New Hampshire is no stranger to snowstorms, especially during the winter season. However, some snowstorms stand out more than others for their intensity, duration, and impact. One such storm was the December 1969 nor’easter, which brought record-breaking snowfall, ice, and wind to the Granite State and other parts of the Northeast.
The Storm’s Genesis and Track
The storm originated over Texas on December 25, 1969, and moved eastward, producing severe weather and tornadoes in Louisiana, Georgia, and Florida. As it reached the Atlantic coast, it turned northeastward and intensified into a powerful nor’easter, a type of storm that brings strong winds and heavy precipitation from the northeast.
The storm’s track was close to the shore, which allowed warm and moist air to flow inland, creating a sharp contrast with the cold air to the west. This resulted in a complex and varied precipitation pattern, with snow, sleet, rain, and freezing rain falling in different areas.
The Storm’s Effects and Impacts
The storm’s effects were felt from December 26 to December 28, 1969, as it stalled over the region and dumped copious amounts of snow and ice. The areas that received mostly snow experienced some of the highest snowfall totals ever recorded in New Hampshire history. According to the National Centers for Environmental Information, the storm produced the following one-day snowfall records for each county:
- Coos County: 49.3 inches
- Grafton County: 36 inches
- Belknap County: 34 inches
- Merrimack County: 34 inches
- Hillsborough County: 32 inches
- Cheshire County: 31.4 inches
- Carroll County: 30 inches
- Sullivan County: 30 inches
- Rockingham County: 28.4 inches
- Strafford County: 24 inches
The storm also set the record for the snowiest 24-hour period in all of New Hampshire, surpassing a 48-inch snowfall in Danbury in December 2020. The snow was accompanied by strong winds, which created drifts up to 30 feet high and reduced visibility to near zero. The snow paralyzed transportation, isolated communities, and caused power outages.
Many people had to rely on snowmobiles or skis to get around, and some had to dig tunnels to get out of their homes. The storm was blamed for at least 20 deaths in New York and New England, mostly due to heart attacks, exposure, and accidents.
The areas that received a mix of snow, sleet, rain, and freezing rain experienced a severe ice storm, which caused widespread damage to trees, power lines, and structures. The ice accumulation was several inches thick in some places, and was worsened by gale-force winds that snapped branches and poles. The ice storm was comparable to the aftermath of the 1938 New England hurricane, and caused roofs to collapse under the weight of the ice and snow.
Some areas also received heavy rainfall, which added to the flooding risk from ice jams, poor drainage, and melting snow. The storm also battered the coastline with wind gusts up to 100 mph and strong waves, causing erosion and damage to property.
The Storm’s Legacy and Lessons
The December 1969 nor’easter was one of the most memorable and devastating storms in New Hampshire history, and left a lasting impression on the people who lived through it. The storm also taught some valuable lessons on how to prepare for and cope with such extreme weather events, such as having adequate emergency supplies, communication systems, and snow removal equipment.
The storm also highlighted the importance of weather forecasting and warning, as well as the need for more research on the causes and effects of nor’easters and other winter storms. The storm also showed the resilience and cooperation of the people of New Hampshire, who helped each other and shared resources during the crisis.
Conclusion
The December 1969 nor’easter was a historic storm that brought record-breaking snowfall, ice, and wind to New Hampshire and other parts of the Northeast. The storm caused widespread damage, disruption, and death, and challenged the people’s ability to cope with such extreme weather.
The storm also provided some valuable lessons and insights on how to better prepare for and respond to future storms, as well as how to understand and predict their behavior. The storm remains a vivid example of the power and unpredictability of nature, and the strength and adaptability of the human spirit.