The Biggest Snowstorm to Ever Hit Vermont In the Month of April

Written by Chanel Coetzee
Updated: May 11, 2023
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While snowstorms are generally associated with winter, they are not unheard of in the spring. Some people have experienced heavy snowfall in April, and the state of Vermont is no exception. However, there are other states in the USA where snowstorms in April are not so rare, like Alaska, but they cause major problems in areas unprepared for the devastation they bring. That’s why the biggest snowstorm to ever hit Vermont in April was so surprising to residents and wildlife in the state. The storm was so big it affected many towns in several states in the northeast. The storm occurred on April 1, 1807, and will forever be known as the April Fool’s snowstorm that rocked New England.

What Was the Biggest April Snowstorm in Vermont History?

The biggest snowstorm to ever hit Vermont in April didn’t just affect the Green Mountain State; it caused destruction from Illinois to the northeast. In addition, it was unusual as the storm’s track was not the easter variety or coastal, which generally produces massive snowstorms. Instead, it was a low moving northeast from Tennessee Valley to the mid-Atlantic states and around Manhattan, New York. As a result, immense snowfall was recorded to the north of the storm’s path. Furthermore, the Illinois-Indiana border reported an 11-inch accumulation, but New England, New York, and Pennsylvania received much higher snowfall. For example:

  • 60 inches in Danville, Vermont
  • 54 inches in Utica, New York
  • 52 inches in Lunenburg, Vermont
  • 52 inches in Montrose, Pennsylvania
  • 48 inches in Montpelier, Vermont
  • 42-48 inches in Norfolk, Connecticut
Snowstorm in the wilderness

The April Fool’s snowstorm of 1807 was so big that it affected many towns in several states in the northeast.

©iStock.com/corradobarattaphotos

Impact of the Snowstorm

While there is not much information about this snowstorm because it happened in 1807, severe storms generally result in heavy snow accumulations, strong winds, wind chills, and power outages. In addition, repairing the damage caused by a snowstorm of this magnitude is costly and could take time. Furthermore, visibility in a storm like this is a huge problem as highways, streets, and sidewalks become hazardous to motorists and pedestrians. There are several meteorological factors that cause these storms to develop. For example, in Vermont and surrounding states, the airflow direction, the air’s moisture content, and the combination of warm air flowing from the Gulf Coast and cooler air traveling south from the Arctic affect the severity of a snowstorm.

Snowstorms also cause large accumulations of ice, which is extremely dangerous because:

  • Icy roads and highways are slippery and can cause tragic accidents
  • Ice weighs down trees and power lines
  • It can cause power outages
  • Snowfall and freezing rain can cover ice accumulation, making travel incredibly dangerous.

What is the Typical April Weather in Vermont?

Weather in Vermont will defer depending on location. Therefore, here are tables of the average temperature for April in Southern, Northern, and Central Vermont.

Southern Vermont

PlaceLow °FHigh °F
Bennington3457
Cavendish2955
Rutland3155
Woodstock3155

Northern Vermont

PlaceLow °FHigh °F
Burlington3655
Essex Junction3554
Island Pond2949
Jay Peak2846
Mount Mansfield2843
Newport2951
South Hero3454
St Albans3352
St Johnsbury3257

Central Vermont

PlaceLow °FHigh °F
Barre3052
Montpelier3253
Rochester3054
South Lincoln2950

How Do Late-Season Snowstorms Impact Wildlife in Vermont?

Something like an unpredictable snowstorm and prove difficult for wildlife. For example, as the weather starts to warm up in March (reaching over 50 degrees Fahrenheit), followed by extreme cold and snow in April, it causes troublesome conditions for a variety of species in Vermont. Effected wildlife includes:

Spruce Grouse

State-endangered spruce grouse is one of the species in Vermont that suffer from April snowstorms. These birds start displaying courtship and breeding rituals in the early spring and soon begin to nest. However, if there is a freak blizzard in April, their nests and eggs get buried under heavy snow, resulting in a high rate of nest failures. But this is not the only problem with unpredictable weather in Vermont. Waterfowl delay their migration because some areas in the state are experiencing warmer winters. Therefore, these birds have prolonged access to open water sources and sometimes only leave in late December or early January, potentially exposing them to colder weather during migration.

Black Bears

In Vermont, black bears typically appear from hibernation in early March. These bears are triggered to retreat to their dens when their food sources start to dry up in fall or early winter, which is typically followed by heavy snowfall. However, climate change has driven black bears and many other species into hiding much later, and they emerge earlier than they should. So, when there is an unsuspected snowstorm in April, the bears will retreat back to their dens. But, the freezing temperatures will delay the return of their prey, and bears can become weak and sick due to malnourishment, which can lead to death if they can’t find food. Furthermore, female black bears usually give birth to their cubs while hibernating. These cubs are vulnerable and need food to grow and strengthen their immune systems.

If black bears can’t find food, there is a good possibility they will travel to urban or suburban areas in search of a meal. Unfortunately, this could lead to homeowners shooting the bears to protect their children and pets.

Wood Turtle

During the winter months, wood turtles bromate (their version of hibernation) under the water in rivers and streams. Depending on their preference, they spend their time underwater alone or communally with other turtle species. In addition, they overwinter in places with fallen debris, which provides structure to prevent them from dislodging during flooding. Therefore, the bottom of deep pools seems to be a favorite spot.

Wood turtles usually emerge during mid-April. However, they have recently started to emerge in early March because of the warm weather. So, if there is a freak snowstorm in April and the turtles are taken by surprise, they will be exposed to freezing temperatures. When cold-tunned, wood turtles become lethargic, which prevents them from swimming. As a result, they will float to the surface, exposing them to predators or poachers.

Chipmunk

These cute little critters have babies from April to May because this is the perfect time for them to spend their days looking for food, which they carry back to their dens several times a day. Surprisingly, their dens can house up to 1.5 gallons of seeds and nuts. They need all this food to help them get through winter when it is hard to find sustenance. Therefore, when there is an unforeseen snowstorm in April when they have their babies, it might cause them some distress. Finding food won’t be easy; if they can’t nourish their bodies, they can’t feed their offspring.

Migrating Birds

Generally, birds begin to arrive when the first signs of spring appear. For example, when flowers start to bloom, and plants sprout their first leaves. Therefore, returning outside this window can be detrimental to shape and limit their diet, mating habits, and the potential to be exposed to remnants of cold weather. Furthermore, when weather patterns are unpredictable, it causes a chain reaction of disrupted environmental patterns. For example, animals are not the only ones who can sense changes in the weather; some plants can too. So, if plants sense something is coming, they can bloom earlier. Meaning that by the time the birds get there, their food source (who rely on vegetation to survive) is scarce or nonexistent.

Conclusion

The biggest snowstorm to ever hit Vermont in April showed people that weather is truly unpredictable. Everyone was gearing up for summer and planting crops. But mother nature had other plans. So while an unexpected snowstorm is exciting, it has consequences like disrupting traffic, power lines, and the wildlife in the area.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/DonLand


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About the Author

Chanel Coetzee is a writer at A-Z Animals, primarily focusing on big cats, dogs, and travel. Chanel has been writing and researching about animals for over 10 years. She has also worked closely with big cats like lions, cheetahs, leopards, and tigers at a rescue and rehabilitation center in South Africa since 2009. As a resident of Cape Town, South Africa, Chanel enjoys beach walks with her Stafford bull terrier and traveling off the beaten path.

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