More than three decades have passed since a deadly, multiday blizzard wreaked havoc in the Tri-State area. Dubbed the “Storm of the Century,” this Category 5 storm originated in the Gulf of Mexico on March 12, 1993, before making its way up the East Coast. For days, the eastern U.S. was battered by heavy snow, hurricane-like winds, and thunderstorms.
The storm blanketed the Northeast with nearly 20 inches of snow, with certain parts of upstate New York receiving over 40 inches. Notably, Syracuse witnessed a staggering 35.4 inches of snowfall in just one day, establishing a new all-time record for 24-hour snowfall, as reported by the NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information.
1993 FLASHBACK: N.J. Burkett reports on the storm from Long Island
NJ Burkett reports.
Some areas experienced temperatures dropping below freezing, with Rochester registering a bone-chilling minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit amidst the snowfall.
The cold snap and treacherous storm conditions led to the closure of numerous roads and airports. Major cities such as New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., had to shut down schools due to the hazardous weather.
Historically significant storms, like the Great Blizzard of 1888, serve as reminders of the ferocity of nature:
Renowned critic Joel Siegel delves into the historical context of the Great Blizzard of 1888.
The Superstorm of 1993 left a lasting impact, affecting nearly 40% of the U.S. population and claiming over 300 lives. The blizzard also resulted in substantial damages estimated at $6-11 billion.
AccuWeather provides approximate snowfall totals, highlighting some of the highest recorded accumulations.
Mount Leconte, Tennessee:ย 56 inches
Mount Mitchell, North Carolina:ย 50 inches
Snowshoe, West Virginia:ย 44 inches
Syracuse, New York:ย 43 inches
Latrobe, Pennsylvania:ย 36 inches
Lincoln, New Hampshire: 35 inches
Albany, New York:ย 27 inches
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania:ย 25 inches
Asheville, North Carolina:ย 19 inches
Birmingham, Alabama:ย 17 inches
