1888 Great Blizzard

The 1888 Great Blizzard, occurring March 11-14, was one of the worst blizzards in American history, mainly affecting the Northeast. Over 400 people died as fierce winds and heavy snow created whiteout conditions, burying trains and stranding passengers. The storm’s extreme weather was fueled by a collision of warm and cold air masses. Cities like New York were paralyzed, with drifts reaching up to 50 feet. The disaster highlighted the limitations of weather forecasting at the time and prompted improvements in storm tracking and preparedness, significantly impacting future responses to severe weather events.