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Buffalo's 1977 Ground Blizzard: Snow Moved, Not Fell
8 Apr
Summary
- Ground blizzard moved existing snow, not new precipitation.
- Winds of near hurricane speeds caused zero visibility.
- President Carter declared first snowstorm emergency; Operation Snow Go launched.
In late January 1977, Buffalo, New York, was struck by a rare ground blizzard. Sustained winds reaching 69 miles per hour, with gusts over 75 mph, moved snow already on the ground, creating whiteout conditions. This event accumulated over 45 feet of snow.
The storm's unique nature lay in its wind-driven snow transport rather than atmospheric precipitation. This meant the weather was mostly clear, yet snow accumulation occurred. The frigid temperatures and high winds transformed light, dry snow into a hard, concrete-like substance, creating drifts exceeding 30 feet.
This severe weather trapped thousands and prompted President Jimmy Carter to issue his first federal 'emergency' declaration for a snowstorm. 'Operation Snow Go' mobilized the US Army Corps of Engineers and the National Guard to clear roads.
