Friday, February 8, 2013

Will This Storm Deserve The Hype?

     As we wake up today and brace for what is sure to be a significant storm, I thought it would be fun to go down memory lane and mention some of the more memorable snow events in Worcester's history, in my lifetime anyway.
     Although many news stories in late October 2011 claimed the heavy Halloween storm that year was the earliest on record in Worcester, they were all wrong. On October 10, 1979 7.5" of snow fell at Worcester Airport as an early rain event ran into unusually cold air over New England. Many towns West of Worcester saw even more snow.
     As far as the latest snow on record,  May 9, 1977 has the honors. On that day an official total of 7.5" snow fell at Worcester Airport. Another late Spring snowstorm happened in 1987, when on April 29th, over 17" of snow fell in Worcester. I still have the newspaper from that day with a famous front page picture of Pleasant Street clogged with cars and snow. Many other areas received much more as 2 foot totals were common all over New England.
     Large snowstorms have always held a special place in the memories of those who went through them. As for the fiercest, meanest, most memorable snowstorm for Worcester, there can be no other choice than the Blizzard of 78' which occurred from Feb 6 to Feb 8, 1978. Although the Worcester total snowfall of 20.1 inches was not especially note worthy, the duration of the storms hurricane force winds (32+ hrs.), guaranteed that storm would live on in infamy. Worcester was paralyzed by the 12 to 16 foot snowdrifts which resulted. Commutes home, which usually took a half hour, turned into 5-8 hr nightmares, if you could get home at all. East of Worcester the storm was especially deadly as hundreds of cars were stranded on the highways. Ninety nine people died in MA and RI, including an Uxbridge boy who disappeared outside his home during the storm. Those of us who lived through it will never forget it.
     As far as the most snow from one storm, the December Nor'easter of 1992 is the king of the snowdrift! In one 24 hour period 28" of snow fell on Worcester making that a one day record. The official snow total for the storm at Worcester Airport was 32.1" but areas west of Worcester, including Spencer and Paxton received measured snow of up to 49"! This storm was remarkable for its duration as it started snowing on December 11th and did not stop until December 14th. Many people in Worcester County were out of power for over a week as a high tension line came down in Auburn.
     The official record holder for snow at Worcester airport occurred on April 1, 1997 when 33" of snow fell from March 30 to April 1.  During the peak of that storm, snow fell at over 3' per hour while strong thunderclaps were heard throughout. Although Worcester broke a record, generally the snowfall amounts were up to a foot less in places as close as Boston.
     There are too many more examples of storms which dumped over 2 feet at one time over the years to mention. Although the forecast for Nemo is dire, it would have to be an incredibly powerful storm to knock the king off the snow pile.
     Stay safe my friends.