force that produced drifts over 2 stories high. The huge amount of snow occurred because the storm slowed and took a full day to complete a loop to the south of New England. More about the great blizzard below.



This graphic shows the elements that triggered the Blizzard of 1888. Simply, it was one of the most fearsome clashes of air masses of all time. Frigid air was charging southward out of Canada, while at the same time moist, 60-degree air was running up along the Eastern Seaboard. This air mass struggle went on for two days with the arctic air finally winning out. The storm became quite intense with winds approaching hurricane force. The blinding, knee-deep snow stranded thousands. The snow combined with bitter cold winds took a terrible toll. Over 400 persons perished during the storm, some just a short distance from home.

There is a great book on that! I spent a whole day reading on that storm! Could you imagine clearing 6 feet of snow with a horse and buggy? That storm was worse than the 1993 storm by a long shot, also in 1888 the cherry trees were budding as far north as Boston Mass! Isn't that a big turn around! I think the storm hit in late March, so March has a lot of bad storms. I think it is very likely that another storm like this may hit soon.

Well I don't remember the blizzard of 1888 who does.... However I do remember the blizzard of 1996.

Philadelphia recieved about 30 inches in that system. Whoa talking about history in the making there..