1888 New York City Blizzard

The 1888 New York City Blizzard, occurring from March 11 to 14, was one of the most severe winter storms in U.S. history. The blizzard rapidly blanketed the East Coast with up to 50 inches of snow, driven by 40 mph winds, resulting in whiteout conditions. Public transportation ground to a halt, stranding thousands of people, while many lost their lives due to exposure and accidents. The disaster highlighted the city’s inadequate snow removal and emergency response, leading to significant improvements in urban infrastructure and weather forecasting in subsequent years.