In October 2011, when thoughts had turned to Halloween costumes and trick-or-treating, the weather in New Hampshire unexpectedly changed. This 2011 Nor’easter, sometimes called Snowtober, Shocktober, Storm Alfred, and Oktoberblast took New Hampshire by storm. Winter had come early, bringing record-breaking snowfall!

Snow accumulation across the state ranged from two to three feet. Jaffrey, New Hampshire, in Cheshire County, recorded the most snow at 31.4 inches.

A nor’easter is a storm along the east coast of North America with winds typically coming from the northeast. A nor’easter can occur at any time of the year, but they tend to be the most intense from September through April.

What was significant about this storm is how much snow fell, so early in the season. Oct. 30, of 2011, was the earliest day of the year that such an accumulation of snow had ever been recorded in New Hampshire.

Other infamous blizzards have indeed brought greater amounts of snow to New Hampshire, just not in October.

A record number of New Hampshire residents, 315,000 actually, lost electricity, as part of a massive power outage caused by the blizzard.

Fallen trees and branches had to be cleared away. For some children, school was closed for up to a week. A few local hospitals reported a baby boom of sorts nine months later.

Several cars slid off the road, or were snowed in where they had last been parked.

No deaths were reported in New Hampshire fortunately, but some major snow shoveling was in order. The storm started southeast of the Carolinas, making its way north. Of all the northeastern states, and cities, affected by this Oktoberblast, Peru, Massachusetts reported the most snow accumulation, at 32 inches.

Anytime is a good time to build a snowman, even in October.

Not surprisingly, some of the snowmen were even wearing Halloween costumes.

Fortunately for the kids of New Hampshire, some cities just postponed Halloween for a week until cleanup efforts could be completed, without cancelling the celebration all together.

What a relief!

The great blizzard of October 2011 certainly was unusual. We don’t normally see so much of that fluffy white stuff on the ground quite that early, even in New Hampshire. To learn about other legendary blizzards that have occurred in New Hampshire, read two of our other articles here, and here.

Do you remember the New Hampshire snowstorm of October 2011? Share your thoughts with us!