Introduction
A 19th century snowstorm in New York City that seldom draws much attention is the nor'easter of February 20-21, 1854 that buried the city under a foot or more of snow. Ironically, it is one of the three storms that preceded the famed Blizzard of 1888 that drew notice in stories pertaining to the Blizzard of 1888. Overall, this storm appeared to have focused its heaviest accumulations on the Middle Atlantic region even as it also buried parts of the Northeast under heavy snow drifted about by high winds.
The Snowstorm
In its coverage of the Blizzard of 1888, The New York Times reported, "Another instance of a severe winter storm happened three years before [the Blizzard of 1857]. On Feb. 20, 1854, a great snowstorm swept down upon the city, blocked all the railroads, and brought all traffic to a standstill."1
The snowstorm began Monday night, February 20, 18542 with its height occurring into the following morning. At its peak, the snowstorm was characterized by heavy snow, low visibility, and high winds. In addition, it appears that the storm was accompanied by low temperatures.
"The snow storm of the season is still raging with a violence that causes those who encounter it to shiver beneath the most comfortable garments, and gasp for breath. It is not one of the old-fashioned, constitutional snow storms that occasionally come upon us in handsome, robust flakes... It is like some dozen Scotch mists Russianized and rendered terrible by the change. It comes sharp and piercing to the face...," the February 21, 1854 edition of The New York Daily Times observed.3
At the time the story was written, a foot had already fallen in New York City.4 New York City was not the only area affected by the storm. "...the storm has not shown any partiality toward us that need make our sister cities envious," the Daily Times wrote of telegraph reports.5
The Middle Atlantic region was especially hard hit with the storm being called one of the greatest ever to affect that part of the East Coast. The New York Daily Times' Washington, D.C. correspondent reported on February 21 from Havre de Grace, Maryland, "The most tremendous snow storm ever known here commenced last night. The drifts six feet deep, two feet on level."6
Copyright 2003 1
Copyright 2003
