40 Years Ago, New Hampshire Was Hit With The Worst Blizzard In History

Last winter was a hard one. Tons of snow, lots of freezing temperatures and the seeming endless amounts of cold rain. So far this year things have been a bit milder, but that doesn’t mean we’re not in for it. There are still a few solid months of winter and while we wait for what’s in store we can’t help but think of winter’s past. Do any of our readers recall the epic storm that hit the state in the 1970s?

New Hampshirites are certainly not strangers to harsh winters. Some of the coldest recorded temperatures were documented right here in New Hampshire, after all! But, in early February of 1978 the state was hit with a storm for which nobody was prepared.

Some actually refer to the blizzard as a hurricane as the winds were over 83 miles-per-hour. And, worse, the storm sat over the state for more than a day, causing more damage at a far more destructive level than most snow storms.

Traffic came to a complete stop across the entire region. In the worst areas, people were stuck in their cars. Those that managed to avoid that situation were told not to use the roads, forcing them inside for nearly a week.

Snowdrifts of up to 10-feet were seen in some areas.

But, the seacoast bore the brunt of the storm and as a result saw the worst of the damage. While coastal areas are typically warmer than inland regions, the coast must contend with the tide. The storm caused seas to rise more than 14 feet above normal. This equaled huge damage all along the coast.

Hampton Beach experienced major issues with the high tide coupled with more than two feet of snow.

Schools were closed, which made kids happy. But, the damage was anything but fun. Entire roofs collapsed under the weight of immense snow.

With the exception of the storm in 2013, New Hampshire’s blizzard history has been relatively quiet since 1978. But, with weather patterns changing and climate change being very real we should be prepared for anything!

Not fazed by weather like this? Then you might be the type that enjoys camping year-round! If so, check out these 8 stunning areas that are open throughout the season.

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40 Years Ago, New Hampshire Was Hit With The Worst Blizzard In History

Michelle

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