The storm dumped record-breaking snow totals and packed near-hurricane strength winds, paralyzing the area. Local interstates were closed for days. The National Guard was called to help rescue people who were stranded. Volunteers with snow mobiles and four-wheelers were used to help transport utility workers and deliver medical supplies. Bus service stopped, flights were grounded, and for the first time since the Great Flood of 1913, mail was not delivered...
The storm formed from two large upper-level disturbances that merged to fuel one massive system. The powerful storm still holds records for some of the lowest pressure readings ever recorded in the United States, not associated with a hurricane. Wind gusts were recorded in Dayton at near 70 mph. For perspective, the minimum wind criteria needed for an EF-0 tornado is 65 mph.
Air temperatures plunged more than 20 degrees in a matter of hours, and visibility was reduced to near zero for much of the day. More than a foot of snow fell in Dayton, bringing the total snowfall for the month to more than 40 inches. That, combined with the winds, created up to 25 feet-high snowdrifts.
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We often talk about the impact of a storm being amplified or reduced by the timing. This was true for the 1978 blizzard. It moved in during the early morning hours of Jan. 26, and by 7 a.m. blizzard conditions engulfed the region.
The death toll from this storm climbed to more than 70 people, with 51 of those deaths in Ohio.
Like so many historic events, the more time that passes the more it becomes just another page in the history books. Even with all the science, new technology and hours of analyzing data, the study of past weather events is crucial to understanding how impactful and debilitating Mother Nature can be.
Carrieann Marit is a Storm Center 7 meteorologist. Contact her at Carrieann.Marit@coxinc.com or follow her on Facebook and Twitter.
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