The Severe Winter of 1851-52: Some Highlights

[donsutherland1]

Winter 1851-52 was one of the more severe winters of the 19th century. Most parts of the nation with the exception of the West Coast had at least one significant outbreak of cold.

The cold was especially notable for its persistence. On February 29, a correspondent to <i>The New York Daily Times</i> (today, <i>The New York Times</i>) wrote on February 29, 1852:

<i>For, I am beginning to think this Winter will never go away. A few days ago we had many appearances of Spring—thaw, sunshine, bland airs, and a budding of our ideas in general; but yesterday morning there was again the horrible old story of the last three months...</i>

Highlights of Winter 1851-52 included:

- September frosts in New England
- 3" snow in Boston along with some snow on Long Island on October 27
- Ponds were beginning to freeze in New England by November 14
- A mid-December snowfall of 6" in Boston
- Subzero cold in New England on December 26 (-8 in Boston)
- A snowstorm in the Deep South on January 13
- The freezing of harbors at Baltimore and Norfolk
- Widespread subzero readings from Baltimore to New England on January 20 (-4 in New York City and -7 in Philadelphia)
- A January 31-February 1 snowstorm in New England
- A March 17 Mid-Atlantic and Southern New England snowstorm
- A major snowstorm that brought almost a foot of snow to Boston in early April

[Dave C]

I have 1 more April storm to add to your list that year Don. The first storm you mentioned in April(5-6) was followed by a second one on the 13th. Here's the record from Providence RI(meteorological record), After 45 deg. high and periodic light rain on the 12th heavier rain dev. overnite and by 7am the 13th changed to sleet and then quickly to snow which continued until sunset with pretty heavy wind from NE. 7 inches fell with temps holding during daylight hrs. around 32deg. 1.65 total liquid total. 2 days later another storm of rain with temps in mid 30s and another 1.35 liquid, probably snow in elevated areas of New England.

[donsutherland1]

Dave,

You are correct about this storm. I have a much longer PDF file on this winter and I couldn't include everything in the post. This storm wound up dumping two feet of snow in western Massachusetts. I'll have to note the coastal impact.

Thanks.