Massive snow storms aren’t exactly that rare here in Wisconsin. We’re quite used to racking up a couple of feet of snow at least once a year somewhere in the state. Sure, sometimes those storms come with gusting winds or drifting snow, but honestly, a blizzard in Wisconsin is fairly commonplace at this point. But in March 1976, a devastating ice storm hit that affected nearly the entire state. It devastated counties, left many without power and is still remembered as one of the worst natural disasters in our state’s history. Snow is one thing, but ice is its own beast, which is why this storm is remembered by many as the largest blizzard in Wisconsin.

The storm started like any other winter snow. A light dusting fell and then, as the day progressed, it began to pick up.
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As it was March and late in the season; the temperature was unpredictable and what started as snow changed to sleet. Then rain.
Pixabay
The rain hit the already cold and frozen snow, and that - combined with dropping temperatures as night started to fall - created an icy mess.
Flickr/SethCarlson
The weight of the snow and ice combined pulled down trees and tree limbs.
Wikimedia

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And it wreaked havoc on power lines. As the storm went on for more than a day, winds gusted up to 60 mph. In the end, some rural areas ended up being without power for more than a week. Many stories from the era talk about the state's farmers, who took to milking their cow herds by hand only to have to dump the milk because they had no equipment to keep it without electricity. Rural parts of the state waited nearly two weeks to get power restored.
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Downed power lines meant no heating in the midst of a freezing storm. Fire departments reported numerous injuries and calls from folks working to keep their houses warm with fires, grills and anything else they could think of.
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Pumping stations run by electricity were shut down, meaning some cities, like parts of Madison, were without water in addition to no power.
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The ice ended up as thick as five inches in places. Roads were too slippery to drive on, and cars ended up in ditches all over the state.
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In the end, 21 Wisconsin counties were declared Federal Disaster Areas. Newspapers from the time say estimates of the damage were more than $8 million dollars, which is more than $34 million in today's money.
Flickr/Andy McLemore

We are used to snow here in Wisconsin, but inches of ice made for an unforgettable winter event in the 70s. Do you remember this Great Ice Storm of 1976? Do you consider it to be the largest blizzard in Wisconsin? Tell us about it in the comments and share any other stories of memorable winter weather in Wisconsin.

Looking for more Wisconsin history? Check out 15 Amazing Wisconsin Secrets You Never Knew Existed.

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largest blizzard in wisconsin

Andrea Limke | December 16, 2019

When was the biggest blizzard in Wisconsin?

It's difficult to pinpoint just one of the biggest snowstorms in Wisconsin as the largest, as it's fairly typical for areas of the state to see a few feet of snow each year. We know how to handle snow around here, but of course there have still been some years that are extreme in terms of inches of snow, ice, and freezing temperatures. For a list of these memorable winter events, check out 12 of the worst snow storms in Wisconsin history.

What is the most snow ever recorded in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin is one of the snowiest places in the United States, so you'd expect to see dozens of inches of snow each winter. We love our winter playground and winter weather in Wisconsin and some years Mother Nature really decided to go crazy with the snow. In winter 1938-1939, a record 107 inches of snow were recorded. And then in November 1940, one of the worst storms in Wisconsin's history hit.

What is winter weather in Wisconsin typically like?

Winter weather can be harsh in Wisconsin, but it's also magical. Plus, you can get out and do every type of winter sport imaginable! January is typically the coldest month of the year with an average high of just 20 degrees. If you're not familiar with winter weather in Wisconsin, or even if you are, you'll enjoy this previous article describing 13 things no one tells you about surviving a Wisconsin winter.

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