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 '78.

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.

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.

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 in one of the worst blizzards in US history.

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.

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.

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.

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!

Do you remember the worst blizzard in New Hampshire history? The Blizzard of '78 was a doozy, but there have been plenty of other blizzards in New Hampshire. Do you have friends or family that were there to witness the 1978 storm? We'd love to hear the stories - share them in the comments section!

If you're fascinated by big snow storms and want to learn about another impactful event, check out this snow hurricane that wreaked havoc in New Hampshire. And if you are planning a winter vacation to New Hampshire, our ultimate winter packing list might come in handy.

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/new-hampshire/historic-snow-hurricane-nh/