The Great White Hurricane of 1888: Snowfall so heavy it buried cities
On March 11-14, 1888, a massive blizzard struck the northeastern United States, dumping 50-60 inches of snow in some areas, including 50.8 inches in just 24 hours in Fort Slocum, New York. The storm, known as the Great White Hurricane, paralyzed cities like New York and Boston, with drifts reaching as high as 50 feet. The disaster led to 400-600 deaths and a significant shift in how weather forecasts and emergency preparedness were handled in the region.