The Winter of 1976-77 had been a brutal one in Buffalo, New York. It was the coldest January ever in Buffalo, as well as the coldest on record for the eastern half of the country. In a city that is known for handling snow well, twenty eight straight days of snow had left thirty inches on the ground and even the hardiest Buffalo residents grumbling.
On this date in 1977, the Great Buffalo Blizzard started like many other snow squalls from Lake Erie. It was Buffalo’s worst blizzard ever, but the twelve inches of snow that fell during the three day storm was not the story. Much more impressive snowfalls have buried the city, including a monstrous seven foot snowfall in five days in December 2001.
But during this storm, strong northwest winds gusting to 60 mph lifted up the snow that was piled on frozen Lake Erie and blasted the city with it. People were trapped wherever they were, in their cars, homes, or offices. Nine people froze to death in their stranded automobiles.
Snow drifts up to twenty five feet high buried homes and buildings and allowed two reindeer from the Buffalo Zoo to walk over their fences. Wind chills dropped to –50F. Damages totaled $250 million. It was the first snowstorm to receive a Federal disaster declaration.
The typically snowy city broke its snow record for any single month with 68.3 inches. Snow eventually fell on forty three consecutive days, also a record.
On this date in 1977, the Great Buffalo Blizzard started like many other snow squalls from Lake Erie. It was Buffalo’s worst blizzard ever, but the twelve inches of snow that fell during the three day storm was not the story. Much more impressive snowfalls have buried the city, including a monstrous seven foot snowfall in five days in December 2001.
But during this storm, strong northwest winds gusting to 60 mph lifted up the snow that was piled on frozen Lake Erie and blasted the city with it. People were trapped wherever they were, in their cars, homes, or offices. Nine people froze to death in their stranded automobiles.
Snow drifts up to twenty five feet high buried homes and buildings and allowed two reindeer from the Buffalo Zoo to walk over their fences. Wind chills dropped to –50F. Damages totaled $250 million. It was the first snowstorm to receive a Federal disaster declaration.
The typically snowy city broke its snow record for any single month with 68.3 inches. Snow eventually fell on forty three consecutive days, also a record.
I might not be on for a few days Thanks for asking.
on January 27, 2006, 10:29 pm
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