Today in History: The 2010 North American Blizzard

By Y.M. Lowy

In late December 2010, a massive nor’easter hit the northeastern U.S. and parts of Canada, leaving a trail of snow, chaos, and wonder.

For those who lived through it, the storm is unforgettable. Between December 22–29, cities like New York, Boston, and Philadelphia saw up to 32 inches of snow. But it wasn’t just the snow that made this storm memorable—there was also a rare phenomenon of thundersnow, where thunder and lightning crackled through the sky as snowflakes fell.

This was no ordinary winter storm. Meteorologists had a tough time predicting its path, with forecasts changing up until the last minute. It was the fifth major blizzard of 2010, and yet, many were still caught off guard by its intensity. Who remembers shoveling out from this monster or watching as the snow piled up faster than you could keep up? And the many cars that were abandoned made it even more difficult to plow. Three days after the blizzard in New York City, buses and cars were still stuck in snow. 

photo: Shutterstock