Snowstorms in Connecticut typically occur from December through mid-March. It is worth noting that one of the biggest snowstorms in Connecticut’s history occurred on April 6, 1982. On average, Connecticut receives 33.3 inches of snow each year. However, there are some years when the snowfall is concentrated over a few days, leading to the accumulation of that much snow.
Connecticut residents are no strangers to experiencing a white Christmas. This festive occasion occurs when there is at least one inch of snow covering the ground. However, it’s important to note that if the snowfall is accompanied by strong winds and reduced visibility, it transitions from a white Christmas to a blizzard.
Recent December Snowstorms In Connecticut
In December 2020, as the world grappled with the pandemic, Connecticut faced an unusually high snowfall. The majority of the state received between 8″ and 12″ of snow around the 17th of the month. Hartford, Connecticut reported 7.8″ of snow, while Winsted, Connecticut received a significant 16″ of snowfall.
Snowfall Accumulations In Connecticut (2020)
Christmas Snowstorm in Connecticut (1969)
In December of 1969, residents in parts of New York, Vermont, and Connecticut were taken by surprise when a foot of snow fell just a few days before Christmas. Usually, the biggest Christmas snowstorms in Connecticut occur after the holiday, so this early snowfall was unexpected. Despite having experienced similar amounts of snow in the past, the significant snowfall caught the attention of the residents.
But Mother Nature had more in store for the area, as the snowfall on Christmas Day left residents in awe. Throughout the day, the snow continued to come down heavily, with an impressive 6 inches falling in just one hour. The snowfall persisted until December 28, leaving Montpelier, Vermont with a whopping 44 inches of accumulated snow. In fact, authorities even reported that one Connecticut town had received a staggering total of 50 inches during this three-day snow event.
The Biggest Blizzard In Connecticut (1888)
Connecticut experiences its most severe blizzards and snowstorms during the first three months of the year. A prime example of this is the Great White Hurricane of 1888, which left Connecticut and other northeastern states buried under a whopping 50 inches of snow. Such heavy snowfall leads to snowdrifts reaching staggering heights of up to 38 feet.
The snowfall ceased and the aftermath was dealt with, but the impact of the storm was devastating, resulting in the loss of 400 lives in the Northeast. It caught people off guard, as no one expected such a massive snowstorm to hit in the middle of March. The rainstorms that developed in the Mid-Atlantic on the eleventh did not give any indication that by the fourteenth, commerce would come to a standstill and claim numerous lives due to the heavy snowfall.
FAQs
What sets a snowstorm apart from a blizzard?
A blizzard is determined by the strength of the wind and the decrease in visibility. The quantity of snowfall is not a factor in determining whether a blizzard is occurring. However, a snowstorm is declared when the amount of snowfall exceeds the average.
Is there a white Christmas in Connecticut every year?
Connecticut experiences varying amounts of snowfall across different regions, but it has been three consecutive years since the state last had a white Christmas. Typically, the heavier snowfall begins in mid-January and can persist until mid-March, resulting in an average accumulation of 33 inches.
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