New York City is no stranger to snowstorms. But the blizzard that hit in December 1947 was one for the record books. It wasn’t just a snowstorm. It was a historic event that brought the bustling city to a complete standstill. The storm began the day after Christmas, on December 26th. It continued for over 24 hours.
The weather forecast on Christmas Day had predicted rain, not snow. This was a major miscalculation. It meant that many people were unprepared for what was coming. The city’s snow removal equipment wasn’t ready. Residents weren’t expecting to be snowed in.
The snow started falling gently in the early morning hours. It quickly intensified. Within a few hours, the city was covered in a thick blanket of white. The wind picked up, creating blizzard conditions. Visibility dropped to almost zero.
Record-Breaking Snowfall
The storm dumped an astonishing amount of snow on New York City. Central Park recorded 26.4 inches (67 cm). This was the highest snowfall total ever recorded in the city at that time. It held the record for many decades. Some areas outside of Manhattan received even more snow.
The sheer volume of snow was overwhelming. It buried cars, blocked streets, and made it impossible to travel. The city’s transportation system ground to a halt. Subways were delayed or canceled. Buses couldn’t navigate the streets. Even walking became a major challenge.
Stranded in the City
Thousands of people found themselves stranded. Commuters who had gone to work on December 26th were unable to get home. Many ended up sleeping in their offices, in train stations, or in hotel lobbies. Stores quickly ran out of food and supplies.
The storm created a sense of isolation. People were cut off from their families and friends. This was before the days of cell phones and the internet. Communication was difficult. Many people had no way of knowing if their loved ones were safe.
The process of digging out from the blizzard was a massive undertaking. The city deployed thousands of workers to clear the streets. But the snow was so deep and heavy that progress was slow. It took days to clear even the major thoroughfares.
Ordinary citizens also pitched in. Neighbors helped neighbors shovel snow. People shared food and supplies. There was a sense of community spirit in the face of adversity. But the task was enormous. It took a long time for the city to return to normal.
The Human Cost
The blizzard wasn’t just an inconvenience. It had a serious human cost. At least 77 deaths were attributed to the storm. Some people died from heart attacks while shoveling snow. Others were killed in accidents caused by the poor visibility and icy conditions. Still others succumbed to exposure.
The storm also caused widespread property damage. Buildings collapsed under the weight of the snow. Cars were buried and damaged. The economic cost of the blizzard was substantial.
The transportation system was the hardest hit. With streets impassable, buses and cars were useless. The elevated trains, usually reliable in snow, faced issues with frozen switches and power outages. The subway system, while mostly underground, still had above-ground sections that were affected.
This paralysis meant that essential services were disrupted. Food deliveries couldn’t get through. Hospitals were short-staffed. Emergency vehicles struggled to reach people in need. The city was effectively cut off from the outside world.
The Role of the Weather Bureau
The inaccurate forecast by the Weather Bureau (now the National Weather Service) came under intense scrutiny. The bureau had predicted a mix of rain and snow, with only a few inches of accumulation. They significantly underestimated the storm’s intensity.
This miscalculation had serious consequences. It meant that the city was unprepared. It led to criticism of the Weather Bureau’s forecasting methods. It also spurred efforts to improve weather prediction technology.
