The occurrence of sub-zero temperatures and severe snowstorms is infrequent. A high percentage of the winter precipitation occurs as rain. Maximum temperatures of 100 degrees or higher have been recorded on several days. There have also been a few days when the maximum temperature was only zero degrees. Although severe snowstorms are infrequent, when they do occur they can approach blizzard conditions.
High winds cause huge drifts and normal routines can be disrupted for several days.
From a meteorological viewpoint, severe storms are most interesting. In going back to the period before the turn of the century, the blizzard of 1888 is the only severe storm worthy of note. This storm began March 11 as rain, with wind velocities estimated at 65 miles an hour. The rain changed to snow the night of March 11, and continued as snow for 2 more days. Snow depth was 15 inches, and drifts 15 to 20 feet were reported.