Frozen in Time: 20 Vintage Photos of Blizzards Through History

Bizarre March 24, 2025

Blizzards have been some of nature’s most powerful and destructive forces throughout history. From unexpected snowstorms to epic, record-breaking snowfalls, these storms have dramatically shaped lives, communities, and landscapes. The sheer intensity of these weather events can alter the course of history, leaving behind both devastation and awe.

These extreme weather conditions have tested the resilience of individuals and communities while showcasing nature’s raw power. At the same time, the beauty of snow-covered landscapes, with swirling winds and vast white expanses, can evoke a sense of wonder that transcends the destruction.

These snapshots capture moments of incredible hardship yet also moments of breathtaking beauty and power. Step back in time and experience the fury and wonder of these unforgettable snowstorms that have left their mark on history. Here are 20 images of blizzards from the past.

1. The Great New York Blizzard of 1947.

People walking through a heavy snowstorm at night. Three women in coats and headscarves stand on the left, while a man carrying skis and poles walks on the right. Snowflakes are falling densely, obscuring parts of the scene.
jumpysignature5588

Taking your skis to work must have been insane. No snow days in 1947.

2. Jumping into snow piles after the Winnipeg blizzard of 1966.

People jump off a tall snow-covered wall onto a large snowbank. The scene is in black and white, and the ground is covered in snow. A few individuals stand to the side watching. Buildings are visible in the background.
shalamarr

The only time school is fun is when you’re jumping into snow piles like this.

3. The Broadway Blizzard, 1905.

A busy city street in winter, covered with snow. Pedestrians walk along the sidewalks, and a horse-drawn carriage moves down the street. Buildings line both sides, showcasing various signs and storefronts, including one advertising straw hats.
sdmf98

Those poor horses still have to trudge through the snow.

4. Girls playing in a blizzard in Washington, DC, 1922.

Two people sitting on a large snowdrift, smiling and looking at the camera. They are wearing winter coats, hats, and scarves. Snow is falling around them and buildings are visible in the background. It appears to be a historical winter scene.
justchuck1070

Sometimes, you have to enjoy the little things.

5. Cops inspecting an abandoned school bus in the blizzard of ’77.

Two people walk along a snow-covered road where a school bus is partially buried by deep snow. Another person is on top of the bus shoveling snow. Power lines and leafless bushes are visible in the snowy landscape.
willodinsun

This blizzard took out Buffalo and the towns around it.

6. The blizzard of the century in Nebraska.

A person stands in the snow, using an old-fashioned telephone connected to a utility pole. The scene is black and white, with electrical lines stretching into the distance. The person wears a coat, hat, and boots.
ramkavas

This photo was taken in 1949.

7. The 1978 Blizzard of Detroit.

Black and white photo labeled "the Blizzard of '78." Snow-covered street with multiple cars buried in snow. People stand on cars and navigate through deep snow. Buildings and trees are visible in the background.
detroitlibertype

Shoveling all of those cars out must have been miserable.

8. The Blizzard of Skopje, 1955.

A double-decker bus is covered in a thick layer of snow, almost buried. Two people in winter clothes stand on top of the snowdrift, observing the scene. Streetlamps are visible, emphasizing the depth of the snow.
gjore

In 1955 Skopje had 100 straight days of snowing.

9. Rhode Island’s Blizzard of ’78.

A person sits on the roof of a car surrounded by deep snow, amidst a traffic jam of vehicles on a snow-covered road. Trucks and cars are lined up in both directions. Trees and people are visible in the background.
mattywa401

When you can’t move your car, just sit on the hood and take a minute.

10. What a gentleman.

A man in a hat and coat carries a smiling woman wrapped in a scarf and coat through a snowy street during a snowstorm. People in the background walk with umbrellas and coats. Buildings and trees are partially visible.
userdeleted

The ’47 Blizzard of New York.

11. New York City in the Blizzard of 1888.

A historic black-and-white photo shows a snow-covered street with high snowbanks in front of a row of buildings. A collapsed "Groceries" sign hangs overhead. A child and several adults traverse the snowy sidewalk.
userdeleted

Now that’s a lot of damage.

12. This house in Ohio was encased in ice.

A house enveloped in thick ice, with icicles hanging from the roof and walls. Trees and plants are also covered in ice, creating a frozen landscape. The sky is overcast, adding to the cold, wintery atmosphere.
insanezane777

It looks amazing, but it isn’t very convenient.

13. This man walked around as the Grim Reaper during a blizzard in his town.

A mysterious figure in a draped cloak walks through a snow-covered landscape, surrounded by bare trees. The scene is gray and foggy, with a dim light visible in the background.
m3lodym4ker

I can’t tell if this prank is amazing or terrible.

14. That car looks like it’s at warp speed.

A car covered in a thick layer of snow is parked on a snowy street at night. The heavy snow blankets the vehicle almost completely, leaving only a vague outline visible. Nearby, a building emits a warm glow through large windows.
avdableboat67

If this happened to my car I’d move to Texas.

15. Blizzards in Buffalo are just different.

A house and SUV are heavily covered in snow. The porch, car, and stairs are blanketed with snow drifts, while the vehicles and surrounding area show a thick layer of white from a recent snowfall.
dakovichzzz

A 3-foot storm is nothing to the people in Buffalo.

16. Ten feet of snow in Mammoth Lakes, California.

A snow-covered balcony with deep snow built up against the railing and walls. The wooden roof has string lights hanging, and a snow-covered bench is next to the railing. The scene is enclosed, creating a cozy, wintery atmosphere.
sat0725

All you can do is wait for it to melt.

17. The 1977 Buffalo White Death Blizzard.

Two people stand on top of a snow-covered bus, waving with one hand. The bus is almost completely buried in snow, only the front is visible. Snowy landscape in the background. The scene is in black and white.
ronny2929

It’s going to take a while to get that bus out of there.

18. 1888 in New York.

A person stands in an alley lined with towering snowbanks, likely from a heavy snowfall. The buildings on either side are partially visible, with footprints trailing in the snow along the pathway. The sky is overcast.
userdeleted

Our ancestors really did walk 5 miles to school through 8 feet of snow.

19. The Great North Dakota Blizzard of 1966.

A person stands in deep snow beside a fallen telephone pole, with more poles visible in the background. The scene is monochrome, depicting a vast, snowy landscape under an overcast sky.
groomleader

That must have taken months to thaw.

20. This blizzard was in Indiana in 1978.

A black and white image of a car driving through a narrow path flanked by tall snowbanks. The road appears recently plowed and is framed by telephone poles. The sky is overcast, indicating cold weather conditions.
goatmanevil

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