Winter is a beautiful season in New Hampshire, and residents certainly welcome the snow and cold temperatures. But there can be too much of a good thing, especially when it comes to snow and the hazards that it can create. With this in mind, it’s worth reflecting on one of the biggest, most deadly snow storms to ever strike the Granite State: the Blizzard of 1978.

New Hampshire natives are not unaccustomed to big snowstorms. But on Feb. 5, 1978, a blizzard of epic proportions began to devastate New England that was unlike anything residents had ever seen.
Martin & Jessica O'Brien/Flickr
The storm blew into New Hampshire with hurricane-force winds blowing at 83 miles per hour. Whereas most blizzards last less than a day, this storm brought nonstop heavy snow to the region for a full 33 hours, leading to devastating damage and terrible loss of life.
Cliff/Flickr
The fierce winds blew out of the northeast and, coupled with a high tide 14 feet above normal, caused large waves to crash into the coastline and produced some of the worst coastal flooding and damage in New Hampshire history.
The high tides combined with two feet of snow resulted in major damage to Hampton Beach.
Martin & Jessica O'Brien/Flickr

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Across New England, traffic was a complete mess. People who weren't trapped in their cars as a result of the storm's brutal force were forbidden from driving on the roads for much of the following week as massive cleanup operations were underway.
Jim McDevitt Photographer. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
After the main roads were cleared, the extent of the snow depth was visible, revealing snowdrifts up to 10 feet deep as measured in some areas.
While children may have reveled in their snow days, the Blizzard of 1978 had very serious, long-lasting consequences. In total, 54 people tragically lost their lives, and 2500 houses were reportedly seriously damaged or destroyed.
Ed Macdonald/Flickr
Around the state, roofs collapsed from the weight of the snow. An estimated 10,000 people across New England were forced to seek out emergency shelters due to home damage or loss of power.
Castle Beckons/Creative Commons
On the seacoast, cars had been tossed around like toys, causing thousands of dollars in damage. Additionally, significant beach erosion occurred, and many homes were either destroyed or washed into the ocean.
The horrible consequences of the 1978 blizzard will not soon be forgotten by New Hampshirites who were there to witness it. One thing is for certain, winter in New Hampshire is not for the faint of heart!
Anthony Quintano/Flickr

Do you remember the Blizzard of 1978 in New Hampshire, or do you have friends or family that were there to witness it? We’d love to hear yours or their stories – share them in the comments below!

And if you’re fascinated by big snow storms and want to learn about another impactful event, check out this Snow Hurricane that Wrecked Havoc in New Hampshire.

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Blizzard of 1978

Sarah | December 08, 2021

Does New Hampshire get many blizzards?

New Hampshire is no stranger to ice and snow, with the Granite State averages just under 70 inches of the white stuff each season. We can also expect generally cold temperatures, with the January average high hovering just above freezing, setting the stage for snow and ice whenever a system moves through the Northeast. But blizzards like the one from 1978 are generally more rare, once-in-a-lifetime kind of occurrences!

What's winter in New Hampshire like?

No matter the season, here in New England we’ve always got one eye on winter. It’s typically safe to assume that many days will be grey and chilly -- quite chilly, as it were! We can also count on more than a few snowy days. But the extend to which we must brace ourselves can vary. Some years winter seems to come and go, while others arrive with an onslaught and keep it coming until well into spring. We like to consult the Farmers’ Almanac for our winter planning, as the experts boast a relatively high success rate in accurately forecasting temperatures and big seasonal storms!

What types of winter recreation is popular in New Hampshire?

While the usual suspects for winter recreation in the Northeast come to mind -- skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, ice fishing, and hiking -- we're all about taking the road less traveled here in New Hampshire. As such, we recommend checking out a real-life ice castle this winter! Tucked away in New Hampshire's White Mountains, the town of Woodstock features one of the most jaw-dropping ice castles in the country. From LED-lit igloos and frozen slides to magnificent ice carvings and massive monoliths, you'll be positively dazzled by this fantastic frozen fantasyland. One of the five official Ice Castle festivals in the U.S., New Hampshire's winter wonderland opens to the public in early 2022.

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