When you think of the horrific snowstorms Rhode Island has experienced, the blizzard of 2005 and Winter Storm Nemo of 2013 might pop into your mind first. But in the Ocean State, to find the largest snowfall you have to flip the calendar back a little further. No, we're not talking about the Great Blizzard of 1888. That storm dumped a mere 20 inches on Little Rhody. The Rhode Island Blizzard of 1978 is actually when the largest snowfall occurred.
The Blizzard of 1978 hit winter in Rhode Island in early February with unexpected ferocity. Over the course of 33 hours of snow combined with winds up to 70 m.p.h. created conditions unlike anything our state had ever seen before.
Record snowfall in Rhode Island occurred across the state with 27.6 inches recorded in Providence and 38 inches in Woonsocket.
Snow drifts during the Blizzard of 1978 were commonplace with vehicles unrecognizable underneath towering mountains of snow.
The Blizzard of 1978 claimed the lives of 26 Rhode Islanders and additional casualties across the entire New England region.
While it took three-to-four days for many to dig their way out, that didn't stop the kids from enjoying the snow days that winter in Rhode Island.
And while the children played, the adults shoveled and shoveled and shoveled some more.
This historic Nor'easter topped all the other recorded storms by 14 additional inches of snow. The Blizzard of 1978 goes down in the record books as the storm that caused Rhode Island's largest snowfall.
Do you remember the Rhode Island Blizzard of 1978 that attributed to the state's largest snowfall? Share your stories and photos if you have them in the comments section below. Winter isn't all bad in the Ocean State, you can look forward to walking this delightful Christmas tree trail that typically opens in early December. And have fun in all the snow that comes to Rhode Island as you go snow tubing and skiing at Yawgoo Valley Ski Area.
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