During the summer, thunderstorms are responsible for the heaviest local rainfall intensities. Road washouts, flooding and soil erosion are occasional effects of such storms. Freezing rain occasionally occurs, sometimes more than once per winter in certain regions. In January 1998, a widespread icing event took place across the northwestern part of Vermont, surrounding New England states and southernmost parts of three Canadian provinces. Although 2.11 inches of rain were received on January 8,1998 at the peak of this ice storm, the record daily total stands at 8.77 inches on November 3-4, at Somerset during the 1927 flood.
Totals vary dramatically with elevation over short distances.
Large differences are also observed from one season to the next, from one location to the next as well as for the same month over different years. During most winters, several snowstorms of 5 inches or more are to be expected. Blizzards of a variety of magnitudes have been observed, ranging from the Great Blizzard of 1888 to the Super Storm of 1993. Many of the more severe blizzards tend to be nor'easters which generate very strong winds, heavy rain or snow. Other types of severe weather tend to be less common.