That can happen east of the mountains. 76 - 77 was possibly the coldest winter in 200 years but was often suppression city .
The AO was -2.07 in December of 76, -3.76 in January of 77 and -2.01 for February 77 Read all about it: https://www.secretsoftheeasternshore.com/eastern-shore-deep-freeze/
The 1976–77 Winter in the Contiguous United States in Comparison with Past Records in: Monthly Weather Review Volume 106 Issue 10 (1978)