Winter in the Empire State can be legendarily rough. From blinding white blizzards to record-high snowfall, we have a history of some really terrible winter storms in New York (like, for example, the dreadful New York City Blizzard of 2006). Check out a few of the most memorable ones throughout history; which winter in New York would you say was the most infamous? Let us know! 

1. Great White Hurricane (March 11-14, 1888)
LIFE Photo Archive/Wikimedia Commons
The Great Blizzard of 1888 hit the East Coast from the Chesapeake Bay on up to Maine. Parts of New York got up to 40 inches, with other states getting even more snow. The weather had been unseasonably mild prior to the nor'easter's arrival. Railroads were shut down throughout the region, and telegraph lines were down as well, so communication was minimal. This storm caused New York City to begin to place telephone and telegraph wires underground. It also contributed to the creation of the country's first underground subway system. Around 400 people were killed in the blizzard, and there was more than $720 million of damage (in 2021 dollars).
2. St. Valentine's Day Blizzard (February 10-14, 1899)
Library of Congress
The Great Blizzard of 1899 was notable for how much of the country it affected. Pretty much the entire nation east of the Rocky Mountains got some level of snow. There were even snowball fights on the steps of the Florida State Capitol. Temperatures in Watertown, New York reached a frigid -24° F. More than 100 people were killed in the storm.
3. Great Blizzard of 1947 (December 25-26, 1947)
Al Fenn/The LIFE Picture Collection - Getty Images via Flickr
The Great Blizzard of 1947 is considered the worst to have occurred after 1888. In some areas, snow remained on the ground until March because there were simply not enough places to deposit the snow. The storm came completely by surprise, as there were no weather stations in its path. It came from the opposite direction of most snowstorms in the northeast. There were 77 fatalities as a result of the storm.

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4. Lindsay Snowstorm (February 8-10, 1969)
Susan Quinn/Flickr
New York City was hit extremely hard by the February 1969 nor'easter. Snowfall exceeded 20 inches in some areas, and thousands of people were stranded on roads and in airports. Forecasts expected far less snow than was actually received, so most people were caught unaware. NYC Mayor John Lindsay was criticized for his handling of the disaster and many referred to the storm as the "Lindsay Snowstorm." It marked the first time in history that the New York Stock Exchange closed for a full day due to weather, and 42 people died in New York.
5. Blizzard of 1996 (January 6-10, 1996)
irmiller/Flickr
The North American Blizzard of 1996 was a massive snowstorm that affected many states on the east coast. It was one of the few snowstorms to ever cause disruption to New York City's subway system. Some boroughs received more than 30 inches of snow. The storm was followed by unusually warm weather: the rapid melting of the snow caused even further damage. All together, 154 people perished in the storm and subsequent flooding.
6. Blizzard of 2006 (February 11-13, 2006)
mtkr/Flickr
The heaviest snow in the New York City Blizzard of 2006 was concentrated around New York City. All three of the airports in NYC had to close down, and Central Park experienced record snowfall. The snowfall was almost entirely limited to the city. Nearby, Albany received just 1-2 inches of snowfall.
7. Winter Storm Jonas (January 19-29, 2016)
Danazar/Wikimedia Commons
The Winter Storm Jonas, otherwise known as the Blizzard of 2006, was one of the worst winter storms in New York history. The storm brought record snowfall to many states, and others suffered terrible tornadoes and coastal flooding. Snow in some parts of Long Island fell at more than three inches an hour during the heaviest parts of the storm. Some areas of the state had near-whiteout conditions.

So there you have it: seven of the worst winter storms in New York (and United States) history! Did you know our beautiful state was prone to winter disasters? You may have experienced some of these yourself, or heard family tales passed down about some of the older ones. Which of these terrible winter storms in New York were you familiar with? Do you remember the incredible New York City Blizzard of 2006? Tell us your stories of survival and persistence in the comments.

For more amazing nature in New York, you might want to check out the most incredible natural wonders in New York. If that strikes your fancy, then you might also be interested in the ultimate New York nature lovers’ road trip.

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New York City Blizzard of 2006

Tori Jane | November 15, 2022

What other storms were similar to the New York City blizzard of 2006?  

There have been numerous severe snowstorms and historic blizzards in New York City other than the one in 2006. Some of the worst blizzards in NYC include:  

  • January 23-24th, 2016: Winter Storm Jonas drops 28.1 inches of snow on NYC 
  • December 26th, 1947: The Great Blizzard of ‘47 drops 26.4 inches of snow in NYC and kills 77  
  • March 11-14th, 1888: The Great White Hurricane creates snowdrifts up to 50 feet tall.  
  • December 27th, 2010: An amazing nor’easter blankets NYC in 20+ inches of snow.   

 

What was the worst NYC blizzard on record?  

The worst NYC blizzard on record is usually agreed upon as the horrific Great White Hurricane. This was the worst storm in New York’s history (and among the worst in the nation’s history). The entire east coast was paralyzed, and the states affected include: 

 

How much snow does typically New York receive?  

New York typically receives 55.32 inches of snow per year, which is higher than the national average of 28 inches of snow per year.  

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