The 11 Worst Blizzards in the United States

Snow falling in moderation creates a winter wonderland perfect for sledding and sipping hot cocoa. But excess snow in certain conditions can be deadly and destructive. Blizzards cause property damage, car accidents, hypothermia, and even death. Rapidly falling temperatures combined with blowing snow, high wind speeds, and low visibility is a recipe for disaster. Check out this list of the 11 worst blizzards in the United States. 

The Great Blizzard of 1888

In March 1888, snow pounded the East Coast, from the Chesapeake Bay to Maine. The storm lasted several days and accumulated up to 50 inches of snow in some parts with sustained winds of 45 Mph, producing snow drifts up to 50 feet high. Emergency services were halted, railway and telegraph lines became disabled, and people were stuck in their homes for a week. This historic blizzard was one of the worst in US history, taking 400 lives and creating $25 million in damages.

Year: 1888

Location: East Coast

Deaths: 400

Great Appalachian Storm 1950

The storm of 1950 is one of the few that ranks as a category five on the regional snowfall index. This extratropical cyclone blew through the Eastern United States, causing a blizzard on the west side of the Appalachian Mountains and hurricane winds and rain on the east side. 160 Mph winds were recorded in New England, disrupting power to over one million residents. This incredible storm hit 22 states, killed 383 people, injured 160, and caused $66 million in damages.

Year: 1950

Location: Eastern United States

Deaths: 383

The White Hurricane 1913

An extratropical cyclone produced blizzard conditions and hurricane winds that battered the Great Lakes region. From November 7-10, 1913, 250 people died, the storm destroyed numerous ships, and industries lost millions in cargo. Cities in Minnesota, Illinois, and Ohio received up to 22 inches of snow, and people were shut in for days. The Weather Bureau failed to predict the severity of the blizzard, leaving many unprepared. 

Year: 1913

Location: Great Lakes

Deaths: 250

Children’s Blizzard 1888

January 12, 1888, was an unseasonably warm day for the Great Plains. Children were at school, and adults were at work or out running errands, utterly unaware of what was to come. By 3 PM, the weather significantly shifted, and within a few minutes, one of the worst blizzards in US history poured down on these small towns. People and animals caught in the open froze to death in a matter of minutes, and many of those inside quickly ran out of fuel for their fires. Children were in schoolhouses when the storm hit, and those who made it out alive were led through the tundra tied to ropes. The temperature in some areas got down to 58 degrees below zero. 235 people died throughout the Midwest. 

Year: 1888

Location: Great Plains

Deaths: 235

The Storm of the Century 1993

On March 12, 1993, a sizeable cyclonic storm made its way from the Gulf of Mexico, up the East Coast, and into Canada. The storm was so intense and massive that it coated places like Alabama and Georgia with 13 to 35 inches of snow. Between Louisiana and Cuba, hurricane-force winds spawned a group of tornadoes that killed dozens of people. Record-cold temperatures swept through the Southern and Eastern United States, leaving millions without electricity. The storm’s effects took 208 lives and caused $2 billion in damages. 

Year: 1993

Location: Southern and Eastern United States, Caribbean Islands, and Canada

Deaths: 208

Armistice Day Blizzard 1940

On November 11, 1940, Forecasters predicted a warm, sunny day throughout the Midwest. Men took off work to go duck hunting, and people walked outside with only light jackets. Temperatures rose to the mid-60s by early afternoon but began dropping shortly after. The wind picked up, rain and snow began to fall, and a tornado made landfall. A low-pressure system blew in and produced a raging blizzard. The temperature dropped by 50°, and snowfall accumulated to 27 inches. Many of the duck hunters enjoying their day off froze in the cold or drowned trying to get to safety. Overall, 154 people died within two days. 

Year: 1940

Location: Midwest

Deaths: 154

The North American Blizzard of 1996

For two days (January 6-8, 1996), a category five “extreme” blizzard demolished the East Coast with four feet of snow. Due to an unseasonably warm January, the snow started to melt several days later, creating massive flooding. The damage was over $3 billion; 154 people died from the blizzard and another 33 from the floods. 

Year: 1996

Location: East Coast

Deaths: 154

The Great Blizzard of 1899

Between February 10-14, 1899, a winter storm and historic cold wave moved through most of the United States, mainly east of the Rocky Mountains. Much of the country, including the South, reported record-breaking temperatures in the single digits. Due to the bitter cold and extreme weather, over 100 people died, several bird species froze to death, and the ice utterly destroyed crops. 

Year: 1899

Location: East of the Rockies

Deaths: over 100

Knickerbocker Storm 1922

A blizzard made its way through the Northeastern United States on January 27-28, 1922. Temperatures stayed in the 20s, and over 20 inches of snow accumulated from the Carolinas to Pennsylvania. Shortly after 9 PM on January 28, the storm caused the Knickerbocker Theatre in Washington DC to collapse, killing 98 people and injuring 133. The weakened brick walls holding the building up collapsed under the weight of the heavy snow. The theatre’s architects later killed themselves. 

Year: 1922

Location: Northeast

Deaths: 98

Chicago Blizzard of 1967

This 1967 blizzard hit parts of Illinois and Indiana on January 26-27. Chicago and its suburbs were struck the hardest, and the storm caught many off guards as they went to school and work for the day. The blizzard quickly became a category five, producing 50 Mph wind gusts and snow drifts up to 15 feet. All transportation stopped, effectively paralyzing the city and resulting in $150 million in damages. 26 people died in Chicago, and 60 overall. 

Year: 1967

Location: Illinois and Indiana

Deaths: 60

Great Storm of 1975

The Great Storm began with 45 tornadoes pummeling their way through the Southeastern States before dropping over two feet of snow in the Midwest. Over 100,000 farm animals perished and at least 58 people (an additional 12 from the tornado). Some roads were closed for over a week, wind gusts reached 90 Mph, and snow drifts were 20 feet high.

Year: 1975

Location: Midwest

Deaths: 58