A Terrifying, Deadly Storm Struck Buffalo In 1977… And No One Saw It Coming

January 28, 1977 marked one of the most terrifying storms to ever hit Buffalo. The day started off like any other normal winter day, with temperatures in the 20s and sunny skies – until the weather took a turn for the worst… and fast.

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In Western New York, 23 deaths were reported due to the storm. Snow drifts as high as 40 feet covered the area and winds reached peaks of 79 miles per hour.

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Many Buffalonians were stranded due to the massive pileup of snow in the area. For many, snowmobiles were the only form of transportation. The combination of frigid temperatures, extremely high wind gusts, and the frozen-over Lake Erie made for the ultimate trifecta for the blizzard.

For more details on the Blizzard of ’77 and how Buffalonians were impacted by the storm, take a look at the video below with an in-depth recap and tons more photos from the event. (Video by SabresFan85 via YouTube.)

Do you remember the Blizzard of ’77? Where were you when the storm hit? We’d love to hear your experiences! Leave your comments and photos of the devastating weather event in the comments below.