Chris L Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 Ok, I figure its a good time to rank the current blizzard and where it belongs.... Now I understand it might be different for other states, but try to see it on a whole.... As I was comparing the snow total for state by state, it is clear that this had most of the snow in Connecticut rather than Mass, (New Haven County, as example). I viewed this from the outside in, I was in awe at some the incredible dynamics at play here, just a monster of an event... Compare them with the kings for the area, which you all know them.... ('69, '78, '92 '97, '03 '05, '11 and probably more which I am forgetting). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
codfishsnowman Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 in the time i was old enough to appreciate big snowstorms and watch the weather and stay up all night long etc, this past one probably the best for total accum and total depth, so #1. 21.5 inch avg depth, 24 event total, 25 hour duration, 17 inches between 9pm and 245am. not sure why all the maps have a 15 to 20 minimum right in the spfd area, there is no doubt it was 20 plus!! the 83 storm in central ct might have been a shade better but i was only nine and too young too really appreciate it but i remember my father and grandfather saying two feet but they could have been exaggerating. i do remember with that one that i went to bed that night with only and inch or two down and it snowing hard and woke up to everything buried so rates must have been comparable. 78 i was way too young only four, the pics are impressive but i wouldve been out of my mind with the front end dump and miserable as the thing tappered off and just continued to pound areas just to the east. central ct again. i would have really been annoyed here in spfd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ginx snewx Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 2, anybody who tells me I only got 20 in 78 in SW RI in 78, it was way beyond this 26 I got. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weathafella Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 Keeping in mind I missed 78 due to living in la and I didn't move to Boston till after the feb 69 storm, in my life I wild rank this in the top 4 with march of 56, march of 60, dec of 60. Can't rank them because age changes the perspective and no matter how much of a weenie I am, I am far more jaded vs when I was 9. 4/1/97 may be near the top and needs separate listing but April and rapid melting downgrades it on some level. But the height of that storm was as good as it gets and most of the 2 feet + fell in a 12 hour period. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawnmov Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 This has to be top 3 for me. 78 is the benchmark, but I was only 9 so my memory of that is really the aftermath. To me, we tie between the Presidents' Day storm and this one. April fools was great, but it was so borderline cold that the melting was quick so the aftermath was not as bad. This one, I feel, put down the most snow in the shortest period of time. That's just anecdotal, I don't profess to track those details so closely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weathafella Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 This is a different perspective. I'm 67 and my faves cover multiple locales. 1) This one. No contest. 36" in Oxford, CT. My fantasy storm. Back door to my house is covered (6 ft). 2) The Lindsay storm, 1969 - over 20" (est) Bronx, NY. I was teaching then. School closed for 3 days 3) St. Patty's day storm, 1956 - northern Manhattan, NYC over 20" (est). i was 11. We were playing King on the Mountain on a 2 story high snow block during April vacation wearing t-shirts. (In NYC, they moved all the snow from an area of many blocks into one humongous cube.) 4) Feb 11, 1983. Yonkers, NY. 24" in approx 8 hrs. I'd never seen snow rates like that. Snow was supposed to cut off in NJ; kept coming north like a white wall. 5) Jan '96. Living in Bpt, CT. EVERYONE to the west, east, and north had 30". Bpt had 14. Serious depression. You and I both ranked 56. We're old...lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baroclinic Zone Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 1. Feb 1978 still tops in my life for snow totals, duration, wind, and impact. 2. Feb 2013, I'll puth this one here for shear scale and impact 3. Jan 2005, cold, windy blizzard 4. April 97, just a past bomb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ORH_wxman Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 This probably ranks 2nd for me personally. December 1992 is still king...had a larger total, longer duration, and overall higher impact with still very ferocious winds and some of the snow being paste which cause a lot of power outages. 2013 was really impressive though at the peak of it and the 12 hour snowfall was just incredible between about 6pm and 6am. Rivaled prob only by April 1997 for 12 hour snow. Combine it with the higher winds and colder temps and I think it was a better storm than '97....1997 was def more anomalous though due to the time of year, but I'm not handicapping the storms here, just going on absolute results. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CT Rain Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 In Connecticut this was just about on par with 1978. Higher totals for most of the state (except the eastern and western corners that had 24" or less) and an incredibly large swath of 30-36" in the central part of the state (high population areas). 1978 was higher impact because of when it occurred (Monday), people being unprepared (didn't listen to forecasts), the very quick onset (moved in like a wall), and much strong winds (gusts to hurricane force). For me personally this is #1 but pretty close to the October snowstorm (which is up there not really for the snow amounts but for the snow's impact). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damage In Tolland Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 This was my #1. I am still in awe of what we accomplished from 31 hours of snow. We have put to rest the myth that NE Ct only gets 14 inches in KU's since the last 3 have dropped 26, 16 and 34-35 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CT Rain Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 This was my #1. I am still in awe of what we accomplished from 31 hours of snow. We have put to rest the myth that NE Ct only gets 14 inches in KU's since the last 3 have dropped 26, 16 and 34-35 26, 16, and 32. Not bad. We've been spoiled.... let's hope we don't enter another long drought lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weathafella Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 After being out for a couple of hours this may move up in rankings. No one system in 2010-11 approached this for mby. Ad even the vaunted storms mentioned, it is extremely rare to have this depth anytime and considering we went from bare ground...wow....simply. Wow! Yankees29 and I remember the st Paddy's storm. In 1956 and that had huge depths but came a. Few days after a 4-6 quick hitter. From bare ground to this is something else, But of course I wasn't on the east coast in 78. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavisStraight Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 1. Feb 1978 still tops, snow about the same (they say) but winds were worse and drifts were much much worse. 2. Feb 2013, this ones takes second place with snow rates and wind. 3. Feb 1969, was only 8 but remember it well, the only time my mother wouldnt let me go out, great drifts for that one too. 4. April 97, incredible snow rates and driving in it was the worst commute of my life. 5. Cant decide between Jan 05 and Dec 92 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walpole Joe Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 1. Feb 1978 still tops in my life for snow totals, duration, wind, and impact. 2. Feb 2013, I'll puth this one here for shear scale and impact 3. Jan 2005, cold, windy blizzard 4. April 97, just a past bomb I agree with Bob. This was a great storm, I really enjoyed it, but '78 was just so devastating, it will probably always be number 1 for me, even if something ultimately beats it. Until 128 and 95 in Mass and RI become parking lots and they have to bring in front end loaders from other parts of the country, everything else in number 2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoarfrostHubb Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 1. 1978 Feb 2. 1997 3. 2011October 4. 2013...maybe...winds.were good, was not a big Weenies for Dec 1992, plus I was in Lowell...2005 was similar... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baroclinic Zone Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 I agree with Bob. This was a great storm, I really enjoyed it, but '78 was just so devastating, it will probably always be number 1 for me, even if something ultimately beats it. Until 128 and 95 in Mass and RI become parking lots and they have to bring in front end loaders from other parts of the country, everything else in number 2. 1. 1978 Feb 2. 1997 3. 2011October 4. 2013...maybe...winds.were good, was not a big Weenies for Dec 1992, plus I was in Lowell...2005 was similar... If these reports of 36-40" in CT are the real deal, what did 1978 drop on the SE MA/RI area in 78? Seriously think 42-48" was legit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ineedsnow Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 anybody report thunder in this my brother lives in meriden ct and said they had some there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoarfrostHubb Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 If these reports of 36-40" in CT are the real deal, what did 1978 drop on the SE MA/RI area in 78? Seriously think 42-48" was legit. I can only speak for myself. I think this event was similar in some ways to 78 in some areas...no way up here. It was just a big storm for me, but not life altering. We had my mom here overnight so I asked here about 78. I guess we did go a week without power, used the fireolace for heat, etc. I almost went skiing last night. I think 40-48" happened. Even seeing pics from the SE coast and CT make me think 1978 was more devastating. But if someone says I am wrong I wont argue. The pic of that school in CT was awesome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoastalWx Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 April 97 still number 1 for me. The combo of snow and thunder was something I'll never see most likely. Depth was a bit more too I think. This may be number 2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weatherwiz Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 This is #1 for me. Feb 06 had thunder/lightning here and 27.5'' but this tops Feb 06 for me and tops two years ago...the drifting is insane and our half of the driveway was not unusable in Jan 2011...but this will be #1 for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gymengineer Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 If the ranking is for the storms you've personally experienced, then of course it depends on how old you are and if you were in town for all the biggies. Maybe Chris L's question is more about a historical comparison to the benchmark storms in the region? If that's the case, this article tries to analyze that exact question with data: http://www.wunderground.com/blog/weatherhistorian/comment.html?entrynum=123 The conclusion he reached was that this blizzard was second (since records have been kept) behind 1888 for CT, and second (since records have been kept) behind 1978 for RI and Eastern MA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSnowman Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 Most Impressive, Overall Impacts, Winds, Snowfall Rates, Thundersnow, etc. : 1. 1997 2. Dec. 9th, 2005 3. Blizzard of 2013 4. Blizzard of 2005 5. PDII 6. Blizzard of 1996 7. April 1996 8. Feb. 7th, 2003 9. Blizzard of 2011 10. Blizzard of 1992 11. Jan. 27th, 2011 Most Important, Mixing Where it was on the Calender and My opinion of what it did: 1. Blizzard of 2013 2. 1997 3. Blizzard of 2005 4. Dec. 9, 2005 5. PDII 6. Blizzard of 1996 7. April 1996 8. 1992 9. Jan. 27th, 2011 10. Blizzard of 2011 11. Feb. 7, 2003 My Back Yard Opinion: 1. Dec. 9th, 2005 2. 1997 3. Feb. 7th, 2003 4. Blizzard of 2013 5. Blizzard of 1996 6. Blizzard of 2005 7. PDII 8. Blizzard of 2011 9. Jan. 27th, 2011 10. April 1997 11. Blizzard of 1992 Overall: 1. 1997 2. Dec. 9th, 2005 3. Blizzard of 2013 4. Blizzard of 2005 5. PDII 6. Blizzard of 1996 7. April 1996 8. Feb. 7th, 2003 9. Blizzard of 2011 10. Blizzard of 1992 11. Jan. 27th, 2011 So, Pretty Rediculously Good! I will always have a special place February 7th, 2003 which is now 10 years ago. 4" per hour for 2 hours Non-Stop, and the First main storm I covered since watching Winter Storms. Still have never had snow accumulate like that. Blizzard of 2005 had it for an hour. Blizzard of 2006 had 5" per hour for 10 minutes, And December 9th, 2005 had 3" an hour for 2 hours at the end but never 4" for me. December 9th, 2005 is just The King. Lightning Bolt behind my house. Cloud to Ground. No words. But The April Fools Day Blizzard would have been Top 3/4 Alone if it was in Dec., Jan., or Feb. but April!? #1. I had to swim because I was 4 feet tall and it was 30". How a Wet Storm with 5:1 ratios could drop 20"-32" is just Mind-Boggling. And mostly in 12 hours. The only thing that would kill this storm if if I had a category for Aftereffects, where I Fully account for (vs. slightly account for since it is unfair to the storm) the snow depth after. April Foods Day melted in 5 days, where 1996, which was a Good storm, not Historic for us, gave 35"+ Snow Depths everywhere, or Jan 27th, 2011 with its BuzzSaw Radar, completed the beginning of a 40+ Day 20" Snow Depth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoarfrostHubb Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 What was April 1996? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
free_man Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 2013 is my favorite since it hit on a weekend, had very strong winds, and nearly everyone in New England received at least a moderate, if not heavy/blizzard snowfall. The only area lacking was duration - however it's efficiency was overwhelmingly remarkable. Picked up a windblown 12" in about 3.5 hours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris L Posted February 11, 2013 Author Share Posted February 11, 2013 If the ranking is for the storms you've personally experienced, then of course it depends on how old you are and if you were in town for all the biggies. Maybe Chris L's question is more about a historical comparison to the benchmark storms in the region? If that's the case, this article tries to analyze that exact question with data: http://www.wunderground.com/blog/weatherhistorian/comment.html?entrynum=123 The conclusion he reached was that this blizzard was second (since records have been kept) behind 1888 for CT, and second (since records have been kept) behind 1978 for RI and Eastern MA. Actually that's what I was aiming for. Thanks sir. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROOSTA Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 I was in the Service in '78 - cannot compare 1. 2013 2. April 97 3. The whole month of Feb '69 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisM Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 Halloween still #1 for me by far. Then comes both 2011 storms then this. But im young and my memory is limited. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HIPPYVALLEY Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 #1 Blizzard of 78' 10 years old living in Cambridge. Had never seen anything like it. A week without school in a winter wonderland. Solidified my fascination with winter weather. #2 April Fools 1997 Just amazing. Almost 60 degrees the day before and I watched pouring rain go to snow++ in about a half hour. Got the last bus out of Harvard Sq back to Arlington before the MBTA shut down. I was living at my folks house up on the hill in Arlington, I remeber walking up to Rt 2 around midnight watching state highway plows get stuck. #3 Oct. 2011 WTF? What dreams are made of, makes you realize that winter comes when it wants. #4 Jan. 2005 Living in Cambridge again, near Inman Sq. Most cars on the street were just drifts. Cambridge and Somerville were under a death band that left 30 - 35" totals. Screaming winds. #5 2013 / Nemo Blizzard Certainly not the biggest snowfall I've ever scene but probably the heaviest, prolonged snow rates I've ever seen. 10pm to the wee hours was just epic. Biggest single storm total since I moved to Greenfield. I really feel this was a historic storm for the lower valley towns from North Hampton to Springfield. Early on in the afternoon when I saw the readings of winds blowing from the N from Vt right down the valley I knew all the gun shy, "valley shadow", worriers would be vindicated. lol Those are my top 5. PD II only gets honarable mention because in Cambridge it didn't compare to Jan. 2005. Local is as local does. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.